Post by Lady Silver Vixen on Dec 16, 2010 14:43:02 GMT -5
Wheel of the Year
The wheel of the year is the term used by Wiccan’s and Neo-pagans, to describe the annual cycle of the year, and the seasons. Basically it consists of eight festivals, spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the year. These festivals are referred to as the Sabbats. While the word Sabbat is originated from Abrahamic faiths, the festivals themselves have historical origins in Celtic and Germanic pre-Christian feasts, and the wheel of the year, has been developed in modern Wicca and neo-paganism, is really just a combination of the two cultures’ solstice and equinox celebrations. When melded together two somewhat unrelated European festival cycles, merge to form eight festivals in modern renderings. How cool is that? Together, these festivals are understood by some to be the Bronze Age religious festivals of Europe. As with all cultures’ use of festivals and traditions, these festivals have been utilized by European cultures in both the pre and post Christian eras as traditional times for the community to celebrate the planting and harvesting seasons. The wheel of the year has been important to many people both ancient and modern, from various religious as well as cultural and secular view points. In many forms, natural processes are seen as following a continuous cycle. The passing of time is also seen as cyclical, and is represented by a circle or wheel. Another example, is the progression of birth, life, decline, and death.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are 8 Sabbats that Wiccans follow, 4 Major or Sun Sabbats, and 4 minor, or moon Sabbats. For the sake of time and space, I will just touch briefly on each of the Sabbats.
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, or SAH-vin) aka Halloween
October 31st and is a Seasonal Holiday
This is the Witches’ New Year. It’s the celebration of the final harvest, with the end of the harvest; the last yields of summer give way to the coming winter. It’s a reminder to everyone that all things pass away in time. Just as the leaves fade and fall from the trees, so we must allow for loss and passages in our lives. This also a time to celebrate all the aspects of our lives that are dropping away from us, the relationships, the situations, the pain, the emotions, the old identities that once served us, are now passing away to make room for the new growth.
To many, Samhain is a time between times. The old year has gone and the New Year has yet to begin. It is a time out of time so to speak. It is a time for divination between the dimensions for level of reality are thinnest, this is known as the “Thinning of the Veil”. Intuition is usually heightened at this time, so it’s an excellent opportunity to do tarot card readings, scrying, dreamwork, and many other forms of divination.
The main thing to keep in mind is that Samhain is the time of our ancestors and departed loved ones and friends, and they are to be honored at this time. Memories and stories are shared and it is customary to out extra places at supper for the departed. (It’s also customary to perform a ritual known as a dumb (meaning silent) supper, where there is a spirit chair and no one speaks during the meal). Since the veil is thinnest on this night, it is believed to be the best time for dead souls to make contact with the living. People sometimes use this time to commune with those on the other side. Just remember that with every ending there is always a new beginning and Samhain is our reminder of this.
Yule
Approx. Dec 21/22 and is a Solar Holiday
Yule marks the longest night of the year, it’s also known as the winter solstice. It’s where the dark has triumphed of the light, but also where the light is making it’s come back to bring forth the youth and joy of the spring. The darkness of this longest night holds a great many lessons, one of the most powerful is the awareness that hope and light spring forth from the deepest darkness. As we wait patiently and quietly in the darkness, we honor the stillness and mystery of night, and light candles or a Yule log to summon the sun’s return. By doing so, we work in partnership with nature to preserve the natural balance. Similarly, when faced with a difficult challenge, we are partners with the Universe in manifesting hope out of our despair.
The Yule tree (recognized now as the Christmas Tree) is an ancient symbol of life, fertility and vitality. Even in the dead of winter, the Yule tree is evergreen, a reminder of the life-force of nature. Trees are brought into the house and decorated with lights to celebrate life and the returning of light after the darkest night. This is also a great time to celebrate a dawning of potentiality. As darkness gives way to light, the earth lies sleeping. To us, the earth appears dead, and dormant, but deep within her soil lays the slumbering seed, awaiting the power of the newborn sun to activate its growth. We look at ourselves for the sleeping seed at this time, and identify the situations, blessings, and activities we would like to germinate and grow in the coming year. We honor the need for the regenerative stillness, the rest before the energetic growth of springtime. Yule truly is the time of transformation and rebirth.
Imbolc (Candlemas)
February 1 (beginning at sundown) A Seasonal Holiday
Imbolc (pronounced imbolg), it a time of quickening, purification, preparation and initiation of the new year. The Earth is beginning to awaken from its slumber from the winter. There is a rising of sap in the trees, the awakening of seeds deep within the soul and a promise of the coming spring. The seed of personal growth, which spelt within us at Yule, are now beginning to germinate and sprout forth. This is a time of preparation and purification when we clear out old clutter and make way for new growth. This is the time for spring cleaning of our spiritual selves. Homes are cleaned both physically and energetically, to create an environment for optimal creativity, balance, and joy in the coming growing season.
This holiday is a traditional time for initiations and dedicating oneself to new levels of spiritual exploration and commitment. Initiations and dedications are transformational ceremonies, which quicken new growth and invite our spirit allies to support us in the next phase of our constantly progressing spiritual journey. Imbolc is a sacred feast of the great Celtic Goddess Brigid. In honor of the growing light, and of the Brigid’s spiritual flame, that is always burning. It is very customary to burn candles to celebrate this feast, and it’s the ideal time for candle-making; an ideal time to make and or bless candles to be used for sacred work throughout the year. On this night, people divine for insight about the direction of spiritual exploration and work for the coming year.
Ostara aka Spring Equinox
Approx March 21st a solar holiday
Ostara marks the first day of spring. It’s the time of celebration of the awakening earth. All around us, the earth reveals her vitality as flowers bloom, bees buzz, the swelling of buds, and the song of the Robin. The seeds within the soul have sprouted and are pushing their way into the sunlight. Likewise within us it is time for the seeds we have nurtured since Yule to come into the light and begin to flourish. It is a time of new beginnings, the freshness of dawn. The earth is young again and so are we.
Ostara is a fertility feast, both summoning and celebrating fertility. It is traditional to dye or paint eggs on this day. The egg is the ancient symbol of fertility and possibility. Eggs are often painted with symbols, images or colors to magically, evoke qualities or events which we desire in our lives. This is of course, has become a custom associated with Easter, but it’s origins reach further back than that, back into the indigenous traditions of Europe. At the Spring Equinox, the day and night are in equilibrium, meaning they are in perfect balance. Yet light is in ascendance; in the days that follow the darkness gives way to the growing light. It is time to embrace both the light and the darkness, to acknowledge dualities within ourselves, to bring polarities into balance and honor the balance in all things.
Traditionally, bonfires were lit on this night and cattle driven between the fires to purify them and promote fertility. People leaped over the flames for fertility and good luck. Ostara takes it’s name from the Teutonic Goddess Eostre or Ostre, whose name is also the origin of the Christian holiday Easter. Ostre was traditionally honored on this day, but it is appropriate to honor the Divine Feminine in all her maiden forms.
Beltane (May Day)
April 30th at sundown seasonal holiday
The last of the three Spring festivals, a celebration of spring in it’s fullest expression. Around this time, the Earth pulsates with the natural energies of growth and vitality. Fertility and life are all around us and seen everywhere. The vitality and passion of Beltane expresses itself through the flowering and pollination of plants, and the fertility of animals and the loving sexual embrace of humans, shared together in the universe, bringing forth it’s true natural beauty. Traditionally this was a time for blessing fields and animals for fertility and abundance.
Fertility rites such as leaping the fire and dancing the maypole, are still preformed to honor this holiday. In ancient times, lovers found each other by the glow of the bonfires and made love on the hillsides near by. Through these rites the passion of the earth is made manifest and the fertility of the earth is stimulated and continues on. Beltane is still a popular time for handfasting or marriages. Irrepressibly, the creative imperative bursts forth into new forms and expression. We can ride Earth’s passionate wave, tapping into this powerful sure of creativity, and new thought. Joy celebration and creativity are the hallmarks of Beltane. It is not a time for deep contemplation or meditation, but rather a time to be immediately and passionately present in the moment as we dance with the energy and rhythms of the earth. It’s a time for manifestation and movement, of life and growth, of joy and passion. This is a time for energizing new projects and new life directions and honor the growing fullness of our lives.
Midsummer (Summer Solstice)
Approx June 21st solar holiday
Midsummer is the counter-point to Yule on the wheel of the year. It is a the longest day, the triumph of the light half of the year. When the sun has reached it’s peak, the wheel turns to restore balance. In the days that follow, the nights will grow longer and longer, the sun’s power slowly waning away. Traditionally, the ancient celts set wheels on fire (to symbolize the sun), and rolled them down the hillsides to celebrate the power of light and recognize the imminent decline of the sun. Bonfires were lighted and jumped and the ashes scattered on the fields to bless and fertilize them.
Despite the name, midsummer actually marks the first day of summer. It is a time of ripeness and fullness. Summer is in full bloom and the Earth is alive with abundance and the promise of the harvest to come. The energetic, passionate dance of Beltane has deepened to a rich, deep pulse, the promise of fertility maturing into abundance. Yet the knowledge that tomorrow the sun begins to wane, reminds us that all things fade, and inevitably change, and lastly, that nature demands balance. Here in the height of summer, we do not mourn the passing of things, but celebrate the fullness of our experiences. Midsummer has long been associated with magic, bright mystery and faery realms. It is a time when the veils between the human world and the Land of the Fae may be easily parted. This is a night to leave offerings of milk and bread, or nuts for the Fairy Folks to honor their blessed presence in our world and to promote harmony. This is a great time for magical workings and journeying between worlds.
Lammas/Lughnasadh
July 31st seasonal holiday
Lammas celebrates the first harvesting of crops, the first of three harvest festivals. It is at this time the energies of the Earth begin to decline. Growth ebbs to completion and life loosens its passionate hold and prepares to yield up its fruits. The earth is beginning the process of letting go, moving ever towards darkness and Winter. Corn and grains are of particular significance at this holiday. Traditionally, the newly harvest grain is made into bread to be shared with all in celebration. The word “Lammas” is an old enlgish word meaning ‘Loaf Mass’. It is also traditional to fashion a corn dollie from the last stalks of grain to be harvested. It was believed that these stalks contained the ‘Spirit of Corn’. The bundle of grain is formed in the shape of a woman, the Harvest or Corn Mother. Tradionally, the corn dollie was hung first in the barn to preside over the threshing of the grain, and then in the farmhouse until the planting of the new grain in Spring. Today, the dollie is placed on the altar for the Mabon celebration and then hung in the house or on the front door until Imbolc when it is burned to release the “spirit of the Corn” to bring life and growth once more.
The irish name for this festival is Lughnasadh; it is a holiday sacred to the Irish God Lugh. Lugh is associated with the power of sun and light, and so fires were burned in honor of him on this day. In addition to his associations with light. Lugh is a God of Skill and Craft, a master of all human skills. On this, hi feast day, it is particularly appropriate that we celebrate our own abilities, skills and accomplishments.
Mabon (Autumnal Equinox)
Approx Sept 21st Solar Holiday
Mabon is the counter-point to Ostara on the Wheel of the year. It is a the first day of Autumn/Fall, and is the second of three harvest festivals. At Mabon, the harvest is at its fullest. This is a time for celebrating the bounty that flows to us from the generosity of Earth and Spirit. It is traditional to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. Gather with friends and family to give thanks with feasting and celebrations. Through the power of appreciation and gratitude we open our hearts and our beings to the flow of abundance on all levels. Mabon is also a bittersweet time when the abundant Earth is pouring forth her harvest and yet Summer is fading into Autumn and signs of the dying year are all around us. Night and day are once more in equilibrium, but now light gives way to the ascendancy of darkness and the coming of winter. We are entering the still and introspective part of the year. Here were are invited to take stock in our lives and give thanks for all the experiences, both the joyful and the challenging, which have taught and enriched us in the past year. It can be said that Mabon is the Witches’ thanksgiving. This honoring of all aspects of our lives prepares us for Samhain when we will release those aspects of our lives which no longer serve us any purpose.
From Mabon to Ostara, we are drawn inward, to quiet contemplation, to exploration of deep mysteries found in silence and in darkness, to laying the groundwork for future transformation and growth.
The wheel of the year is the term used by Wiccan’s and Neo-pagans, to describe the annual cycle of the year, and the seasons. Basically it consists of eight festivals, spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the year. These festivals are referred to as the Sabbats. While the word Sabbat is originated from Abrahamic faiths, the festivals themselves have historical origins in Celtic and Germanic pre-Christian feasts, and the wheel of the year, has been developed in modern Wicca and neo-paganism, is really just a combination of the two cultures’ solstice and equinox celebrations. When melded together two somewhat unrelated European festival cycles, merge to form eight festivals in modern renderings. How cool is that? Together, these festivals are understood by some to be the Bronze Age religious festivals of Europe. As with all cultures’ use of festivals and traditions, these festivals have been utilized by European cultures in both the pre and post Christian eras as traditional times for the community to celebrate the planting and harvesting seasons. The wheel of the year has been important to many people both ancient and modern, from various religious as well as cultural and secular view points. In many forms, natural processes are seen as following a continuous cycle. The passing of time is also seen as cyclical, and is represented by a circle or wheel. Another example, is the progression of birth, life, decline, and death.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are 8 Sabbats that Wiccans follow, 4 Major or Sun Sabbats, and 4 minor, or moon Sabbats. For the sake of time and space, I will just touch briefly on each of the Sabbats.
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, or SAH-vin) aka Halloween
October 31st and is a Seasonal Holiday
This is the Witches’ New Year. It’s the celebration of the final harvest, with the end of the harvest; the last yields of summer give way to the coming winter. It’s a reminder to everyone that all things pass away in time. Just as the leaves fade and fall from the trees, so we must allow for loss and passages in our lives. This also a time to celebrate all the aspects of our lives that are dropping away from us, the relationships, the situations, the pain, the emotions, the old identities that once served us, are now passing away to make room for the new growth.
To many, Samhain is a time between times. The old year has gone and the New Year has yet to begin. It is a time out of time so to speak. It is a time for divination between the dimensions for level of reality are thinnest, this is known as the “Thinning of the Veil”. Intuition is usually heightened at this time, so it’s an excellent opportunity to do tarot card readings, scrying, dreamwork, and many other forms of divination.
The main thing to keep in mind is that Samhain is the time of our ancestors and departed loved ones and friends, and they are to be honored at this time. Memories and stories are shared and it is customary to out extra places at supper for the departed. (It’s also customary to perform a ritual known as a dumb (meaning silent) supper, where there is a spirit chair and no one speaks during the meal). Since the veil is thinnest on this night, it is believed to be the best time for dead souls to make contact with the living. People sometimes use this time to commune with those on the other side. Just remember that with every ending there is always a new beginning and Samhain is our reminder of this.
Yule
Approx. Dec 21/22 and is a Solar Holiday
Yule marks the longest night of the year, it’s also known as the winter solstice. It’s where the dark has triumphed of the light, but also where the light is making it’s come back to bring forth the youth and joy of the spring. The darkness of this longest night holds a great many lessons, one of the most powerful is the awareness that hope and light spring forth from the deepest darkness. As we wait patiently and quietly in the darkness, we honor the stillness and mystery of night, and light candles or a Yule log to summon the sun’s return. By doing so, we work in partnership with nature to preserve the natural balance. Similarly, when faced with a difficult challenge, we are partners with the Universe in manifesting hope out of our despair.
The Yule tree (recognized now as the Christmas Tree) is an ancient symbol of life, fertility and vitality. Even in the dead of winter, the Yule tree is evergreen, a reminder of the life-force of nature. Trees are brought into the house and decorated with lights to celebrate life and the returning of light after the darkest night. This is also a great time to celebrate a dawning of potentiality. As darkness gives way to light, the earth lies sleeping. To us, the earth appears dead, and dormant, but deep within her soil lays the slumbering seed, awaiting the power of the newborn sun to activate its growth. We look at ourselves for the sleeping seed at this time, and identify the situations, blessings, and activities we would like to germinate and grow in the coming year. We honor the need for the regenerative stillness, the rest before the energetic growth of springtime. Yule truly is the time of transformation and rebirth.
Imbolc (Candlemas)
February 1 (beginning at sundown) A Seasonal Holiday
Imbolc (pronounced imbolg), it a time of quickening, purification, preparation and initiation of the new year. The Earth is beginning to awaken from its slumber from the winter. There is a rising of sap in the trees, the awakening of seeds deep within the soul and a promise of the coming spring. The seed of personal growth, which spelt within us at Yule, are now beginning to germinate and sprout forth. This is a time of preparation and purification when we clear out old clutter and make way for new growth. This is the time for spring cleaning of our spiritual selves. Homes are cleaned both physically and energetically, to create an environment for optimal creativity, balance, and joy in the coming growing season.
This holiday is a traditional time for initiations and dedicating oneself to new levels of spiritual exploration and commitment. Initiations and dedications are transformational ceremonies, which quicken new growth and invite our spirit allies to support us in the next phase of our constantly progressing spiritual journey. Imbolc is a sacred feast of the great Celtic Goddess Brigid. In honor of the growing light, and of the Brigid’s spiritual flame, that is always burning. It is very customary to burn candles to celebrate this feast, and it’s the ideal time for candle-making; an ideal time to make and or bless candles to be used for sacred work throughout the year. On this night, people divine for insight about the direction of spiritual exploration and work for the coming year.
Ostara aka Spring Equinox
Approx March 21st a solar holiday
Ostara marks the first day of spring. It’s the time of celebration of the awakening earth. All around us, the earth reveals her vitality as flowers bloom, bees buzz, the swelling of buds, and the song of the Robin. The seeds within the soul have sprouted and are pushing their way into the sunlight. Likewise within us it is time for the seeds we have nurtured since Yule to come into the light and begin to flourish. It is a time of new beginnings, the freshness of dawn. The earth is young again and so are we.
Ostara is a fertility feast, both summoning and celebrating fertility. It is traditional to dye or paint eggs on this day. The egg is the ancient symbol of fertility and possibility. Eggs are often painted with symbols, images or colors to magically, evoke qualities or events which we desire in our lives. This is of course, has become a custom associated with Easter, but it’s origins reach further back than that, back into the indigenous traditions of Europe. At the Spring Equinox, the day and night are in equilibrium, meaning they are in perfect balance. Yet light is in ascendance; in the days that follow the darkness gives way to the growing light. It is time to embrace both the light and the darkness, to acknowledge dualities within ourselves, to bring polarities into balance and honor the balance in all things.
Traditionally, bonfires were lit on this night and cattle driven between the fires to purify them and promote fertility. People leaped over the flames for fertility and good luck. Ostara takes it’s name from the Teutonic Goddess Eostre or Ostre, whose name is also the origin of the Christian holiday Easter. Ostre was traditionally honored on this day, but it is appropriate to honor the Divine Feminine in all her maiden forms.
Beltane (May Day)
April 30th at sundown seasonal holiday
The last of the three Spring festivals, a celebration of spring in it’s fullest expression. Around this time, the Earth pulsates with the natural energies of growth and vitality. Fertility and life are all around us and seen everywhere. The vitality and passion of Beltane expresses itself through the flowering and pollination of plants, and the fertility of animals and the loving sexual embrace of humans, shared together in the universe, bringing forth it’s true natural beauty. Traditionally this was a time for blessing fields and animals for fertility and abundance.
Fertility rites such as leaping the fire and dancing the maypole, are still preformed to honor this holiday. In ancient times, lovers found each other by the glow of the bonfires and made love on the hillsides near by. Through these rites the passion of the earth is made manifest and the fertility of the earth is stimulated and continues on. Beltane is still a popular time for handfasting or marriages. Irrepressibly, the creative imperative bursts forth into new forms and expression. We can ride Earth’s passionate wave, tapping into this powerful sure of creativity, and new thought. Joy celebration and creativity are the hallmarks of Beltane. It is not a time for deep contemplation or meditation, but rather a time to be immediately and passionately present in the moment as we dance with the energy and rhythms of the earth. It’s a time for manifestation and movement, of life and growth, of joy and passion. This is a time for energizing new projects and new life directions and honor the growing fullness of our lives.
Midsummer (Summer Solstice)
Approx June 21st solar holiday
Midsummer is the counter-point to Yule on the wheel of the year. It is a the longest day, the triumph of the light half of the year. When the sun has reached it’s peak, the wheel turns to restore balance. In the days that follow, the nights will grow longer and longer, the sun’s power slowly waning away. Traditionally, the ancient celts set wheels on fire (to symbolize the sun), and rolled them down the hillsides to celebrate the power of light and recognize the imminent decline of the sun. Bonfires were lighted and jumped and the ashes scattered on the fields to bless and fertilize them.
Despite the name, midsummer actually marks the first day of summer. It is a time of ripeness and fullness. Summer is in full bloom and the Earth is alive with abundance and the promise of the harvest to come. The energetic, passionate dance of Beltane has deepened to a rich, deep pulse, the promise of fertility maturing into abundance. Yet the knowledge that tomorrow the sun begins to wane, reminds us that all things fade, and inevitably change, and lastly, that nature demands balance. Here in the height of summer, we do not mourn the passing of things, but celebrate the fullness of our experiences. Midsummer has long been associated with magic, bright mystery and faery realms. It is a time when the veils between the human world and the Land of the Fae may be easily parted. This is a night to leave offerings of milk and bread, or nuts for the Fairy Folks to honor their blessed presence in our world and to promote harmony. This is a great time for magical workings and journeying between worlds.
Lammas/Lughnasadh
July 31st seasonal holiday
Lammas celebrates the first harvesting of crops, the first of three harvest festivals. It is at this time the energies of the Earth begin to decline. Growth ebbs to completion and life loosens its passionate hold and prepares to yield up its fruits. The earth is beginning the process of letting go, moving ever towards darkness and Winter. Corn and grains are of particular significance at this holiday. Traditionally, the newly harvest grain is made into bread to be shared with all in celebration. The word “Lammas” is an old enlgish word meaning ‘Loaf Mass’. It is also traditional to fashion a corn dollie from the last stalks of grain to be harvested. It was believed that these stalks contained the ‘Spirit of Corn’. The bundle of grain is formed in the shape of a woman, the Harvest or Corn Mother. Tradionally, the corn dollie was hung first in the barn to preside over the threshing of the grain, and then in the farmhouse until the planting of the new grain in Spring. Today, the dollie is placed on the altar for the Mabon celebration and then hung in the house or on the front door until Imbolc when it is burned to release the “spirit of the Corn” to bring life and growth once more.
The irish name for this festival is Lughnasadh; it is a holiday sacred to the Irish God Lugh. Lugh is associated with the power of sun and light, and so fires were burned in honor of him on this day. In addition to his associations with light. Lugh is a God of Skill and Craft, a master of all human skills. On this, hi feast day, it is particularly appropriate that we celebrate our own abilities, skills and accomplishments.
Mabon (Autumnal Equinox)
Approx Sept 21st Solar Holiday
Mabon is the counter-point to Ostara on the Wheel of the year. It is a the first day of Autumn/Fall, and is the second of three harvest festivals. At Mabon, the harvest is at its fullest. This is a time for celebrating the bounty that flows to us from the generosity of Earth and Spirit. It is traditional to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. Gather with friends and family to give thanks with feasting and celebrations. Through the power of appreciation and gratitude we open our hearts and our beings to the flow of abundance on all levels. Mabon is also a bittersweet time when the abundant Earth is pouring forth her harvest and yet Summer is fading into Autumn and signs of the dying year are all around us. Night and day are once more in equilibrium, but now light gives way to the ascendancy of darkness and the coming of winter. We are entering the still and introspective part of the year. Here were are invited to take stock in our lives and give thanks for all the experiences, both the joyful and the challenging, which have taught and enriched us in the past year. It can be said that Mabon is the Witches’ thanksgiving. This honoring of all aspects of our lives prepares us for Samhain when we will release those aspects of our lives which no longer serve us any purpose.
From Mabon to Ostara, we are drawn inward, to quiet contemplation, to exploration of deep mysteries found in silence and in darkness, to laying the groundwork for future transformation and growth.