The Wheel of the Year

     For Witches, the Wheel of the Year represents the cycle of the seasons - birth, life, death and rebirth.  These phases are celebrated at key points in the year known as Sabbats and Esbats.  Sabbats are the special days associated with the Sun.  They include the four quarters (the Solstices and Equinoxes) and four cross-quarters (divided distances between the Solstices and Equinoxes).  The Wheel of the Year is typically depicted as an eight-spoke wheel that spins as the seasons go from one to the next.  For a visual of the Wheel of the Year, visit the 'Posters' page on this site.

     Esbats are the thirteen nights (or days) associated with the Full Moon.  There are twenty one days in total, made up of eight Sabbats and thirteen Esbats.   (This may vary, depending on which traditions are followed.)

     In the Christian church's attempt to obliterate Paganism, they 'adopted' holidays from Pagan traditions to try to show similarities to their own 'one true right way'. Aside from unbearable torture and cruelties of the Burning Times, this is only one of the methods they used to try to convert people to their ways.  Some of their 'borrowed' holidays include:  Yule became Christmas.  (The birth of Christ is believed to have actually occurred in early Spring.)  Imbolc became St. Brigid's Day.  Ostara became Easter.  Beltane became St. Philip's and  St. James' Day.  Midsummer became St. John's Day and Whitsunday.  And Samhain became All Saints Day.

Wicca, The Complete Craft by D.J. Conway
The Sabbats by Edain McCoy
Herbal Rituals by Judith Berger
Moon Magick by D.J. Conway
The Witches' Almanac
The Old Farmer's Almanac

The 'Further Reading' page within this site also lists additional books available.

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