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Wiccans
live, worship and celebrate by the changing seasons and lunar
cycles. The year is cyclical, it is like a wheel, revolving
from season to season and year to year, hence the name
"Wheel of the Year". Every year there are
eight Wiccan holidays known as Sabbats and there are 12 - 13
Esbats "lunar holy days" consisting of the new and
full moons.
Here
is a brief explanation of the Sabbats as celebrated by Wiccans:
Samhain pronounced
"sow-in" October 31
Also known as
Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, Hallowmass or Day of the Dead,
Samhain is the Wiccan & Witch new year. This is one of the
most important of Sabbats, for we remember those that passed
from the world of the living, to the world of the dead and the
veil separating the two worlds is at it's thinnest.
Yule (Winter Solstice)
December 21
Winter has
covered the earth and this is a time for the telling of
stories, the sharing of skills and knowledge and the burning
of the Yule log. It is the longest night of the year and Yule
trees (where the idea of the Christmas tree came from) are
decorated by Wiccans and are a symbol of the green, fertile
land that will once gain spring forth with life come spring.
Candlemas (Brigid's Day or
Imbolc) February 1 – 2
Spring is
coming, although winter is still upon the land. Wiccans
celebrate Candlemas by blessing their ritual tools and
building a bonfire to signify the warm sun.
Ostara (Spring Equinox) March
21
This Sabbat
corresponds with the arrival of Spring and is a good time to
prepare for the planting of gardens, flowers, herbs and other
plants. During this time, it is evident that Winter will end
soon, and this is a very joyous occasion. Celebrating
fertility, Wiccans paint eggs, an ancient fertility tradition
which was adopted by Christians in celebrating Easter.
Beltane April 30 - May 1
Beltane, like
Samhain, is an important Sabbat, and one of the most joyous.
This is traditionally a fertility festival, and companions
that wish to make a commitment to each other will hold a
Handfasting (like marriage) to strengthen their commitment
with one another.
Midsummer (Litha or Summer
Solstice) June 21
This is the
longest day of the year. Everything has been planted, the days
are warm, the animals are prolific and life is good.
Lammas (Lughnasadh) August 1
The harvest
yields its bounty and a huge feast is prepared. Homemade
breads, and Summer fruits and vegetables are plentiful. Corn
dollys are made from dried corn husks and winter is just
around the corner.
Mabon (The Autumnal Equinox)
September 21
This Sabbat
celebrates the harvest of grain. Winter is closer yet and we
appreciate the last harvests of the year. Wine is also made,
as grapes ripen in some areas during this time. Wiccans
celebrate this season with a feast of grains, apples, and
other fruits and vegetables. The next Sabbat is Samhain, and
so the wheel of the year starts its cycle again.
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Witches
Calendar
