THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR
Pagan Clipart
This section is all about the holidays which Wiccans and Pagans celebrate. These religions are not only a change in beliefs but also a change in lifestyle. Many people find it difficult to adapt to the new holidays of their religion, especially since most of the population grew up in homes that honoured Christian holidays. The first step is of course learning what these holidays are, then learning what is done on them and finally celebrating them yourself. Every holiday is celebrated with a ritual. This section begins with a description of the holiday itself and then goes on to discuss the herbs, incenses, colours, decorations and foods that are usually used to aid in the ritual celebrations.
The Meanings
Samhain:
Occurs on October 31st of each year.
Also called All Hallows Eve.
It is a time of reflection when one can look back on the year gone by.
Yule:
Usually occurs on or near to December 21st of each year.
This is the time when the Goddess gives birth to the God.
It is a time of darkness, when the nights are longer than the days.
The God represents the sun and his birth is symbolic of the rebirth of the sun and the longer days that are to come.
Imbolc:
Usually occurs on or near to February 2nd of each year.
As the God grows, we begin to feel his power with longer days.
The Goddess is fruitful and fertile and this fertility begins to show in the Earth with the beginnings of Spring.
Spring Equinox:
Usually occurs on or near to March 31st of each year.
Also known as Ostara.
This is the first true day of Spring.
On this day, the hours of daylight and night are equal.
It is a time of great fertility, a time when the Goddess blankets her fertility on the Earth.
Beltane:
Usually occurs on or near to April 30th of each year.
This is when the God has reached manhood.
The God and Goddess fall in love and unite.
The Goddess becomes pregnant with the God.
Also known as May Day; the May Pole representing a phallic symbol of the God’s manhood.
Summer Solstice:
Usually occurs on or near to June 21st of each year.
The Powers of Nature are at their highest point.
The God begins to change and as he weakens his face turns toward the realm of the quite.
Midsummer is a classic time for Magick of all kinds.
Lammas:
Usually occurs on or near to August 1st of each year.
This is the time of the first harvest.
The God begins to lose his strength as the days shorten.
The Goddess watches in sorrow with the realization that the God is indeed dying.
Autumn Equinox:
Usually occurs on or near to September 21st of each year.
Also known as Mabon.
Once again, the days and the nights are equal.
The God prepares to leave His physical body.
The Goddess feels the presence of the God within her as he wanes.
Herbs to Use in Rituals
Samhain:
Pumpkin, Apple, Nuts, Thistle, Chrysanthemum, Oak leaves, Sage
Yule:
Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Pinecones
Imbolc:
Snowdrop, Bay, Heather, First flowers of the year
Spring Equinox:
Honeysuckle, Iris, Peony, Violet, All spring flowers
Beltane:
Honeysuckle, St. John’s Wort, Hawthorn, All flowers
Summer Solstice:
Lavender, Chamomile, Roses, Daisy, Lily
Lammas:
All grains, Grapes, Heather, Blackberries, Sunflowers
Autumn Equinox:
Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oak, Wheat stalks, Cypress cones, Pinecones
The Incense Used in Rituals
Samhain:
Apple, Nutmeg, Sage, Mint
Yule:
Bayberry, Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Juniper
Imbolc:
Rosemary, Cinnamon, Westeria, Frankincense, Myrrh
Spring Equinox:
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry
Beltane:
Frankincense, Lilac, Rose
Summer Solstice:
Frankincense, Lemon, Rose, Wisteria, Lavender
Lammas:
Sandalwood, Rose, Aloes
Autumn Equinox:
Myrrh, Sage, Pine
The Colours Used in Rituals
Samhain:
Black, Orange
Yule:
Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold
Imbolc:
White, Orange, Red
Spring Equinox:
Green, Yellow
Beltane:
Green, Soft Pink, Blue, Yellow
Summer Solstice:
Blue, Green, Yellow
Lammas:
Yellow, Orange, Green, Brown
Autumn Equinox:
Orange, Dark red, Yellow, Brown
The Decorations Used in Rituals
Samhain:
Pumpkins, Apples, Fall leaves, Autumn flowers, Photos of deceased loved ones, Squashes
Yule:
Yule log, Mistletoe, Wreaths, Strings of dried flowers and cinnamon sticks, Apples, Oranges, Yule Tree
Imbolc:
Lamps, Besom, Yellow flowers
Spring Equinox:
Coloured eggs, green and yellow jellybeans, Rabbit decorations, spring flowers
Beltane:
Maypole, Strings of beads or flowers, Ribbons, Spring flowers
Summer Solstice:
Dried herbs, Potpourri, Seashells, Summer Flowers, Fruits
Lammas:
Corn dollies, Wheat weaving crafts, Shafts of grain
Autumn Equinox:
Acorns, Pomegranates, Pinecones, Baskets of fallen leaves
The Foods Used in Rituals
Samhain:
Apples, Corn, Nuts, Cider, Mulled wine, Pumpkin dishes, cranberry muffins, herbal teas
Yule:
Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Caraway rolls, Mulled wine, Roast Turkey
Imbolc:
Dairy products, Curries, Onions, Chives, Garlic, Spiced wines, Seeds, Herbal teas
Spring Equinox:
Seeds, Leafy green vegetables, Spiced or flower cupcakes, Fruits, Hardboiled eggs
Beltane:
Dairy products, Oatmeal cakes, Cherries, Strawberries, Wine punches, Green salads
Summer Solstice:
Summer fruits, Ale, Mead, Fresh Vetables
Lammas:
Breads, Cider, Blackberry pies and jellies, Rice, Meadowsweet tea, Berries
Autumn Equinox:
Bread, Corn, Cornbread, Beans, Squash, Apples, Carrots, Potatoes, Onions, Cider
Remember that these colours, decorations, foods, herbs, and incense need not only be used during rituals. They can be used to decorate your homes, served as meals, or colours to be worn during these holiday seasons. Blessed be and happy learning!
Finished Here?
Back to the Basics
Back to the Homepage
