As Witches & Wizards, we are pagans, Witch means 'wise' as in Water Witch or Dowser; Green Witch or Herbalist. All Witches should be 'wise' in the ways of living in peace with the Earth & all of her inhabitants.
As Pagans ( pagani, Roman for 'country people') we celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year. (seasons)
Our year starts 1st, November. The end of the previous year is celebrated with 'Samhain' (pronounced sow'an) better known in the muggle world as Halloween or All Hallow's Eve.
Samhain 31 October (major fire festival)
At
the major fire festivals, home fires were extinguished and relit with brands
from the needfire. Celebrants danced around the needfire and/or jumped
over it for good luck and health. Food & drink were left out
for needy fae all year long, but especially this night since the fae were
considered mischievous and liable to play tricks on people they don't like.
People used to go door to door begging for treats and playing tricks on
those withholding treats on this night, mimicking the fae. Apple
bobbing was popular to find out who would be the first to wed during the
new year. Divination was especially practiced on this night.
Most of these practices continue today.
This is the festival of the dead. It is now that the veil between
dimensions is thin and
the doors between the worlds are open. Conversing with the departed
has the best chance of success tonight. This is the night for scrying
and illusion.
Jack O'Lanterns are lit to keep away unwanted spirits and fond tales
of ancestors
are told around the campfires to keep the departed alive in the hearts
of the living.
For Wiccans, it is New Year's Eve. Tomorrow starts the Wiccan
New Year.
The
darkest time of the year and the birth of the Sun god, or god of Light.
Born of mother Earth and father Time, the sun god will bring the light
of the sun upon the fields once again in the Spring. Yule logs are
burned, trees are brought in, decorated and feasting is heavy. Mistletoe
is considered an aphrodisiac,
standing under not consuming ( Mistletoe
is poisonous. ) Yule is one of the fertility festivals and kissing
is common. Many candles are lit to celebrate the birth of the god
of Light.
Brigit, goddess of
fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing 
This is known
as the festival of the trees and marks the rising of the sap.
This festival marks the beginning
of the Summer season. It is a time of offerings to nature and the
building of woodland shrines. The power of the fae, witches and wizards
is at its height and therefore a time of great magic and good for all divination's..
It is also a very dangerous time. Ritual should be performed outdoors
and witches wear green robes. May wine toasts the Green Goddess and
for this and the next 3 sabbats, summer sabbat incense is burned.
.
It is believed
that herbs are most powerful on this day, therefore this is the best time
to harvest them. Their power is enhanced by passing them through
the needfire. Stock were passed between the fires so that they would
be free from parasites for the year. Flowers are used in profusion
and Toadstools are added to the needfire to bring protection against trolls
and evil spirits. This is the night the Fae and other ethereal beings
are afoot in the largest numbers. Sacred trees of this sabbat are
Oak and Heather. Dress in any color except black.
This
festival is dedicated to Lugh, the Celtic sun god. Colors are gold
and yellow. Celebrated with harvest & craft fairs, it was believed
that the most improbable fancy can become a reality. Tailitean marriages
took place at this time as a common feature of the fair games. These
were informal marriages lasting one year and one day, after which the couple
could choose to stay together or turn their backs on one another and walk
away. This sabbat marks the end of Summer and the beginning of harvest.
A time of balance
and harmony on the Earth which would be good to connect with in our own
lives. A ritual of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and a time
to finish preserving and storing what has been collected. Colors
are those of Autumn. Mock sacrifices were made by creating figures
from the stalks of harvested vegetation, dressing them, naming them, singing
about them and burning them. Druids did NOT make human sacrifice.
It is these rituals of mock sacrifice and the songs regarding such
that must have given Julius Caesar the idea that human sacrifice occurred
in the Druid domains. J.Ceasar never claimed to have actually seen
them or spoken to anyone who witnessed such. Historians claiming
that Druids made actual human sacrifices took that erroneous idea from
reading the work of Julius Caesar. Druids especially had such a reverence
for life that such an act would have been unthinkable.
