wheeloftheyear

The Celts marked their calendar year on the cycles of the sun (or seasons). These cycles celebrate eight seasonal festivals of the solar year, generally called the Wheel of the Year. These eight "Sabbats" are ritualized in various myths of Goddess and God, as they correlate with the cycles of Earth and Sun in the ever-changing agricultural cycle.

The eight-fold cycle of the Sabbats is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth. From its myths, and from our living within the cycles of Nature, we see the inevitability of change, the power of transformation and the promise that out of the death that is change, renewal will come.

Although mainly a Wiccan practice, many on the Celtic path have also added the moon into their festivals. These festivals of the moon are called 'Esbats'.

There are 8 major (Sabbats) and 12 minor sabbats (Esbats) in the Celtic Year. One of the differences between Druids and Wiccans is that Druids only celebrate the Sabbats.

Sabbats:

Samhain (October 31). Known throughout the world as Halloween, Hallows or All Hallows Eve. This festival is the only one that deals with the dead. Samhain marks the last day of the calendar year. For the Celts, this meant that all unfinished business was to be completed. Gathering herds, tilling crops, unpaid debts paid. The main factor for this day though was to honor those who had died during the year so that their spirits not be allowed any discomfort or displeasure lest they walk the face of the earth.
Yule (December 21 or 22). A solar festival, Yule falls on the first day of winter - the day the Sun is reborn to warm the Earth. The most common theme during this holiday is the battle between the aging Holly King who represents darkness and the young Oak King who symbolizes the light of the new year. Lighting of Yule logs is done during this time encouraging the Sun's easy birth and asking it to cast its warm rays upon us. This holiday was Christianized as Christmas.
Imbolc (February 2). Also known as Brigid's Day or Candelmas. More commonly known as Groundhog Day. Imbolc means "In the belly" and is a celebration of the first fetal stirrings of the Earth and although this is a fire festival, the emphasis is not on heat, but of light as light is necessary to guide spring's path to us. This day is also of purification. Its symbolized by sweeping out old dust of the mind, body and spirit.
Ostara (March 20 or 21). Known as the Vernal Equinox, Ostara marks the rekindling of life within the Earth and the renewal of fertility to our spiritual lives. This fertility festival and the Christian Easter both get their names from this pagan Goddess. The symbol of this holiday is the egg - the beginning of all life. Strangely enough, the tale of the Easter bunny comes from a pagan legend.
Beltane (April 30 or May 1). Also known as May Day. Beltane is a fire and fertility festival in which we welcome summer and coax it to join us. This festival begins at sunset April 30 and continues through sunset on May 1. Beltane fires burned continuously throughout the entire celebration as a symbol of the sun's lengthening reign in the sky.
Midsummer (June 21 or 22). Known as Summer Solstice or Litha or St. John's Day, this festival is the celebration of the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Midsummer is a celebration of service, sharing and give ourselves to our planet and our community.
Lammas (July 31 and August 1). Lammas or Lughnasadh marks the middle of summer and the beginning of the harvest season.
Mabon (September 20 or 21). Named for the Welsh God, Mabon, whose name means Great Sun, this festival marks the beginning of the autumnal equinox and the second harvest festival. Here the Earth's bounty is celebrated and thanks and blessings are offered for what She brings us. It is the closest thing to a 'Thanksgiving'.

Esbats:

The Esbats, although denoted as minor festivals in Druid beliefs, nevertheless, are important to Wiccans. Esbats are lunar festivals and are celebrated on the eve of the full moon.

December - The Oak Moon. The Oak Moon symbolizes the male aspect of Divinity and the natural flow between the worlds of mundanity and spirituality.
January - Wolf Moon. The Wolf Moon occurs during the time of year when predator food supplies are scarce and wolves often come into villages searching for food. Wolves live in packs and depend upon each other for survival. Heed the lesson of the wolf moon and spend quality time with your family and friends.
February - Storm Moon. During the Storm Moon we honor the silent winter storms that cover the Earth with frosty ice and snow. Beneath the snowy blanket, Mother Nature rests and regenerates renewing her energies for the growing season ahead.
March - the Seed Moon. With the coming of the Seed Moon, Mother Earth begins to stir. Spring will soon come.
April - Hare Moon. The Hare Moon grants the Earth limitless fertility.
May - The Dyad Moon. The Dyad Moon is important because it honors the Lord and Lady's marriage and its consumation on the Earth. A time of fertility.
June - The Mead or Honey Moon. Heralds the end of fertility and the beginning of life anew. A time of change.
July - The Wort Moon. Wort means herb. The moon heralds the beginning of our personal spiritual harvests.Grain sustains us and holds the mysteries of life. It is a rememberance of ancestors; of who we came from.
August - The Barley Moon. This moon signifies harvest but is different from Wort Moon as this moon heralds the reaping of grain fields.
September - The Wine or Harvest Moon. This moon rises during the time of the grape harvest. As wine ingestion alters the state of conciousness ancient people believed this put them in touch with the Divine Self and its wisdom. Harvest Moon is a celebration of Spirit.
October - Blood Moon. The blood moon opens up the hunting season. We thank the animals who gave their lives to sustain us.
November - The Snow Moon. Signifies the waning of sunlight and the coming of darkness.