MAKING A SABBAT WHEEL
One addition to the Altar is the Sabbat Wheel.
This is a stone or wooden disc inscribed, or otherwise decorated, with images to represent the Sabbats. If made of a soft stone, such as slate, then the images can be sketched on with pencil and them carved into the surface. A
circular wheel is easy to make, and a simple plain breadboard can form your basis. First, divide it into eight equal segments, like the spokes of a wheel. Symbols can then be burnt or carved into each of the segments, drawn or painted, or even created from gemstone chips, seeds, etc. Alternatively, you could press plants which represent each Sabbat and glue them into place, sealing it with a coat of clear varnish. Some ideas for the decorations are:
Imbolg, candle, Snowdrops; Oestara, eggs, the Hare, Primroses; Beltane, Maypole, Besom, Chalice and Athame, Hawthorn blossom, Bluebells; Litha, the Sun, Green Man, Oak leaves, Sunflowers; Lughnasadh, a single stem or a sheaf of Wheat, harvest loaf; Madron, scales; Samhain, Apples, Winter Jasmine; Yule, the Sun, Holly.
For flowers and plants it is more meaningful to actually collect them in season in your garden or locality.
Another version of this is to embroider illustrations of the Sabbats, placing each in an eighth segment if a circular tablecloth. If you have doubts about your ability to sew directly onto cloth, then embroider pieces of cloth which are then sewn in place. This also allows several members of the group to contribute and means that each illustration can be placed on a cloth of an appropriate colour if desired.
