Sabbats

Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year is a Wiccan and Neopagan term for the annual cycle of the Earth's seasons. It consists of eight festivals, spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the year. These festivals are referred to by Wiccans as Sabbats

Samhain

This holiday marks the transition from the old year to the new one, a simultaneous celebration of an ending and a beginning. Parts of the ritual often honor and make note of those who have passed during the past year as well as welcoming those who were newly-born.

Lammas

The Sabbat of Lughnasadh/Lammas is one of the major Sabbats, and takes place from sundown on July 31st through sundown on August 1st. The ancestry of the holiday is from the Celtic, traditionally a day of feasting, games and dancing. The day is not in honor of Lugh although it was named by him in fulfillment of an oath he swore. The actual holiday honors his foster mother Taillte.

Mabon

In September is the Fall Equinox, which has come to be called Mabon by many Pagans. Occurring approximately on September 21st, this is the day when the hours of daylight and nighttime are once again balanced. Calender days from now until the Winter Solstice will slowly get shorter and shorter in their daylight hours.

Litha

Midsummer may simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 through June 24, and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different cultures. The term is almost never used to refer to astronomical mid-summer, approximately August 5.

Beltane

Beltane is one of the four "fire festivals" or "greater sabbats". Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance and its rituals.

Yule, the Winter Solstice

A Festival of Light

Yule marks the rebirth of the sun. It's celebrated on winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Discover old Pagan traditions like the Yule log, tree, goat, boar, holly and more :)

Imbolc

The holiday of Candlemas, also known as Imbolc, falls on February 2nd. The ancient Celtic goddess Brigid was honored on this day, and even after she was absorbed into the Church as St. Brigid, celebrations for her changed very little from their Pagan roots.

Ostara

March 21st is the Spring Equinox, one of the two days a year where the length of day and night are equal. Many ancient cultures noticed this, and marked the day as a special holiday.

In wilderness is the preservation of the world.
~Henry David Thoreau