The Pagan Sabbat Wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a calendar system that is followed by many modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions. It is based on the cycle of the seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth. The Sabbat Wheel is divided into eight festivals or sabbats, which are celebrated throughout the year. These sabbats mark the changing of the seasons and are an important part of Pagan and Wiccan religious observances. The first sabbat on the Wheel of the Year is known as Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st or November 1st. It is considered the Pagan New Year and is a time to honor and remember ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.
Over time I’ve found an ease and flow of inviting the natural rhythm of the pagan Sabbats into how I live and they often guide how I show up in the world. The practice connects me to nature and the here and now - what I know is important, to me, to all of us. The combination of ritual and natural rhythm resonates deep within me. My practice has become as integral to me as breath.
No doubt new ones will come along in the future, and there are plenty of books on broader witchcraft and Pagan related topics that cover the sabbats to varying degrees as well rare is the Paganism or Witchery 101 book, for example, that doesn t provide at least a cursory overview of the sabbats. As I know that for every question on a given subject I receive, no doubt many others out there are thinking the same thing but don t reach out ask, I ve decided to start turning some of the questions about witchery and Paganism books that I receive into their own dedicated blog posts.
It is considered the Pagan New Year and is a time to honor and remember ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. The next sabbat is Yule, which is held around the winter solstice, usually on December 21st or 22nd. It is a celebration of the rebirth of the Sun and the lengthening of the days.
Your Ultimate Guide to Books About the Pagan Sabbats
As a Pagan witch in the public sphere who loves to share her knowledge, ideas, and general musings on a vast array of topics pertaining to my witchy path, it’s no surprise that I receive a ton – and I really do mean a ton – of questions from blog readers and social media followers.
I’m grateful to those who reach out and wish to seek my thoughts on a given subject, and try to reply to as many of the queries I receive as possible.
By far one of the areas that I receive the most questions about is book recommendations.
These inquiries tend, I find, to fall into one of several main topics. Amongst the most common are book recommendations for new witches/Pagans, spellwork, green witchery, kitchen witchery, the history of Paganism (as well as the history of witchcraft), coven work, and the sabbats.
Rare is the week I don’t get at least a few sabbat-related messages. Not all are seeking book recommendations, but a good many are and as a result, I’ve amassed an extensive list of books about the Pagan sabbats.
In a modern-day Neopaganism context, the eight main sabbats that some Pagans, Wiccans, and witches choose to observe are as follows:
Imbolc: On or around February 1 st
Ostara: On or around the Spring Equinox (aka, the Vernal Equinox), which falls between March 19 th and March 21 st
Beltane: On or around May 1 st
Litha: On or around the Summer Solstice, which falls between June 20 th and June 22 nd
Lammas/Lughnasadh: On or around August 1 st
Mabon: On or around the Fall Equinox (aka, the Southward Equinox or September Equinox), which falls between September 21 st and September 24 th
Samhain: On or around October 31 st
Yule: On or around the Winter Solstice, which usually falls on December 21 st or 22 nd
A beautiful image that lays out the eight Pagan sabbats which comprise The Wheel of the Year, along with their placement in relation to the western zodiac system. Image source
Note that these date ranges are for the Western Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are reversed, many chose to celebrate the opposite sabbat. For example, when it’ is Beltane north of the equator, it is Samhain in the southern half of the world and vice versa.
Depending on a person’s particular spiritual path, they may opt to observe other sacred dates as well, such as those pertaining to a particular branch of Paganism (i.e., Hellenistic Paganism or Slavic Paganism), to the traditions of their geographic location, and/or their ancestry.
And of course, some people do not feel drawn to observing some or all of these (or any other) Pagan sabbats, and that is totally okay as well.
As many witches, Wiccans, and Pagans do celebrate some form of these eight sabbats, however, and they hold a deeply meaningful place in a lot of peoples’ spiritual journeys, it is not surprising that folks are looking for Pagan sabbat book recommendations.
Personally – as you may have deducted if you’ve been following this blog and/or my Instagram account for very long – I madly adore and actively celebrate all eight of the Pagan sabbats that comprise The Wheel of The Year.
This facet of Paganism is integral to my practice and has the added bonus of making the year markedly more enjoyable and exciting for me (as a sabbat transpires roughly once every 6 to 8 weeks throughout each year).
I’m definitely a “sabbat witch”, if you will, and love each of these eight sacred days from the bottom of my heart.
Scores of others do as well and it’s no surprise that new witches, as well as those looking to deepen their knowledge of and/or connection to their spirituality, are keen to learn about the Pagan sabbats.
As I know that for every question on a given subject I receive, no doubt many others out there are thinking the same thing but don’t reach out ask, I’ve decided to start turning some of the questions about witchery and Paganism books that I receive into their own dedicated blog posts.
Not only will this hopefully help those searching for suggestions via Google or social media (including Pinterest), but it will allow me to quickly point people who query me about Pagan sabbat books to this very entry.
While I wouldn’t go so far as to claim that the following list encompasses every single book ever written in English about the Pagan sabbats, it is a rather extensive list of the current books on this subject.
No doubt new ones will come along in the future, and there are plenty of books on broader witchcraft and Pagan related topics that cover the sabbats to varying degrees as well (rare is the Paganism or Witchery 101 book, for example, that doesn’t provide at least a cursory overview of the sabbats).
This post houses a very extensive list and I hope that it will provide new and more experienced witches, Wiccans, and Pagans alike with plenty of appealing and informative reading options.
Pull up a cozy seat, a bevy of your choice, and your Amazon or Book Depository wishlist and let’s delve into exploring a broad range of Pagan sabbat books.
(Note: At the time of writing this post, a small number of these books are slated to be released later in 2021 or in 2022. The majority of titles are, however, in publication already.)
Llewellyn’s eight-book series on each of the sabbats
This series sprang to life in the 2010s and instantly became quite the darling of the Pagan sabbat book scene. These titles are jam-packed with tons of great information and useful ideas for celebrating each of the eight respective witch’s sabbats. And, I find, much like potato chips, it is really hard to stop at (buying) just one of these terrific titles.
Note that these date ranges are for the Western Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are reversed, many chose to celebrate the opposite sabbat. For example, when it’ is Beltane north of the equator, it is Samhain in the southern half of the world and vice versa.
Yule is commonly associated with traditions such as lighting candles, exchanging gifts, and decorating evergreen trees. Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. It marks the return of light and the first signs of spring. It is a time to honor the goddess Brigid and to bless and purify the home. The next sabbat is Ostara, which falls on the spring equinox, around March 20th or 21st. It is a time to welcome the return of spring and celebrate the balance between light and dark. Many Pagan and Wiccan traditions associate Ostara with fertility and new beginnings. Beltane is celebrated on May 1st and is a festival of fertility and abundance. It is a time to celebrate the union of the god and goddess and to honor the Earth's fertility. Beltane is often marked by dancing around a maypole and lighting bonfires. The next sabbat is Litha, which is celebrated on the summer solstice, around June 21st or 22nd. It is a time to celebrate the height of the Sun's power and the abundance of life. Litha is often associated with fire and water rituals, as well as outdoor feasts and gatherings. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st or 2nd. It is a time to celebrate the first harvest and give thanks for the abundance of the Earth. Lughnasadh is associated with grain and bread, and many Pagan and Wiccan traditions hold feasts and bake bread during this time. The final sabbat on the Wheel of the Year is Mabon, which falls on the autumn equinox, around September 21st or 22nd. It is a time to celebrate the second harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Mabon is often associated with gratitude and introspection. Overall, the Pagan Sabbat Wheel is a way for Pagan and Wiccan individuals and communities to connect with and celebrate the cycles of nature and the spiritual significance of the changing seasons. The sabbats provide opportunities for ritual, reflection, and celebration, helping practitioners to deepen their connection with the natural world and honor the divine in all its forms..
Reviews for "The Pagan Sabbat Wheel and the Divine Masculine"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed by "Pagan sabbat wherl". I found the storyline to be confusing and disjointed, and it was hard to figure out what was going on half the time. The characters were also poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. I also felt like the pacing was off, with some parts dragging on for too long and others feeling rushed. Overall, I just didn't enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it.
- John - 1 star - "Pagan sabbat wherl" was a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish and lacked depth. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the story. The plot itself was unoriginal and predictable, with no surprising twists or turns. I also found the overall tone of the book to be pretentious and self-indulgent. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
- Emily - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Pagan sabbat wherl" but was ultimately let down. While the concept of the story was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts moving too slowly and others feeling rushed. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them on any level. The writing style also left something to be desired, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found this book to be mediocre and wouldn't necessarily recommend it.