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)O( Wheel of the Year )O( Article written by the "Authors of Magickalpair Realm" 2002 The Wheel of the Year is the cycle of the Earth that everyone must live by- whether Wiccan or not; the Wheel is forever turning and inevitable. Winter turns into spring; Spring turns into summer; Summer turns into fall; Fall turns back into winter. The Wheel creates and destroys life with its constant spinning. The Earth knows for every new fawn that is born in the spring, a buck must pass over in the winter, for this is the way of the Wheel. Wiccans are attuned to the Wheel of the Year, since we are attuned to nature. All life grows and changes with the seasons. Wiccans see the growing and changing as a time for celebrations. We honor the Wheel of the Year each time it spins, for each time it makes new life, and for each time it makes new food to sustain the life that is already here, and for each time it gives an old soul peace. We have eight Sabbats (...aka:holidays) to honor our Wheel. On this page I am giving you the dates and explanations for each Sabbat. ( The dates may vary for some years.) I hope you enjoy this article! P.S. To hear the Sabbat pronunciation, click this symbol: when you see it.

Our Sabbats (Holidays)  Yule, December 20/21st - This is also known as the Winter Solstice. This is the shortest and darkest day of the year. The Goddess rested through the cold of winter, pregnant with the God. On this day, the Goddess gives birth to the God, giving light to the Earth again. (The God, of course, represents the Sun.) Many Wiccans light fires and/or candles to welcome back the Earths light on this day.  Imbolc, February 2nd -This is the time that the Goddess, after giving birth, is being awakened by the Gods’ growing light. The God is a young boy now, and His power is being felt more these days. This marks the earliest signs of spring. Seeds are starting to germinate and sprout, for the growing Sun is fertilizing the Earth (the Goddess) with its warmth.. Wiccans celebrate this day with the festival of light. Again, we light fires to honor the growing Sun and the fertility of Mother Earth.   Ostara, March 20/21st - This is the Spring Equinox and the first day of true spring. The Goddess is truly awakened now, giving bursting fertility to all life. The God is matured, and his light is in full force. The Earth is green and full of life. On this day, light and darkness is equal, but light will soon overtake darkness. Wiccans see this time for new beginnings and a time to tend to our magical gardens. This is a time to collect wild flowers to decorate our altars.  Beltane, April 30th/ May 1st - This is also called May Day. On this day, the God realizing his manhood, lusts after the Goddess in all her beauty. They fall in love and lay in a field becoming one. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. Wiccans celebrate the Goddesses’ fertility in ritual. Wiccans will construct May poles, for it represents the phallus and the God. We decorate the May pole with greenery and flowers, for they represents the Goddess. The intertwining ribbons on the May pole symbolize the God and Goddess becoming one. A cauldron is common in this ritual because it too, represents the Goddess.   Litha, June 21st - This is also known as the Summer Solstice. This is the longest day of the year. Nature is very vibrant during this time of the year. The Earth is totally washed in the fertility of the God and Goddess. Wiccans use to make bonfires and leap over them to promote fertility, love and health. Now many might light candles though. Fire again represents the God. Some feel this is the best day to magicks of all kinds. Some may disagree.   Lughnasadh, August 1st - This is time for first harvest. Plants are losing their seeds and fruits. The God is growing weak and the Sun is being shown less now. The Goddess is saddened because She knows the God is dying. But she is also joyful, for She knows He lives inside of Her as child. As summer leaves us, we will remember it through the food we eat. We honor the God and Goddess for providing us with food.   Mabon, September 20/21st -This is the Autumn Equinox, and the completion the harvest. The day and night are again equal. The God is preparing to pass on into the journey of death and rebirth. Nature declines, as well as its bounty. Winter is upon us once again. The Goddess stares into the Gods’ eyes, knowing they will soon be closed. She also holds Her belly, knowing the God resides in Her and He will live again.   Samhain, October 31st - This is the time the Goddess says good-bye to the God, but it is a temporary good-bye, for He will be born again. The Goddess will rest through the winter, preparing to give birth at Yule. Wiccans see Samhain as a time to reflect on the past year, and coming to terms with the inventible, death. Wiccans feel that on this night the boundary of the physical and spiritual world in very thin. The spirits of our ancestors and loved ones walk the face of the Earth (if they haven’t reincarnated). After Samhain, we celebrate Yule again, so the Wheel of the Year will turn again!

Esbats Full or New Esbats are regular meetings of witches or Wiccan. They are mainly on full moons. Although it does not have to be on a full moon to have an Esbat. Many witches also gather and celebrate for new moons as well. Twice a month if you so desire to get into touch with your deities. But there are usually 13 full moons in the year to celebrate, which is when the "work" is performed, {magick spells, healing}. Dark moon Esbats or New moon as most know it is a good time to connect with the darker side of the gods. You can also do a banishing at this time. We have started to do more with the dark moon lately, as it is a very powerful and magickal time to practice your skills. Scrying and sex magick are wonderful at this time of the month too. For the Full Moon Charts, click here.

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