At the heart of every practice is a connection to nature, to intention, and to the cycles that guide us through the year. The Wheel of the Year offers a sacred roadmap for honoring these cycles, and creating a seasonal altar is one of the most powerful ways to work with its energy.

At The Empress, our metaphysical shop in New Braunfels, Texas, we embrace the evolution of the altar as the seasons turn. From candles and crystals to tarot decks and goddess statues, each sabbat invites new tools, colors, and intentions into your sacred space.

What, Exactly, Is the Wheel of the Year?

The calendar has twelve months, and the astrological calendar begins on the Winter Solstice. The Witches’ calendar, however, moves along the eight sabbats which creates the Wheel of the Year. The eight holidays, or sabbats, are evenly spaced between approximately six weeks. Together, these eight pagan holidays mark the ever-turning cycle of birth, growth, harvest, death, and rebirth. The Wheel of the Year reminds us that nothing is static—everything moves, shifts, and renews itself in time.

So, What Are the Sabbats?

The sabbats are sacred seasonal festivals that mark the turning points of the year. Each one carries its own magical correspondences, making it the perfect time to refresh your altar with intentional tools and offerings. Many witches choose to update their altar items with each sabbat, while others focus on the four major seasonal shifts. Both paths are equally valid—and deeply magical.

Each sabbat carries unique energy, symbolism, and magical correspondences—making them ideal focal points for seasonal altar work. The greater sabbats (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lughnassadh) reflect the life cycle of the goddess and the god, while the lesser sabbats (Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon) are solstices and equinoxes.

Should You Prepare a Seasonal Altar?

Preparing a seasonal altar looks a little different depending on where you live, because the seasons express themselves uniquely in every climate. Rather than following a strict template, the most meaningful altars are inspired by the land around you. Look at what’s blooming, resting, warming, or cooling by observing nature. When you let your local environment guide your altar, it becomes a living reflection of your own connection to nature and the passing of time.

Our local witchy shop is in New Braunfels, Texas, for example, and the seasons are often felt through shifts in heat, rainfall, and the changing of plant life rather than dramatic shift in temperature. It's not likely to get very cold or snow. Spring altars may celebrate renewal with fresh greenery, wildflowers, and water symbolism, while summer altars often focus on protection, balance, and cooling energy during long, sun-soaked days. Autumn tends to arrive gently here in Texas, inviting grounding elements, harvest symbols, and earth tones, while winter—milder in many areas—encourages rest, reflection, and intention-setting instead of hibernation.

Other climates follow their own rhythms. Cooler regions may see sharper seasonal contrasts, while coastal or tropical areas often align altars with wet and dry seasons, tides, or moon cycles. No matter where you are, the magic begins with observation. So, look around! Journal and track the seasons. Choose candles, crystals, natural objects, and symbols that echo what’s happening in your world. When your altar mirrors your local climate and seasons, it becomes a sacred space that feels both grounded and enchanted.

A Guide For Working With the Sabbats:

Below is a guide to help you understand each sabbat and choose the right tools that align with its energy. These tools can include tarot decks, incense, goddess statues, herbs, candles, spell jars, books, witches bells, and crystals.

Yule

Winter Solstice

Themes: Renewal, rebirth, hope, light returning

Yule marks the longest night of the year and symbolizes the rebirth of the Sun. Yule is a festive time, lasting 12 days to honor the winter solstice.

Many will see this day as a reminder of the return of light from the darkness. The winter solstice can be a night of reflection and holding gratitude spiritually, this is a time of recollection, rest, and rebirth. Though the world outside might be cold and quiet, the promise of warmth, joy, and growth has already begun.

Focus on building an altar surrounded by greenery. Make the light central, by using candles, add a Yule log, rosehips, and holly to make it festive.

Tools for A Yule Altar: The winter solstice honors reflection, protection, and returning to the light. Use candles, burn herbs (or a Yule log, if you can), and set intentions with crystals, divination tools, and spiritual symbols.

• White, red, or green candles
  

• Evergreen altar decor, Yule log or birch wood
  

• Sun symbols, wheels, or solar charms
  

• Goddess and god statues for rebirth
  

• Tarot decks for intention setting
  

• Incense: pine, frankincense, myrrh. Cinnamon, dried oranges, cloves
  

• Crystals: clear quartz, garnet

Herb Packs

Witches Bells

Goddess Statues

Imbolc

Early Spring

Themes: Purification, creativity, awakening

Imbolc is a festival of the first stirrings of spring. Traditionally associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid, later syncretized as Saint Brigid, this sabbat celebrates inspiration, healing, and the quickening of life beneath the soil.

It is a gentle, hopeful sabbat—less about blooming and more about promise.

Tools For An Imbolc Altar: Imbolc is a popular sabbat for cleansing tools, spell kits, and goddess devotion items.

• White candles for purification
  

• Brigid's cross, statues or symbols
  

• Spell jars for creativity and inspiration
  

• Herbs: lavender, rosemary. Seeds to plant
  

• Spiritual books or journals
  

• Witches bells for energy cleansing
  

• Crystals: moonstone, amethyst

Candles

Herbal Bundles

Brigid Symbols

Ostara

Spring Equinox

Themes: Balance, fertility, new beginnings, growth

Ostara brings forth an equal day and night, perfect balance between light and dark. Named in modern paganism after the Germanic goddess Ēostre (a figure referenced by the Venerable Bede), it celebrates fertility and vibrant renewal.

Life is visible now—buds swell, animals stir, and energy builds.

Tools For An Ostara Altar: Ideal for spring altar kits, love crystals, and oracle decks.

• Pastel-colored candles
  

• Fertility charms, rabbits, egg symbolism: wearable charms and pendants with moonstone, rose quartz, and other fertility or abundance symbols are ideal for the spring.
  

• Fresh flowers and herbal bundles
  

• Tarot or oracle decks
  

• Rose, jasmine, or any floral incense
  

• Crystals: rose quartz, green aventurine

Incense Sticks

Tarot & Oracle Decks

Fertility Symbols

Beltane

Mid-Spring

Themes: Passion, abundance, union

Beltane is a fire festival celebrating life at its most fertile and vibrant. Historically marked with bonfires across places like Ireland and Scotland, Beltane honors sensuality, creativity, and sacred union.

This is a lush, blooming time full of movement and desire.

Tools For A Beltane Altar: A high-energy sabbat perfect for love magic tools and abundance rituals.

• Red and pink candles
  

• Floral altar adornments, Green Man symbols
  

• Fairy/fae decor
  

• Love or prosperity spell jars
  

• Herbs: rose, hawthorn
  

• Crystals: carnelian, ruby, garnet

Crystals

Love Magic

Fairy & Fae Decor

Litha 

Summer Solstice

Themes: Power, vitality, success

Litha, also known as Midsummer, marks the longest day of the year, when the Sun is at its peak. Ancient sites like Stonehenge align dramatically with the solstice sunrise, reflecting humanity’s long reverence for this turning point.

Though the light is strongest now, this sabbat also reminds us that as the wheel continues to turn the days will gradually shorten.

Tools For A Litha Altar: Great time to feature sun magic tools and confidence-enhancing crystals.

• Gold or yellow candles
  

• Sun offerings, sea-life symbols (shells, mermaids)
  

• Tarot decks for empowerment
  

• Incense: citrus, sandalwood
  

• Herbs: basil, St. John’s wort, lavender
  

• Crystals: citrine, sunstone

Tarot Decks

Candles

Mermaid & Sea Magic

Lughnasadh (Lammas) 

First Harvest

Themes: Gratitude, prosperity, sacrifice, manifestation

Lughnasadh (or Lammas) honors the first harvest and is named for the Irish god Lugh. It is a time of gratitude for what has grown—and recognition of what must be cut back or released.

Grain harvests were central in Celtic lands such as Ireland, making bread a traditional symbol of this festival.

Tools For A Lughnasadh or Lammas Altar: Ideal for prosperity kits and harvest altar supplies.

• Bread or grain offerings, corn dollies, kitchen tools & offeringbowls
  

• Earth-tone candles
  

• Herbal bundles
  

• Prosperity spell jars
  

• Pagan or herbalism books/grimoires
  

• Crystals: tiger’s eye, amber
  

Herb Packs

Grimoires & Herb Books

Kitchen Tools

Mabon

Autumn Equinox, Second Harvest

Themes: Reflection, balance, gratitude

Mabon brings another moment of equal light and dark. This is the second harvest, a time to give thanks and prepare for the coming descent into winter. Though “Mabon” is a modern name drawn from Welsh mythology, the equinox has long been observed across Europe and beyond.

Tools For A Mabon Altar: A perfect sabbat to highlight shadow work tools and autumn candles.

• Orange, green, or brown candles
  

• Apples, leaves, and seasonal decor
  

• Incense: clove, cinnamon. Copal or frankincense resins
  

• Tarot decks and journals or books for shadow work
  

• Crystals: smoky quartz, lapis lazuli

Resins

Shadow Work Tools

Tools for Balance

Samhain 

The Witch’s New Year, Final Harvest

Themes: Death, rebirth, divination, ancestral connection

Samhain marks the final harvest season and the beginning of winter. Celebrated on October 31st through November 1st, it’s a time for honoring ancestors, embracing change, and connecting with the spirit world.

At this time, the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest, so that makes it a powerful time for divination and spirit work. Tools for divination are often placed on the altar to encourage intuition, reflection, and connection to the unseen.

Samhain is connected to the Crone, the wise and intuitive aspect of the Triple Goddess, who represents wisdom, endings, and deep spiritual insight. Decorating your altar with Crone symbols helps create a meaningful seasonal space. A Samhain altar doesn’t have to be elaborate, it simply needs to feel personal, comforting, and spiritually connected to the season.

Tools For A Samhain Altar: One of the most popular sabbats for divination tools, ancestor offerings, and protective crystals.

• Black and purple candles
  

• Ancestral altar pieces, skulls and bones
  

• Black salt and other banishing tools

• Crone goddess statues (Triple Goddess statues, ravens, cauldrons, dark candles, dried herbs, or ancestral photos)
  

• Incense: mugwort, patchouli
  

• Divination tools (tarot, pendulums, runes, scrying mirrors)
  

• Crystals: obsidian, black tourmaline, black onyx

Divination Tools

Crone Symbols

Banishing Tools

Creating Your Seasonal Altar

Your altar is more than decoration—it’s a working spiritual space. By aligning it with the Wheel of the Year, you invite deeper awareness, stronger magic, and a closer relationship with the natural world.

Whether you’re building your first altar or refreshing one for the next sabbat, thoughtfully chosen tools can support your rituals every step of the way. Explore what calls to you, trust your intuition, and let the wheel turn.

The Empress is a small business, run by the witches of New Braunfels, Texas. We offer many seasonal tools and altar adornments to fit your practice. Visit us in-store, or shop our online selections at: www.theempresstexas.com