THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR
~PART ONE~
There are eight religious holidays called Sabbats which are celebrated by most Wiccans,Witches,and Pagans throughout the course of the year.
These Sabbats make up the "spokes" of what is known as the Wheel of the Year.
As each Sabbat is celebrated,so does the wheel turn.It is a perpetual cycle in complete harmony with the Earth and the Magick of the four seasons.
The wheel is therefore symbolic of the sun which rules over each changing season.
It also represents the never-ending cycle of birth,death,and rebirth.
In Most,but Not all Traditions,The year begins at Samhain...Thus we begin our journey
SAMHAIN: The festival of the
dead,dedicated to our ancestors.In some
traditions,the Wild Hunt emerges from
Faerie and the God assumes his aspect as
their leader,the Horned God.Candles are
lit in the windows to provide guidance .
IMBOLC: Imbolc is a festival of light
and fertility celebrating the earliest
stirrings of spring.It is associated
with purification,cleansing,and spring
cleaning in many
traditions.Typically,all the
torches,lamps and candles are lit just
after sunset.The young God,in his aspect
as Forest King,is named and armed by the
Goddess.
BELTANE: Bel-tane means Bel-fire.This is
the festival of fertility celebrating
the union of the God and Goddess.This
festival has always been linked with
sexuality and includes such activities
as Maypole dances and gathering
flowers.Bel-fires are lit on the tops of
hills.There is also the tradition of
decorating trees to celebrate the God
and Goddess becoming lovers.
LUGHNASADH: The festival of bread and
harvest.Summer is passing and the God
begins to decline.The fest is also
associated with marriage.Traditional
activities include baking bread and
makng corn dollies.
MINOR SABBATS