Wheel of the Year 1996 CO1

The Wheel of the Year 1996

Imbolc February 3, 2023

Spring Equinox, Ostara March 20, 2023

Beltane May 5, 2023

Summer Solstice, Litha June 21, 2023

Lammas August 7, 2023

Fall Equinox, Mabon September 23, 2023

Samhain November 7, 2023

Winter Solstice, Yule December 21, 2023

The Wheel of the Year represents the 8 festivals knows as Sabbats. They follow a nature-based calendar and include four Solar festivals with four Seasonal festivals set in between. Because Solstices and Equinoxes are tied to exact astronomical moments, the holidays shift slightly from year-to-year. There is a celebration about every six weeks.

Imbolc: February 1-2

Ostara: March 19-23

Beltane: April 30 – May 1

Litha/Midsummer: June 19-23

Lughnasadh: August 1-2

Mabon: September 20-24

Samhain: October 31 – November 1

Yule: December 19-23

Imbolc

Imbolc, or Candlemas, falls on the first of February and traditionally marks the first stirrings of spring. It aligns with the contemporary observance of Groundhog Day. It is time for purification and spring cleaning in anticipation of the year's new life. 

Ostara

Ostara, or Spring Equinox, is the second of the three spring celebrations during which light and darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings and of life emerging from the grips of winter.

Beltane

Beltane, or May Eve, is traditionally the first day of summer commonly referred to as May Day. It is well known for Maypole dancing and the crowning of the Queen of the May. This festival recognizes the power of life in its fullness, and the greening of the world.

Litha

Litha, also known as Midsummer or Summer Solstice, is one of the four Solar Holidays and is considered the turning point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines longest. 

Lammas/Lughnasadh

Lammas or Lughnasadh is the first of the three Harvest Festivals. The holiday is a celebration and thanksgiving for grains and bread symbolizing the first fruits of the harvests.

Mabon

Mabon is the second of the three Harvest Festivals.  The holiday of the Autumn Equinox, also known as Harvest Home, is a thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them with the blessings of the God and Goddess during the coming winter months. 

Samhain

Samhain is one of the four Greater Sabbats and is typically considered as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, It often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets, and other loved ones who have died. 

Yule

Yule, or Winter solstice has been recognized as a significant turning point in the yearly cycle since the late Stone Age. The ancient megalithic sites of Newgrange and Stonehenge, carefully aligned with the solstice sunrise and sunset, exemplify this.

Go Mbeannaigh

          (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

          (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl

          (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)