The wheel of the year refers to the progression of the Sabbats, or major pagan holidays. Viewing this as a wheel reminds us that there is no beginning or end to this cycle, unlike the predominate view in America that time “begins” and “ends” at predetermined points.
The wheel follows the solar cycle of the seasons, with sabbats at each equinox and solstice, and additional sabbats at the midpoints between these holidays. These holidays form the eight “spokes” on the wheel.
The eight sabbats are as follows:
- Yule (Winter Solstice)
- Imbolc (Feb 2)
- Ostara (Spring Equinox)
- Beltaine (May 1)
- Litha (Summer Solstice)
- Lamas (or Lughnassa) (August 1)
- Mabon (Autumnal Equinox)
- Samhain (October 31)
