Wheel of Year - Southern Hemisphere (Australia)
The wheel of the year is the cycle from one season to another, it is made up of 8 Sabbats (seasonal festivals) and 13 Esbats (full moons) as listed below. Some witches also celebrate dark and new moons. The Sabbats match the seasons, so in the Southern Hemisphere they differ from the Northern one. By following the Wheel of the year we are able to connect to the Earth again and feel her energy as it grows and changes both around and within us.
Samhain - 30th April This begins the years cycle and is the Witches' New Year. It popularly known as Halloween, but in Australia is celebrated in April not October. This is the time that darkness increases on Earth, It is a shadow time when the veil between the world of life and death is at its thinnest. This is a time of contemplation and celebration of passing, age and wisdom. The Goddess rules as the Crone. The God, passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth.
Yule - (Winter Solstice) - 22nd June Yule represents the rebirth of light/sun to the Earth. It is celebrated on the first day of winter. It is also known as the Winter Solstice. The Goddess gives birth to the God, as the sun child. Yule is a time of new goals and leaving old regrets behind. It is the longest night of the year.
Imbolc - 31st July is also known as Candlemas. This is the time that pagans celebrate the banishing of winter and the welcoming of spring. Winter is swept away and new beginnings begin to grow. This is a time for new
Ostara - (Spring Equinox) - 22nd September Ostara is celebrated on the Spring (Vernal) Equinox. The God and the Goddess are now young children. This is the time where balance is suspended just before spring comes forth from winter. Eggs, Rabbits and other Easter things are all to do with the fertility of the festival.
Beltane - 31st October is the time of the sacred marriage, between the God and the Goddess. This marriage honours the fertility of the Earth. It is a time of love, union, self-discovery and personal growth.
Midsummer - (Summer Solstice) - 22nd December falls on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This is a time for healing and love magick. It is also a good time to commune with the faeries and field and forest sprites.
Lugnasadh - 2nd February is the celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. The Goddess is now preparing to give way to her aspect as the Crone. This is a time to teach what you've learned, and to share your achievements with the world.
Mabon - (Autumn Equinox) - 21st March completes the year's cycle and is celebrated on the Autumn Equinox. This is the point of the year that the days and nights are equal. It is the time of balance as the light gives way to increased darkness. The Goddess mourns her fallen "spouse" but there is an emphasis on the message of rebirth.