Many witches follow the sabbats; it is essentially a calendar of sacred days and celebrations. Most people who follow the sabbats work closely with nature, and these holidays are focused around the changing of the seasons, and especially the harvest and the provision of food. Food wasn't always as easily accessible to us as it is now, and for many around the world it still isn't. Farming and agriculture was a necessary way of life, and a good harvest could be the difference between life and death. Whilst it is now all too easy to pop down to Tesco and grab a microwavable curry for dinner, it is important to recognise the importance of the seasons and agriculture to our survival. Connecting with the earth's cycles can help us understand this importance, and gives us an opportunity to express gratitude for the bounty of the earth.
The witch's new year tends to start at Samhain, but for the purposes of explaining the wheel of the year and its relevance, I'm going to start with Imbolc.
Imbolc:
Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring and is the first of the three fertility festivals. It is usually held between the 1st and 2nd February, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Finally, winter is receding and the dark days and long nights beginning to fade. The very first signs of spring are appearing.
Winter was a hard time before the advent of 24 hour supermarkets; farmers had to hope for a good crop at the harvest, to keep them going through the winter. Flooding, fires, and other dangers could ruin even the best built food supplies, leaving a family hungry. The beginning of Spring symbolises hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. It is the beginning of the lambing season, and a time where you can start to plant seeds indoors, ready to be placed into the ground when the warmer weather comes.
Imbolc is about preparing for what is to come, so we are ready to make the most of it. It's time to get back to the projects or work you were putting off over the winter period. Spring cleaning and removing the old to make way for the new is a good practice; this could be clothes, kitchen pots and pans, even old tupperware pots. You can light a candle and pray for the sun to return, to fill the land with light and warmth.
In the traditional wheel of the year, Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the Goddess after giving birth to the young God at Yule.
The witch's new year tends to start at Samhain, but for the purposes of explaining the wheel of the year and its relevance, I'm going to start with Imbolc.
Imbolc:
Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring and is the first of the three fertility festivals. It is usually held between the 1st and 2nd February, halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Finally, winter is receding and the dark days and long nights beginning to fade. The very first signs of spring are appearing.
Winter was a hard time before the advent of 24 hour supermarkets; farmers had to hope for a good crop at the harvest, to keep them going through the winter. Flooding, fires, and other dangers could ruin even the best built food supplies, leaving a family hungry. The beginning of Spring symbolises hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. It is the beginning of the lambing season, and a time where you can start to plant seeds indoors, ready to be placed into the ground when the warmer weather comes.
Imbolc is about preparing for what is to come, so we are ready to make the most of it. It's time to get back to the projects or work you were putting off over the winter period. Spring cleaning and removing the old to make way for the new is a good practice; this could be clothes, kitchen pots and pans, even old tupperware pots. You can light a candle and pray for the sun to return, to fill the land with light and warmth.
In the traditional wheel of the year, Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the Goddess after giving birth to the young God at Yule.
Ostara:
This is the Spring equinox, the second of the fertility festivals, and usually falls around March 21st. The sun has been growing in strength and the days becoming longer. The spring equinox represents the point where day and night are of equal length, before the days officially become longer than the nights. The promise that was made at Imbolc is being fulfilled, and the flourishing of the earth can already be seen, with the earliest of spring plants starting to bloom.
This is a festival of fertility, where we celebrate the plants, and the crops that are about to grow. Eggs are an important symbolism at this time, as they represent fertility and new life, as is nurturing that which has just been brought into the world. At Imbolc we sowed the first if our seeds, and will continue to do so as the conditions demand; for example, many vegetables require planting around about March/April time. It is important for many seedlings to keep them warm and covered, especially against the frost. This is easier said than done, as with the effects of climate change, we are becoming more prone to later frosts. However, this care and compassion is necessary to ensure a successful harvest later on.
Like Imbolc, this festival is again about preparation, although in this case, making the final preparations. If you leave it any later than this, then you may find it is too late. We give thanks and blessings to the earth and the Goddess for what they have provided us with so far, and pray that it may continue.
In the traditional wheel of the year, the Sun God (who has been growing and gathering strength since Yule) is an adolescent. The Great Goddess, who has been getting progressively younger since Yule, is in her maiden form. These two lusty youths are now the same age, and will soon conceive the child who will be born at Yule.
Beltane:
Also known as May day and is often held around the 1st of May. Beltane is the first in a triad of fire festivals, and also the last of the fertility festivals. It is the peak of Spring, and the beginning of summer. The wildlife around us has given birth to its young, who are well on their way to growing up. The plants and vegetables have survived the coldest conditions that they will experience this cycle, and are well on their way to producing the crops and the herbs we will need to keep us going through winter. It is a time of celebration. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the period where the Goddess took the God as her consort and is impregnated, and so rituals of love are often performed on Beltane.
As a fire festival, the lighting of candles and bonfires was of great symbolism. Again, we give thanks to the earth and the sun for the bounty that they have given us, and pray it continues.
As a festival of love, this is also a great time to perform magick for those close to you; maybe those you live with, family members, etc. It could be to bring them love, peace, protection, etc, or to create charms and such to keep around the house to promote these qualities. Whatever you decide, this is a great time to work magick to ensure your home is a harmonious one.
Litha:
Litha is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and usually falls around the 21st of June. From this point on, the days will start to grow shorter and the nights longer, as we say goodbye to the sun and start to prepare for the winter months. It is the second fire festival in the calendar, and again bonfires are a key part of celebrating. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the point where the God is at his strongest.
Of course you may not be able to hold a bonfire so lighting candles is always an option. At this point, we anticipate the crops and the bounty of the harvest. It will soon be ready for the harvest, so again this is a good point to prepare. Even if you aren’t growing your own herbs or vegetables, you can still prepare for the winter months. Are there any repairs that you should have done to the house, such as fixing that leak or changing the lightbulbs? Now is the perfect time to start those and ensure your home is ready for the winter.
Litha was also about driving away evil spirits, so this would be a good time to cleanse the house and perform any rituals of protection.
This is the Spring equinox, the second of the fertility festivals, and usually falls around March 21st. The sun has been growing in strength and the days becoming longer. The spring equinox represents the point where day and night are of equal length, before the days officially become longer than the nights. The promise that was made at Imbolc is being fulfilled, and the flourishing of the earth can already be seen, with the earliest of spring plants starting to bloom.
This is a festival of fertility, where we celebrate the plants, and the crops that are about to grow. Eggs are an important symbolism at this time, as they represent fertility and new life, as is nurturing that which has just been brought into the world. At Imbolc we sowed the first if our seeds, and will continue to do so as the conditions demand; for example, many vegetables require planting around about March/April time. It is important for many seedlings to keep them warm and covered, especially against the frost. This is easier said than done, as with the effects of climate change, we are becoming more prone to later frosts. However, this care and compassion is necessary to ensure a successful harvest later on.
Like Imbolc, this festival is again about preparation, although in this case, making the final preparations. If you leave it any later than this, then you may find it is too late. We give thanks and blessings to the earth and the Goddess for what they have provided us with so far, and pray that it may continue.
In the traditional wheel of the year, the Sun God (who has been growing and gathering strength since Yule) is an adolescent. The Great Goddess, who has been getting progressively younger since Yule, is in her maiden form. These two lusty youths are now the same age, and will soon conceive the child who will be born at Yule.
Beltane:
Also known as May day and is often held around the 1st of May. Beltane is the first in a triad of fire festivals, and also the last of the fertility festivals. It is the peak of Spring, and the beginning of summer. The wildlife around us has given birth to its young, who are well on their way to growing up. The plants and vegetables have survived the coldest conditions that they will experience this cycle, and are well on their way to producing the crops and the herbs we will need to keep us going through winter. It is a time of celebration. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the period where the Goddess took the God as her consort and is impregnated, and so rituals of love are often performed on Beltane.
As a fire festival, the lighting of candles and bonfires was of great symbolism. Again, we give thanks to the earth and the sun for the bounty that they have given us, and pray it continues.
As a festival of love, this is also a great time to perform magick for those close to you; maybe those you live with, family members, etc. It could be to bring them love, peace, protection, etc, or to create charms and such to keep around the house to promote these qualities. Whatever you decide, this is a great time to work magick to ensure your home is a harmonious one.
Litha:
Litha is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and usually falls around the 21st of June. From this point on, the days will start to grow shorter and the nights longer, as we say goodbye to the sun and start to prepare for the winter months. It is the second fire festival in the calendar, and again bonfires are a key part of celebrating. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the point where the God is at his strongest.
Of course you may not be able to hold a bonfire so lighting candles is always an option. At this point, we anticipate the crops and the bounty of the harvest. It will soon be ready for the harvest, so again this is a good point to prepare. Even if you aren’t growing your own herbs or vegetables, you can still prepare for the winter months. Are there any repairs that you should have done to the house, such as fixing that leak or changing the lightbulbs? Now is the perfect time to start those and ensure your home is ready for the winter.
Litha was also about driving away evil spirits, so this would be a good time to cleanse the house and perform any rituals of protection.
Lammas:
The last of the fire festivals, and the first of the harvest festivals, held on August 1st. In the traditional wheel of the year, the God (the sun) is losing his power, and “dies” in the fields to nourish the people, and prepares for rebirth at Yule. At this point we collect the first of the harvest. This is also a good time for those who are growing herbs to prune back your bushes to allow for new growth the next year, and dry those herbs for future use. This is just a guideline, and you should always research the ideal conditions for whatever you are growing; for example, lavender is best harvested just after the flowers have budded, but before they are in full bloom if you want to best retain their scent. I tend to start cutting lavender early June, and dry bunches throughout the year.
Grain is the traditional food for the Lammas, in the form of wheat, barley, beers and ales. Give thanks to the God for his sacrifice, and for the first of the harvest.
Mabon:
The second of the harvest festivals, this is the autumn equinox, where again night and day are of equal length. It usually falls around September 21st. Now the days begin to shorten and winter is well on its way. In the traditional wheel of the year, the God dies, and returns to the earth.
At this point, fruits and nuts are usually ready to harvest, so again we say thank you and celebrate after the hard work of the harvest. We start to look towards winter, and for the witch this is an ideal time to cast magick to ensure prosperity and security through the darker months. This is a time of comfort, and enjoying some of our bounty before we have to start rationing it for winter. This is a great time to enjoy a feast and share it with those you love, or to start finding ways of storing food throughout the winter. For example, you could experiment with pickling food, or making your own jam preserve out of fruit, or even just chopping up vegetables and keeping them in the freezer.
Samhain:
The witches new year, and when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. It is the last of the harvest festivals as we say goodbye to the summer, and welcome in the winter. It is traditionally held on October 31st. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the period where the Goddess mourns the death of the God.
Samhain is a holiday of reflection as well as celebration, as we say goodbye to the bounty of the year just gone and prepare ourselves for the scarcity of winter.
Samhain is usually associated with death. It is a great time for ancestor work, and mentally preparing yourself for the winter ahead. Meditation and divination are both recommended Samhain activities. You can also prepare a feast and leave a plate out for your ancestors as a way to honour those that came before you.
Yule:
This is the longest night of the year, and usually falls around December 21st. We are in the throes of winter now.
Yule celebrations tend to focus on the home and the family, on enjoying the small blessings in your life, and the people in it. Decorating with evergreens and holly, as well as lighting candles, are a way to try and bring the light into our homes during this dark time. We exchange presents to share our love with those around us. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is where the Goddess gives birth (note; she fell pregnant by the God. She gives birth to a baby who grows up to be the God, who impregnates her, dies, and the whole thing carries on. Basically the God is his own father).
As the longest night of the year, this means that the nights will slowly start growing shorter. The sun is about to return, and again lighting candles can be used to celebrate this. Spend this time showing love and appreciation to those in your household, and your life.
The last of the fire festivals, and the first of the harvest festivals, held on August 1st. In the traditional wheel of the year, the God (the sun) is losing his power, and “dies” in the fields to nourish the people, and prepares for rebirth at Yule. At this point we collect the first of the harvest. This is also a good time for those who are growing herbs to prune back your bushes to allow for new growth the next year, and dry those herbs for future use. This is just a guideline, and you should always research the ideal conditions for whatever you are growing; for example, lavender is best harvested just after the flowers have budded, but before they are in full bloom if you want to best retain their scent. I tend to start cutting lavender early June, and dry bunches throughout the year.
Grain is the traditional food for the Lammas, in the form of wheat, barley, beers and ales. Give thanks to the God for his sacrifice, and for the first of the harvest.
Mabon:
The second of the harvest festivals, this is the autumn equinox, where again night and day are of equal length. It usually falls around September 21st. Now the days begin to shorten and winter is well on its way. In the traditional wheel of the year, the God dies, and returns to the earth.
At this point, fruits and nuts are usually ready to harvest, so again we say thank you and celebrate after the hard work of the harvest. We start to look towards winter, and for the witch this is an ideal time to cast magick to ensure prosperity and security through the darker months. This is a time of comfort, and enjoying some of our bounty before we have to start rationing it for winter. This is a great time to enjoy a feast and share it with those you love, or to start finding ways of storing food throughout the winter. For example, you could experiment with pickling food, or making your own jam preserve out of fruit, or even just chopping up vegetables and keeping them in the freezer.
Samhain:
The witches new year, and when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. It is the last of the harvest festivals as we say goodbye to the summer, and welcome in the winter. It is traditionally held on October 31st. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is the period where the Goddess mourns the death of the God.
Samhain is a holiday of reflection as well as celebration, as we say goodbye to the bounty of the year just gone and prepare ourselves for the scarcity of winter.
Samhain is usually associated with death. It is a great time for ancestor work, and mentally preparing yourself for the winter ahead. Meditation and divination are both recommended Samhain activities. You can also prepare a feast and leave a plate out for your ancestors as a way to honour those that came before you.
Yule:
This is the longest night of the year, and usually falls around December 21st. We are in the throes of winter now.
Yule celebrations tend to focus on the home and the family, on enjoying the small blessings in your life, and the people in it. Decorating with evergreens and holly, as well as lighting candles, are a way to try and bring the light into our homes during this dark time. We exchange presents to share our love with those around us. In the traditional wheel of the year, this is where the Goddess gives birth (note; she fell pregnant by the God. She gives birth to a baby who grows up to be the God, who impregnates her, dies, and the whole thing carries on. Basically the God is his own father).
As the longest night of the year, this means that the nights will slowly start growing shorter. The sun is about to return, and again lighting candles can be used to celebrate this. Spend this time showing love and appreciation to those in your household, and your life.
