The Pagan Wheel of the Year calendar is a cyclic timekeeping system followed by many pagan traditions. It consists of eight festivals, known as Sabbats, that are celebrated throughout the year. The calendar is based on the natural cycle of the seasons and the agricultural calendar. The first festival of the Pagan Wheel of the Year is known as Samhain, celebrated on October 31st. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Samhain is a time to honor the ancestors and the spirits, as the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest during this time.
Christian Connection: Candlemas, which celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the temple and is associated with the purification of Mary.
Festival Date Range Symbols and Traditions Christian Connections Imbolc 1 February Fire, candles, milk, honey, Brigid Candlemas Ostara 20-23 March Eggs, rabbits, seeds, Eostre Easter Beltane 1 May Maypole, flowers, bonfires, Beltane fires, union of god and goddess May Day Litha 20-23 June Sun, bonfires, faeries, power of the sun St John s Day Lammas 1 August Bread, corn dollies, abundance, harvest king Lammas Day Mabon 20-23 September Wine, apples, balance, the crone and the lord of the underworld Michaelmas Samhain 31 October-1 November Ancestors, divination, pumpkins, spirits of the dead All Saints Day Yule 20-23 December Evergreens, gift-giving, sun king and mother of light Christmas. Christian Connection Lammas Day, also known as the Feast of St Peter ad Vincula, which celebrates the martyrdom of St Peter and is associated with the first fruits of the harvest.
Samhain is a time to honor the ancestors and the spirits, as the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest during this time. The second festival is Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, which falls around December 21st. It marks the rebirth of the sun and the beginning of the lengthening of daylight.
Wheel of the Year: Pagan Calendar Guide
The pagan calendar, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a sacred cycle of seasonal celebrations that marks the changing of the seasons and honours the natural rhythms of the Earth.
The Wheel of the Year is divided into eight major festivals, which are celebrated by pagans and Wiccans around the world.
The four solar festivals are the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the turning points of the year.
The summer solstice, or Litha, occurs in June and is the longest day of the year, while the winter solstice, or Yule, occurs in December and is the shortest day of the year.
The spring equinox, or Ostara, occurs in March and marks the beginning of spring, while the fall equinox, or Mabon, occurs in September and marks the beginning of autumn.
The four cross-quarter festivals are Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh.
- Samhain, celebrated on 31 October, is the pagan New Year and the time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest.
- Imbolc, celebrated on 2 February, is a time of purification and new beginnings.
- Beltane, celebrated on 1 May, is the festival of fertility and celebrates the coming of summer.
- Lughnasadh, celebrated on 1 August, marks the beginning of the harvest season and honours the god Lugh.
Each of these festivals has its own unique themes, traditions and rituals and they are celebrated in different ways by different pagan traditions.
For example, some pagans celebrate the solstices and equinoxes as solar festivals, while others see them as times to honour the changing seasons and the cycles of life and death.
Similarly, some pagans celebrate Samhain as a time to honour their ancestors and the dead, while others see it as a time of transformation and rebirth.
Overall, the pagan calendar is a rich and diverse tapestry of traditions and beliefs that honours the cycles of nature and the sacredness of life.
Whether you are a seasoned pagan or simply curious about these ancient traditions, exploring the Wheel of the Year can be a transformative and enlightening experience.
Yule is a time to celebrate the return of light and to honor the winter gods and goddesses. Imbolc is the third festival, celebrated on February 2nd. It marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Imbolc is associated with the goddess Brigid and is a time to honor her and prepare for the coming of spring. It is also a time of purification and renewal. The fourth festival is Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, which falls around March 21st. It marks the beginning of spring and the balance between light and darkness. Ostara is a time to celebrate the fertility of the land and the growth of new life. It is associated with the goddess Eostre and the symbolism of eggs and bunnies. Beltane is the fifth festival, celebrated on May 1st. It marks the height of spring and the beginning of summer. Beltane is a time to celebrate fertility, passion, and the union of the god and the goddess. It is associated with Maypole dancing and bonfires. The sixth festival is Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice, which falls around June 21st. It marks the longest day of the year and the height of summer. Litha is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the abundance of nature. It is associated with outdoor rituals and feasts. Lughnasadh is the seventh festival, celebrated on August 1st. It marks the beginning of the harvest season. Lughnasadh is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the land and to honor the god Lugh. It is associated with games, feasting, and the gathering of the first fruits. The eighth and final festival is Mabon, celebrated on the autumnal equinox, which falls around September 21st. It marks the second harvest and the beginning of autumn. Mabon is a time to give thanks for the blessings of the year and to prepare for the dark half of the year. It is associated with the balance between light and darkness and the gathering of the last harvest. The Pagan Wheel of the Year calendar is not only a system of timekeeping but also a spiritual practice that connects individuals with the cycles of nature and the sacred energies of the seasons. It provides a framework for honoring the Earth and its cycles, as well as celebrating the different phases of life and the ever-changing aspects of existence..
Reviews for "Using the Pagan Wheel of the Year to Awaken Your Inner Witch"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Pagan Wheel of the Year Calendar. The artwork was subpar and didn't capture the essence of each season and holiday. The colors were dull and the design felt uninspiring. Additionally, the calendar had very little information about each holiday, which was disappointing for someone who is new to Paganism like myself. Overall, I would not recommend this calendar for anyone looking for a visually appealing and informative Pagan calendar.
- John - 1 star - I found the Pagan Wheel of the Year Calendar to be very confusing and hard to read. The layout was cluttered and the font was small, making it difficult to see the dates and events. The descriptions of each season and holiday were also vague and lacked depth. I was expecting a more detailed and user-friendly calendar, but unfortunately, this fell short of my expectations.
- Emily - 2 stars - The Pagan Wheel of the Year Calendar was not what I was hoping for. The overall design was lackluster and the artwork felt generic. It lacked the creativity and beauty that I associate with Paganism. Additionally, the information provided about each holiday was very minimal, leaving me wanting more. It could have been a great resource for learning and celebrating the Pagan year, but unfortunately, it missed the mark.
- Robert - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Pagan Wheel of the Year Calendar. The artwork was bland and uninspired, and the overall design felt cheap. The calendar was also poorly organized, making it difficult to find specific holidays and events. I expected a more visually appealing and well-crafted calendar, but unfortunately, this did not live up to my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality Pagan calendar.