The Grand Sabbats are Lunar in character, and in former times were tied to the Lunar Calendar.
The Lesser Sabbats are Solar in nature and are the Equinoxes and Solstices of the Sun, on which the Solar calendar is based.
As the year is divided into a Dark and a Light half, there are two Grand Sabbats and two Lesser Sabbats in each.
A list of the eight Sabbats follows :
Dark half of the year
SAMHAIN- November 1. - Grand Sabbat- Lunar
YULE -December 20-22. Celebrated on the Midwinter Solstice, date varies. Lesser Sabbat-Solar
IMBOLC -February 1. Grand Sabbat - Lunar
OSTARA -March 20-22. Celebrated on the Vernal Equinox, date varies. Lesser Sabbat - Solar
Light half of the Year
BEALTEINNE -May 1. Begins the Light half of the Year. Grand Sabbat - Lunar
MIDSUMMER -June 20-22. Celebrated on the Summer Solstice, date varies Lesser Sabbat - Solar
LUGHNASSADH -August 1- Grand Sabbat - Lunar
MABON -September 20-22. Celebrated on the Autumnal Equinox, date varies.Lesser Sabbat - Solar
