Do you celebrate the Wheel of the Year?

[~Belladonna~]

Being Beltane today it got me thinking, (yeah, I do that sometimes) :kooky: how many of you non Wiccans follow the Wheel of the Year?

I set out on my Pagan path 3 years ago and began this journey as Wiccan as many of us do, but move ahead 3 years and I'm no longer Wiccan but just plain old Pagan Witch :bigblue::ride: However, celebrating the Wheel of the Year is something that has really stuck with me and is something I class as a very important part of my path. Not only that but it's something I take much joy in and I love to do :) I've noticed though that the Wheel of the Year is very Wiccan i.e. it's something most Wiccans celebrate but not all Pagans. How many of you non Wiccans follow it and why? When I say "why" I mean, are you like me and started out celebrating it because you were Wiccan but then switched paths and carried on following it because it felt right and it's something you enjoy and still see as part of your path, etc, etc? Or maybe you have a different reason for celebrating it?

Also, is the Wheel of the Year just geared (or more geared) towards Wiccans than it is other types of Pagans?

Beltane gave me food for thought today. What's your opinions?

)O(

~Belladonna~

HAPPY BELTANE :smile:

[Darth Brooks]

I celebrate a Wheel of the Year but because I'm Setian it's pretty much an individually-determined Wheel of the Year, because we don't have a list of holidays that all Setians celebrate across the board. It's pretty much left to us to figure out what holidays we wish to celebrate and when, if we want to celebrate any holidays at all of course.

The two most important holidays on my calendar are the Sabbath and Friday the Thirteenth. The Sabbath, as I understand it, is a weekly holiday which begins every Friday night at sundown and ends every Saturday night at sundown (as in the Jewish tradition - matter of fact it's about to start soon). It's a time I look forward to every week because it helps to recharge my batteries. A time for feasting, kicking back and maybe cooking up some heka if need be.

Friday the Thirteenth is important, probably THE most important holiday on my list, because it partly falls on the Sabbath and it falls on the thirteenth day of the month, thirteen being the number of body parts Osiris had left after Set dismembered Him and fed the fourteenth part (ahem) to a fish. (Hence why I always have fish on Friday the Thirteenth.)

After these, the next two most important holidays are Halloween and May Eve. Halloween is my New Year's festival, and I see it as the best time to celebrate Set's "murder" of Osiris, when the regenerative principle goes into hibernation and the powers of darkness rule the earth for six months. May Eve is the half-way point of the year, and I see it as a time to celebrate Osiris' resurrection, when the regenerative principle comes out of hibernation and the powers of light rule the earth for six months. I have my own names for these festivals - "Butchering Osiris Night," "Resurrecting Osiris Night," "the Festival of the Dead" and "the Festival of the Resurrection," but since nobody would have any idea what I mean by these terms (except maybe here at MW), I just typically call them Halloween and May Eve.

Thanksgiving is also a really big deal to me. There are also a few other dates on my calendar that I regard as significant holidays in my own personal tradition, but because these holidays are based on specific events that happened in my own life (and are essentially "anniversaries" for those events) they wouldn't mean anything to anyone else.

[Meadhbh]

I don't celebrate the entire year wheel. Instead I celebrate four of them. Samhain, imbolc, beltaine, and lughnasa. No solstices for me, thank you. Other than that I don't do anything different than the standard wiccan wheel of the year.

[Chaos Hawk]

I am not Wiccan and I celebrate the wheel holidays. There are some that I forget about (like Imbolc - always forget that one) but I generally hit them all.

[Whitewolf]

I usually celebrate the Wheel of The Year. Although, Samhain is my absolute favorite holiday.

[~Belladonna~]

I usually celebrate the Wheel of The Year. Although, Samhain is my absolute favorite holiday.

Same here, you can't beat it! Well not for us Witches anyway :D :ride:

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Being Beltane today it got me thinking, (yeah, I do that sometimes) :kooky: how many of you non Wiccans follow the Wheel of the Year?

I follow the Wheel of the Year but not the Wiccan wheel. There are more wheels than just that one. The wheel based upon the 13 moons, the wheel based upon the Medicine Wheel, the Seasonal Wheel, The Solar and Lunar Wheels, etc. That doesn't even touch upon wheels that are based on older practices and such. For instances as a follower of three goddess I have to try and merge wheel concepts that never were made for a four seasonial wheel, ie Egyptain (Bast) for instance.

..I've noticed though that the Wheel of the Year is very Wiccan i.e. it's something most Wiccans celebrate but not all Pagans.

As I said above there are many wheels. The Wiccan one is probally the most known outside the Pagan pathways. Yet within many follow wheels associated with thier practices and saddly do not get as much media attention nor 100 level books written about them.

How many of you non Wiccans follow it and why?

I follow the seasional wheel and wheel of the moons for it touches upon the Shamantic facets of my beliefs. I follow the Medicine Wheel for that touches upon the Native American influence of my heritage. I recognize and utilize the Solar and Lunar Wheels.

No, I have not now nor ever been Wiccan.

Also, is the Wheel of the Year just geared (or more geared) towards Wiccans than it is other types of Pagans?

Depends again upon which wheel you are refering to.

Beltane gave me food for thought today. What's your opinions?



However, You can thank Lunacie that I even consider the Wiccan Wheel to be a real wheel. Until recently I would refer to it as psuedo only.

[Caitlin.ann]

However, You can thank Lunacie that I even consider the Wiccan Wheel to be a real wheel. Until recently I would refer to it as psuedo only.

Do you have any good links on the seasonal and lunar wheels? I'm highly interested and was wondering if you had any specific links besides just "google".

[evergreen]

I kind of got my basis from it, but I don't follow strictly. It makes more sense to me to celebrate the equilibrium, so I love solstices and then equinoxes as well. Then I throw in Samhain (my favorite!) and Yule accordingly. And Beltane, 'cos it's fun. :weirdsmil Maybe Ostara and Imbolc.

[Tigerlily]

I've never did a whole year celebrating the Wheel of Year. I never did every single Sabbat all together in a year. I'm doing it this year, starting with Beltaine. I know Samhain is technically the New Year's but Beltaine, for me, feels like more of a fresh start (since it's spring and all). :)

[Calli]

I do incorporate the Wheel in my thinking, and all eight Sabbats. Like Tigerlily, I have yet to celebrate all eight in one year, though. I mostly try to be aware of the seasonal energy all the time, though. Of the eight Sabbats, Beltaine is my favorite, for two reasons. One, I belong to Aphrodite, and well, the Beltaine concepts are her thing. And two, I'm a May baby, so I also celebrate my birth this time of year. My daughter, who is also pagan, but only 12 this year, has a birthday even closer to Beltaine than I do, so when she's older, I'm guessing she'll celebrate, too.

Also, we, as a family, celebrate our holidays in neither tradition - pagan or Christian. Not all of my children are pagan, and their father is Christian. So, we celebrate Yule on Yule, but our celebration is mostly what the kids are used to from past traditions. Then Dad gets them for Christmas. Ostara/Easter is up for grabs. We just do whatever. It was never a really big holiday for me. As for the ones that don't have a traditional counterpart in our family, I may choose to celebrate them in a private way or I may not.

[MsMollimizz]

I celebrate Samhain, and Yule.
Solstices and equinoxes.

Mostly I celebrate every day I wake up breathing !
Gentle Light
Mollimizz

[Nachtigall]

I celebrate Samhain, Beltaine and the solstices (which aren't "wiccan only" holidays anyway). Aside from that, I celebrate the traditional Slavic holidays.

[Terra Mater]

The Wheel, the spokes and the spaces in between.
Every day is a holiday of some sort, and there are plenty to pick and choose from. Today (May 2) is:
2- National Baby's day
2- Dr. Benjamin Spock's Birthday Born in 1903.
2- National Day of Prayer
2- Brother/Sister Day
2- Sibling Appreciation Day
2- Take a Baby to Lunch Day

Happy celebrating!

[Agaliha]

I don't celebrate the seasons in a Pagan sense, I don't think that I ever really did. I do have an space that could be called an altar that I decorate with seasonal things and such. I like to take note of the changes in nature and capture the beauty of it either on my altar or in photos or whatever. I don't do rituals or anything on the days, though.

:)

[~Belladonna~]

Do you have any good links on the seasonal and lunar wheels? I'm highly interested and was wondering if you had any specific links besides just "google".

I'm wondering the same thing :uhhuhuh:

[Sionnach le Fey]

I celebrate the solstices and equinoxes and recognise the other sabbats. I'm not one for elaborate rituals or anything like that, I normally just enjoy the season with some seasonal activites.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

Do you have any good links on the seasonal and lunar wheels? I'm highly interested and was wondering if you had any specific links besides just "google".


With regards to the lunar wheel are you refering to the moon cycles, to the phases of the moon, ie full, wanning, dark, etc?

Here are a link that discuss the moon's from the Native American perspective.

http://www.ewebtribe.com/StarSpiderDancing/wheel.html

The seasonal wheel is a bit harder to discuss or provide links for. For me it is things I have discovered or observered over time.

On a side note I once had 12 or more links, after trying to answer this I now have 2. The net is a great source but darn they come and go so fast.

[aluokaloo]

no i never do, never have never will.

[cheddarsox]

I observe the solar 4 and the crossquarters, but I don't use the Wiccan names or associations for them. I have other "holy" days as well, many are associated with celestial events, solar and otherwise.

So, I am celebrating a yearly cycle but not THE Wheel of the Year as designated by Wicca.

[*oonagh*]

i celebrate the changing of the seasons (equinoxes and solstices) and the full and new moons, but it's more like marking the days instead of elaborate ritual.

[Toki Wartooth]

I celebrate things with a group at a local store. That's about it, though. I usually don't celebrate any "wheel of the year" in solitary practice.

[Convallaria]

I celebrate the wheel of the year, but not with elaborate rites. I feel that they're important times to reconnect with my deities, and honor the earth as she changes through the year. I also think it's a wonderful way to connect with other pagans as they celebrate in their own way.

I too began seeking and found Wicca first, and have adapted a some Wiccan rituals to what feels right for me, the greater and lesser Sabbats included. It isn't because I feel I should but because they feel magical to me, and worthy of celebration.

[RivaWitch]

I don't celebrate the entire year wheel. Instead I celebrate four of them. Samhain, imbolc, beltaine, and lughnasa. No solstices for me, thank you. Other than that I don't do anything different than the standard wiccan wheel of the year.


As do I!! :uhhuhuh:

[Laoghaire]

It's a natural thing for me to do... My ancestors were mostly farmers and we still have some ideas of that... My parents, especially my dad, pointed out, when I was younger, how nature changed. I know when certain things grow, when I can harvest, when I can expect a nest. All these things make the Wheel a very real representation of life for me... For nothing ever ends, and even as a human being, you will return to the stage of nothing.
I call myself my a Witch, though I am a part of a coven and my ideals are mostly Wiccan. So yes, I follow the Wheel. Not so strict, I just love the changes in nature and in myself. I TRY to adapt my altar according to season and sabbat, just to make me aware of everything. Certain sabbats are more important to me, as they are so old and already celebrated by my farmer ancestors.

I must admit that summer is the hardest time for me, to be in touch with everything. Only when Autumn returns, everything in me awakes...

[Louisvillian]

Being a solitary Wiccan, and a conventional one at that, yes I do. However, and this might be a tad of a tangent, I don't think of the Wheel of the Years' mythological stories as a literal description of the yearly cycle of the gods. I mean...they're freaking deities; in my opinion, to think that an anthropic metaphor is a literal story of their annual actions is quite preposterous.

Thus, I view it in context: the eight days of the Wheel of the Year are an amalgamation of several Celtic, Norse, and Roman seasonal festivals, their customs altered to include later European and British folklore; the mythological meanings of the Wheel is intended to represent and personify the agricultural and pastoral cycle of old Europe, which was romanticised by Wicca's early founders in the 1930's.
Due to the influence of Wicca in the neopagan movement in the 1960's and 1970's, the usage of all eight, previously unconnected, festivals became fairly well-known and common among eclectic neopagan groups. Thus the current situation of the "Wheel of the Year" being seen as generally neopagan rather than just a Wiccan concept.

Now, this is not a bad thing at all. Personally, I find the Wheel to be an interesting take on the cyclical nature of agriculture and society, and at the same time a good introspective tool to understand how nature connects to the individual. But I do think understanding its actual history, as well as the history of the individual holidays from which the Eight Sabbats are adapted, is equally as important.
Of course, this statement mostly applies to Wiccans and other eclectic neopagan paths that integrate all eight. A kind of understanding of the whole picture and its context is necessary, I think, for a healthy eclecticism.

[Morgaine_cla]

If, by "following the wheel of the year" you mean following the lessons contained within a sacred story cycle (or cycles) whose main characters are the Gods, Fae, and Ancestors with which we commune in spiritual work, then yes, we do...

However...

The story cycles we observe (which may or may not have occurred in time long past) do not define what these beings do in time present or future, nor do we simply retell the stories each cycle. If we are doing our spiritual work the lessons contained within the stories play out differently each time, providing new opportunities to change unhealthy, repeating patterns (hopefully without creating new ones), reclaim a sense of self-empowerment, strengthen bonds with the ancestors, deepen relationships with spirits of place and understandings of natural laws, and ultimately effect radical self-transformation -- through which the world itself may be changed.

We see Samhain and Beltane as being the most important portals or feasts in the year, followed by Imbolc and "Lammas" (Lughnsasadh is a relative newcomer in Wales, actually), which we do not celebrate in the same way, or with the same lore as most Neopagans, Wiccans, or Neodruids. The lunar cycle is seen as mirroring this pattern on a shorter (monthly) time scale, just as the Great Year mirrors it on a grand scale.

The solstices and equinoxes we see as times for reassessing progress and rebalancing, and for reading the unfolding pattern in the stars. We do not see them as echoes of the other Feast Days, as many groups do. As a result, while we do follow a sacred year, the experience of that year is quite different to (though not incompatible with) that of most groups.

An interesting question. Thank you for asking it!

[HorseCrow]

I celebrate the wheel of the year (and I'm not Wiccan) :)

[Windsmith]

I do, indeed. Since my path is pretty literally Earth-based, what better basis for celebration than her yearly dance around the Sun?

For me, the Solstices and Equinoxes are pure Earth/Sun celebrations, while the cross-quarters are more celebratory of humans, and of how we interact with our environment. So at Imbolc I celebrate art and craftsmanship; at May Day fertility and new beginnings of all sorts; at Lammas, harvest and sustenance; at Days of the Dead, endings and transformations.

[oakowl]

I belong to a Druid group and we do celebrate all eight.

[Regulus]

I kinda follow the wheel of the year. I don't know. I've found little need for a great deal of organization in my faith. I'm happy with my relationship with mom. We chit chat, we see each other often. We just kind of settle into one another.

[Lunacie]

I follow and celebrate the Wheel of the Year, but it's mostly in a rough fashion. I don't really revere any days of the year in any kind of strict sense.

I don't see it as "revering" any particular days. Like Windsmith said, I see it as celebrating the changes in the seasons and in my life and in my inner self. Where I live, the seasons follow the Wheel of the Year pretty well, so that's as easy to use for a celebration calendar as anything. I've gotten so used to thinking of the year in 8 quarters rather than 12 months, that I even remember to change my furnace filter according to the Sabbats. :lol:

[Lunacie]

No I understand what you're saying.

I was simply trying to convey my more laid-back approach to the whole thing. By "revere" I was only using it in the context of conveying a more strict-adherence. Perhaps I mis-spoke :)

I certainly wasn't trying to convey a negative connotation.

I edited the post to clarify.

Okay, I get what you're saying but can't think of the right words either. I've never understood the people who think unless the family gets together on Thanksgiving or Mother's day or whatever the holiday, then the day has no meaning to them. I've always felt like if you can't get together until the week after your birthday, it's still wonderful that you're getting together and celebrating. I don't feel I need to adhere to some strict calendar either.
.

[childofcrow]

I am also a pagan witch - an eclectic one at that. I celebrate the full wheel, because I think it's important to have holidays to call our own.

[Lunacie]

I find the Wheel of the Year to be a fruitful framework for modeling life’s spiritual transits, though I still don’t feel I understand the Sabbats very well. However, after many years of trying to grasp them intellectually, I have recently begun to seek their meaning by other means.

While the Sabbats seem to be treated as the "Major Holidays" of Witchcraft, I believe the Full Moons are more fundamental. Each has its place; but I think the Sabbats are about where we are while the Full Moons are about where we want to be. I think that's why I tend to focus there.

That's not a bad analogy. I also feel rather like the Sabbats/solar are about the external changes (seasonal stuff) while the Esbats/lunar are more about personal changes.

[EntwinedScylla]

As I'm sure others have said, the wheel of the year is not, itself, wiccan. Rather, the dates and styles of celebration are mirrored in nearly every culture from the same hemisphere, and were adapted from pre-christian paganism into BTW, and later into neo-wicca.

That said, in my path we don't so much have a wheel with spokes as we have a Yin and Yang. Two over-arching holidays representing dark and light, each of which can have (but does not need) further celebrations marked in it. These are timed approximate to the Neopagan "Samhain" and "Beltain" and have a similar meaning.

[SnowyMoon]

Oh yes. Even when I am totally lazy, I follow The Wheel of the Year. One way I do this is by changing my kitchen tablecloth. I have bought cheap tablecloths decorated to match the corresponding Sabbat, and I change them following the turning of the wheel. :) It is a little thing I do that keeps me connected to the changes. Right now I have the lacy white one out for Imbolc, which is approaching. It is really easy to find tablecloths decorated just right, even at the dollar stores. :)

[zionwood]

I am not Wiccan, and i do observe and celebrate the eightfold wheel of the year: solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarters. to me they are beautiful.

[MountainMan391]

I celebrate the traditional Norse holidays: Sumarsdagr (Summer's Day), Vetrsnóttr (Winter's Night), and Jól (Yule).

[Gaudior]

No. I celebrate the Hindu and Buddhist holy days and use a lunar calendar for them.

[cymrudraco]

While I was never Wiccan for long, I think I've always liked the Wheel of the Year, perhaps because, unlike the Kemetic calendar, it fits the seasons much better (when I switch it around to match the Southern hemisphere.)

Don't get me wrong, there are good points to the Kemetic calendar, and I've been following it so long I've come to accept August 7 (or thereabouts) as my New Year, but because the seasons don't fit, and switching it around is difficult, I find the Wheel much more sensible and easier to follow. There aren't many Kemetic festivals I actually celebrate anyway, apart from New Year, the Lamentations, and Aset Luminous, when I remember. Most of the others don't really resonate with me.

That said, I have a mixed wheel with the Kemetic seasons interspersed with the Sabbats and Esbats in my BoS. It's not typical, but it works after a fashion, and enables me to embrace both sides of my path.