Intro to the Wheel of the Year
It’s all about embracing the seasons.
While we’ve shared many of our favorite lunar activities, solar activities are also a cause for celebration, and the two together make up the events included in the Wheel of the Year.
The Wheel of the Year marks the celebratory sabbats (solar cycle) and esbats (lunar cycle) that invite us to slow down and honor the cyclical passing of time. The Wheel of the Year can serve as a tool to help us constantly focus on the present, enjoying what each day and each season has to offer. For many witches, this is a sacred marking of holy days and can be the root of one’s practice. Here, we are looking into the sabbat holidays, as we will be diving deeper into the esbats with our next Witchcraft 101 lesson.
This is a very brief introduction to the holy days of the witch, as there are many cross-cultural traditions, myths, celebrations, and rituals for each of the eight sabbats. Consider devoting time to learn the histories and research the elements of the holidays. As with all magick, we encourage you to try and bring new elements into your practice, respectfully incorporating what may resonate with you and gently leaving behind what may not.
What does the Wheel of the Year consist of? What does it mean and how can it impact my personal practice? Let’s break it down a bit so that you can determine what it means to you.
SABBATS
The sabbats, defined as seasonal festivals, are made up of the equinoxes, solstices and cross-quarter days between them. The eight sabbats are the pillars of the Wheel of the Year and each holiday has special associations and energetic values. The dates may vary from year to year depending on the astroweather, but the holidays always fall around the same time. Because of the earth’s positioning and tilt, the holidays are opposite in the northern and southern hemispheres, just like the seasons.
Samhain
Northern hemisphere: October 31 - November 1 / Southern hemisphere: April 30 - May 1
Pronounced “saa-win”
Celebrates the summer’s end and the beginning of the Wheel of the Year
Also known as the witch’s New Year and Halloween
Marking the end of harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year, Samhain is traditionally a holiday focused on honoring the dead, as the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. This is a time when divination is more potent, allowing us to pay homage to our ancestors and those who came before us.
Yule
Winter Solstice
Northern hemisphere: December 20 - 23 / Southern hemisphere: June 20 - 22
This marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and celebrates the coming of the light
As the darkest time of the year comes to a close and longer days are ahead, Yule is a time to reflect on the shadow elements of your life. This is an opportunity to honor the darkness while also preparing for an opportunity to bring things into the light, as we are moving into the waxing season.
Imbolc
Northern hemisphere: February 1 - 2 / Southern hemisphere: August 1 - 2
Pronounced “im-blk”
The first cross-quarter day of the year (meaning it falls halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox)
Aligns with Candlemas and Groundhog Day in the US
This holiday represents the womb of mother earth, celebrating life and new beginnings. Traditionally, Imbolc was a day to celebrate Brigid, the Celtic goddess of spring, fertility, and life. Many people would use this time to honor the goddess and ask for protection of their families, home, crops, and livestock.
Ostara
Spring Equinox
Northern hemisphere: March 20 - 23 / Southern hemisphere: September 20 - 23
Night and day are equal length
Marks the first day of spring
Typically aligns with Jewish Passover and Christian Easter
Named after the Germanic goddess of spring and dawn, Ēostre
This is a celebration of balance, equilibrium, the planting of seeds, and reflecting on our achievements since the winter solstice. This is a time to celebrate life and enjoy the sweetness of springtime and the growing light.
Beltane
Northern hemisphere: May 1 - 2 / Southern hemisphere: November 1 - 2
The second cross-quarter day of the year (meaning it falls halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice)
Also known as May Day in the northern hemisphere
Beltane marks the beginning of summer, abundance, fertility, and the return of light. This is a time to celebrate the divine sexual energy. Maypoles are raised and bonfires are lit to celebrate the sun and blooming flowers, and it is a festive time of song and dance.
Litha
Summer Solstice
Northern hemisphere: June 20 - 23 / Southern hemisphere: December 20 - 23
Also known as Midsummer
This marks the longest day of the year and celebrates the abundance of sunshine and light.
Litha is the time to get outdoors and celebrate the light, honoring the sun as a powerful life source. This is also a time to celebrate the season of love and marriage, as well as the abundance of life. We move into the waning season after this, preparing for the darkness ahead, so Litha is meant to be the grand celebration of summer.
Lughnasdh
Northern hemisphere: August 1 - 2 / Southern hemisphere: February 1 - 2
Pronounced “loo-nah-sah” and also called Lammas
The third cross-quarter day of the year (meaning it falls halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox)
This is the first of three harvest festivals, and is traditionally celebrated with feasting and fun. Representing the beginning of autumn, we use this time to prepare for the darkness that is ahead, while in the meantime enjoying the abundance of the harvest and reaping the rewards of all that has been sown.
Mabon
Autumn Equinox
Northern hemisphere: September 20 - 23 / Southern hemisphere: March 20 - 23
Night and day are equal length
Marks the first day of autumn
Completes the Wheel of the Year
The second harvest celebration, Mabon celebrates the end of the bustling season of light and warmth and gives us an opportunity to reflect on our hard work. Mabon represents the slower season ahead, preparing us for death, rebirth, and eventual transformation. This is a time to give thanks and celebrate in gratitude of all that we have planted, grown, and harvested this year.
And there you have it! There are so many great stories and nuances around each of these holidays, and if you’d like to learn more we recommend picking up Gabriela Herstik’s book Inner Witch as well as researching the traditional religious elements of Paganism here.
We’ll be sharing information on the lunar cycle and esbats that augment the Wheel of the Year in our next article, so stay tuned!