There are eight major festivals, also known as Sabbats each year. These festivals honor the cycle of not only the earth but of life itself. Joining in these celebrations helps us join with the wheel of life and promotes harmony and balance in our lives. These are the 8 Sabbat and where they fall on the Wheel. 

The Four Solar Festivals or Quarter Days

Winter Solstice – Yule -Dec 21st/22nd – The rebirth of the Sun. When the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half.

Spring Equinox – Ostara -Mar 21st/22nd – The arrival of spring. Celebrating the fertility of the world around us.

Summer Solstice – Lithia – Midsummers Eve -June 21st/22nd – The longest day of the year. Marking the astronomical beginning of summer.

Autumn Equinox – Harvest – Mabon -Sept 21st/22nd – When night and day are equal in their duration. A harvest festival of “reaping what you’ve sown.” A moment of perfect balance.

The Four Fire Festivals or Cross-quarter Days

Candlemas, Imbolc, Oimelc, Brigit – 1–2 Feb (or 2–7 Feb) – The Midwinter festival of lights. Candles are lit to welcome the coming of the light and spring.

Beltane, Beltaine, May Day – 1 May (or 4–10 May) – Half way between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. A celebration of fertility, fire and abundance.

Lammas, 1st Harvest, Festival of First Fruits – 1–2 Aug (or 3–10 Aug) – The first harvest festival of the year. A time of ripeness and fruitfulness celebrating that the hot summer days are drawing to a close.

Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Feast of the Dead, Halloween – 31 Oct – 2 Nov (or 5–10 Nov) – The festival marking the end of harvest season. The beginning of the darker half of the year and winter months to come.

The Sabbats are seasonal festivals marking the turning of the Wheel of the year and the cycles of life and nature. Joining in their celebration keeps you in tune with the wheel of life.