The Pagan calendar wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a timekeeping system used by many contemporary Pagan and Wiccan traditions. It is based on the cycle of the seasons and the natural rhythms of the Earth. The calendar wheel is divided into eight Sabbats or holidays, which mark significant points in the year. The first holiday on the Pagan calendar wheel is Imbolc, which takes place around February 2nd. It is a time of purification and preparing for the arrival of spring. This is followed by Ostara, which occurs around the spring equinox in March and marks the beginning of the agricultural year.
They get together to celebrate Walpurgis, a holiday celebrating fertility, celebrations including lots of dancing, foods, and drinking, which usually occurs every year on April 30th.
But at the end of April, the women of Wolfshäger Hexenbrut in English The Wolf Hunter s Coven , located in Wolfshagen im Harz, Germany, do something a little different. They get together to celebrate Walpurgis, a holiday celebrating fertility, celebrations including lots of dancing, foods, and drinking, which usually occurs every year on April 30th.
This is followed by Ostara, which occurs around the spring equinox in March and marks the beginning of the agricultural year. It is a time of balance and renewal. Beltane is the next holiday on the calendar wheel, taking place around May 1st.
The witches of Oak Park are back with a spook-tacular flash mob
The witches aren’t real witches — they’re a group of Oak Park residents who gather once a year dressed in a variety of black skirts, sparkly dresses, pointy hats and green face paint. This year marks the sixth time the Oak Park witch flash mob will perform the dance, which is a choreographed piece performed around the world to Peter Fox’s “Schüttel deinen Speck.”
When Oak Park resident Sarah Corbin stumbled in 2018 upon a video of the dance, which is performed near Halloween all over the world, she wanted to bring it home. Corbin created a Facebook group for interested locals, which now has nearly 300 members.
“Sometimes you need to do something just for fun, for no other reason other than you just have to let your hair down,” Corbin said. “It’s become a really nice group of women.”
Since its start seven years ago, the group has missed just two performances — one for bad weather and another during the pandemic, Corbin said. They learn the dance mainly from a YouTube tutorial, with help from the more experienced group members. Corbin estimated 25 to 40 people have participated in the dance each year.
Each witch creates their own costume, adding unique flairs to their getup. Last year’s performance included a variety of pointy hats — black, orange, purple, starry — hair-raising wigs and colorful striped leggings, along with the traditional all-black ensemble.
Group member Joanna Moran, who joined the group in 2021, said getting ready at a friend’s house before the dance is one of her favorite parts. Joining the group was a welcome opportunity for Moran, who always wanted to be a part of a flash mob.
“I didn’t expect it to be as much fun as it was. I was actually kind of nervous — ‘Oh, am I going to do the dance right?’ (But) the dance has pretty simple steps and if people aren’t doing it exactly right, it’s okay,” Moran said. “It’s fun watching people’s reactions as the dance starts forming and people are pulling out their phones videoing it or taking pictures”
For group member Nicole Lombardi, the dance is fun, as is making audience members laugh throughout their performance at the park and onward as they dance through town. But she also said being in community with other women feels empowering.
“Watching women all over the world putting out there the garb of witches added to the whole motivation of mine,” Lombardi said. “It’s kind of pushing through, past oppression and taking it back in an artistic way.”
The group is now using the annual performance to fundraise for women-led social justice causes, Corbin said. This year, the funds will be split between the Oak Park-Austin Area Moms Demand Action chapter and the Mercy Garden of Peace and Healing, a community space for survivors of gun violence in the Austin neighborhood.
Corbin said this adds a whole new meaning to the dancing.
“It’s nice to have an empowering space knowing that we’re making the dance expand into helping women in other areas,” she said. “We’re having fun, but it’s fun for good.”
The magic starts at 6 p.m.
It celebrates the fertility of the Earth and the coming of summer. This is followed by Litha, which occurs around the summer solstice in June and marks the longest day of the year. It is a time of celebration and abundance. Lammas is the next holiday on the calendar wheel, taking place around August 1st. It celebrates the first harvest and the turning point of the year towards autumn. This is followed by Mabon, which occurs around the autumn equinox in September. It is a time of gratitude and balance, as day and night are once again equal. Samhain is the next holiday on the calendar wheel, taking place around October 31st. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is also a time to honor ancestors and the cycle of life and death. This is followed by Yule, which occurs around the winter solstice in December and marks the longest night of the year. It is a time of reflection and celebrating the return of the light. Finally, the last holiday on the calendar wheel is Imbolc, which occurs around February 2nd. It marks the beginning of the cycle once again and is a time of new beginnings and rebirth. The Pagan calendar wheel is a way for practitioners to connect with the natural world and the changing seasons. It provides a framework for rituals, celebrations, and spiritual practices throughout the year. The Wheel of the Year reminds us of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all things. Through observing and honoring the Sabbats on the calendar wheel, Pagans and Wiccans seek to align themselves with the energies of the Earth and find spiritual meaning in the changing of the seasons..
Reviews for "The Pagan Calendar Wheel 2022: An Invitation to Deepen your Spiritual Practice"
1. John - 1 star
I am extremely disappointed with the Pagan Calendar Wheel 20022. The quality of the materials used is subpar, and the calendar itself is poorly designed. The images and illustrations are pixelated and lack detail, making it difficult to appreciate the beauty of the artwork. Additionally, the printed text is barely readable as the font is too small and cramped.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really excited to receive the Pagan Calendar Wheel 20022, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The overall layout is confusing and lacks clarity. The information provided on each month's section feels haphazardly organized and hard to locate. Additionally, the size of the calendar is quite small, making it challenging to read the dates and notes without straining my eyes.
3. Michael - 1.5 stars
The Pagan Calendar Wheel 20022 is a complete letdown. The printing quality is terrible, with faded colors and blurry images. Moreover, the size of the calendar is inadequate, and the pages feel flimsy and easily tearable. I expected a more durable and visually appealing product. Overall, I regret purchasing this calendar and would not recommend it to others.