A free guide from the Pagan Church of Christ
The Wheel of the Year is the cycle of eight sacred festivals, the solstices, the equinoxes, and the four cross-quarter days between them, that mark the turning of the seasons. Earth-honoring traditions have kept this rhythm for a very long time, and you don’t need any particular background to begin walking it yourself.
This short guide introduces all eight sabbats and gives you one simple practice for each. Start wherever the calendar finds you. The wheel turns regardless, it’s better to turn with it.
The Eight Sabbats
Samhain, October 31 – November 1
The Celtic new year and the festival of the ancestors. The harvest is in; the dark half of the year begins. The veil between the living and the dead is thin. Try this: set a place at your table for someone you’ve lost. Light a candle and say their name aloud.
Yule, Winter Solstice, around December 21
The longest night. We gather in darkness to welcome the returning light. Try this: turn off every light in your home for a few minutes, sit in the dark, then light a single candle and notice what it feels like to be the one who brings the light back.
Imbolc, February 1 – 2
The first stirrings of spring beneath the frozen ground. Associated with Brigid, goddess and saint both. Try this: clean and bless one small corner of your home. Plant a single seed indoors and tend it.
Ostara, Spring Equinox, around March 21
Light and dark in perfect balance, then light begins to win. The root of the word ‘Easter.’ Try this: name one thing you want to grow this year, a habit, a relationship, a project, and write it on a seed packet you’ll actually plant.
Beltane, May 1
The great fire festival of life and abundance. Bonfires, the Maypole, flowers, joy. Try this: light a fire (even a candle), and name aloud something you are saying a full-hearted yes to this season.
Litha, Summer Solstice, around June 21
The longest day, the height of the sun’s power. Try this: watch the sunrise or sunset all the way through. Let yourself do nothing but witness it.
Lughnasadh, August 1
The first harvest. Named for the god Lugh; sometimes called Lammas, ‘loaf-mass.’ Try this: bake bread, or buy a fresh loaf, and share it with someone. Name one thing you’ve worked for that is beginning to bear fruit.
Mabon, Autumn Equinox, around September 21
Balance again, then the dark begins to overtake the light. The second harvest; a festival of gratitude. Try this: write down three things you are grateful you grew, gathered, or learned this year.
How to Begin
You don’t have to observe all eight at once, or do any of it “correctly.” Pick the next sabbat on the calendar and mark it, even five quiet minutes with a candle counts. Notice what the season is actually doing outside your window. Let the practice grow from there.
Many people find the wheel deepens when it’s kept in community. If you’d like to mark the seasons with others, the Pagan Church of Christ gathers for all eight sabbats, plus monthly New Moon Circles. See our upcoming gatherings or reach out, all are welcome, no experience required.
The Pagan Church of Christ is a registered 501(c)(3) earth-honoring spiritual community. If this guide was meaningful to you, you can support our work here.