The wheel of the year.

Once again, the wheel has turned full circle. … Be reborn this night, as the great wheel of life must ever turn.

The wheel represents a full cycle of the seasons. Each season is marked by a series of spiritual days called Sabbats to honor the qualities of each time of the year, life’s lessons as revealed through Nature, and our relationship with our deities. Samhain (pronounced /ˈsɑːwɪn/ SAH-win or /ˈsaʊ.ɪn/ SOW-in), also known as Halloween is considered the beginning of the Pagan year. The wheel of the year, as seen here is based off the Celtic calendar which is focused on the cyclical change of seasons.  The original Celts would celebrate four fire festivals, which were spaced evenly throughout the year, which celebrated the transition of the sun throughout the seasons.

Below is detailed information about each Sabbat. I will be posting more in depth in, my blog for each Holiday along with rituals and photos.

SAMHAIN: (say Sow-een) or Halloween, the final harvest, this is our most sacred Sabbat. Samhain is commencing of the season of darkness, it is the festival of Death, it is also the celebration of the of the Eternal Cycle, for without death there can be no rebirth. This truly is the time that the new cycle begins. It is a starting point.

The spirit of the God has descended into the Underworld and the Sun Child is growing within the Goddess, waiting in the depths of the Earth to be reborn at Yule. It is the time when the Goddess is in Her aspect as Crone. She is Destroyer and Healer, Wise Woman and Midwife of Transformation. Samhain is the time of introspection, it is the time to assess and re-tune ourselves to the beliefs in the oneness of all spirits, and in our firm resolution, that physical death is not the final act of existence.

The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest and the consciousness which separates the land of the living from the land of the dead. We remember and honor our loved ones and ancestors who have passed; we release the spirits of those we have lost.

Other Names: Witch’s New Year, Summer’s End, All Hollow’s Even Date: October 31 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter) Celebration of: The Lord dies and awaits his rebirth at Yule Related Holiday: Halloween Colors: Orange & Brown Symbols: Fall fruits, divination

YULE: The Winter Solstice, is the season of Midwinter festivities and the return of the sun and light. The God as Sun Child is reborn of the  Goddess. We honor the birth of Life and the first light that signifies renewal. Participating in Yule teaches us to join in with the potential for rebirth and to be part of the cycle which is core to our existence. The evergreen tree is sacred to the Goddess who never dies, this represents the uniting of the underworld, our world, and the Gods. This time of joy and is a time of reflection on the gifts of the Goddess.

Other Names: Winter Solstice Date: December 21 (thereabouts) Celebration of: The Goddess gives birth to the God Related Holiday: Christmas Colors: Purple or Dark Green Symbols: Holly, mistletoe, pine branches, pine cones, wreath

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