About the Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year is an ancient, cyclical calendar marking eight seasonal festivals that celebrate nature’s rhythms, the changing seasons, and the relationship between the Earth, the Sun, and life itself. This sacred calendar is primarily observed by modern Pagans, Wiccans, and practitioners of nature-based spirituality, honoring the turning of the seasons with ceremonies, rituals, and traditions rooted in historical and folk customs.
The eight festivals—also known as Sabbats—include four solar festivals (the solstices and equinoxes) and four fire festivals, which are deeply tied to agricultural cycles and ancient folklore. These festivals are often seen as symbolic of the eternal cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth, reflecting both the natural world and personal spiritual journeys.
Winter Solstice (Yule) – Midwinter’s Celebration
Date: Around December 21st (Northern Hemisphere) | June 21st (Southern Hemisphere)
Yule, also known as Midwinter, marks the longest night of the year and the rebirth of the Sun. This festival celebrates the return of light, as days begin to grow longer, symbolizing hope, renewal, and rebirth.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Evergreen trees (symbolizing eternal life) and Yule logs (burned to welcome the Sun) are key customs.
- Candles and bonfires represent light triumphing over darkness.
- The Horned God is reborn, signaling the Sun’s return.
- Many Christmas traditions, like decorating a tree and gift-giving, stem from Yule customs.
Imbolc (Candlemas) – A Festival of Light and Renewal
Date: February 1st – 2nd (Northern Hemisphere) | August 1st – 2nd (Southern Hemisphere)
Imbolc signals the first stirrings of spring. The name “Imbolc” comes from Old Irish, meaning “in the belly,” referring to pregnant ewes and new life stirring beneath the soil. This festival honors Brigid, the Celtic goddess of hearth, fertility, and poetry.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Lighting candles to welcome the returning light.
- Purification rituals and early spring cleaning.
- Honoring Brigid with altars, poetry, and offerings.
Spring Equinox (Ostara) – The Festival of Balance and Renewal
Date: Around March 20th (Northern Hemisphere) | September 20th (Southern Hemisphere)
Ostara, named after the Germanic goddess Eostre, celebrates the Spring Equinox, when day and night are equal in length. This festival is a time of balance, fertility, and new beginnings.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Eggs and hares (symbols of fertility, later linked to Easter).
- Planting seeds as a magical and literal act of growth.
- Honoring the Maiden Goddess and the Young Sun God.
Beltane (May Day) – The Fire Festival of Passion and Fertility
Date: May 1st (Northern Hemisphere) | November 1st (Southern Hemisphere)
Beltane is a festival of fire, love, and fertility, celebrating the peak of spring and the union of the Goddess and God. It is one of the most joyous Sabbats.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Dancing around the Maypole (a phallic symbol of fertility).
- Beltane fires, where couples jump over flames for luck.
- Handfasting ceremonies, symbolizing love and partnership.
Summer Solstice (Litha) – The Height of Power and Light
Date: Around June 21st (Northern Hemisphere) | December 21st (Southern Hemisphere)
Litha, or Midsummer, marks the longest day of the year. The Sun is at its peak, and the Oak King and Holly King engage in a mythic battle, with the latter beginning to reign.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Bonfires and sun rituals honor the power of the Sun.
- Herb gathering as plants reach their peak potency.
- Celebrations of abundance and gratitude.
Lughnasadh (Lammas) – The First Harvest Festival
Date: August 1st (Northern Hemisphere) | February 1st (Southern Hemisphere)
Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, honors the first harvest and the Celtic god Lugh. It is a time of gratitude, feasting, and community celebration.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Baking bread as a sacred act of harvest.
- Corn dollies representing the spirit of the grain.
- Games and storytelling in honor of Lugh.
Autumn Equinox (Mabon) – A Festival of Thanksgiving
Date: Around September 20th (Northern Hemisphere) | March 20th (Southern Hemisphere)
Mabon is a harvest festival of balance and gratitude, akin to Thanksgiving. It celebrates the equal lengths of day and night and the abundance of the harvest.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Feasts celebrating the final harvest.
- Honoring ancestors and nature spirits.
- Cornucopia decorations symbolizing abundance.
Samhain (All Hallows) – The Festival of the Dead
Date: October 31st – November 1st (Northern Hemisphere) | April 30th – May 1st (Southern Hemisphere)
Samhain marks the Pagan New Year when the veil between worlds is thinnest. It is a time for honoring ancestors, reflecting on mortality, and celebrating the cycle of death and rebirth.
Traditions & Symbolism:
- Honoring ancestors and departed loved ones.
- Divination and spirit communication.
- Jack-o’-lanterns are used to ward off unwanted spirits.
Interesting Facts About the Wheel of the Year
- The Wheel of the Year is embraced by various Pagan traditions, including Wicca, Druidry, Heathenry, and eclectic spiritual paths.
- Many modern holidays have roots in these ancient festivals—for example, Yule is connected to Christmas, and Samhain has links to Halloween.
- The festivals are closely tied to agrarian societies, reflecting cycles of planting, harvesting, and rest.
- Some practitioners see the Wheel as a reflection of the God and Goddess, where the God represents the Sun and the Goddess represents the Earth's changing seasons.