It is the Witch's belief that By celebrating the natural cycle of the year through ritual, One can attune oneself to nature and the Divine that is inherent in all things.

Samhain (October 31) - Popularly known as Halloween - is the Witches' New Year. It is the time when the veil between the worlds is very thin, when souls leaving the physical plane can pass out and reincarnating souls can pass in. Darkness increases and the Goddess reigns as the Crone, part of the three-in-one that also includes the Maiden and Mother. The God - the Dark Lord - passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth (which will occur again at Yule).  Jack-o-lanterns, gourds and fall foliage are commonly used as decoration.

Yule (the Winter Solstice) coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration and represents the rebirth of light. on this - the longest night of the year - the Goddess gives birth to the Sun Child and hope for new light is reborn. Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind. The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration: Pagan families would bring a live tree into their home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung on the limbs to announce a spirit's presence and treats were placed on the branches for the spirits to eat. a five-pointed star - symbolizing the five elements - was placed atop the tree. The colors of the season - red and green - are also of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts. A solar festival, Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. A piece of the log is saved and kept throughout the year to protect the home and is used to light the next year's log.

Imbolc/Candlemas (February 2) celebrates the banishing of winter and the welcoming of spring. At this time, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child nursing from his Mother. At this phase of the cycle, winter is swept away and new beginnings are nurtured. this time of year is favored for initiations into the Craft and traditions include lighting every lamp in one's home to honor the Sun's rebirth.

Spring/Ostara (Vernal Equinox) is the time where balance is suspended just before spring bursts forth from winter. The God and Goddess are seen as young children at play and holiday festivities use brightly colored eggs to represent the child within. The Easter Bunny is also of Pagan origin, as are baskets of flowers. Traditionally, Ostara is a time to collect wildflowers, Take Nature Walks s and cultivate  herb gardens. It is also the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.

Beltane (May 1) honors the fertility of the Earth and represents the divine union of the lord and lady. Celebrations include weaving webs of life around Maypoles and leaping the Beltane fire for luck. handfastings (engagements) are also common at this festival. This is a time of self-discovery, love, union and developing your potential for personal growth.

midsummer/litha (summer solstice) - the longest day -  represents the Sun King in all of his glory. it is a time of triumph when the Oak King - representing the waxing year - is succeeded by the Holly King - representing the waning year. The two are one: the Oak King is the growing youth while the Holly King is the mature man. Healings and love magick are especially suitable at this time as is communion with the sprites and faeries of the forest.

Lughnasadh/Lammas (august 1) celebrates the first fruits of the harvest. The Sun King - seen as Dark Lord - gives his energy to the crops to ensure life while the Mother prepares to give way to her aspect as the Crone. This is the time to teach what you have learned, to share the fruits of your achievements with the world. Wheat weaving is traditional as is the baking of Bread.

autumn/Mabon (autumnal equinox) celebrates light giving  way to increased darkness. this second harvest represents the Goddess mourning her fallen consort and emphasizes the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds. This is a good time to walk the forests and gather dried plants for use in herbal magick. Cornbread and cider Make good additions to mabon festivities as do decorative fall leaves.