When I first started homeschooling, I tried to fit our Pagan family into a curriculum designed for someone else's values. It didn't work. The holidays didn't align. The stories didn't resonate. My kids were learning about pilgrims and Easter bunnies while our family celebrated Samhain and Ostara.
So I stopped trying to make it fit—and started building something that actually reflected who we are.
The Wheel of the Year as Your Curriculum Framework
The Wheel of the Year isn't just a spiritual calendar—it's a natural framework for learning. Each Sabbat connects to seasons, science, history, and life skills in ways that feel organic rather than forced.
Here's how we structure our year:
🍂 Samhain (October 31 – November 1)
Theme: Ancestors, death & rebirth, reflection
Subjects: History (family genealogy, Day of the Dead traditions worldwide), Science (decomposition, life cycles), Language Arts (memoir writing, ancestor stories)
Project idea: Create a family tree or ancestor altar. Write letters to those who came before.
❄️ Yule (Winter Solstice, ~December 21)
Theme: Return of the light, rest, gratitude
Subjects: Science (solstice astronomy, why days get longer), Math (tracking daylight hours), Art (candle making, Yule log decorating)
Project idea: Chart sunrise/sunset times for a month. Make gifts by hand.
🕯️ Imbolc (February 1–2)
Theme: First stirrings of spring, purification, Brigid
Subjects: Science (seed germination, early signs of spring), Home Economics (spring cleaning, candle making), History (Brigid mythology, Celtic traditions)
Project idea: Start seeds indoors. Make Brigid's crosses. Deep clean one room together.
🌸 Ostara (Spring Equinox, ~March 20)
Theme: Balance, new beginnings, fertility
Subjects: Science (equinox astronomy, plant biology), Math (equal day/night calculations), Art (egg decorating, nature journaling)
Project idea: Plant a garden. Balance eggs on the equinox. Start a nature journal.
🌷 Beltane (May 1)
Theme: Fertility, passion, community
Subjects: Science (pollination, bees, reproduction in plants), PE (maypole dancing, outdoor games), Art (flower crowns, ribbon weaving)
Project idea: Build a maypole. Study local pollinators. Host a community gathering.
☀️ Litha (Summer Solstice, ~June 21)
Theme: Peak of light, abundance, solar power
Subjects: Science (solar energy, longest day astronomy), Geography (how solstice is celebrated worldwide), Outdoor Ed (hiking, nature immersion)
Project idea: Stay up for sunrise. Build a sundial. Have a bonfire.
🌾 Lammas/Lughnasadh (August 1)
Theme: First harvest, gratitude, sacrifice
Subjects: Home Economics (bread baking, food preservation), History (agricultural history, Lugh mythology), Math (measuring ingredients, doubling recipes)
Project idea: Bake bread from scratch. Visit a farm. Preserve summer produce.
🍎 Mabon (Fall Equinox, ~September 22)
Theme: Second harvest, balance, thanksgiving
Subjects: Science (equinox, harvest biology), Social Studies (gratitude practices worldwide), Life Skills (food storage, preparation for winter)
Project idea: Apple picking. Make a gratitude list. Donate to a food bank.
Why This Works
When your curriculum follows the natural world, learning stops feeling like a chore. Kids notice the days getting shorter. They watch seeds they planted in Imbolc bloom by Beltane. They connect what they're learning to what they're living.
This isn't about adding "Pagan stuff" on top of regular school. It's about letting the earth's rhythms guide everything—science, history, art, life skills, and spirituality woven together.
Getting Started
You don't have to overhaul everything at once. Start with one Sabbat:
- Look at what's coming next on the Wheel
- Choose 2-3 subjects to connect to that theme
- Plan one hands-on project
- Let the rest unfold naturally
The Wheel of the Year has been guiding families for thousands of years. It can guide your homeschool too.
Want ready-made Wheel of the Year curriculum?
RHE offers complete lesson plans aligned with each Sabbat. Visit RHE Virtual to explore.