The largest lesson so far and possibly in the whole series. You’ve stuck it out through the misconceptions, the terms, the history, the types, and the laws and you’ve finally reached the beliefs and practices.

1. Divinity manifests itself in the form of a God and Goddess.
2. Multiple paths to the divine exist.
3. One’s lifestyle must be consistent with one’s beliefs.
4. All beings are personal emanations of the divine.

The cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter is called The Wheel of the Year. The eight holidays are derived from Creation myths, like the one I’ve included below.

This never ending circle marks the changing of the seasons and the travels of the sun.

These Craft holidays are associated with a sun deity and are called Sabbats. Sabbats are the eight standard holidays during the year.

Yule or Yuletide: Winter Solstice, December 20 or 21 – A celebration of the return of the journey of the sun. It represents the birth of the Sun God. It is celebrated with the Yule Log, Bayberry candles, and the colors red and green.

Imbolc or Candlemas: February 1 – This Sabbat marks the time to welcome the coming Spring. The Sun Child is growing older while the Goddess grows younger. Lavender or white candles can be burnt and this is a good time to spring clean.

Ostara: March 20 – A celebration of balance and fertility. The Sun Child is now an adolescent and conceives a child with the younger Goddess which will be born next Winter Solstice. The colors are light green, lemon yellow, and pale pink.

Beltane: April 30 – A time for love and union. The colors are bright blue, warm pink, lemon yellow, red and white. This is a time when people, animals, and plants are preparing for the coming warm months.

Litha or Summer Solstice: June 21 – The longest day of the year with the Sun God in all his glory. A celebration of passion and success. This is a good time for magick that needs male energy. Colors are red and gold and it is believed that whatever is dreamed on this night will come true.

Lammas or Lughnassad: August 1 – First of the three harvest Sabbats. The altar is decorated with the first fruits of garden labor. This is a good day to collect herbs for magickal use.

Mabon or Autumn Equinox: September 23 – The second harvest celebration. Colors of brown, red, gold, and orange are good choices. This is when the Horned God dies.

Samhain: October 31 – This is considered the Witches’ New Year, representing one full turn of the seasonal year and is the last harvest celebration. It is said that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on this night. Black candles are burned to warn off negativity. Divination is best this night. The Sun God grows strong and awaits his rebirth at Yule.

Your altar is a personal space to work your magick. You can put whatever you like on it and use your own ideas for your tools. This is a guideline as to some things it’s useful to have on an altar.

1. An altar cloth. This can be a seasonal table cloth from Wal-Mart or a handmade cloth, decorated or not as long as it has meaning to you.
2. A chalice. This is used to hold wine, water, or other drinks for use in rituals.
3. A platter. This is used to hold a piece of bread or cake also to be used during a ritual or as an offering.
4. A censer. Used to hold incense.
5. Two altar candles. These can be of any color, usually pertaining to the type of spell or ritual you are performing.
6. You may also want these items: two dishes to hold sea salt and water, two images or statues of the God and Goddess (perhaps sea shells, rocks, or something like that), anointing oil, and your athame.

1. Athame – A knife used to direct energy and not used for cutting. It is a dull, double-edged knife with a dark colored handle. The symbolism is for change and it is linked with Fire and the God.
2. The Bell – May be rung to start and end a ritual. It may ward off negativity or evoke good energies. It is a protector if hung by a door. It is often used to invoke the Goddess.
3. Boline – A white handled knife used to cut herbs, to inscribe symbols, or cut cords.
4. Broom – Used to sweep away negativity for a ritual. It is a purifier linked to the element water and is used in water spells.
5. Candles – Used to represent the elements and to focus thought during meditation and to create a special atmosphere. They represent the power of light out of darkness.
6. Censer – Heat proof container used to smolder herbs and burn incense. Also reinforces the circle, purifies the area, and carries messages to the Gods. Represents air.
7. Cauldron – Should be made of iron with three legs. The opening should be smaller than the widest part. It is a symbol of the Goddess and the element water.
8. Chalice – A cup made of anything used to hold beverages to be drunk for ritual. A symbol of the Goddess and fertility.
9. Offering Bowl – Some of the drink is poured into this from the chalice as an offering. After the ritual it is returned to the Earth.
10. Pentacle – The center piece of the altar usually made of something flat like wood or wax. Objects that are to be consecrated are put on this. This represents earth.
11. Wand – Used to direct energy and draw magickal symbols in a ritual. They can also be used to stir a brew. They represent air and evoke energy. The energy is sent in the direction the wand is pointing.

Welsh Witchcraft: Wheel of the Year

Wheel of the Year

Poetry for the Wheel of the Year

About.Com - Setting Up An Altar

Quicksilver's Book of Magic: Setting Up an Altar

Summerland Grove Pagan Church: Tools of the Craft

Tools of the Craft

Sacred Text: Beliefs of Wicca

Lady Bridget: Common Wiccan Beliefs

Starfire Circle: Beliefs of Wicca