Pagaj Sabbat Wheel, also known as the Pagan Sabbat Wheel or the Wheel of the Year, is a cyclical calendar system that is followed by many modern pagan and Wiccan practitioners. It consists of eight major festivals or Sabbats that mark the changing seasons and cycles of nature. One of these Sabbats is called Pagaj or Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. It marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Pagaj is associated with the returning light and the first signs of spring. The next Sabbat is Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, which occurs around March 20th.
The Pagan Wheel of the Year turns through many significant dates and festivals. The highlights are the eight seasonal Sabbats, and the thirteen Esbats which we celebrate each Full Moon.
Southern Hemisphere Date May 1 Northern Hemisphere Date October 31 Also known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, and the Day of the Dead Celebrated as a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth and to prepare for the coming winter. Traditionally, Yule was a time for feasting, gift-giving, and the lighting of candles and fires to symbolise the return of the light, as well as for rituals that honored the cycles of life and the importance of community.
The next Sabbat is Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, which occurs around March 20th. This Sabbat celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark. It is a time of growth and new beginnings.
The Origins and Practices of Lammas/Lughnasad
Lammas, also known as Lughnasad, or Lughnassadh, is a pagan holiday and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats during the year. Each sabbat marks a seasonal turning point. The sabbat occurs on August 1, which is about halfway between the summer solstice (Litha) and the fall equinox (Mabon). This holiday celebrates the grain harvest. Grain is a very important crop for most civilizations. If the grain was left in the fields for too long, or if the bread made from the grain was not baked in time, families might starve.
In early Ireland, it was not good to harvest grain before Lammas. If you did harvest before then, that meant that that the harvest from the previous year ran out before the next harvest was ready. This meant that the farmers would have failed in providing for their community. On Lammas, the first sheaves of grain were cut, and by that night, the first loaves of bread for the season would have been baked. The word Lammas comes from an Old English phrase that translates to “loaf mass.” In early Christianity, the first loaves of the season were blessed by the church during mass.
In some traditions, this day honors the Celtic god, Lugh. This celebration of the god, Lugh is referred to as Lughnasad (pronounced Loo-NAS-ah). Lugh is the god of craftsmanship; he is skilled in many things, including blacksmithing, wheel making, and fighting. There is some discrepancy as to why Lugh is honored on this day. Some tales say that this is the date of Lugh’s wedding feat. Other stories say it is because he held a harvest fair in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu, on this date.
Modern day pagans bake breads and cakes to celebrate the historical grain harvest (and subsequent bread making). Some observers celebrate with a harvest ritual. This ritual typically involves decorating an altar with symbols of the season. Some of these symbols include scythes (because they are used to cut the grain), corn, grapes, apples, and/or any other crops that might be harvested at this time. Some of these rituals involve casting a circle, and saying some words that symbolize their thanks to the earth for the harvest. After the ritual, everyone there eats some bread together, and may also drink wine to wash it down. To honor Lugh, people make crafts and decorations for their house, to represent his skills in those areas. And as with most sabbats, there is feasting. This feast usually is prepared with one’s harvested crops at this time (if they have their own garden).
To learn more check out these titles:
After Ostara comes Beltane, which is celebrated on May 1st. This Sabbat marks the beginning of summer and is often associated with fertility, love, and abundance. It is a time when the earth is alive with energy and the natural world is in full bloom. The summer solstice, known as Litha, is celebrated around June 21st. This Sabbat is the longest day of the year and marks the peak of the sun's power. It is a time of abundance and celebrating the light within oneself. Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is celebrated on August 1st. This Sabbat marks the first harvest and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time of giving thanks for the abundance of the earth and the fruits of our labor. Mabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is celebrated around September 21st. This Sabbat marks the transition from summer to autumn and is a time of balance and reflection. It is a time to give thanks for the harvest and prepare for the coming darkness. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is the most well-known Sabbat and marks the beginning of winter. It is associated with honoring the ancestors and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. It is a time of reflection, remembrance, and letting go. The final Sabbat is Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice around December 21st. It is the longest night of the year and marks the rebirth of the sun. It is a time of celebrating the return of light and the turning of the wheel once again. The Pagaj Sabbat Wheel is a sacred calendar that allows pagans and Wiccans to honor the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. It provides a framework for spiritual practices and rituals throughout the year, allowing individuals to connect with nature and celebrate the beauty and abundance of the natural world..
Reviews for "The Pagaj Sabbat Wheel 2023: A Pathway to Healing and Transformation"
1. Emily - 1 out of 5 stars:
I was really disappointed with "Pagaj sabbat wheel 2023". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward and stilted dialogue. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and frustrating read, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. Jake - 2 out of 5 stars:
I had high hopes for "Pagaj sabbat wheel 2023", but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story dragged on unnecessarily. Additionally, the world-building was weak, leaving many questions unanswered. While the book had some interesting ideas, they were not executed well enough to hold my attention. Overall, it was a mediocre read that I wouldn't actively discourage others from reading, but I wouldn't recommend it either.
3. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars:
I found "Pagaj sabbat wheel 2023" to be incredibly dull and unengaging. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with, and the plot seemed disjointed and without a clear direction. The writing style also left much to be desired, with clunky and awkward phrasing. I struggled to get through the book and was ultimately left unsatisfied and disappointed. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading experience.