Wheel of the Year

As time ever turns,
therein many seasons
to behold this worldly Realm,
to learn and become wiser,
and at the last,
to be and do the best of ourselves.

To march the path of the year,
gazing on what becomes History
and weaving what is yet to awaken,
but keeping close to the heart
this fleeting Moment as most important.

- - -

Time is forever moving forward and waits for no one, so as we walk through the year, we must seek the knowledge and wisdom we need in order to live our lives to the fullest. The sabbats and esbats give us the opportunities to reflect and plan, but most importantly, to implement our hopes, dreams, and desires.

Sabbats

The sabbats are the festive events celebrating the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Intended to be filled with merriment and joy, these days acknowledge the cycle of the sun as it progresses through the seasons.

During these celebrations, our connections to Orb and Sky are especially heightened, providing us gateways to unite our powers with those of Nature.

As the sun traverses its annual path, the solstices and equinoxes mark the transitions from one season to the next. These are the Quarter Days; the days we observe either the balance or the zeniths of day and night as the pendulum sun swings from one end of its cycle to the other.

The Cross Quarter Days are observed at the apex of each season and have an agricultural origin, roughly aligning with the stages of Nature's growth cycle: seeding, sprouting, maturing, and harvesting. This is similar to the cycle of all life, that being birth, maturation, decline, and death.

Esbats

Like the sabbats, the esbats remind us of the infinite cycle of life. However, the esbats are more intimately focused on the cycle of the moon, with the power of Nature shared equally.

The dark esbat, held at the time of the new moon, marks the start of a lunar cycle. In the pure darkness of the night, we are more introspective while transitioning from what was to what will be. We must use the power within ourselves to sustain the moon through the darkness so it may continue to light our path through Nature.

The light esbats are held under full moons when the light of Sky shines from sun to moon and reflects down upon Orb. Through this transference, we can draw the power of Nature into us. With the moon at the zenith of its brightness, we share in its light, using it to charge our lives and our magickal works.

The times between the new and full moons are attuned to constructive or destructive magick, depending on the phase.