Wheel of the Year

Different Wiccan traditions may vary widely in their customs and observances, but there are certain characteristic practices found in virtually all of them which serve as a common bond. One of the most obvious of these is the ritual celebration of the Wheel of the Year, which is the cycle of Sabbats or High Feast Days that occur at regular intervals throughout the annual calendar and mark the progression of seasons and events in the natural world. This progression has great corresponding significance in the everyday lives of modern witches, and this is no less true for us in the Shadowfolk Tradition. Four of these (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnasadh) derive their origin from significant events in ancient agricultural societies and are known as the ancient Celtic Fire Festivals due to the use of fire in specific agricultural observances. The other four (Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon) mark significant events in the astronomical calendar; specifically, the solstices and the equinoxes.

Samhain (pronounced “Sow . en”; translated “November” from the Irish)

Most modern witches consider this the most important occurrence in the Wiccan calendar. It typically marks both the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. In ancient Celtic agricultural societies, as a time of final harvest, it signified the beginning of winter and was the greatest of the four Celtic fire festivals. It has evolved into modern times to become known as “All Hallows’ Eve”, or “Hallowe’en” and is typically celebrated on the eve of the month of November, or October 31st. As our thoughts turn to darkness, cold, and winter, it is a time to remember the dead and a time to honor our ancestors. Since this is the night when the “veil between the worlds” is at its thinnest, spirits may walk the earth and we may also more easily experience the reality of the Otherworld. For modern witches, it is a night of great magick and power!

Yule (from the Scandinavian/Teutonic; translated “wheel”)

This feast was the most important in the ancient societies of Northern Europe, and as such marked the New Year for them. It occurred at the winter solstice, and is still celebrated on or about December 21st by modern witches. As this event manifests on the shortest day and the longest night of the year, it was the time when the sun was considered to be at its weakest, but by definition was also the time of its rebirth. As such it was also a time of celebration and gift giving, and this remains true for modern witches as well. Many ancient Yuletide practices, such as the presence of evergreen in the home as a symbol of life enduring throughout winter, evolved into modern customs associated with Christmas.

Imbolc (from the Irish; translated “in the bag” or “in milk”)

This was the second of the great Celtic fire festivals, and was held in honor of the goddess Brid, or Brigid, whose cult of worship was one of the most widespread among the ancient Gaelic peoples. Celebrated on or about February 1st, it evolved into the Christian feast known as Candlemas. Though it occurred at the coldest time of the year, it was also the time when pregnant sheep begin to lactate and was therefore considered a harbinger of the coming spring. Modern witches typically honor Brid at this time by acknowledging her as the goddess of healing, poetry and smithcrafting.

Ostara (named for the Germanic spring maiden goddess)

This feast occurs at the spring equinox and as such marks the official beginning of spring. The forces of day and night are momentarily in balance, but the days are growing longer while the nights are growing shorter. This was traditionally the season of planting, and many customs associated with this feast, such as the coloring of eggs and giving them as gifts to others, evolved into modern practices associated with Easter. Modern witches still honor these ancient springtime customs in their own Ostara celebrations on or about March 21st.

Beltane (from the Irish “Bealtaine”; translated “fire of Bel”)

Also known as May Day, this is the third of the great Celtic Fire Festivals. Typically celebrated on May 1st, it is the complementary opposite of Samhain, and was considered by the ancient Celts to be the beginning of summer. As crops planted at the beginning of spring had appeared above the ground and were beginning to thrive, this feast traditionally offered the opportunity for all to celebrate the fertility of the land and its inhabitants, as well as the union of male and female deities. Ancient ritualized fertility customs which modern witches still practice today, such as dancing the Maypole, have their origins in celebrations associated with this feast.

Litha (from the Anglo-Saxon; translated “June”)

Also known as Midsummer, this feast marks the occurrence of the summer solstice. As the complementary opposite of Yule, it manifests on the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Though the power of the sun is now at its greatest, the implication is that it can now only grow weaker. Traditionally, as crops were maturing, this offered the opportunity to ancient peoples to make sacrifice to the gods who would hopefully in return bless the coming harvest. Celebrated on or about June 21st, modern witches use the occasion of this feast to celebrate the power of the sun and the bounty of the Earth Mother which is evident all around them.

Lughnasadh (from the Irish; translated “feast of Lugh”)

This is the fourth of the great Celtic fire festivals, and is the complementary opposite of Imbolc. Traditionally celebrated in honor of the Irish god Lugh Lamfhada (the long-armed one), it marked the occasion of the first harvest, and served as a time for the ancient Celts to hold great gatherings to show off the first-gathered crops and to celebrate outdoors with great games of skill. Modern agricultural fairs have their origins in the celebration of this feast. Some modern Wiccan traditions celebrate it as Lammas (or loaf-mass), an ancient Anglo-Saxon feast with much the same connotations. Used as an occasion by many modern witches to celebrate the spirit and essence of community, it occurs on or about August 1st.

Mabon (named for the Welsh youth god)

This feast occurs at the autumn equinox, and has been traditionally named by modern Wiccan traditions in honor of the beauteous youth in Welsh mythology who was much missed upon his disappearance. As such, he offers an appropriate symbolic metaphor for the much prized greatest harvest which typically occurred at this time of the year. As the complementary opposite of Ostara, the powers of day and night are once again momentarily in balance, but the nights are now growing longer while the days are growing shorter. Celebrated on or about September 21st, modern witches therefore use this time to be thankful for all that we have and to bless the gods and our mother the Earth for all that we have been given.

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