The Wiccan Calendar And Holidays

The Wiccan calendar and holidays are a little different from our own. Azilyn explained that her New Year starts at Shaman (that is October 31st) and runs through October 30th of the next calendar year. Wiccans also celebrate their greater and lesser sun holidays (more accurately Sabbats) according to an eight-spoked wheel, which corresponds with cycles of nature and symbolizes the belief in the birth, death, and rebirth cycle. Azilyn told me a beautiful story that incorporates some of the Greek pantheon (that of Demeter and Persephone) that goes with the Wheel of the Year she chose to believe in; however, she explained, there are many alternative legends Wiccans use as their explanation of why the seasons change. I would love to clarify this lore, but honestly, there is not enough room in this paper to give all the nessecerry details. Each spoke of the wheel have certain deities (all of with are different aspects of the Lord and/or Lady), activities, crafts, colors, symbols/decorations, herbs, incents, foods, gemstones, and tools that aid in the rituals associated with the particular Sabbat. Moreover, every one of the objects listed above …show more content…
I asked Azilyn to pick one Sabbat ritual for me to write about in this paper and she chose the upcoming Sabbat at the time of our conversations, Imbolc.
Azilyn informed me that Imbolc is sometimes called Oimelc, Candlemas, Imbolg, and numerous other names, and is celebrated in many ways depending on individual paths and beliefs, as well as what exactly the individual (or Coven) would like to accomplish during the ritual. This Sabbat is celebrated on February 1 starting at sundown and continues until the end of February 2. According to Azilyn, this