The Wheel of the Year

The Gods and Goddesses Roles in the Sabbats

"The Goddess and God have many aspects, many personalities. Each one teaches us certain things. They change as the seasons change. The Wheel of the Year is the story of the birth, growth, death and re-birth of the year, and the different ways we see the Goddess and the God at each season. The story teaches us not to be afraid of change. Winter will always be followed by spring, just as summer will give way to fall and winter."

Starhawk --"Circle Round--raising children in Goddess Tradition"



Samhain (October 31), marks the Pagan new year. The veil between the worlds of life and death is thin on this night. Also known as November Eve, Feast of the Dead , Feast of Apples, Samhain once marked the time of sacrifice. In some places this was the time when animals were slaughtered to ensure food throughout the depths of winter. Identified with the animals, the God fell as well to ensure continuing existence. Samhain is a time of reflection, of looking back over the last year, of coming to terms with the one aspect of life over which we have no control; death. Witches remember their ancestors and all those who have gone before this night, for like the God who gave his life up to the land, the same land will rise again.

At Yule (December 21) the Goddess gives birth to her Son, the God. This is also the origin of the idea that Jesus and Mithras were born at this time of year. Yule is the shortest day of the year. Earlier peoples noticed such changes and supplicated the forces of nature to lengthen the days and shorten the nights. Witches sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, then watch the Sun rise as a fitting finale to their efforts. Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the Sun is reborn as well. Thus, Witches light fires or candles to welcome the Sun's returning light. The Goddess, slumbering through the winter of Her labour, rests. At Yule, We celebrate the return journey of the Sun, and the life it will bring.

At Imbolg (February 2) the Goddess recovers from the birth and the God's strength is increasing with the waxing power of the sun. Imbolg traditionally marked the calving period, when the animals would begin to bear milk for their young. For Witches, it is a time of creativity and inspiration, and is associated with the Celtic Goddess Brigid. This is a Sabbat of purification after the darkness of winter, through the renewing power of the sun. It is also a festival of light and of fertility, once marked with huge blazes, torches and fire in every form. Fire here represents our own illumination and inspiration as much as lite and warmth. This is a traditional time for initiations and dedications.

By Ostara (Spring Equinox), the Goddess regains her strength and works her magick. The hours of day and night are equal. Light is overtaking darkness, and the young God is now maturing. Also called Eostra's Day (after the Celtic Spring Goddess), this day marks the shift from the slowness of winter to the fruitfulness of the new season. The Goddess envelopes the land with fertility, bursting forth from every corner. As we walk the greening fields, we can delight in the new abundance of nature. This is a time of beginnings, of action, of planting spells for future gains, and of tending ritual gardens. Now is a time of new starts, as we travel through the gateway into the realm of warmth and light.

At Beltane (May 1), when Nature is truly flourishing, the Goddess and God unite. This ensures the abundance of the next harvest and the continuation of life. Witches celebrate the symbol of the Goddess's fertility in ritual. Also known as May Day, Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals and the dancing of the Maypole. Many people would rise at dawn to gather flowers and green branches from the fields and gardens, using them to decorate their homes and themselves. The flowers and greenery symbolize the Goddess; the May pole, the God. Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion, and hope. It is a time of love and great celebration, and we cherish the joys which life offers us.

By Litha (Summer Solstice), the God is at the peak of his power, as is all of Nature's bounty. It is the high time of the Sun and is marked with festivals of light. Also known as Midsummer, the powers of nature reach their highest point. The Earth is awash in the fertility of the Goddess and God. In the past, bonfires were leapt to incourage fertility, purification, health and love. The fire once again represents the Sun, on this, the longest day of the year. Midsummer is a classic time for magick of all kinds.

Lammas (August 1) was the time the ancients gave thanks for the first fruits of the harvest. The summer is waning and the God has become the God of sacrifice, being cut down in the fields. It is a time sacred to the God Lugh and for giving thanks for what we have and making offerings of gratitude. As summer passes, we remember its warmth and bounty in the food we eat. Every meal is an act of attunement with nature, and we are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant.

At Mabon (Autumn Equinox) the light begins to grow less, and the God, cut down in the corn and wheat, begins his journey to the Otherworld. This is the completion of the harvest begun at Lughnasadh. Once again day and night are equal, poised as the God begins the great adventure into the unseen, toward renewal and rebirth of the Goddess. Nature declines, draws back its bounty, readying for winter and its time of rest. The Goddess nods in the weakening Sun, though fire burns within her womb. She feels the presence of the God even as he wanes. It is the final harvest, when the fields are clear of their bounty. We now make ready for the Winter to come. It is a time of balance.

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