Wheel Of The Year

Each underlined link goes to an information page on that particular Sabbat, these pages contain general information, traditions, ideas for things to make and recipes. If you'd like more Sabbat recipes for food, drink and incenses then please see our Sabbat Recipes page.

Samhain is popularly known as Hallowe'en, and is the most widely acknowledged pagan holiday. This is when the 'veil' between this world and the spirit world is at it's thinnest. Contacting departed loved ones and divination are traditionally practiced at this time. As spirits will roam freely on this night, pagans often leave an offering of food and drink for them. Candles are also lit in windows to help guide the spirits. It is on this day that the God is said to die, and the Goddess mourns him, bringing on the winter.

Yule takes place on the longest night of the year, to celebrate the return of the sun. It is usually around December 21st. The Goddess rejoices the God's rebirth, causing longer days and sunshine. Many Christmas traditions are taken from this pagan holiday, such as decorating the tree and the burning of the Yule log. The tree was decorated with treats to welcome back the tree sprites and nature spirits. A piece of the Yule log is always kept to light the following year.

Imbolc (also known as Candlemass) occurs on February 2nd, celebrating the returning light after winter. It is traditional to light a candle in every room of the house, to encourage the returning sun light. The modern term 'spring cleaning' came from the cleansing rituals that are frequently observed on this day.

Ostara takes place on the Spring equinox, when day and night are the same length. It is usually around the 21st of March. During this time, both the God and the Goddess emulate playful young children, the festival celebrations being equally light-hearted. This is one of several festivals that the christians 'remodelled' for their own purposes. In the christian world it is known as Easter. Hence all the modern symbols of Easter are of pagan origin: the Easter bunny, the painted eggs and the wildflowers.

Beltane celebrates the sacred marriage between the God and the Goddess. At Ostara the Gods were young children, but now they have grown and fallen in love. It is celebrated on May 1st, and is also known as Mayday. Activities include dancing around a Maypole, and leaping the Beltane bonfire for luck. Handfastings (Wiccan weddings) are common around this time.

Litha also known as Summer solstice. The longest day of the year usually falls on the 21st of June. The sun God is at his most powerful during this time. The upcoming prosperity of the harvest is celebrated. The eve before Midsummer is a good time to walk through the woods to commune with the nature spirits.

Lammas takes place on the 2nd of August. The Sun God is beginning to lose his strength, having given away his energy to the bountiful crops. The days are shorter, signalling that the end of summer is nigh. Wheat and grains are used in many foods and decorations on this holiday. Making corn dollies and baking bread are popular Lammas Day activities.

Mabon falls at the end of September (around the 21st). Like at Ostara, the day and night are equal. The God is weak, and preparing for his death to come at Samhain. Though the Goddess begins to mourn at this time, she knows that he will be reborn again at Yule. Now is the time to gather the last of the wild herbs, to be dried for winter use. Since pagan and Wiccan holidays are based on seasonal changes, an individual's location in the world makes a big difference when distinguishing between the holidays. In the southern hemisphere these holidays are reversed as are their seasons. In other words, when Yule is being celebrated in the northern half of the world, the southern half is celebrating Midsummer.

The Goddess images on each Sabbat page are used with the kind permission of the artist Wendy Andrew.