The Wheel of the Year

The wheel of the year is the annual cycle of the year’s seasons. The seasons being marked by Sabbats, eight festivals spaced evenly throughout the year. Four of the Sabbats fall on the solstices and equinoxes and are also known as “Lesser Sabbats”. While the other four fall (approximately) midway between these and are commonly known as “Greater Sabbats”.

The Sabbats being: • Samhain, a greater Sabbat. October 31st • Yule, a lesser Sabbat. December 21st • Imbolc, a greater Sabbat. January 31st • Ostara, a lesser Sabbat. March 21st • Beltane, a greater Sabbat. April 30th • Litha, a lesser Sabbat. June 22nd • Lughnasadh (Lammas), a greater Sabbat. July 31st • Mabon, a lesser Sabbat. September 21st

Among Wiccans, the most common narrative of the Wheel of the Year is that the God is born from the Goddess (in her mother aspect) at Yule, grows in power at Ostara (along with the Goddess who has now returned to her maiden aspect), courts and impregnates the Goddess at Beltane, wanes in power at Lughnasadh, passes into the underworld at Samhain, then is once again born at Yule.

Sabbat Celebrations

Samhain, or “Summers End” is the beginning of the Spiritual new year and night of the dead, when the veil is the thinnest between worlds. This Sabbat honors the year's last harvest and celebrates the lives of the dead as we are reunited with them for the day. Samhain is best for working with spiritual awakenings, communion with the dead, psychic abilities, success and bounty, and pregnancy.

Yule is the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year which celebrates the rebirth of the Sun. This is a time to focus on rebirth and renewal. It is generally identified along with Christmas traditions. With the burning of the Yule log, bonfires, mistletoe, and wassail. This is the best time to work with fertility, rebirth, family, healing, and reflection.

Imbolc or St. Brigid’s Day is meant to recognize the coming of Spring as well as celebrate Saint Brigid and Goddess Brigid, and ready ourselves for warmer days to come. Typically, in celebration candles are lit in every room of the home, or bonfires are lit in representation of the Sun’s rebirth. This is a prime time to focus on work with new life, success, new love, and opportunity.

Ostara is the Spring Equinox. A celebration of the changing of the season and the arrival of Spring. The earth's rebirth and awakening from a long, harsh winter as well as a celebration of fertility and motherhood. This blessed day is perfect for working with success, blossoming love, passion, budding friendship, and rebirth.

Beltane, or “May Day” is a celebration of fertility, abundant life, and the union of the God and the Goddess to procreate. A fire celebration in which many burn large bonfires for the God and Goddess as well as erect a Maypole to dance around with ribbons. This is the best time to work with fertility, success, abundance, love, passion, education, and healing.

Litha, or Midsummer is the Summer Solstice. Which is the longest day of the year and is when the Sun god is at his greatest strength. This is also a large celebration of the Fae Folk, it’s best to put out offerings of cake, milk, and mead for he faeries. This is a time of healing, love, weddings, energy, and protection magic.

Lughnasadh, or Lammas is the first of three harvest festivals and it occurs at the height of summer. It is at this time that we celebrate Lugh, the Celtic Sun God. As autumn begins, Lugh enters his old age, but is not yet dead, He loses some of his strength as the Sun rises farther in the South each day and the nights grow longer. This is a time to focus on and work with Fruitfulness, endurance, enduring love, strength and skill, and handfastings.

Mabon is the Autumnal Equinox. At this time, day and night are divided equally and we pay respect to impending night. Some celebrate The Green man, while others celebrate the Goddess as she changes from Mother to Crone and The God preparing for his death and re-birth. This is a time for reaping success, abundance, protection, hearth and home.