The Wiccan Year

The year begins, most commonly (depending on tradition), on Samhain the 31st of October, although some witches prefer to celebrate on the 1st of November.

Ceremonies should normally include purification of the self and area, the casting of a circle, calling the quarters, invoking the Lord and Lady, main purpose of the rituals, cakes and wine, thanks and releasing of deities, thanks and releasing of quarters, the opening of the circle and finally libation to the Lord and Lady.

The Sabbats

Samhain: October 31st

Samhain, meaning 'End of Summer', is now generally considered the Witch's New Year and celebrates the third and final harvest . It is one of the two 'spirit nights' of the year (Beltane being the other). Samhain allows us to communicate with departed loved ones; showing us the hope of rebirth through death - before reaching Summerlands.

Symbols: Apples, black cats, jack-o-lanterns

Herbs: Allspice, broom, catnip, mandrake, sage

Foods: Turnips, apples, nuts, mulled wine, pork, poultry

Colours: Orange, black, silver, white, gold

Stones: Black - jet or obsidian

Incense: Mint, nutmeg

Apple cider, warmed with cinnamon is a good way to honour the spirits of the dead. New Year's resolutions can be made, written down and burned in a candle flame. Divinations for the following year should be stronger on this day. A family meal is a good way of celebrating the day.

Yule: December 21st

Known as the longest night of the year and the shortest day, symbolising renewal and rebirth over the Winter months.

Symbols: Yule log, holly, mistletoe, gold candles, wreaths

Herbs: Bayberry, evergreen, frankincense, sage, pine, yellow cedar

Foods: Cider, fruit, nuts, turkey, cookies, caraway cakes, ginger tea

Colours: Green, red, gold, silver, white, silver, orange, yellow

Stones: Emerald, garnet, bloodstone, Ruby, Diamond

Incense: Bayberry, cedar, pine, cinnamon

Carolling and decorating a Yule tree are the most common Pagan activities of Yuletide. Hanging bells to call fay folk, and burn ash wood for prosperity. Decorating the house with pine cones, evergreens, wreaths etc.

Imbolc: February 2nd

Growth and renewal is the topic of this holiday, as animals give birth to their first offspring of the year, Imbolc means 'ewes milk'; wombs swell and milk flows. Ploughing the Earth for the preparation of planting crops begins

Symbols: White flowers, candle wheels, acorn-tipped wands, Brighid's crosses

Herbs: Basil, heather, iris, violets, blackberry, coltsfoot

Foods: Muffins, scones, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, onion, garlic, dairy produce, herbal teas

Colours: Pink, red, white, yellow, green, brown

Stones: Turquoise, amythyst, garnet, onyx, bloodstone, ruby

Incense: Wisteria, myrrh, vanilla, bay, basil

Burn the evergreens collected during Yuke to send Winter on its way. Make dream pillows and create corn dollies. Leave buttered bread in a bowl overnight for the faeries - dispose the next day as the 'essence' will have been used.

Ostara: March 21st

Spring is reaching mid-point, it is a time of fertility and growth. Ostara is what Christians have adopted into Easter.

Symbols: Egg, rabbit

Herbs: Spring flowers; iris,daffodil, woodruff, olive, peony, narcissus

Foods: Green vegtables, cairy food, nuts and seeds

Colours: All colours

Stones: Jasper

Incense:Jasmine, rose, strawberry

Wear green and have a traditional bun, ham and egg breakfast. Toss the eggshell into the garden for the fay, flowers and herbs. Paint eggs in bright colours - which could be made from natural dye, and make hot cross buns.

Beltane: May 1st

This is the second 'spirit night', and also a celebration of the Sun and Summer beginning.

Symbols: Flowers (braid into hair and leave around the house)

Herbs: Oak, willow, fir, hazel

Foods: Bread, cereals, dairy food, oatmeal cakes, honey

Colours: Yellow, red, green, orange, gold, white

Stones: Hematite, tiger eye, sunstone

Incense: Lilac

Place fresh flowers in baskets around the house and make a wish when you jump over a small bonfire.

Litha: June 21st

This day is the opposite of Yule, being the longest day of the year - light is at its strongest. Those who follow the laws of Irish Faerie Wicca will know this day as Midsummer Night's Eve.

Symbols: Fay folk

Herbs: Mugwort, lavender, oak, rose, yarrow, fern, daisy, honeysuckle

Foods: Fresh fruit and vegetables

Colours: Green, gold, silver, yellow, orange

Stones: Emerald

Incense: Pine, lemon, wisteria, rose, myrrh

Make protection amulets, dispose of old ones in a bonfire. Look for fay folk under elder trees - but don't eat their food. Tie a bunch of fennel with a red ribbon and hang over yout door for protection.

Lughnasadh: August 1st

This is the beginning of Autumn, the Sun begins to lose strength and harvest begins; plants drop fruit and plant wither.

Symbols: Bread ('Lammas - Christian - 'loaf-mass'), first harvest

Herbs: Grapes, heather, pears, crab apples, grains

Foods: Apples, grain, bread, berries

Colours: Grey, brown, dark green, red

Stones: Carnelian

Incense: Sandalwood, aloe, rose

Mabon: September 21st

Thanks needs to be given to the Sunlight, and celebration of the ageing Goddess should be made. Day and night are equal lengths, ready for the impending dark. Old business is to be finished for relaxation and family time.

Symbols: The second harvest, pine cones, ivy, acorns, corn

Herbs: Milkweed, sage, thistle, passionflower, marigold, fern

Foods: Bread, nuts, potatoes, carrots, apples, pomegranates

Colours: Red, orange, russet, gold, brown

Stones: Sapphire, yellow agate, lapis lazuli

Incense: Myrrh, sage, benzoin

Serve a Mabon meal, with wine, beans and squash. Collect milkweed pods for Yule decoration to attract fay folk. Make protection charms from hazenuts strung on red thread.

The Esbats

Esbats are minor celebrations which celebrate the full moon of each month.

Although there are only 12 calendar months there are 13 full moons and when a second full moon occurs in a month it is called a Blue Moon. In 2001 it falls in November which is where I shall place it in the example below:

The full moon closest to the Winter Solstice is always known as the Oak Moon and the others fall in succession following:

Oak Moon: December

Wolf Moon: January

Storm Moon: February

Chaste Moon: March

Seed Moon: April

Hare Moon: May

Dyad Moon: June

Mead Moon: July

Wort Moon: August

Barley Moon: September

Harvest Moon: October

Blood Moon: November

Snow Moon: November (Blue Moon)

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