No Products in the Cart
Living in alignment and harmony with the cycles and seasons of Mother Earth underpins a huge aspect of our Sacred Earth Medicine philosophy.
If you’ve been here with us for a while, then you’ll be familiar with our journals and rituals related to the Wheel of the Year.
Many of you may be curious to know more, to better understand why it so important to living in alignment with the earth. So, we thought it high time we share a little more info about the Wheel of the Year, from its history to the individual festivals plus when + why they’re celebrated.
The Wheel of the Year consists of 8 Sabbats or festivals which occur at different pivotal times throughout the year. There are the 4 Lesser (but more well-known) Sabbats, including the Spring and Autumn Equinox and Summer and Winter Solstices. In addition, there are 4 Greater Sabbats, often referred to as cross quarter fire festivals. These festivals fall halfway between the equinoxes and solstices – so there is a seasonal celebration around every 6 weeks.
Lorri Shields Brown, from the popular intentional living blog Mabon House, shares beautifully about the origin and meaning behind the Wheel of the Year:
The Wheel of the Year is a cyclical concept that has been used by many cultures throughout history to mark the changing seasons and cycles of nature. Its origins can be traced back to prehistoric times when people relied on the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars to measure the passing of time. The ancient Celts developed the Sabbats, or seasonal festivals, that are still celebrated by modern pagans and Wiccans. With the spread of Christianity, many of the old pagan customs and beliefs were absorbed into the Christian faith. Today, the Wheel of the Year is celebrated by modern pagans, Wiccans, and other earth-based spiritual practitioners, who have adapted and expanded the concept to include eight Sabbats, each marking a significant moment in the yearly cycle. Celebrating the Wheel of the Year is a way to connect with nature, honour the changing seasons, and recognize the cycles of life, death, and rebirth that are an essential part of the natural world.
Looking at the modern Wheel of the Year, the 8 Sabbats include, Yule (Winter Solstice), Imbolc, Ostara (Spring Equinox), Beltane, Litha (Summer Solstice), Lammas, Mabon (Autumn Equinox) and Samhain.
Let’s dive deeper!
Falling anywhere from June 20-23 in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) and Dec 19-22 in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). This is the time of the shortest day and longest night and celebrates the return of the light. Find out more about Yule below:
What is Yule? Journal >
Yule Sunrise Cacao Meditation Ritual >
Happening around 6 weeks later, Imbolc traditionally falls on August 1st in the SH and February 1st in the NH, though the exact halfway point varies from year to year. Considered the first of the fertility festivals and the start of Spring, Imbolc celebrates new life and new beginnings. Find out more about Imbolc below:
What is Imbolc? Journal >
Tending Your Inner Light Imbolc Ritual >
Occurring between September 20-23 in the SH, and March 19-22 in the NH, Ostara is a time of equal night and day, and themes of balance, fertility, and growth are prevalent at this time. Find out more about Ostara below:
What is Ostara? Journal >
Ostara Cacao & Cleansing Water Ritual >
Celebrated traditionally on October 31st in the SH, and May 1st in the NH (with exact midway dates changing year to year), Beltane is the last of the fertility festivals and is a time of celebration, feasting and honouring the abundant fertility of Mama Gaia. Find out more about Beltane below:
What is Beltane? Journal >
Beltane Love Rituals >
This Sabbat happens between December 20-23 in the SH and June 19-22 in the NH. As the longest day and shortest night, this is the peak of energy in the cycle and is a time for giving thanks to the power, energy, and strength of the Sun. Find out more about Litha below:
What is Litha? Journal >
Litha (Summer Solstice) Mandala Ritual >
The start of the harvest festivals, Lammas falls traditionally on February 1st in the SH and August 1st in the NH (with variations each year) This is a time of gratitude for the harvest and the bounty of the Earth. Find out more about Lammas below:
What is Lammas? Journal >
Lammas Nature Communion Ritual >
The second harvest celebration, Mabon is honoured on March 20-23 in the SH and September 19-22 in the NH. Another day of balancing equal day and night, the themes here as we move towards the dark are of the abundant harvest, gratitude and allowing things to fall away as we prepare for Winter. Find out more about Mabon below:
What is Mabon? Journal >
Mabon Gratitude and Self Rellection Ritual >
With traditional dates of May 1st in the SH and October 31st in the NH, Samhain (pronounced sow-een or sah ween) is considered a time of reflection + the beginning and end of the year within the greater wheel. It is now that the veils are thinnest, and we can honour our ancestors and loved ones, whilst deeply remembering that there can be no rebirth without death. Find out more about Samhain below:
What is Samhain? Journal >
Ancestor Honouring Ritual for Samhain >
The Wheel of the Year consists of 8 Sabbats or festivals which occur at different pivotal times throughout the year, 4 greater Sabbats and 4 lesser.
The Winter Solstice, also known as Yule or Midwinter, is one of the 4 lesser Sabbats on the Wheel the Year and honours the longest night and shortest day.
This blend is perfect before bed to enhance dream recall, intuitive clarity, and astral exploration.
Like nature, the feminine is cyclical, and women experience this firsthand through their bodies. Similar to the cycles of the sun, moon, and seasons, we weave a continuous and rhythmic dance throughout each month and across our lives.
