Practices
A few Wiccan practices
Wiccans put a greater focus on practice than on theological beliefs. This is true of Paganism as well, past and present.
The Wheel of the Year
The wheel of the year is a solar cycle, which tracks the waning of the sun at winter to its glorious peak in the summer. The turning of the wheel is celebrated at eight times in the year; on the solstices, equinoxes and the four days midway between these.
Samhain
October 31
The Goddess is now in the underworld after following the God. The boundaries have dissolved so the living and the nonliving my cross into each other’s worlds.
Yule
December 20‑23
The Wheel turns once more and the Goddess at Yule is with child. We celebrate the fact that the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half of the year.
Imbolg
February 1‑2
We are celebrating new life, an awakening and the
growth of the returning light, "The Sun."
Ostara
March 20‑22
On this Sabbat we are celebrating the renewed union of
the God and Goddess. This seed will bring with it growth, birth and bounty.
Beltaine
May 1
At this time of conception, the Maiden Goddess has
reached her fullness, she is the manifestation of growth.
Litha
June 21
We celebrate the Sun God, his warmth, energy and strength.
The bonfires represent the Sun at its peak.
Lughnasadh
August 1
This is the time to celebrate the First Harvest of: fruit, grain and corn. A ritual cutting of the first grain is celebrated and items made from the grains.
Mabon
September 21‑23
The Sun God’s strengh is starting to wane, nights begin to get longer and days become shorter with the air crisp and cool.
The Esbats
The esbat cycle tracks the moon phases. There are 13 full moons in the typical year. Wiccans usually align the goals of their magic with the phase of the moon.
Source: THE 8 PHASES OF THE MOON AND THEIR MEANINGS — That Very Night
New Moon / Dark Moon
The new moon is considered a time for fresh starts and rejuvenation, with women, especially, needing to regain their strength after the monthly cycle. This is the time for setting new intentions and putting the past behind you.
Waxing Crescent
This is the rebuilding phase as the moon has rejuvenated and emerged again. This is the time to set intentions, hopes, and desires for the coming month, as well as being the ideal time to work on self-confidence and compassion.
First Quarter
Thought to be the stage of obstacles, this is the ‘pause’ in the lunar cycle, a time when challenges, decisions, and actions come into play. Largely, this should be a time of reflection regarding your intentions and their obstacles.
Waxing Gibbous
As we enter the full moon phase, this last stop is a time to adjust, refine, and edit intentions in the face of the challenges from the first quarter.
Full Moon
Thought to be the most powerful lunar phase, many believe that this is the most charged spiritual phase. Emotions run high as the sun and moon operate in different zodiac signs, but new opportunities and power surges are often available to those ready to accommodate them.
Waning Gibbous
A period of evaluation, this is the ideal time to reflect on the events of the past few days, and readjust intentions for the rest of the month.
Last Quarter
This is the time of letting go anything that is no longer serving us, making it the ideal opportunity to clean, cleanse, and purge.
Waning Crescent
Now is the time to surrender to whatever has happened that is out of our control. We should practice compassion and self-care at this time ahead of dusting ourselves off for the next cycle.