Witch's Wheel of the Year

JASON MANKEY (Bay Area, CA) is a Pagan blogger, a columnist for Witches and Pagans, and the managing editor of the Pagan Portal on Patheos. He s journeyed across North America to Pagan and magic festivals, where he talks about rock and roll, Pagan deities, and Pagan history. www.Patheos.com/Blogs/PanMankey

Contents

List of Figures xi

Introduction 1

PART ONE: THE MECHANICS OF RITUAL & THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR
Chapter 1. Why Ritual? The Power of Connection 7
Chapter 2. The Elements of Ritual: What We Do in the Circle 13
Chapter 3. The Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year: A Witch's High Holidays 29
Chapter 4. Coven Rituals: Perfect Love and Perfect Trust 41
Chapter 5. Solitary Rituals: The Witch Alone 49
Chapter 6. Circle Rituals: The Most Challenging Rites 55
Chapter 7. How to Use This Book: Do What Works Best for You 67

PART TWO: WINTER (YULE & IMBOLC)
Chapter 8. Yule: The Winter Solstice 75
Chapter 9. Yule Circle Ritual: Pine Cones of Yuletide Past, Present, and Future 79
Chapter 10. Yule Coven Ritual: Cheers to You 89
Chapter 11. Yule Solitary Ritual: Grow with the Light 99
Chapter 12. Imbolc: Brigid's Night 107
Chapter 13. Imbolc Circle Ritual: The Rite of the Three Brigids 111
Chapter 14. Imbolc Coven Ritual: Preparing the Temple 123
Chapter 15. Imbolc Solitary Ritual: Preparing the Way 135

PART THREE: SPRING (OSTARA & BELTANE)
Chapter 16. Ostara: The Spring Equinox 145
Chapter 17. Ostara Circle Ritual: The Gifts of Eostre and the Green Man 151
Chapter 18. Ostara Coven Ritual: Eggs and the Outdoors 163
Chapter 19. Ostara Solitary Ritual: Seeds in the Earth 173
Chapter 20. Beltane: Spring's Delight 181
Chapter 21. Beltane Circle Ritual: Hail the Maypole! 187
Chapter 22. Beltane Coven Ritual: A Joyous Beltane to You 197
Chapter 23. Beltane Solitary Ritual: The Magick of Joining 207

PART FOUR: SUMMER (MIDSUMMER & LAMMAS)
Chapter 24. Midsummer: The Summer Solstice 219
Chapter 25. Midsummer Circle Ritual: Summer's Cauldron 225
Chapter 26. Midsummer Coven Ritual: Hail to the Fey and the Solar Wheel 235
Chapter 27. Midsummer Solitary Ritual: High Noon 247
Chapter 28. Lammas: The First Harvest 251
Chapter 29. Lammas Circle Ritual: The Earth Mother and the Harvest Lord 255
Chapter 30. Lammas Coven Ritual: A Meeting with Lugh 269
Chapter 31. Lammas Solitary Ritual: Protect the Home 279

PART FIVE: AUTUMN (MABON & SAMHAIN)
Chapter 32. Mabon: The Fall Equinox 291
Chapter 33. Mabon Circle Ritual: The Three Faces of the Harvest 297
Chapter 34. Mabon Coven Ritual: Harvest Divination 307
Chapter 35. Mabon Solitary Ritual: Welcoming Persephone to the Underworld 317
Chapter 36. Samhain: When the Veil Is Thin 325
Chapter 37. Samhain Circle Ritual: Through the Gate: A Journey to the Edge of the Summerlands 329
Chapter 38. Samhain Coven Ritual: The Dread Lord of Shadows 345
Chapter 39. Samhain Solitary Ritual: Through the Cauldron 359

Acknowledgments 367

Glossary 371

Bibliography 377

Index 383