Book of shadows

Wiccan cycle

Almost everything in the universe is a circle and a cycle. Nothing ever stays the same and yet nothing ever really changes, there is constant change, but when we look at the bigger picture we can see these changes are actually repetitions, part of the natural cycle of life. And so everything turns in a cycle; the seasons, the moon, the earth around the sun, the cycle of life and death, the cycle of plant life.

Our pagan ancestors knew the significance of the circle and created many of their worshipping monuments as wooden or stone circles. There are many of these pagan monuments still standing especially in Britain and Europe, with the most famous being Stonehedge. Others however, are just as impressive and important and don't have flocks of tourists around them. How could anyone not be amazed by a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle in Cumbria, with its 360 degree view of surrounding fells and mountains? Find out if there are any stone circles near you and spend some time there. Feel the energy that emanates from the stones, heaved into place thousands of years ago but created by mother earth herself millions of years before.

The circle in Wicca can be cut into four to represent the four seasons or the four elements (the centre being spirit). It can be cut into eight pieces to represent the eight Sabbats, and it can be cut into twelve pieces to represent the twelve zodiac or the twelve full moons of the year (sometimes thirteen if there two full moons within the same month). All together these make The Great Wheel.

The Great Wheel is the circle of time, the circle of the year, the circle of life, death and rebirth. And as the Great Wheel turns, another cycle or phase has also turned, until it comes full circle and starts once more.

The Sabbats are called the Wheel of the Year. In Wicca time is seen more as a never ending cycle than a straight timeline that moves towards a final end. When we are born our journey on the great wheel begins. There is a saying in Wicca: "What has been will be again."

Sabbats

The Sabbats are eight sun-related festivals that fall on the four seasons of the year; the winter and summer solstice and the spring and autumn equinox. Each year the sun waxes and wanes. On the winter solstice the sun starts waxing, the days become longer and colder and the earth turns and finally starts to warm again. Plants grow, animals mate, fruits start ripening and the earth is full of nature's bounty, until it reaches its climax on the summer solstice. Then the sun starts waning and eventually plants start to die, trees lose their leaves, nights get longer and the coldness sets in. In Celtic belief, which most of the Sabbats are named after, the story of the great battle between the Holly King and the Oak King ensues every year. The Oak King represents the light and is sometimes known as the God of Light. The Holly King represents the light and is as each other as one could not exist without the other. The Triple Goddess meanwhile, goes through three stages throughout the year; the maiden, the mother and the crone. This represents not only the three stages of a woman's life, all of which should be embraced and appreciated, but also balancing counterparts to the Horned God and a reflection on nature itself.

These Sabbats help us tune into and celebrate nature. They are a time to thank the Gods and Goddesses for what we have. The Sabbats were celebrated by the Celts in ancient times but have since been adopted by Pagans and Wiccans worldwide. Northern and southern hemispheres have the Sabbats at different times of course, because the seasons are different on each hemisphere.

There are four fire festivals known as Major Sabbats:

Samhain (Winter)
Northern Hemisphere, October 31st and Southern Hemisphere May 1st

Imbolc (Spring)
Northern Hemisphere, February 1st and Southern Hemisphere, August 1st

Beltane (Summer)
Northern Hemisphere, April 30th to May 1st and Southern Hemisphere, October 31st