WHEEL OF THE YEAR Our ancestors lives were patterned not after calendars and clocks but by nature and the gathering and storing of food, the survival of their flocks, the procreation of the animals and plants in nature around them, the Sun, the Moon and the Stars and their celestial patterns of movement and the changing of the Seasons. Since most of these country people were illiterate, their inate sense of survival and nature is what guided them and it was only natural that they would give thanks to the Great Mother and what she provided to them. The following is a description of each Sabbat, what it meant to our ancestors and its place in the Pagan Wheel of the Year. ************************************ January 31 -- [Called Imbolc, Brigit, or February Eve] Candlemas or Brigit's Day. This Sabbat also coincides with Groundhog's Day. The days begin to lengthen and Spring is on its way. We focus on the revival of life. It's time to prepare for the welcoming of spring and a time of new beginnings, a choice time for dedication or re-dedication to the Goddess and God.
March 21 -- [Ostara or Spring Equinox] Vernal Equinox. The first planting festival. The days and nights are now equal and Spring arrives to awaken our world. From here the "Easter Bunny" takes his tradition of colored eggs and baskets teeming with flowers. We rejoice in the Mother's gift of rebirth and fertility.
April 30 -- [Beltane or May Eve] "Mayday." The last Spring Fertility Festival. It's time to be merry and dance around the maypole which is a symbol of fertility. At the fertility festivals you see the witches leaping joyously over the fires to bring good luck, fertility and prosperity. We now celebrate the union of the Goddess and God.
June 21 -- [Midsummer, Litha or Summer Solstice] This is the longest day of the year. This marks the beginning of the harvest season. A very magickal time when we celebrate the fruits of our labor during the years early harvest. The legendary battle of the Oak King and the Holly King to determine if light or darkness will take over. Many say that whatever you dream on this night will surely come true.
July 31 -- [Lughnassad or Lammas] August Eve - A tribute to the Sun King, Lugh. He sacrifices himself to assure the success of the next planting season. This is considered the first of the three harvest festivals celebrating the grains. The nights grow longer and the grains of the first harvest are used for making the ritual bread.
September 21 -- [Harvest, Mabon, or Autumn Equinox] Autumn Equinox. The second harvest festival celebrating fruits, vegetables and the New Wine. The time for the darkness of night to take over again as days become shorter. This is the Pagan's time of Thanksgiving.We celebrate and rejoice to our Mother, thanking her for all she has given us.
October 31-- [Samhain, Sowyn or Hollows] "Halloween" This holiday is considered the Celtic Witches’ New Year's Eve. A time of reflection, remembering those who have gone before us. It's the night when the barriers between the worlds of life and death are very thin, allowing our ancestors to walk among us and bestow their blessings upon us. The nights begin to lengthen and give us more time with the moon and stars. December 21-- [Yule or Winter Solstice] Winter Solstice. This is the longest night of the year. This is the festival of the Sun's rebirth. We honor the Goddess for giving birth to the Sun. From here you'll find the Christians have borrowed a few things for their "Christmas" such as our Yule Log, Yule Tree, mistletoe over the doorway and even the exchanging of gifts.
|
