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         The Wiccan Sabbats

Imbolc (February 1)

One of the four Greater Sabbats. The Goddess has just given birth to a son (the newly waxing sun) at Yule, and is recovering from her labor. The God is pictured as a young child. It is a celebration of the first stirrings of Spring, and as such is associated with new beginnings, purifications, and inspiration. It is a traditional time for initiations, either of new covens, new members entering covens, or self-initiations/dedications. Sacred to the Goddess Brighid, other names for the celebration include: Brighid, Oimelc and Candlemas.

Ostara (March 21)

The Spring Equinox. One of the Lesser Sabbats. Day and Night are equal in length. The earth is becoming awake and alive, and the young God is approaching maturity. It is a time of planting and welcoming back the fertility of the earth.

Beltane (May 1)

One of the Greater Sabbats. The God has reached manhood, and the Goddess is ready to receive him as her lover. This holiday celebrates the union of the Goddess and the God, and is a major fertility festival. The maypole is wrapped with ribbons to symbolize this union. Fields and livestock are blessed, and people jump bonefires to ensure luck.

Litha (June 21)

One of the Lesser Sabbats, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice. It is the longest day of the year when the Sun is at its zenith, and consequently the shortest night. The Sun reaches its peak, and we enjoy the warmth of the longest day of the year. In times past, sacred fires were built on hilltops. People danced ceremonially around the fire for luck and protection. Burning herbs were taken from the flames and used to bless the livestock. Burning herbs in sacred fires at Midsummer is a tradition that is still carried on today. It is also a festival of community sharing and planetary service, and as such it is an ideal time to make a pledge to Mother Earth of something that you will do to improve the environment or the welfare our fellow creatures -- human or animal -- and then begin carrying it out. In many Wiccan traditions, Midsummer symbolizes the end of the reign of the waxing year's Oak-King, who is now replaced by the Holly-King of the waning year (who rules until Winter Solstice). The Goddess is viewed as pregnant from her union with the God at Beltane. The child she carries is a reincarnation of the God, who will be born again at Yule.

Lughnassad (August 1)

One of the Greater Sabbats, also known as Lammas or the Feast of Bread. This holiday marks the time of the first harvest. The sun loses its strength and the nights grow longer. The God is dying, and yet lives on inside the Goddess as her child. The God is now seen in the seed, in the grain, and is remembered and honored with the first loaves of bread.

Mabon (September 21)

One of the Lesser Sabbats, this is the Fall Equinox. It is completion of the harvest begun at Lughnassad. Day and night are equal, and it is a time of balance. The God prepares to travel through the Otherworld towards renewal and rebirth. It is a time of contemplating what things in our own personal lives we have grown and harvested during the year.

Samhain (October 31)

One of the Greater Sabbats. Commonly known as Halloween. Wiccans say farewell to the God as he travels through the underworld to be reborn at Yule. This was traditionally a time of sacrifice, as livestock were slaughtered to ensure food throughout the winter. The God fell as well to ensure our continuing existence. This is a time of reflection and coming to terms with the one thing in life which we have no control - death. This is a time of remembrance of their ancestors and all those who have gone before. This holiday marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new, and is frequently thought of as the Pagan new year.

Yule (December 21)

One of the Lesser Sabbats. This is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Goddess gives birth to a the God as the reborn sun, and in many traditions it is celebrated just before dawn to welcome his arrival. Candles and bonfires are frequently lit to welcome his arrival. The returning light completes the cycle of life, death and rebirth. In many Wiccan traditions, Yule symbolizes the end of the reign of the waning year's Holly-King, who is now replaced by the Oak-King of the waning year (who rules until Summer Solstice).