the wheel of the year
What is the Wheel of the Year? Much like other religions, there are key events in which are celebrated. In Wicca, these are called Sabbats and they occur 8 times throughout the year. Each time of year has its own correspondences, crystals, colours, scents, and even foods!
The Wheel of the Year flows naturally through Earths yearly cycles, and marks the changes in nature through celebrations. These celebrations also coincide with some of the more popular holidays, but Wiccans celebrate them for their own spiritual meaning.
Yule is the celebration of the Sun’s rebirth, and brighter days coming. It is acknowledging that the darker, winter days are over and brighter warmer days are to come.
Imbolc is the celebration for sewing seeds, and looking forward to Spring. Wiccan’s may plant and begin to take care of plants at this time, for it is the time for the emergence of new life. It is largely focused on the Celtic Goddess Brigid.
Ostara is also known as the Vernal Equinox, celebrates the marriage of the Sun God and the young Maiden, who are now able to conceive. This gives the Earth a higher power to allow for new life. The light and the dark are now in balance with one another.
Beltane marks the beginning of Summer and traditionally bonfires are lit and dances are made around a may-pole. Because the flowers are now in full bloom it is a celebration of the fertile Earth.
Litha is the Summer Solstice and therefore it is the longest day of the year. It’s a preparation for the days to become shorter as the nights take over. It is the final celebration of the Sun for the year, until its rebirth at Yule.
Lughnasadh is the celebration of the first harvest and the first fresh crops being picked. It is a time to be thankful to the Earth for providing us with the foods that we will consume over the Winter months.
Mabon is the celebration of the Mothers decent into the darker days and being thankful for our final harvest. In general is the best time to be thankful for the events of the year that have already gone and to prepare for the colder days.
Samhain is the final celebration before the Sun’s rebirth at Yule. It is a time to celebrate those you have lost and it is a very spiritual time of year. The veil between this world and the next is momentarily lifted, and so spirts are able to move freely between the two.
That was just a quick stop at all of the Sabbats, however as each Sabbat approaches I will do a full blog post on more history, crystals, herbs, foods, and what you can do to celebrate this time of year!
*picture credit: handmade by me*
