The Wiccan Wheel
These are the eight rituals (known as Sabbats) that mark the turning points in the year to Pagans, Druids and others alike. It has since been revived by Wiccans into the “Wiccan Wheel of the Year”.
Each Sabbat is based on the Earth’s tilt and correspondence to the sun, as well as the changing seasons and amount of light. At least half of the modern Church’s religious celebrations come from the old pagan festivals: Yule being Christmas, Ostara being Lent, Modron is recognised as the harvest festival, and Samhain being All Hallows Eve.
| Sabbat | Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere |
| Samhain | 31st October | 1st May |
| Yule (Winter Solstice) | 21st/22nd December | 21st/22nd June |
| Imbolc | 1st/2nd February | 1st/2nd August |
| Ostara (Spring Equinox) | 21st/22nd March | 21st/22nd September |
| Beltane | 1st May | 31st October |
| Litha (Summer Solstice) | 21st/22nd June | 21st/22nd December |
| Lughnasadh | 1st/2nd August | 1st/2nd February |
| Modron (Autumn Equinox) | 21st/22nd September | 21st/22nd March |
Most people will notice the moving of the Wiccan Wheel, even without realising it – taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the first snowdrops or attending a May Pole Dance, and most commonly, celebrating Halloween. Others notice it by a tingling sensation and distant memories that are put down to an over active imagination, or a feeling of joy and excitement in their hearts as the subtle changes happen.
On these Sabbats, people come together to celebrate, share stories and perform rituals – many handfastings* happen at Beltane, as it is a time for making promises, and at Samhain, people say goodbye – not only to their own problems and bad habits, but to those who have passed on.
Sometimes the Wiccan Wheel is described as a passing day, with Yule being midnight, Ostara being sunrise, Litha being midday and Modron being sunset.
Unlike modern day calendars, the Wiccan Wheel is written as a circle – showing that everything is a continuation of birth, life, death and re-birth. There is no beginning, and there is no end – everything will happen its own time and place.
* The traditional pagan marriage for one year and a day; though now a handfasting can be done as a regular wedding and mean a lifelong commitment.
