For the third year running, I present this integrated 2022 astrological calendar for Witches and pagans.  As you celebrate the Wheel of the Year, these are the auspicious times and dates I recommend for planning powerful rites and spells in the Northern Hemisphere; times given are for eastern standard time zone.

2022 Astrological Ritual Calendar for Esbats and Sabbats

The Wheel of the Year is what modern witches like myself call the yearly ritual cycle. This time period spans between winter solstices. So, the 2022 Wheel actually kicks off anew at Yule, Dec.21, 2021, and concludes Dec. 21, 2022 Between those milestones we have 8 solar sabbats which mark the seasons, and roughly 12 lunations with full and dark moons to celebrate. So, NO BLUE MOONS this year (that only occurs every 2.5 years). For more information on the astrological accounting for blue moons, check out these articles on my Contrary Opinion and the Blue Moon Debate.

In 2022 we also have two lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses to tap for spells exploring both sides of the Taurus earth/Scorpio water elemental pairing. Solar eclipses occur at dark moons, when the sun and moon are conjunct in the same sign. The first solar eclipse occurs at Dark Moon in Taurus ♉︎ on April 30. The second one occurs at Dark moon in Scorpio ♏︎ on October 25.

Lunar eclipses occur at full moons when the sun and moon are in opposite signs.  The first lunar eclipse happens at the Flower Full moon with Taurus sun/Scorpio moon May 16th. The second Lunar eclipse happens at Mourning Full moon on the flip side of the wheel with Scorpio Sun/Taurus Moon on November 8th. Time to mark those calendars!

Calendar vs. Astrological Methods

Along The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft that I practice, astrology determines the auspicious times for my spiritual and magickal work. The Astrology method aligns with the Hermetic paradigm upon which all the rest of the Great Work of Magick is based. Check out this article for more about my rationale between the calendar and astrological methods of magickal timing.

Precision vs. Ease in Ritual Planning

So, when do witches hold our rituals? Astrological precision is a nice ideal, but not always practical for a modern life. If you have the freedom to celebrate any time of day, and any day of the week, by all means be as precise in your magickal timing as you can. However, we have jobs, and families, and sometimes the coven just can’t manage to get their ritual act together until the weekend.

Remember that our seasons are great tides which flow in for six and a half weeks to peak. Then they turn to ebb back out again for 6 and a half weeks. A sabbat is not ONE day; it is celebration of either a shift into the new seasonal cycle (lesser Sabbats) or the peak of that seasonal cycle (Grand Sabbats).

Ideally, we’d celebrate a lesser Sabbat anytime the week after the tide shifts into the new season. The important part is which zodiac sign the sun is in. This is because we are there to honor the cardinal new thing, not what we’ve just left behind.

By contrast, we’d celebrate the grand sabbats anytime during the week before the peak, because we are using this swelling energy to grow our Great Work intention with the fixed energies of the seasonal high tides.

The big pitfall to avoid in lunar timing is checking the time of it’s peak during that day, and in which sign the moon shines? If full moon peaks in the morning, but you want to work at night when you can see her rising, plan your rite for the night before. However, it is also important that the moon be in the sign which is opposite the sun, and that is a 2.5 day period to work with.

Winter Season – Preparation

Winter’s Gate: Winter Solstice: Yule Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Winter and peak of darkness, welcome the returning light, Resonance
Sun: 0º Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday December 21, 2021 10:59 AM
Suggested celebration timing: Observe Tuesday night or any night afterward. If you wait until the next weekend you’ll conflict with Christmas.
Time of Day: Midnight is perfect.

Dark Moon Capricorn

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Capricorn.
Sun: Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Capricorn ♑︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sun, Jan 2, 2022 1:33 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the Saturday night before on January 1, 2022 after the moon enters Capricorn at 6:02 pm. New Year’s Day.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Saturn magick.

Cold Full Moon, Winter Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Capricorn ♑︎
Moon: Cancer ♋︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday, Jan. 17, 2022 6:48 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the night before on January 16, 2022 or the exact date until 6:48 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Solar or Lunar magick.

Dark Moon Aquarius

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aquarius.
Sun: Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Aquarius ♒︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 12:46 AM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe dark moon the Monday before on January 31, 2022 after moon enters Aquarius at 4:43 am until conjunct at 12:46 am the next morning.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning lunar magick.

High Winter, Imbolc Sabbat

Ritual Function: Welcome return of Maiden Goddess and Green Lord from Underworld, Knowing
Sun: 15º Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday Feb. 4, 2022
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe on that exact Friday.
Time of Day: Witching Hours of 3:00-dawn would be perfect.

Quickening Full Moon, Winter Fixed

Ritual Function: Maximize winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Aquarius ♒︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday Feb. 16, 2021 11:56 am
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe on the Monday night before February 15, 2022.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Lunar waxing magick.

Dark Moon Pisces

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Pisces.
Sun: Pisces ♓︎
Moon: Pisces ♓︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday March 2, 2022 12:35 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the Tuesday night before on March 1, 2022 after the moon enters Pisces at 3:53 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Mars waning magick.

Storm Full Moon, Winter Mutable

Ritual Function: conclude winter preparation of Great Work.
Sun: Pisces ♓︎
Moon: Virgo ♍︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday March 18, 2022 3:18 PM
Suggested Celebration Time: Observe the Thursday night before.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Jupiter magick.

Spring Season – Germination

Spring’s Gate: Spring Equinox: Ostara Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Spring, awaken fertility of the land, wonderment
Sun: 0º Aries ♈︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sunday March 20, 2022 11:33 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe that same day after Sun enters Aries at 11:33 am.
Time of Day: Dawn would be perfect.

Dark Moon Aries

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Aries.
Sun: Aries ♈︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Friday April 1, 2022 2:24 AM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the Thursday night before, March 31, 2022, after the moon enters Aries at 5:30 am until opposition at 2:24 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Jupiter Magick.

Wind Full Moon, Spring Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate spring germination of Great Work.
Sun: Aries ♈︎
Moon: Libra ♎︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday April 16, 2022 2:55 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Friday night before at anytime.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Venus magick.

Dark Moon Taurus: Solar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Taurus.
Sun: Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Taurus ♉︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday April 30, 2022 4:28 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing:  Observe the Friday night before after the moon enters Taurus at 8:19 pm until conjunct 4:28 pm the next day. Solar Eclipse at 4:28 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Venus magick.

High Spring: Beltane Sabbat

Ritual Function: Sacred Union, Divine Marriage, will
Sun: 15º Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Gemini ♊︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday May 4, 2022
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the exact day, or on the weekend before on Saturday, April 30, and also observe the Solar Eclipse at 4:28 pm, or Sunday May 1. Same weekend at Dark Moon in Taurus with the eclipse.
Time of Day: Mid-morning is perfect.

Flower Full Moon, Spring Fixed, Lunar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Maximize spring germination of Great Work.
Sun: Taurus ♉︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday May 16, 2022 12:14 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Sunday night before, May 15, while moon is on Scorpio all day. Stay up to observe the Lunar Eclipse 12:14 am at exact opposition.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning sun or moon magick.

Dark Moon Gemini

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Gemini.
Sun: Gemini ♊︎
Moon: Gemini ♊︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday May 30, 2022 7:30 AM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the Sunday night before, May 29, after the moon enters Gemini at 1:23 pm, until 7:30 am the next morning with conjunction.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning sun magick.

Strong Sun Full Moon, Spring Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude spring germination of Great Work.
Sun: Gemini ♊︎
Moon: Sagittarius ♐︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday June 14, 2022 7:52 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Monday night before, June 13, while the moon is in Sagittarius all day.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing moon magick.

Season of Summer: Cultivation

Summer’s Gate: Summer Solstice: Litha Sabbat

Ritual Function: Celebrate Summer, Peak of light, welcome coming darkness, surrender.
Sun: 0º Cancer ♋︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday June 21, 2022 5:14 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe that day when the Sun enters Cancer, or wait until the following weekend June 24-26.
Time of Day: High Noon is perfect.

Dark Moon Cancer

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Cancer.
Sun: Cancer ♋︎
Moon: Cancer ♋︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday June 28, 2022 10:52 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe that day between 7:53 am when the moon enters cancer, until exact conjunction at 10:52 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mars magick.

Blessing Full Moon, Summer Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Cancer ♋︎
M0on: Capricorn ♑︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday July 13,2022 2:38 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Tuesday night before, July 12, after 5:01 am when the moon enters Capricorn, anytime until 2:38 pm the next day at exact opposition.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning mars magick.

Dark Moon Leo

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Leo.
Sun: Leo ♌︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday July 28, 2022 1:55 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe early that day between 2:36 am when the moon enters Leo until exact conjunction at 1:55 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Jupiter magick.

High Summer: First Harvest: Lammas or Lughnasadh Sabbat

Ritual Function: First Harvest of Grain, daring.
Sun: 15º Leo ♌︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday August 6, 2022
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe on the exact day, also a Saturday, which is convenient for group gatherings.
Time of Day: Mid-Afternoon is perfect.

Corn Full Moon, Summer Fixed

Ritual Function: Maximize Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Leo ♌︎
Moon: Aquarius ♒︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday August 11, 2022 9:36 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Wednesday night before after moon enters Aquarius at 2:45 pm until exact opposition at 9:36 pm the next day.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Mercury magick.

Dark Moon Virgo

Ritual Function: Balance elemental earth energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Virgo.
Sun: Virgo ♍︎
Moon: Virgo ♍︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday August 27, 2022 4:17 AM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe the Friday night before after the moon enters Virgo at 8:25 pm until 4:17 am tomorrow morning at exact conjunction.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Venus Magick.

Harvest Moon, Summer Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude Summer’s Cultivation of Great Work
Sun: Virgo ♍︎
Moon: Pisces ♓︎
Exact Calendar Date: Saturday September 10, 2022 5:59 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe anytime the Friday before after the moon enters Pisces that morning at 12:42 am until exact opposition Saturday morning at 5:59 am.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Venus or Saturn magick.

Season of Autumn: Integration

Autumn’s Gate: Autumnal Equinox: Second Harvest: Mabon Sabbat

Ritual Function: Second Harvest of Vegetables, Balance sacrifice with gratitude, acceptance.
Sun: 0º Libra ♎︎
Moon: Leo ♌︎
Exact Calendar Date: Thursday September 22, 2022 9:04 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the exact date, or wait until the following weekend Sept. 23-25. Could be combined with Dark Moon rites on Sunday.
Time of Day: Dusk is perfect.

Dark Moon Libra

Ritual Function: Balance elemental air energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Libra.
Sun: Libra ♎︎
Moon: Libra ♎︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sunday September 25, 2022 5:55 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observed that day after the moon enters Libra at 12:43 pm until exact conjunction at 5:55 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning sun magick.

Blood Full Moon, Autumn Cardinal

Ritual Function: Initiate Autumn’s Integration of Great Work
Sun: Libra ♎︎
Moon: Aries ♈︎
Exact Calendar Date: Sunday October 9, 2022 4:55 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the Saturday night before after the moon enters Aries at 11:57 am, until 4:55 pm the next day.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Saturn magick.

Dark Moon Scorpio: Solar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Balance elemental water energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Scorpio. [Edited with correction 12/20/2021]
Sun: Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Scorpio ♏︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday October 25, 2022 6:49 AM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Observe during the early morning hours of Tuesday between 3:18 am when the moon enters Scorpio and exact conjunction at 6:49 am with the Solar Eclipse.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mars magick.

High Autumn: Third Harvest: Samhain Sabbat

Ritual Function: Third Harvest of Blood, Divine Funeral, release to death, Ancestor veneration, silence.
Sun: 15º Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Sagittarius ♐︎
Exact Calendar Date: Monday November 7, 2022
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe the exact day, or move to the Sunday before November 6, for group celebrations and combine with Mourning Full Moon rites.
Time of Day: Mid-evening is perfect.

Mourning Full Moon, Autumn Fixed: Lunar Eclipse

Ritual Function: Maximize Autumn’s Integration of Great Work
Sun: Scorpio ♏︎
Moon: Taurus ♉︎
Exact Calendar Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2022 6:02 AM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe anytime the Monday before, November 7 (also exact Samhain) after the moon enters Taurus at 12:15 am until exact opposition with the Lunar Eclipse at 6:02 am Tuesday morning.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing moon magick.

Dark Moon Sagittarius

Ritual Function: Balance elemental fire energy, and shadow work for the virtues and vices of Sagittarius.
Sun: Sagittarius ♐︎
Moon: Sagittarius ♐︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday November 23, 2022 5:57 PM
Suggested Celebration Timing: Very brief window of time to observe between the moon entering Sagittarius at 3:16 pm and exact conjunction 5:57 pm.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waning Mercury magick.

Long Nights Moon, Autumn Mutable

Ritual Function: Conclude Autumn’s Integration of Great Work
Sun: Sagittarius ♐︎
Moon: Gemini ♊︎
Exact Calendar Date: Wednesday December 7, 2022 11:08 PM
Suggested Celebration Planning: Observe anytime that Wednesday until 11:08 pm, or anytime the night before after the moon enters Gemini 3:49 pm Tuesday.
Planetary Magick by Day of the Week: Waxing Mars or Mercury magick.

Heron’s Book and Wheel of the Year 2022 Poster Now Available for Purchase!

For a detailed instruction manual introducing The Pentacle Path of Modern Witchcraft and the Great Work of magick by astrological timing, check out my new book book through Llewellyn Publishing: Elemental Witchcraft: A Guide to Living a Magickal Life Through the Elements. It is due to be released on December 8, 2021!

If you live in the United States, I can now take pre-orders and ship you a signed copy of my book through my own bookstore: The Sojourner Whole Earth Provisions. I am also offering full-color printed posters of my hand-rendered Wheel of the Year Graphic with specific 2022 full moons that is detailed above. All this information is handily included on the back.

Blessings for a joyous new year,
~Heron