The Wiccan Year Wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a concept in Wiccan and Neopagan spirituality that represents the cyclical nature of the seasons and the cycle of life and death. It is a way of observing and celebrating the changing cycles of the Earth and the Sun throughout the year. The Wiccan Year Wheel is divided into eight Sabbats or holidays, which are spaced approximately six to seven weeks apart. These Sabbats are based on the solar and agricultural cycles of the Northern Hemisphere and are celebrated by Wiccans and other Neopagan traditions. The year begins with the Sabbat of Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st or November 1st. Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds is said to be thinnest, and it is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
In January 1692, the daughter and niece of the Rev. Samuel Paris became ill. The girls fell into horrid fits. The village doctor, William Griggs, diagnosed witchcraft. Under pressure, the sick girls declared Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn to be witches. Tituba, their nurse and cook, may have sparked the outcry with tales of witchcraft in her native Caribbean, and — strangely enough — she was the only one to survive. When asked if she was a witch she replied, “Of course. It’s common in my country.”
Ultimately, fictitious witches have always reflected transgressive women, whether they are threatening femme fatales such as Ovid s Medea, or hilarious hags like Horaces Canidia. Ultimately, fictitious witches have always reflected transgressive women, whether they are threatening femme fatales such as Ovid s Medea, or hilarious hags like Horaces Canidia.
Samhain is a time when the veil between the worlds is said to be thinnest, and it is a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. It is also seen as the beginning of the spiritual and introspective part of the year. Next comes Yule, which is celebrated around the winter solstice, usually on December 21st.
From Ancient Rome to Hollywood: Witches as Figures of Fun
For centuries, when people thought of witches, they were evil or possessed by evil demons: think of the Salem witch trials or the 16th and 17th-century woodcuts depicting sinister women conjuring demons or flying on broomsticks. These were the sort of women who morphed in fairy tales into the wicked stepmother in Snow White or the evil crone in Hansel and Gretel.
But recent generations of children are more likely to have come across witches as figures of fun: consider Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Hocus Pocus, in which Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy abduct children, resurrect dead lovers and brew potions with comic flair. With the reboot of Hocus Pocus (marking the film’s 25th anniversary) and a new scarier version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch now on the air, the witch as a figure of fun is once again coming to the fore.
This caricature of the witch predates the sinister medieval version and can be traced all the way back to Roman times. Many of the jokes levelled at witches in popular culture had already been made in Horace’s Satires, published in about 35 BC, and Apuleius’s Metamorphoses from the 2nd century AD.
Yule is a time of rebirth and renewal, as the days start to become longer again. It is a time to celebrate the return of the Sun, and many Wiccans light a Yule log and exchange gifts with loved ones. Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st or 2nd, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time of purification and preparing for the coming of spring. Many Wiccans light candles to symbolize the returning light and perform rituals to cleanse and purify their homes. Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, usually around March 21st, marks the beginning of spring. It is a time of balance between light and dark, and many Wiccans celebrate by decorating eggs and planting seeds for the coming year. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a time of fertility and abundance. It is a time to celebrate the union of the god and goddess and the blossoming of new life. Many Wiccans light bonfires and dance around maypoles to celebrate Beltane. Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice, usually around June 21st, is a time of peak energy and abundance. It is a time to honor the Sun and the power of the harvest. Many Wiccans celebrate by lighting bonfires and staying up all night to watch the sunrise. Lammas, celebrated on August 1st, is the first harvest festival of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the summer and to start preparing for the coming fall. Many Wiccans bake bread and make offerings of food to honor the Earth's bounty. Finally, Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox, usually around September 21st, marks the beginning of fall. It is a time of balance and gratitude for the harvest. Many Wiccans gather fruits, vegetables, and grains to give thanks for the Earth's abundance. The Wiccan Year Wheel provides a framework for Wiccans and other Neopagans to connect with the changing seasons and cycles of the Earth. It is a way of honoring and celebrating the divine in nature and recognizing our own place within the larger web of life. By observing and celebrating the Sabbats, Wiccans can deepen their spiritual connection with the Earth and align themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe..
Reviews for "The Power of the Full Moon: Moon Magick and the Wiccan Year Wheel"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Wicxan year wheel" because I am interested in Wiccan practices, but I was disappointed with this book. The information seemed very basic and didn't offer anything new or insightful. The writing style was also quite dull and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Wicxan year wheel" to be a complete waste of money. The book claims to provide a comprehensive guide to the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, but it falls short on delivering any valuable information. The author repeats the same few concepts over and over again without providing any depth or elaboration. Additionally, there are several grammatical errors throughout the book which were distracting and made it difficult to take the content seriously. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.
3. Mark - 2 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was hoping that "Wicxan year wheel" would offer some new perspectives or insights into the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Unfortunately, this book simply regurgitates basic information that can be found in any introductory guide to Wicca. It lacks depth and doesn't provide any practical guidance or useful tips. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to experienced Wiccans seeking to expand their knowledge.