The Bespoke Wheel of the Year / Crossed Sabbaths

The Wheel of the Year: A Journey Through Seasonal Celebrations

The Wheel of the Year represents an annual cycle of seasonal celebrations observed by many modern pagans. It highlights key solar events throughout the year, such as solstices, equinoxes, and their midpoints. While these practices vary in their incorporation of folk traditions, some may argue that local climates do not always align with these customs. The Celtic Wheel is designed to reflect the weather patterns of Northern Europe. We may have a very different climate and therefore, different needs. For instance, in South Florida, we might focus on hurricane protection brought to the May full moon.

Even without focusing on agriculture, we can use seasonal symbols to deepen our spiritual journeys. Examining how these holidays are traditionally celebrated provides a framework for reaching our goals. This way, we create a personalized Wheel tailored to our unique selves and ambitions.

Understanding the Wheel of the Year

A Wheel has no beginning and no end, so you can start anywhere. However, traditionally, we begin with Samhain. The end of the growing cycle marks the start of the next.

Codeword—Root

It may seem like everything is dying around us, but nature is working on its roots, and so should we. The third and final harvest is complete, and the crops have been put away. It’s considered unlucky to gather any more. What remains should be returned to the Earth for next year's crop.

Possibly the biggest festival of the Witches’ year, Samhain is a time to remember those who have passed. The veil is thin, and we can reach out to our ancestors.

Activities

• Bonfires

• Ancestor altars

• Silent suppers

  
  

Symbols

• Gourds

• Apples

• Black cats

• Jack-O-Lanterns

• Besoms

  
  

Foods

• Ale

• Apples

• Beef

• Bread

• Cakes for the dead

• Cider

• Cranberry muffins

• Gourds

• Grains

• Mulled wine

• Nuts

• Pork

• Poultry

• Pumpkin pie

• Any traditional foods of your culture

  
  

Herbs

• Mugwort: Dreams and Ancestor Work

• Rue: Powerful banishing

• Rosemary: Warding and purifying

  
  

Incense

• Rosemary: Purifying, protective, and ideal for memory.

• Frankincense: Great for uplifting spirits and sacred connections.

• Myrrh: Anchors spiritual awareness and is believed to assist in healing.

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents to connect with the ancestors, find courage, and engage in divination.

Stones to carry this season

• Black Obsidian: Grounding, protection

• Serpentinite: Connecting to ancestors

  
  
  
  

Winter Solstice (Yule): A Time for Reflection

The Winter Solstice, or Yule, marks the rebirth of the Sun. It is a time for introspection and planning for the future. As we celebrate the longest night, we can reflect on the past year and share our highlights with others.

Codeword - Rest

Relax and reflect on the past year. Share highlights with others and celebrate their achievements. Encourage and support future efforts.

Activities

• More fire!

• Wassails

• Stories

• Caroling

• Gift exchanges

• Simmering pots of seasonal scents like bayberries, pine, sage, yellow cedar, cinnamon, and citrus.

  
  

Symbols

• Yule log or small Yule logs with three candles

• Evergreen boughs or wreaths

• Holly

• Mistletoe hung in doorways

• Gold pillar candles

• Baskets of clove-studded fruit

• Poinsettias

• Christmas cactus

  
  

Foods

• Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider

• Fruits

• Nuts

• Pork dishes

• Turkey

• Eggnog

• Ginger tea

• Spiced cider

• Wassail

• Lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples)

  
  

Herbs

• Cinnamon: Used in spells to attract love, money, luck, or success.

• Bay Laurel: Symbolizes protection, healing, wisdom, and strength.

  
  

Incense

• Pine

• Cedar

• Bayberry

• Cinnamon

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents for renewal, abundance, and personal growth.

Stones to carry this season

• Moonstones: Balance

• White and Black stones: The Ready & Set before the GO.

  
  
  
  

Imbolc: The Awakening of Spring

Imbolc is halfway between winter and spring. During the dark season, seeds from the previous year begin to germinate beneath the surface. Hope appears in the subtle signs if we observe. The traditional lambing season starts now. Herd animals have welcomed their first offspring of the year with life-giving milk. This time marks the blessing of seeds and the consecration of agricultural tools.

Codeword - Light

Decide what to add to your garden.

Activities

• Create a Brigid’s Cross

• Make a Brideo'gas (corn dolly)

• Decorate besoms

• Make jewelry

• Add a sparkle to lift your spirits.

  
  

Symbols

• White flowers and candles

• Brighid's crosses

• Ploughs (cultivating)

  
  

Traditional Foods

• Pumpkin seeds

• Sunflower seeds

• Poppyseed cakes

• Muffins

• Scones

• Breads

• All dairy products

• Peppers

• Onions

• Garlic

• Raisins

• Spiced wines

• Herbal teas

  
  

Herbs

• Angelica: Protection, banishing negativity, attracting positive energy

• Basil: Attracts love and money

  
  

Incense

• Basil

• Bay

• Wisteria

• Cinnamon

• Violet

• Vanilla

• Myrrh

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents to mark new beginnings, gain insight, and make plans.

Stones to carry this season

• Selenite: Cleansing and preparing

• Amethyst: Calming, opens the third eye, enhances dreams

  
  
  
  

Spring Equinox (Ostara): Embracing New Beginnings

As spring reaches its midpoint, night and day are in perfect balance. This is a time of renewal and growth.

Codeword - Bud

During the Spring Equinox, new life emerges, inspiring us to become the best versions of ourselves, shape the ideal world we imagine, and craft our destinies. We see the seed beginning to sprout.

Activities

• Gardening

• Decorating and hiding eggs

• Baking egg bread

• Watching the sunrise

• Making fairy cakes and potions

• Spring cleaning (Minerva’s Day)

• Decorating with spring flowers like jonquils and tulips.

  
  

Symbols

• Eggs

• Chicks

• Bunnies

• New growth

• Wildflowers

• Bees

• Robins

  
  

Foods

• Leafy green vegetables

• Dairy products

• Nuts and seeds, such as pumpkin, sunflower, and pine

• Flower dishes and sprouts (chamomile, lavender, roses, pansies, hibiscus, dandelions)

  
  

Herbs

• Lemongrass: Enhancing mental focus, intuition, and psychic awareness

• Thyme: Healing, calming, peace, protection, courage

  
  

Incense

• Jasmine

• Rose

• Strawberry

• Floral of any type

  
  

Spells

Utilize these herbs and scents to promote growth, creativity, and balance.

Stones to carry this season

• Rose Quartz: Encourages self-love and acceptance

• Snowflake Obsidian: Balances the light and dark, encourages harmony

  
  
  
  

Beltane: Celebrating Life and Fertility

Beltane means 'fire of Bel,' or Belinos, the Celtic Sun God. This festival marks the young Sun God's transition into manhood. Influenced by the powerful forces of nature, he longs for the Goddess. Folklore shows the masculine Sun embracing the feminine Earth, symbolizing the renewal of life. This story represents the land's fertility and signals the start of the new growing season.

Codeword - Flower

This is where we begin to see results. The flower is opposite the root. Were those roots strong enough? What would you do differently? The veil is thin now, too. The Fae might show themselves.

Activities

• Dance around the Maypole

• Make flower garlands and crowns

• Have bonfires

• Jump over the fire

  
  

Historically, all community fires were extinguished during the festival, leaving only the bonfire dedicated to Bel to burn. Once the festivities ended, community members would take a piece of the hearth fire to light their home fires. Dress candles and light them from a single source.

Symbols

• Fire

• Flowers

• Wedding Feast for the Lord and Lady

• May Baskets

• Fairies

• Butterflies

  
  

Traditional Foods

• Braided bread

• Dairy

• Honey

• Oatcakes

  
  

Herbs

• Crocus: Love, visions

• Daisy: Love, innocence, hope

• Dandelion: Divination, dreams, wishes

  
  

Incense

• Peppermint: Mental clarity

• Orange: Creativity

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents for love, relationships, and manifestation.

Stones

• Tiger’s Eye: Protection, clear state of mind, personal power

• Aventurine: Quietens the mind and alleviates stress

• Hag Stone: Protection and second sight

  
  
  
  

Summer Solstice (Litha): The Peak of Abundance

The Summer Solstice, or Litha, celebrates the Sun’s zenith. On this longest day, light and life flourish. At mid-summer, the Sun God reaches his peak strength, seated on his green throne, ruling over the forests.

From Yule to Litha, it is said that the Oak King rules. On Litha, the two battle for the crown, and it is then that the Holly King triumphs. The Holly King will rule through fall until Yule, and the cycle will begin again.

Codeword - Fruit

This is our moment to shine! Unlike the rest period after Yule, our intention is coming to life.

Activities

• Handfastings

• Wild crafting/foraging

• Making dream pillows and sachets

• Sun tea

• Leaving gifts for the Fae

  
  

Herbs

• Mugwort

• Vervain

• Chamomile

• Rose

• Honeysuckle

• Lily

• Oak

• Lavender

• Ivy

• Yarrow

• Fern

• Elder

• Wild Thyme

• Daisy

• Carnation

  
  

Foods

• Garden-fresh greens

• Fruits

• Vegetables

  
  

Incense

• Lemon

• Myrrh

• Pine

• Rose

• Wisteria

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents for self-care, courage to succeed, and positive body image.

Stones to carry this season

• Carnelian: Enthusiastically joins us on our summer joy, self-discovery, and adventures.

• Fluorite: Quietens the mind, alleviates stress, and helps make decisions.

  
  
  
  

Lammas/Lughnasadh: The First Harvest

Lammas, or Lughnasadh, is the first harvest of corn or grain. The Feast of Lugh commemorates his Mother, celebrated with games and crafts. Recognize that the hot summer days will soon end. There is an abundance, but be mindful of waste; crops must be stored in preparation for winter. The god symbolically loses some strength as the sun moves farther south each day and the nights grow longer.

Codeword - Bread

Literal or symbolic, this is the finished product. Opposite Seed, did you reap what you sowed? Spring plants wither and drop seeds to ensure the survival of future crops.

Activities

• Bake bread

• Make corn dolls

• Weave wheat

• Host Celtic games

• Hold horse races

• Attend the craft fair or Renaissance fair

  
  

Symbols

• Sickles

• Scythes

• Corn dollies

• Sunflowers

• Bread

  
  

Foods

• Corn

• Apples

• Pears

• Grapes

• Grains

• Bread

• Berries

• Potatoes

• Mushrooms

• Hearty stews

• Meat pies

  
  

Herbs

• Parsley: Passion, purification, protection

• Fennel: Not just for digestion, fennel also brings courage, purification, and protection

  
  

Incense

• Rose: Peace, happiness, luck, protection

• Sandalwood: Love, protection, healing, spirituality, cleansing

  
  

Spells

Utilize these herbs and scents to cultivate abundance and gratitude.

Stones to carry this season

• Citrine: Can lift the mood and energy levels by channeling the sun's energies.

• Pyrite: Shields from negative energies.

  
  
  
  

Autumn Equinox (Mabon): A Time of Gratitude

The Autumn Equinox, or Mabon, represents the balance of light and darkness. It is the second harvest, and a feeling of gratitude defines this season. Day and night are once again equal in length, but this time we acknowledge the approaching darkness.

The Druids refer to this celebration as Mea'n Fo'mhair, which honors The Green Man, the Forest God, through offerings to trees.

Codeword—Return

We should start thinking about the return to darkness and how far we have come. Opposite Bud, our energies are gathering back within ourselves to end another cycle.

Activities

• Give thanks

• Bake pies

• Light a black and a white candle

• Create nature art

• Host a Pagan Pride Day

  
  

Symbols

• Gourds

• Pinecones

• Acorns

• Grains

• Corn

• Apples

• Cornucopia

• Pomegranates

• Vines such as ivy

• Dried seeds

  
  

Foods

• Breads

• Nuts

• Apples

• Pomegranates

• Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, and pumpkin pie

  
  

Herbs

• Honeysuckle: Love and money

• Passionflower: Friendship and forgiveness

• Solomon's seal: Wisdom and luck

  
  

Incense

• Anise

• Vanilla

• Cinnamon

• Sage

• Pumpkin Spice

  
  

Spells

Use these herbs and scents for balance, forgiveness, and remembering.

Stones to carry this season

• Smoky Quartz: Provides grounding and protection.

• Lapis Lazuli: Courage, creativity, communication, and healing.

  
  
  
  

The Wheel ends and immediately starts again. You have as many chances left to spin with this wheel as you have trips around the Sun. So, “How does it get any better than this?” We make it better this time around!

Blessed Be!