Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Many Wiccans (and myriad others, but I will stick to the word "Wiccan" for simplicity's sake) refer to the changing of seasons as the turning of the "Wheel of the Year." As I mentioned in the quiz introduction, the turning of the Wheel of the Year is celebrated with eight main festivals - but what would a Wiccan call one of these festivals?
2. In the quiz introduction, I also mentioned that there are 13 'lesser' festivals found throughout the year, which coincide with the Full Moon in each lunar month. Which of the following options are these commonly collectively known as?
N.B. This word is also frequently used to describe a coven meeting held other than at one of the eight main festivals.
3. OK, so where better to start than Wiccan New Year!? Samhain falls on October 31st/November 1st and is the Wiccan new year. In pagan mythology, the Goddess is in her crone phase and is often depicted as a wise old woman.
Traditionally, this is the time when the 'veil between the worlds' is at its thinnest, making Samhain the perfect time for any meditation, divination (tarot, scrying etc), and communicating with those who have passed on. There are many various ways of celebrating this Sabbat, and some traditional activities include carving Jack O' Lanterns, bobbing for (and eating) apples, and feasting - but remember to leave out some food for any passed souls drifting by in the night!
The question is: what is the commercialized, more widely-known spin on Samhain?
4. The next Sabbat after Samhain is the Winter Solstice. Celebrated on 21st/22nd December, the shortest day, it is a time of feasting, gift-giving, and looking forward to the sunny days yet to come. It is on this day that Wiccans celebrate the birth of the God (often Mithras), represented by the Sun, who will gain more strength each day as the Wheel of the Year turns towards Midsummer, and the days gradually get longer. Wiccan houses may be decorated with holly sprigs and evergreen trees, or mistletoe.
Sound familiar? It should...what alternative name for the Winter Solstice is also sometimes used to refer to Christmas?
5. The Wheel of the Year turns - and it's on to Imbolc next, a cross-quarter day. Also called Imbolg or Oimelc, the name translates as "in the belly" or "ewe's milk". Indeed, during Imbolc (February 2nd) lambs are in the fields, plant life is stirring, and the Earth is becoming fertile again. This day is sacred to Brighid (Bride), who in later times became revered as a Catholic Saint.
In mythology, the Goddess, who was in her Crone phase at Samhain, is now reborn as a young maiden, whilst the God is gaining in strength as the days draw out slowly but surely. We are reminded that there is strength in the cold, and life as well as death. Again, candles or fires may be light to symbolise this.
But which of the following options has developed from this ancient Celtic fire festival?
6. The next Sabbat after Imbolc is Ostara, or Eostre. The name of this Sabbat is that of a goddess from Germanic paganism, whose name also influenced the festival of Easter, and whence we get the word 'eostrogen'. It is also the spring equinox, and thus the date changes yearly, but stays around March 21st/22nd.
Many traditional Easter activities are very similar to pagan Ostara ones: painting egg shells are a good Ostara activity, as the obvious fertility symbol links in with the main festival theme. The egg was also a symbol of the goddess Eostre. But what was her other symbol, also commonly associated with the Christian Easter?
7. On either April 30th or May 1st (it varies with tradition and preference), Wiccans and pagans celebrate Beltane. Named in honour of the sun god Bel, Beltane is a fire and fertility festival, and a time of frolicking and fun! The strength of the sun is increasing and the Earth is alive once more. It is a time for celebrating the union of the God and Goddess, whereby the Goddess becomes pregnant by and with the God once more.
So, bearing in mind that 'union' and fertility are the main themes of this Sabbat, which (surprisingly mainstream) activity is often re-enacted at Beltane by Wiccans and pagans?
8. Finally, the longest day is here! Often known as Litha, Summer Solstice, or Midsummer, June 21st/22nd is the day directly opposite the Winter Solstice when Wiccans celebrate the sun god being at his full strength.
Some of you may be familiar with the iconography of the Green Man, or Jack-in-the-Green. The Green Man is a representation of the God in his guise as Lord of the Forest, or the Oak King. But which character in English folklore (and the subject of a certain Kevin Costner film!) is said by some to also be based on the Green Man?
9. On August 2nd falls the Sabbat of Lughnasadh, or Lammas. The word 'Lammas', or 'hlaefmass' is an ancient Saxon word for 'loaf mass', which became an early Christian harvest festival. Indeed, it is still the celebration of the first harvest to Wiccans and pagans today. It is also the festival in honour of the god Lugh, son of the Sun, who sacrifices his energy to the corn as it is harvested at this time of year.
So, bearing in mind that Lammas is a harvest Sabbat, which of the following activities would not necessarily be traditional on this day?
10. We now come to the final Sabbat before the Wheel of the Year has turned a full circle to Samhain again. Mabon, or the autumn equinox, falls on or around September 22nd/23rd. Once again, the day and night are equal in length as the Sun God, who was sacrificed at Lammas, prepares for re-birth at Yule. The Goddess now enters her Crone phase. It is also the second of the three consecutive pagan harvest festivals, the third and final being Samhain.
As it is a harvest festival, once again Wiccans may choose to craft something out of corn, straw, or wood. One such item could be a besom - but what on Earth is a besom?!
Source: Author
crazy baby
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CellarDoor before going online.
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