The witches regulars' table
The Witches Wheel of the Year
Samhain: 31.10. At Samhain we celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new cycle of the year. It is the old Celtic new-year’s festival. A time to think of the deceased. The threshold between the worlds is very thin at this day. It is tradition to do oracle and to place hollowed out pumpkins with a candle in front of the door to banish the evil and light the way for good spirits. Now the winter is coming inexorable, it is the time of dying nature and a time to think about what was and what may come. (All Saints Day)
Yule: 21.12. Yule (also called Jul, Midwinter, Alban Arthan) is the day of the winter solstice. From now on the days are longer as the nights. We celebrate the birth of the light, the birth of the Sun-God and the recurring sun. A big aspect is the victory of life in the face of icecold, deadly season. Already previously trees were decorated with dried fruit.
Imbolc: 02.02. Imbolc is also called light-festival. Every day is a little bit brighter, the victory of the light over the darkness on Yule is clearly visible. In many places candles and tea-lights are placed in windows. Imbolc is a time of purification, fertility and milk and dedicated to the Goddess Brighid.
Ostara: 21.03. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Ostara. The winter has ended and spring awakes in nature. At this equinox-day the Sun-God falls in love with the virginal Goddess. Even today the coloured Easter eggs are a symbol for fertility and returning colours of nature.
Beltane: 01.05. On Beltane we celebrate the marriage / sexual union of the Sun-God with the virginal Goddess. It is the festival of unification of male and female aspects. With the old tradition of jumping through the fire fertility and wealth should be achieved. To stop this high-spirited hustle and bustle Christians appointed the nun Walpurga to be the patron saint against witches.
Litha: 21.06. Summer Solstice. At this day we have the longest day and the shortest night. The Sun-God loses the fight against the winter and slowly everything has to prepare for the dark season. At this day we celebrate the summer, the lifebloom and the hope of a good harvest of the seeds.
Lammas: 02.08. Lammas is also called Schnitterfest or Lughnasad. It is he first big harvest of the fertile land, the first harvest of our seed.
Mabon: 21.09. Autumn-equinox. Mabon is the second big harvest festival. We celebrate the fruit- and vine-harvest and the end of the summer. Now slowly but inexorable the dark season begins and light reduces. The defeated Sun-God is going to the underworld to be born again on Yule. It is a time to thank and to take leave.
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