Welcome to the Wheel of the Year:
The Wheel of the Year Sabbats are powerful traditions in pagan and nature-based spiritual practices. It’s a cyclical journey through eight seasonal festivals, known as Sabbats, that honor the Earth’s rhythms and celebrate the changing seasons. These festivals invite us to reconnect with nature, acknowledge the cycles of life, and tune into the energies of the Earth. Whether you’re new to the Wheel or looking to deepen your practice, we’ll be diving into each Sabbat in our upcoming series.
Here’s a glimpse into each festival along the Wheel:
Yule (Winter Solstice) – Around December 21: Yule marks the return of the light. On the longest night of the year, we celebrate the rebirth of the Sun, warmth, and hope. Yule invites us to reflect, release, and embrace the promise of renewal.
Imbolc – February 1-2: Imbolc brings the first signs of spring, celebrating purification, inspiration, and new beginnings. It’s a time to nurture seeds—both literal and metaphorical—growing within.
Ostara (Spring Equinox) – Around March 21: Ostara is a time of balance and renewal, when day and night stand equal. This festival honors growth, fertility, and the budding energies of spring as the Earth awakens.
Beltane – April 30-May 1: Beltane celebrates the height of spring and the coming summer. It’s a festival of fire, passion, and creativity, inviting us to revel in the fullness of life and honor connections.
Litha (Summer Solstice) – Around June 21: The Summer Solstice is the longest day, symbolizing strength, energy, and abundance. It’s a time to celebrate the Sun’s power, gratitude, and the peak of summer’s vitality.
Lammas (Lughnasadh) – August 1: Lammas is the first harvest festival, honoring the grain and abundance of the Earth. It’s a time of gratitude, community, and celebrating the fruits of our labor.
Mabon (Autumn Equinox) – Around September 21: Mabon marks another balance between light and dark, celebrating the second harvest. We honor the Earth’s bounty, express gratitude, and prepare for the restful season ahead.
Samhain – October 31-November 1: Samhain is the Celtic New Year and a sacred time of honoring ancestors, reflecting on mortality, and embracing transformation. As the veil thins, we connect with wisdom from the past.
Each Sabbat brings its own teachings, energies, and practices, and our series will explore how to honor these festivals with rituals, altar suggestions, and historical insights. Whether you’re beginning your journey or well-traveled on the Wheel, we’re excited to journey through the Sabbats together.
Artistic Disclaimer:
The imagery featured in our series is a unique interpretation infused with our website's bohemian and modern aesthetic, designed to resonate with our audience. While we draw inspiration from traditional WOTY symbolism, our artwork is a creative spin to reflect the vibrant and contemporary spirit of our community.
Educational Disclaimer:
Please note that there are many different ways to celebrate each of the Sabbats. These are simply some of our favorite ways to celebrate. We encourage you to explore your own traditions and make them personal to you.
-Wild Wandering