The Wheel of the Year

Most religions mark the year in some way. In Wiccan thought, the different stages of the year are marked by what are called ‘Sabbats.’ These are the holy days of Wicca, the festivals which mark the cycle of the sun as it progresses throughout the year.

The Sabbats and Their Dates

There are eight Sabbats throughout the year, approximately six weeks apart (though this varies slightly). They are often divided into two categories, Greater Sabbats and Lesser Sabbats.

Greater Sabbats reflect the natural cycles of the earth, the seasonal changes which we cannot escape. Since these are not specifically solar holidays (unlike the Lesser Sabbats), the God and the Goddess are honored equally. For the northern hemisphere, the Greater Sabbats are:

• Sahmain, on October 31st
• Imbolc, on February 1st (sometimes celebrated on February 2nd)
• Beltane, on May 1st
• Lughnasadh, on August 1^st

The Lesser Sabbats are the solstices and equinoxes, the exact dates for which can be found on most modern calendars. The solstices mark either the longest or the shortest day of the year. The equinoxes are those dates when night and day are exactly equal. Since these are based on the movement of the sun, the God is honored. The Goddess is acknowledged also, but the God should be given more deference at these times. The approximate dates for the Lesser Sabbats, in the northern hemisphere, are:

• Winter Solstice, December 19th-25th, sometimes called Yule
• Spring Equinox, March 19th-25th, sometimes called Ostara
• Summer Solstice, June 19th-25th, sometimes called Litha
• Fall Equinox, September 19th-25th, sometimes called Mabon or Harvest

The Importance of the Sabbats

In ancient times, these Sabbats were vitally important. Each marked a certain point in the year that was significant to the people. The Greater Sabbats marked the agricultural cycle. At Imbolc, even though winter was at its coldest, the people celebrated the coming of spring. This was a time of purification, of cleansing and preparing for the upcoming planting.

Beltane marked the beginning of the planting season. At this point, any crops that hadn’t been planted had to be, to ensure a decent harvest. The coming of Lughnasadh, often called the First Harvest, was the time when the first plants begin to drop their fruit. Samhain, coming right before the cold of winter, was traditionally the time when the animals that would provide food through the winter were slaughtered.

The Lesser Sabbats were also important. The Winter Solstice was the time of rest, while the Spring Equinox marked the true beginning of warmth, of the approach of summer. The Summer Solstice was the end of the planting season, and the Fall Equinox was the time of the Final Harvest, of ensuring that all crops were harvested and prepared for the long winter months.

The Role of the Goddess and the God in Wiccan Sabbats

The Goddess and the God were present and important during this cycle. Simply put, the Goddess rules the summer months, as She represents fertility and growth, and the summer is the time of crops and planting. The God rules the long winter months, for He generally is the God of the Hunt, and the hunt was vital to the survival of ancient man during the months when crops did not grow.

Though one may rule a specific time of year, both the Goddess and the God are present, and always equal. It is only that one is more visible than the other at certain times of the year.

Wiccan Sabbat Rituals and Traditions

Modern Wiccans usually mark the Sabbats with rituals. These rituals are designed for celebration, for merriment and feasting. No magick is performed unless deemed an emergency, such as healing. In times of old, many would gather to mark these occasions. Today, whether you are one or one hundred, the goal is celebration.

The altar and chamber should be decorated to reflect the ritual. Often, the decorating of the ritual space can become an important part of the ritual, if done immediately beforehand.

The rituals themselves vary greatly depending on the Sabbat to be celebrated. Generally, the core of the ritual, after the ritual space is cleansed, purified, and prepared, usually include:

• Enactment – This can take a great many forms, from a skit, to a dance, to a song; anything that truly reflects the season and the reason for gathering.
• Declaration – This is simply a statement of the meaning of the particular Sabbat, and this is sometimes combined with the enactment.

The Sabbats, both Greater and Lesser, are a highly important part of modern Wiccan practice. They are holy days, celebrations, and an opportunity to reflect, all in one.

The Athame in Wiccan Practice

The athame has been used in ritual and ceremony for many thousands of years, and for many different purposes. In Wicca, it isn't generally used for physical cutting. Instead, its primary purpose is to direct the energies raised during rituals and spells.

The athame is not usually used for invocation, since it is an instrument of command and power, and it is far more prudent to ask that the divine be present, rather than command it.

The Physical Appearance of the Athame

The blade of the athame is usually dulled, and double-edged. Some say that the handle of the athame must be black, and though there may be some small advantage to this; if a Wiccan practitioner doesn't like a blade with a black handle, it's believed that that slight advantage is lost.

Since black does absorb power, some of the energy directed with the blade is absorbed into the handle. However, this amount is so small as to be lost unless there is a strong connection to the athame being used. So, instead of choosing an athame because of the color of the handle, the choice should be based made based upon personal preference. Some traditions do require a blade of a particular color and style, and this should be taken into account when choosing an athame.

The blade itself, as well as the handle, can really be made of any material desired. Recently, pewter athames have become quite popular, but the traditional steel blade with a wooden handle is still the most common.

Some Wiccans like to engrave their athames with magickal symbols, sigils, or runes, but his is hardly necessary. Like all magickal tools, it gains power through usage. Personal engraving kits to add symbols to an athame can be purchased, if so desired, but are not necessary, unless the tradition practiced requires it.

The Symbolism of the Athame

The athame is connected to the element of air for most Wiccans, and so to the east. The blade is often seen as representing intelligence and learning, though some connect it to the warrior of the south instead. Just as with the wand, use the correspondence that works for you. Either way, it is connected to the God, due to its phallic nature.

A sword is sometimes used in Wicca, and it has all the properties of an athame. However, the size of a sword makes using it indoors impractical, and transporting is an issue as well. For this reason, most Wiccans prefer an athame. Covens will usually invest in a sword, but individuals usually opt for an athame.

Commonly used throughout the Wiccan world, the athame is a tool of command and authority. As such, it is often used for many ceremonial purposes. A highly personal item, the athame is an integral part of many Wiccan ritual practices.

The Cauldron in Wicca

The cauldron is a common tool, though not all modern Wiccans have one. The cauldron has a great deal of history and tradition associated with it, and for Wiccans, it is the vessel where magickal transformations occur, such as brewing and cooking, along with much more mystical purposes. It is also sometimes used to light a fire at certain ceremonies.

Historical and Mythological Cauldrons

There are many cauldrons throughout world history, and they often take different shapes. Historically, the Gundestrup cauldron, found in Denmark, is a silver cauldron, dating back to approximately the first century, BCE. It may have had an initiatory or sacrificial role around that time.

A more modern example would be the cauldron in which the Olympic flame burns during the Olympic Games. This ancient practice was revived at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

Mythological examples of cauldrons include the Holy Grail. Though technically a chalice, and not a cauldron, it still is a vessel for magickal transformation, and so can be placed in this category. Other mythical cauldrons are the Cauldron of Dagda, from which no company ever went from it unsatisfied, and the Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant, which was said to be able to tell brave men from cowards.

Wiccan Symbolism of the Cauldron

Wiccans see the cauldron as a powerful symbol of the Goddess. It is the manifestation of fertility and femininity. It is associated with the element of water and the west, and has connections with reincarnation and rebirth. In modern Wicca, it is the tales of Cerridwen's cauldron that have the greatest impact on how the cauldron is viewed.

Tips on Selecting a Cauldron

Depending on the ritual, the cauldron may be used for different purposes. It spring or summer, it can be filled with water and flowers. In the winter, it might have a fire lit within it. For this reason, cauldrons should be made of cast iron, to resist heat. In addition, they should rest on three legs, and have a mouth smaller than the widest part of the cauldron, if one can be found.

An iron lid is recommended. If it fits snugly, the lid can be used to douse the flames from a fire. These can be hard to find, but are definitely worth the search. The sizes are varied, so it is advised to choose one to suit the needs of the user. For example, a single practitioner probably doesn’t require a cauldron with a diameter of two feet, while an entire coven may wish to invest in one this large.

Cauldrons can be used for scrying if filled with water, since they are already dark enough to stop the reflection of light. The cauldron can also be used for brewing many different Wiccan potions, usually herbal in nature, but most use a pot on a stove today, simply for the convenience.

The use of the cauldron has a long and varied history, from the magickal and ceremonial to the mundane. In Wiccan practice, it is a respected and well-used tool, embodying the very essence of femininity.

The Wand in Wiccan Practice

The wand is perhaps the most common of modern Wiccan magickal tools. It has been used for thousands of years in both magickal and religious rites. It is used primarily to invoke and to direct energies, though it can have other purposes as well.

The Goddess and the God, or the Four Quarters, are often called with the uplifting of a wand or staff. It can also be used to draw the magick circle, both literally and figuratively, or it can be used to stir the magick cauldron, and has numerous other uses as well.

The Symbolism of the Wand

To most Wiccans, the wand represents the south, and the element of fire. There are some who equate it with air, but this is becoming less common in neo-Wiccan practice. Both are correct, depending on the chosen point of view. Most connect it with the south because it is seen as symbolizing the spear, and this is usually connected to the Warrior of the South, but others see this as connected with learning, and so connected to the east.

The correspondence that makes the most sense to the practitioner is generally the correct one to use, though if you practice a particular tradition, you should adhere to whatever your tradition specifies. Its phallic nature connects it to the God, and so it is a masculine symbol.

Where to Find a Wand

There are traditional woods used for making wands, including willow, hazel, apple, oak, and cherry, and just as many traditional ways to cut a wand. Some Wiccans still use the traditional length of the crook of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, but this isn't really necessary as far as most traditions are concerned. Most Wiccans simply use whatever is most comfortable. Any fairly straight piece of wood can be used as a wand, or even a dowel purchased from the local hardware store.

Wands can also be purchased. As long as it’s attractive to the practitioner, it is a fine wand. Beautiful wands made of almost any material can be found in most New Age shops, though wooden wands are preferred. It has a longer history, and because of that, is more likely to connect us more firmly to the powers that are utilized. Again, if you practice a Wiccan tradition, such as Gardnerian, you should use whatever your tradition states.

The search for a wand is not about finding the perfect wand. The ideal wand is more about instinct and intuition than it is about the type of material and exact length. What feels right, is right, at least generally speaking.