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Pagan Pages: Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year is recognized and practiced, in one form or another, by most modern-day pagans. The most well-known wheel contains 8 different holidays and typically separated into Greater and Lesser, or Sun and Moon, Sabbats. As with most things, the pagan holidays are not a “one size fits all” type thing. The Greater Sabbats (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasa, Samhain) are originally Celtic, and the Lesser Sabbats (Yule, Ostara, Litha, Mabon) come from a Germanic background, and scholars cannot agree on when the two traditions merged to become the wheel most use today. You may choose which holidays, if any, you want to celebrate. With that being said, most consider Samhain, or Halloween, to be the start of each new year.

Samhain (October 31st / November 1st) - The witches’ new year.  Commonly called Halloween, Samhain is one of the most praised holidays on the wheel.  Originally Celtic in origin, the veil between the living and dead is thin during this time.  We pay tribute to our ancestors and lost loved ones, and for most, it’s considered a time of contemplation and renewal.  Hecate (Hekate), Hel, Crone, Cerridwen, and Isis are honored on this night.

Yule (December 20-23) - Originally a Germanic holiday, Yule falls on the winter solstice each year. The days are short, the nights drag on, and the cold is unavoidable.  We bring candles, trees, and decorations into our homes during this time as we celebrate with our loved ones.  While the exact day of the winter solstice differs year to year, most celebrate Saturnalia, Christmas, Candlemas, or Hanukkah during the solstice.  Baldur, Bona Dea, Cailleach Bheur and Frigga are all associated with Yule.

Imbolc (February 2nd) - Spring is coming.  The days are becoming increasingly longer as we get closer to the vernal equinox.  The snow has begun to melt and the earth begins to warm again.  This is the time to begin renewal craft work as we are in a transitional time between the frigid winter and the promise of new life.  Imbolc literally means “in the belly” in Gaelic, and it was considered a joyous occasion as the lambs began getting pregnant and giving milk.  For the Celtics, this was indicative of the new life that was beginning to bud.  Aphrodite, Bast, Hestia, and Bridgid are some of the deities invoked during Imbolc.

Ostara (March 19-22) - The Vernal Equinox.  Spring has arrived.  The Earth has begun to warm, and the promise of life can be seen all around.  The days are becoming longer, and the problems from the cold months have begun to fade as the days warm.  Saraswati, Freya, Osiris, Cybele, and Eostre are honored at this time.

Beltane (May 1st) - As the wheel of the year continues to turn, fertility and flowers abound.  May 1st celebrations typically begin on the last night of April and continue into the next day.  Beltane, also known as the Fire festival, is a time when the Celtics light giant bonfires to symbolize the promise of the coming summer and dance around maypoles as part of a fertility ritual.  Artemis, Bes, Cernunnos, and Flora are honored during Beltane.

Lithia (June 19-23) - The Summer Solstice.  The holiday of Litha is the longest day of the year, and the days are now long enough to accomplish all that you need.  As we near the first harvest, take the time to appreciate the warming days. This is a time for the celebration of sun and light.  Sol, Lugh, Juno, Horus, and Apollo are all honored on this day.  

Lammas/Lughnasadh (August 1st) - The first harvest.  The halfway point between the summer and autumn equinoxes, Lammas is a time for the celebration of the first harvest and the abundance of gifts from Mother Earth.  The days have begun to shorten, giving way to night earlier each day.  While celebrating the warmer days, the holiday is also a time of contemplation as we prepare for the colder months.  Lugh, Osiris, Demeter, Persephone, Mercury, and Paverti are celebrated during this Sabbat.

Mabon (September 21-24) - The second harvest.  The autumnal equinox marks the second harvest when our storages are full and the fields are almost bare due to the approaching winter.  As we acknowledge and give thanks for all that we have, many also share in their abundance to the less fortunate.  This is a time of celebration for a bountiful harvest and a time for preparation as winter inevitably approaches.  Venus, Morrigan, Demeter, and the Green Man are just a few deities that are celebrated during Mabon.

Just as the wheel comes to an end at Mabon, it starts again with Samhain.  The dates are not dependent on our modern day calendars, as the Sabbats themselves are based on the sun and moon position at the time they fall.  Due to this occurrence, the dates can differ as much as 5 days, depending on the year.  For instance, Yule began on December 22 in 2018 but will begin on December 22 in 2019.  Additionally, the wheel was designed based on the practices of Northern hemisphere pagans.  For those who live in the southern hemisphere, the wheel needs to be flipped; Yule (winter solstice) in the northern hemisphere will coincide with Lithia (summer solstice) for the southern hemisphere.  The Pagan wheel of the year is just a base to follow and can be picked through and edited depending on the person.  There are some that only celebrate the Greater Sabbats, while others take each Sabbat as a chance to honor their deities and do simple spellwork.  Do not let another person tell you that a “good” pagan HAS to honor each Sabbat with an elaborate party or extensive spellwork.  Do some research and decide which Sabbats best work for you.

Pagan Pages by @solovvitch Photography by: @solovvitch

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