Wheel of the Year
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The 8 Sabbats
The 8 Sabbats also known as "The Wheel of the Year" are for many Pagans the primary holidays of their beliefs. Solstices, equinoxes, and cross quarters are astrological events. Though The 8 Sabbats are a modern inventions with modern roots through contributions from Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley, they became solidified around 1974 by Aidan Kelly’s Wheel of the Year. Aidan Kelly’s Wheel of the Year was largely based on the work of Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley, but extended and enhanced to fill in unfinished and undefined aspects. Unfortunately, Aidan Kelly’s invention of The Wheel of the Year was very broken and inconsistent with facts, further departing those who choose to observe it from the actual ancient roots of these observances and the religious significance they hold. It is known, that astrological alignments were observed as Holy Days by ancient Pagans of various beliefs around the world. The significance of these 8 astrological alignments varied by region and beliefs. What we do know, is that the ancients used the position of the Sun to determine when to hold these observances. They did not use static days or the Gregorian Calendar, it was the alignment that was significant. Aidan Kelly moved the Cross Quarters to Static Days, and chose to use dates of Christian holidays and church run celebrations. To further cause confusion and misinformation, Doreen Valiente in 1978 wrote a book “Witchcraft for Tomorrow“. In it, she Christianized the names of the Cross Quarters into Candlemas, May Eve, Lammas, and Hallowe’en. Three of which are are the Christian holidays Aidan Kelly aligned to and the other is aligned to May Day which celebration of is largely run by Christian churches. None of this sounds very Pagan, would you agree?
At Sanctuary of the Phoenix we have worked hard to repair and revise The Wheel of the Year to be more consistent with the timing the ancients would use and at least a little more consistent with known Pagan observances in the ancient world by omitting known modern inaccuracies. Aidan Kelly did the best they could at the time with the knowledge they had to devise a solid way to bring the Pagan community together. We respect this spirit and hope our revised version can bring us together in accuracy with knowledge that has since come to light.
In our Sanctuary, we generally hold our Open Rituals the Saturday before or Saturday of the alignment. In some rare cases, Open Rituals may be held earlier or later than the standard Saturday plan. We intend to help people prepare for their own observances the day of a Sabbat just as much as providing a religious service through our Open Rituals. Our Open Rituals are usually less formal as we welcome questions from viewers and participants and often have discussions. In areas where we have a building or other property, we may elect to provide Closed Rituals on the exact date of alignments for Coven members.
Imbolc
Imbolc – Cross Quarter Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Aquarius – 315° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: February 3rd – 5th
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Leo – 135° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: August 6th – 8th
Summary: Details coming soon.
Ostara
Ostara – Vernal Equinox Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Aries – 0° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: March 19th – 22nd
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Libra – 180° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: September 21st – 24th
Summary: Details coming soon.
Beltane
Beltane – Cross Quarter Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Taurus – 45° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: May 4th – 6th
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Scorpio – 225° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: November 6th – 8th
Summary: Details coming soon.
Litha
Litha – Summer Solstice Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Cancer – 90° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: June 19th – 23rd
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Capricorn – 270° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: December 20th – 23rd
Summary: Details coming soon.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh – Cross Quarter Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Leo – 135° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: August 6th – 8th
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Aquarius – 315° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: February 3rd – 5th
Summary:
Pronounced (LOO-nuh-sah)
First Fruits – the first harvest Sabbat of the year.
Sacred to the God Lugh and the Goddess Tailtiu. We celebrate the bounty of the first harvest, berries and grains.
Colors: Yellow, Gold, Orange, Brown, Green.
Direction: West.
Altar Tools: A Boline or a Scythe to represent the harvest. A Cup or Chalice to represent the abundance.
Symbolism: Corn, Wheat, Bread, Lugh’s spear, Solar Symbols, Corn Dollies, Sacrificial God Symbols.
Stories: John Barleycorn.
Autumnal Equinox
Autumnal Equinox Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Libra – 180° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: September 21st – 24th
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Aries – 0° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: March 19th – 22nd
Summary: Details coming soon.
Samhain
Samhain – Cross Quarter Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Scorpio – 225° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: November 6th – 8th
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 15° Taurus – 45° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: May 4th – 6th
Summary: Pronounced (Saa-win) Details coming soon.
Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice Northern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Capricorn – 270° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: December 20th – 23rd
Southern Hemisphere: Sun at 0° Cancer – 90° Solar Ecliptic Longitude Typical Date Range: June 19th – 23rd
Summary: Details coming soon.