Yule- Dec. 22
Imbolc- Feb 2
Ostara- March. 22
Beltane- April 30
Litha- June 22
Lughnasadh- July 31
Mabon- Sept 22
Throught the Sabbats witches throughout the world mark the passing of the year with celebration for the deities and events that each represents.
The word Sabbat comes from the Greek word "sabatu" which means "to rest" It is tradition that no magick be performed on these eight days because they are a day of rest.
The Pagan Sabbats have been observed for over 12 000 years by many different traditions. The Sabbats are derived from Norse, Celtic, Teutonic, Roman and Greek paths. Their original festivals marked the seasons of the year for planting, tending and for harvesting.
The Sabbats marked the planting and harvesting times, the seasons of the year and the cycle of life lived by the God and Goddess. The beginning of the year for most witches is marked by Samhain.
The eight Sabbats mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year and each turn honors a stage in the life cycle of the Goddess and the God. The God goes through the cycles of birth, death, and of rebirth and the Goddess goes through the cycles of life from Maiden to Mother to Crone.
There are four Greater Sabbats and four Lessor Sabbats that mark the seasons. The four Greater Sabbats are:
Samhain
Imbolc
Beltane
Lughnasadh
The four Lessor Sabbats are:
Yule
Ostara
Litha
Mabon
Each Sabbat's opposite festival falls directly across from it on the wheel of the year, they are six months apart.
