Wheel of the Year

We have an inseparable partnership to Mother Earth and celebrate Her turns of the wheel as Sabbats and Esbats. The Wheel of the Year marks the Sun's journey across the sky, the solstices, equinoxes and the Earth's changing seasons. Each spoke of the wheel marks an important moment of progression and change in the Earth. We will celebrate the holiday starting the day before until the day after the Sabbat date.

Our religious calendar contains 13 Full Moon celebrations and 8 Sabbats or days of power. The Sabbats are solar rituals, marking the points of the Sun’s yearly cycle, and are but half of the ritual year. The Esbats are the Full Moon celebrations. There are 12-13 Full Moons yearly, or one every 28 1/4 days. The Moon is a symbol of the Goddess as well as a source of energy. Thus, after the religious aspects of the Esbats, we often practice magick, tapping into the larger amounts of energy which are thought to exist at these times. Most rites are held at night. The eight Sabbats represent seasonal birth, death, and rebirth.

Yule / Winter Solstice

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pine Cones	Bayberry, Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Juniper	Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold	Yule log (Oak or Pine), Mistletoe, Wreaths, Strings of dried flowers and cinnamon sticks, Apples, Oranges, Yule tree	Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Caraway rolls, Mulled wine, Roast turkey

December 20-23: Yule, also called Winter Solstice, is the first day of winter, and it's when we experience the longest night of the year. It is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun, and it honors the Horned God. It's time to reflect on one's life and give thanks. We've made it through another year, and the days will continue to grow from here until Litha. This holiday will fall somewhere between the dates above and varies from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the southern most point in its yearly trek.

Candlemas / Imbolc

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Snowdrop, Bay, Heather, First Flowers of the Year	Rosemary, Cinnamon, Wisteria, Frankincense	White, Orange, Red	Lamps, Besom (Witch's Broom), Yellow Flowers	Dairy Products, Onions, Garlic, Spiced Wines, Seeds, Herbal Teas

February 1: Imbolc (Imbolg), also called the Feast of Brighid, is a celebration in anticipation for the spring. The term "Imbolc" means "in milk." This term's origins are in sheep, believe it or not. It is at this time that pregnant sheep begin to lactate. The days are growing in length, as they have been since Yule, but it's still winter. Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft is celebrated at this time of year. Her gift of smithcraft comes with an added bonus: fire. This is a time of new beginnings and growth. At this time, think of your goals and dreams for this year that you will plant, for just around the corner the Goddess will be giving birth to spring.

Ostara / Spring Equinox

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Honeysuckle, Iris, Peony, Violet and All Spring Flowers	Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry	Green, Yellow	Colored Eggs, Green and Yellow Jellybeans, Rabbit Decorations, Spring Flowers	Seeds, Leafy Green Vegetables, Spiced or Flower Cupcakes, Fruits, Hard-Boiled Eggs

March 20-23: Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox, celebrates the arrival of spring. Ostara marks the day when night and day are equal and balanced, hence the term equinox, which means "equal night." Ostara is a Norse goddess of fertility whose sacred symbols are the egg and rabbit. During this time, the snow begins to melt away, the days are getting warmer, and life all over the northern hemisphere is bursting into being. The Goddess is giving birth, and life has survived another winter. This is a time to rejoice, dance, and celebrate. This holiday will fall between the above dates depending on which day the Sun, on its northern trek, crosses the equator.

Beltane / Mayday

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, Hawthorn, All Flowers	Frankincense, Lilac, Rose	Green, Soft Pink, Blue, Yellow	Maypole, Strings of Beads or Flowers, Ribbons, Spring Flowers	Dairy, Oatmeal cakes, Cherries, Strawberries, Wine Punches, Green Salads

May 1: Beltane, also called May Day, is a Sabbat celebrating fertility and the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess. This is the time when life is beginning to renew itself. Animals are mating, plants are sprouting, and people celebrate! Huge fires are traditionally lit to honor the fertility God Belenos. Some people even leap the fires to show their excitement. Maypoles are erected, and bright ribbons are entwined around it. The Maypole is, in essence, a phallic symbol which represents the masculine penis. The soft, colorful ribbons represent the feminine (and I'm sure you can all figure out what aspect of the feminine this is ;-)). The union of the two symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess and the promise of rebirth. The God is conceived within the Goddess, and He will be reborn again at Yule. There is a legend that children conceived at Beltane were gifted by the gods. These children are known as Merry-Be-Gots.

Litha / Summer Solstice / Midsummer

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Lavender, Chamomile, Roses, Daisy, Lily	Frankincense, Lemon, Rose, Wisteria, Lavender	Blue, Green, Yellow	Dried Herbs, Potpourri, Seashells, Summer Flowers, Fruits	Summer Fruits, Ale, Mead, Fresh Vegetables

June 20-23: Litha, also called Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. This is the day we celebrate the abundance and beauty of the Earth. From this day on, the Sun God begins to grow old, and the days will grow shorter and shorter until Yule, when the God is reborn. The forests and fields are full, young animals are learning to live on their own, and everything seems to be full and alive. This is also a major time for the Faery, and a festival called the Feast of the Faery is held. It is believed by some that the portals between worlds open, and the Faery folk may pass into our world at twilight on this day. Introspectively, this is a time to look at the "seeds" you've planted in yourself. Are your goals at full bloom? It will fall somewhere between the dates above depending on when the Sun is at its northern most point.

Lammas / Lughnasadh

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
All grains, Grapes, Heather, Blackberries, Sunflowers	Sandalwood, Rose, Aloes	Yellow, Orange, Green, Brown	Corn Dollies, Any Wheat Weaving Crafts, Shafts of Grain	Breads, Cider, Blackberry Pies and Jellies, Rice, Meadowsweet Tea, Berries

August 1: Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the Celebration of the first harvests. It begins what is called "the chase of Lugh". Lugh is the Celtic Sun God, and He rains down upon the crops, living within the golden fields. At this celebration, we give thanks to the Earth for its bounty and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. Many games and sports are played to celebrate strength and good health and to honor Lugh. The grain Goddesses Demeter and Ceres are also usually honored. This is a time to harvest the goals you've "planted" in yourself earlier in the year.

Mabon / Autumn Equinox

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat Stalks, Cypress Cones, Pine Cones	Myrrh, Sage, Pine	Orange, Dark Red, Yellow, Brown	Acorns, Pomegranates, Pine Cones, Baskets of Fallen Leaves	Breads, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Roots (Carrots, Potatoes, Onions), Cider

September 20-23: Mabon, or the Fall or Autumnal Equinox, is the celebration of the end of the harvests. Again, we find ourselves with a day of equal light and dark. At this time, the "chase of Lugh" ends with the felling of the last shaft of grain. It is within this last shaft that Lugh has hidden, but with His death, His sacrifice, we live through His abundance. (Note: This idea of a God sacrificing Himself for His people was around long before Christianity) This is time for thanksgiving, evaluation, and meditation. Take stock in what you've received, and get ready for the dark days of winter that lie ahead. Mabon will fall somewhere between the dates above, when the Sun again passes the equator, this time on its trek south.

Samhain "sow-en" / Halloween

Herbs	Incense	Color	Decorations	Foods
Pumpkin, Apple, Nuts, Thistle, Chrysanthemum, Broom, Oak Leaves, Sage	Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint	Black and Orange	Jack-o-Lantern, Photos of Deceased Loved Ones, Apples, Fall Leaves, Autumn Flowers, Squashes	Apples, Corn, Nuts, Cider, Mulled Wine, Pumpkin Dishes, Cranberry Muffins, Herbal Teas

October 31: Samhain (pronounced sow-inn), which is called Halloween by most people these days, is a day to celebrate the death of the Sun God. Because this is a time of endings and beginnings, many neo-Pagans celebrate this as the New Year. Personally, I don't live by the Celtic calendar, so I stick with good ol' January 1. This is a quieter time: a time when the veil between worlds is thin and the spirits may pass more easily. At Mabon, the God Lugh died in order for us to live through His abundance. During the intervening time, He has gathered the spirits of those that have died over the year and waits for this night so that they may pass through the gate to the other side. This is the time to revere our ancestors and to say farewell to those that have passed this last year. It is also a time of divination. The abundance of the fields now gives way to the power and strength of the Horned God of the Hunt. This begins a time of darkness. From now until Yule, the days grow darker and colder. Winter storms begin to sweep down from the north. This time is the barer of many destructive forces. Yet at Samhain, we celebrate the passed year and the year to come. We light bonfires and perform rituals to honor our deceased loved ones. Many Halloween traditions stem from Samhain. The wearing of scary costumes was originally used to scare away those souls that may mean harm. Yet in spite of the costume, the spirits that know you will still be able to find you and visit. The jack-o-lantern was another means of scaring away hostile spirits, the candle within a beckoning light to those that you wish to welcome.

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