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  Deity concept is based mainly on the cycle of the year in Wicca. There is no real point in which the it begins, as the world has a cyclic rhythm, not a linear progression; there is no start or finish in a circle. The cycle reflects the lives of the Gods, with each sabbat representing major events. The changing  of the seasons within this cycle tell the story of the Gods.

  Not all Wiccans/witches, or pagans understand this story in exactly in the same way. It is a poetic statement, not a chemical formula. So there are many ways to interpret it, as with any symbol . You will relate to it in a way that is your own. That way may change in time, just as you will change. The first understanding will be modified by intuition and experience with the gathering of new knowledge.

  Each of the Sabbats relates to the other. When thought of as a wheel, the center hub would be the Source; Spirit. From that Center the energy strands for the Sabbats move outward and are connected by the ring of universal law; the circle,or rhythm of life. This cycle moves round & round with each passing year. Not just a means for telling the stories of the Gods, the Wheel is also used as a yearly clock, reminding us of seasonal activities that need to be performed. It warns us to ready for the lean times of winter, announces planting seasons in spring , reminds us to play in summer, &  guides us to gather our harvests in autumn. In most locations the changes in the year are obvious. But in other places the climate may be so temperate that the seasons could slip by unnoticed. The Wheel of the Year helps us to remain connected to the cycles the Earth. 

                              1993 Tree Pruitt 

 SAMHAIN, or Halloween,  is the time between times. Energies seem to cease to flow in universally ordered directions, and all flows outward. The doors, or veils that separate the physical from non-physical worlds grow more and more thin as the Witching Hour grows closer. At midnight, on Halloween, they are at the thinnest point. That is the time between all times; the Witching Hour. This allows all sorts of creatures & spirits to come & go as they please. You may even notice things out of the corner of your eye before the Hour arrives. Shadow like beings may often be seen outdoors slinking from tree to tree as early as September! They may even become more clearly visible as that Hour grows closer, until, on Halloween night all sorts of ghostly images may dance outdoors or in! You too may be able to travel to other realms at this time. Start getting ready to astral travel or communicate with those who have passed over. Polish the talking board, get out your pendulum; now would be a great time to clean all your magickal tools. It's not recommended to try many different magickal rites in one night, as you'll wear your energy too low & may become physically ill. The night before, and the night after Halloween are quite powerful also. Save your lengthy rites for the Big Night itself.

   In addition to magick, Samhain is a time to honor the dead. My Grandmother would tell me to be sure to leave a bit of food or other offerings on the back doorstep in kindness to lost souls and to appease negative spirits. This may very well be where Trick-or-Treat stems from. Grandma loved this time of year, dressing in her witches costume and forcing the youngsters to brave a reach into her cauldron for candy! She had a real cauldron! Then she'd wait for just the right moment to burst out a perfect cackle! Though she was Catholic, she never lost those Celtic folk lore roots. I hold her in my Samhain ritual each year with love. 

   Many societies refuse to speak of the dead in the belief that the power of the voice calls them forth. If you mourn constantly for a passed loved one it MAY prevent them from crossing over and bind them to the earthly realm, in addition to just being unhealthy. But when the veil is thin, the Witching Hour allows them to travel if they have not reincarnated yet ( The Cauldron of Rebirth). I always reserve a time on Halloween night to look over photos, letters, and memories of those who have passed. This will bring you strength throughout the year and great guidance from your ancestors. It's also very healing. I can smile with love and fondness in remembering my loved ones the whole year because I know on that certain night there will be no interruptions and I can release my emotions, let go of regrets, and relive the good times. I take out photos and little trinkets that symbolise them that have spent the year tucked away in a spell/magick box. I recommend doing this as it gives the items a greater impact because you're not used to seeing them -- it makes them more special! They get placed on my personal altar after the main celebrations of the night are through. Then I cast my circle to commune with my ancestors in private. Samhain allows me to celebrate, rather than mourn the dead.

* Read about Necromancy on The Mystica. Though it is stated on that page that necromancy is not practised in Neo-pagan Witchcraft, I feel the above qualifies as a true form. The dead may be able to communicate with us through subtle hints or thoughts that come to mind. We don't know for a fact. The horror movie portrayals of necromancy, though likely unreal, are useful for safety sake. They ward away the curiosity seeker to whom spirit possession is a real threat.

HAVE A HAPPY & HEALING HALLOWEEN!