Llewellyn's 2023 Witches' Calendar

Product Information

The holiday was first observed on a single day, but due to its popularity, it grew andexpanded. Due to popular demand, a seven-day festival was established, and Saturnalia was observed from December 17th to December 23rd. Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aries. The greater sabbats or cross-quarter days fall approximately halfway between the greater sabbats and have origins in Celtic traditions. They include: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain. In 2022 we also have two lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses to tap for spells exploring both sides of the Taurus earth/Scorpio water elemental pairing. Solar eclipses occur at dark moons, when the sun and moon are conjunct in the same sign. The first solar eclipse occurs at Dark Moon in Taurus ♉︎ on April 30. The second one occurs at Dark moon in Scorpio ♏︎ on October 25. Oct 31 – SAMHAIN (pronounced SOW-um) (as known as Halloween) This is the Witches’ New Year! The veil between worlds is thinnest and the dead are thought to return and visit. It is a night to communicate with the spirits, spirit guides, and ancestors. It is also a night to work with Tarot cards and Crystal Balls!

Suggested Celebration Planning: Night before on Thursday, Nov. 18, while moon is still waxing in Taurus. Stay up late to catch the Lunar Eclipse at 3:57 am.Time of Day: Mid-Afternoon is perfect. 2023 Great Work Wheel – Water Detail – Hand-drawn by Heron Michelle Elemental Tides of Water: To Dare – To Accept Suggested Celebration Planning: That night anytime after moon enters Scorpio at 12:18 pm. Finish by 11:32 pm.

As the Wheel originates in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Southern Hemisphere most Pagans advance these dates six months so as to coincide with the natural seasons as they occur in their local climates. For instance, an Australian Pagan may celebrate Beltane on the 1st of November, when a Canadian Pagan is celebrating Samhain. If you choose to celebrate the festivals on the Wiccan calendar, how you choose to do so is up to you. If you’re part of a coven, you and your fellow witches may have follow certain rituals and customs connected to the holiday. If you are a solitary practitioner, take the time to learn about each Sabbat and learn about the colors, foods, and decorations associated with each. Winter solstice or Yule is the shortest day, and also the longest night of the year. It marks the return of the Sun’s warmth and light, and the promise once again of a productive Earth. Pagans celebrate these aspects with candles, fire, greenery and feasting. At this time, Yule logs are burned. The Yule log must traditionally be the root of a hardwood tree, and in Australia mallee roots are ideal for this purpose, as are Tasmanian oaks and all types of Eucalyptus. The Yule log is burned down until nothing but a small piece remains, which is saved and kept to be used as a lighter for the following year’s Yule fire. A Yule tree is placed within the traditional Wiccan home, with a pentagram (five pointed star) at the top, symbolizing the five elements. Presents are exchanged and many Witches stay up all night to welcome the sun. This is symbolic of the Goddess giving birth to the God and then resting after her ordeal.

Suggested Celebration Timing: Best observed Tuesday night, August 15, 2023, during 13 hour window prior to exact dark at 5:38 am Wednesday, August 16. Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Pisces.