The wheel of the year is a yearly cycle of seasonal festivals called sabbats, or holidays. The change in the seasons helps us celebrate things like the balance of darkness and light in our world, the times when the earth gives plenty and the times when the earth seems to sleep, death and rebirth, the return of long days vs the long nights, etc. It’s also a kind of agricultural tool, used to tell when harvest time is. Here’s a quick overview of the wheel of the year from my grimoire:
Yule- Winter Solstice. Usually around Dec 20-23. Celebration focuses on “finding the light” and protection, as the earth is pretty dark at this time of the year. People also celebrate with a feast. Imbolc- February 1. The earth is preparing for spring. We celebrate rebirth, renewal, new life, and many celebrate by doing a big cleansing of their house, themselves, their tools, everything. Ostara- Spring Equinox. Usually around March 20-23. We celebrate new beginnings, as the days are getting noticeably longer and warmer now. Celebrate outdoors, appreciate the earth’s rebirth. Beltane- April 30. Also called “Festival of Light”, we celebrate light, fire, and heat as well as growing in boldness, strength, and power as the sun does the same. I love this one because there’s lots of bonfires and fireworks! Also idk i just really like fire lol Litha- Summer Solstice. Usually around June 20-23. It’s the longest day of the year! The light “wins the battle” over darkness, and we celebrate with fire and water and having fun outside, eating fruits and other yummy summer foods, and staying up late to enjoy the entire day for this Longest Day Ever! Lammas- August 1. This is the first harvest/feast of the year. Celebrate the rewards of your hard work throughout the year so far. Congratulate yourself! Mabon- Autumn Equinox. Also the feast of the second harvest of the year. The light and dark are equal, but after today the nights will grow longer and colder. Celebrate by reflecting on the year so far and giving thanks for anything you’re grateful for. Samhain- October 31. Also called All Hallows Eve or Halloween. It’s the third and final feast/harvest of the year. We celebrate the official end of summer and prepare for the winter ahead. We remember those who have passed on and the changes that have happened in the year. It’s also called “spirit night” and many people do spirit work on this day, since it’s believed the barrier between worlds is thin, and the increase in moonlight from the longer nights makes magic more powerful. We leave food/offerings out for wandering spirits, and carve pumpkins or turnips to ward off any spirits with ill intentions. And then Yule again! :D The moon phases, on the other hand, are most often referring to the full moon and new moon of each month. They’re also sometimes called Esbats, which means a gathering of witches in a coven, but since covens usually meet on full and new moons, I guess the term has kind of transferred over to meaning full moon/new moon. Idk, I don’t call it esbats, so don’t quote me on that lol The moon phases represent different things/energies for different witches, but many witches do specific spells during specific moon phases (including the phases in between full and new, like waning and waxing). For example, many will do banishing type spells during a new moon or the phases leading up to a new moon, as the new moon (in a simplified way) represents getting rid of any unwanted energy going on. I hope this helps!
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