Wheel of the Year


Sabbats/Solar Holidays

*NOTE: Sabbats do not happen during one day, they happen over the span of a few days. This is because scientifically, the solstices and equinoxes do not last one day. I prefer to celebrate them during the peak of the timeframe which usually happens around the 21st.


Esbats/Lunar Holidays

*NOTE: Esbats are usually celebrated on the night of the New Moon. This is why the dates can fluctuate. I have always recognized the Esbats on the days that aren't in brackets.



Lore of the Wheel of the Year

This is the most widely-accepted version of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. These holidays aren't exclusive to Wiccans, but this is their lore for these events. There is no start or end point because this plays into the concept of cyclical time.

This tale follows the timeline of the Wiccan God and Goddess. The names of these deities are exclusive to Wiccan coven members, so their names are purposefully kept private.

The Wheel of the Year follows the birth, life, death, and rebirth of the Wiccan God.


Yule

circa Dec. 21

The Goddess gives birth to the God, thus she is creating the Sun during the darkest time of the year.

Themes: beginnings & endings, celebration, compassion, hibernation, feasting, rebirth, sacrifice.


Imbolc

Feb. 2

The Goddess has fully recovered from giving birth and life begins to bloom because of this.

Themes: new beginnings, planting seeds, fire, the Sun, birth of new life.


Ostara

circa Mar. 21

Fertility covers the Earth as the God and Goddess become balanced after their endeavors. The God is now a Young Child.

Themes: balance, celebrating life, eggs, flowers, fertility, planning, new ideas.


Beltane

Apr. 30

The God is approaching Manhood, marked by the growing presence of the Sun.

Themes: fertility, love, union of female and male energy, celebration, maypole, flowers.


Litha

circa June 21

The God is a fully-grown Man and takes the Goddess to be his wife. This is when the new God is created within the womb of the Goddess.

Themes: energizing, growth, abundance, the Sun, fruit.


Lughnasadh

Aug. 1

The God begins to grow older, and the Goddess becomes saddened, knowing that he will surely die soon.

Themes: celebration, giving thanks, harvesting, enjoying life, feasting, togetherness, bread.


Mabon

circa Sep. 21

The God is now an old man and the Goddess prepares for his death.

Themes: balance, harvest, changing of the seasons, giving thanks, apples, leaves.


Samhain

Oct. 31

The Goddess bids farewell to the God as he dies. This is a temporary goodbye, as he will be reborn in a few months.

Themes: composting, spirits, remembering, ancestors, acorns, pumpkins.