The Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year consists of eight major Sabbats, meaning the celebration of the sun, and generally plays a large role in both Wicca and Witchcraft. If you look at today's major holidays (i.e Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc) you'll see similarities in the holidays listed below. This is because those common holidays that you've grown accustomed to are derived from Pagan origins. Usually, if you look close enough it all goes back to Paganism!

The Wheel Starts Off With Yule; The Winter Solstice

Yule is the longest night and shortest day of the year. For a girl like me who hates winter, this isn’t necessarily my favorite day. But on the bright side, each day after this one slowly gets longer and longer. The date for Yule varies each year from December 21st to the 23rd. Yule is the day to celebrate the sun and light. In the past people would light huge bonfires, urging the sun to rise again or burn whole trees throughout the time period of twelve days. This was considered the Twelve Days of the Solstice (Kind of like Hanukkah). Burning tree's nowadays is much less practical than it was back then, so solitary practitioners often light what we call a Yule Log, which is a log of any wood (traditionally ash) decorated with holly, ale, pine, candles and more! Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and it's when the newborn sun offers a fresh start. This is a time of renewal, refreshment, and hope.

• Colors; red, green, gold, white, silver and orange.

• Gemstones; rubies, bloodstones, garnets, diamonds and emeralds.

• Herbs; bayberry, blessed thistle, holly, evergreen, and sage.

• Other; pine and oak

As the Wheel Turns We Land on Imbolc

Also known as Candlemas or Brigid's Day, Imbolc is the time of preparation for spring! Starting February 1st or 2nd depending on the year, this is the day of refreshment. Shake off the cold winter blues and prepare yourself for the new season. Many Wiccans celebrate this day by doing a little spring cleaning; straighten up your home, light a few candles for inspiration and creativity, and set out some colorful decorations.

• Color; brown, blue, red, yellow, purple and pink.

• Gemstones; turquoise, amethyst, bloodstone, and onyx.

• Herbs; basil, rosemary, mrryh and angelica.

Next is Ostara; The Spring Equinox

Ostara lands on the 20th to the 23rd of March and is a time to celebrate equality. On this day both night and day are equal in length; winter is over and spring has arrived. Ostara is the time of fertility, birth, rebirth, and life. Growth is the theme of Ostara, so celebrations can include anything that involves fertility or development of some kind. My favorite way to celebrate is to write my wishes on an egg and bury it in my backyard. Mother Earth will absorb these wishes and grant them that coming spring!

• Color; green, pink, lavender, yellow, blue.

• Gemstones; rose quartz, aquamarine, moonstone, amethyst, and amazonite.

• Herbs; lavender, lilac, lemon balm, marjoram and tansy.

The Wheel Turns Once More to Beltane; May Day

Starting May 1st or April 30th, Beltane is the day of synthesis. This is the time of the God's and Goddess's union. This is an ancient fertility ritual marking the beginning of the planting cycle. Celebrate this day with masculine and feminine representations. Beltane marks the time of bountiful harvest and is a lighthearted, joyous holiday. In the past, and even in Covens today, pagans would perform what we call the Maypole Dance. The pole was shoved into the ground with brightly colored ribbons attached to the top of it. The participants came and danced around the pole, each holding a ribbon, men going one way and women going the other. As they danced, weaving in and out, it created a sheath around the pole. Last year I made my own Maypole, only much smaller! I grabbed a stick, tied some ribbons to the top of it and sat it in a pot of soil to keep it upright on my altar!

• Color; red, white, pink, green and yellow.

• Gemstones; emerald, saphire, rose quartz, amber and malachite.

• Herbs; bluebells, daisies, frankincense, and lilac

• Other; almonds, rose and strawberry.

With a Twist and a Turn to Lithia; The Summer Solstice

Varying from June 20th to June 23rd, Lithia is the longest day and shortest night of the year. Sadly for summer lovers like me, each day after this one slowly gets shorter and shorter. But for this day, at least, light triumphs over darkness and rules the lands. Everything is in full bloom; the earth is at its peak. This is a day of celebration and light festivities. This is the time of abundance, prosperity, and joy. Celebrate today by lighting a bonfire in honor of the Sun God. Many people gather at Stonehenge to celebrate summer solstice, and have been for thousands of years to watch the sun rise above the stones, just as they do for the winter solstice.

• Color; blue, green, yellow and gold.

• Gemstones; emerald and sunstone.

• Herbs; mugwort, rose, pine, lemon, and mrryh.

• Other; rose and pine

Next is Lugh; Lammas

This holiday starts on the first of August. In the past Pagans faced Lugh with trepidation and excitement. They were excited about that year's harvest but fearful of its amount, unsure if it’d be enough to get them through the following months. Lammas means the marriage to Lugh (the Celtic sun god), the holiday is to celebrate the renewal of his vows to the Earth Mother. This is the time to face your fears, develop your abilities and better yourself as a person.

Color; green, orange, yellow and brown.

Gemstones; carnelian, agate, Jasper, and fossils.

Herbs; wheat, oats, barley

The Wheel Turns to Mabon; The Fall Equinox

This day lands on September 20th to September 23rd depending on the year. During Mabon, the day and night are both equals once again, completely balanced. Mabon is the time of thanksgiving. The vibrancy and beauty of summer begin to give way to the grey-skied winter and darkness overtakes light once again. A big aspect you may have come to associate with Thanksgiving is the cornucopia. Formally known as the Horn of Plenty, it actually originated with Pagan traditions of Mabon. The shape was constructed to show a balance in the world; its phallic shape for masculinity, and its hallow and receptive inside to represent femininity.

• Colors; maroon, red, orange, brown and yellow.

• Gemstones; agate, sapphire and lapis lazuli.

• Herbs; sage, rose, and myrrh.

• Others; acorns and passion flower

Finally the Wheel lands on Samhain; All Hallows Eve

Samhain lands on October 31st to November 1st also considered All Hallows Eve or Hallowmas. Samhain is often considered the Witches New Year, the start of a new wheel cycle. Samhain is the day when the veil between this world and the spirit world is at it's thinnest. This is the time to celebrate our ancestors and any passed relatives. Pull out an extra chair during dinner in case someone wants to stop by or light a jack-o-lantern on your porch to give lost souls direction. Celebrate what’s been accomplished this past year.

• Colors; yellow, orange, black, purple and brown.

• Gemstones; obsidian, jasper, agate, quartz and carnelian.

• Herbs; mugwort, allspice, catnip, frankincense, oak leaves, sage, and straw.

I’m sure you see a common theme here; there is light and then dark and then light again and as the wheel continues to turn, year after year, the same things continue to happen. The Wheel of the Year represents the constant battle of darkness over lightness. Each one fights to overtake the other, stuck in a repetitive never-ending war. It’s both beautiful and dangerous, just like Mother Earth herself.

Until next time, farewell my Witchlings and happy researching!