Is there a set liturgy or liturgical calendar?
Most Wiccans mark eight holiday “sabbats” in the “wheel of the year,” falling on the solstices, equinoxes and the four “cross-quarter days” on or about the first of February, May, August and November. The names of the sabbats may differ between traditions, and many Wiccans also mark “esbats,” rituals for worship in accordance with a given moon phase (such as the night of the full moon). Although there is no one source for all Wiccan liturgy, many liturgical items such as the methods for casting the circle, the “Charge of the Goddess,” certain myths and formulaic expressions are common to many traditions. Some common formulaic expressions include “hail and welcome/farewell,” “blessed be” (sometimes abbreviated on the net as B*B) and the closing “Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.” There is no one bible or book of common prayer for all Wiccans, however, and great value is placed on creativity, poetry and the artful integration of different myths and ritual elements.
