The eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year are the eight seasonal festivals which mark the changing of the seasons and the cycle of the Sun throughout the ritual year.
In the northern hemisphere, these eight Sabbats are:
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| The Eight Sabbats The eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year are the eight seasonal festivals which mark the changing of the seasons and the cycle of the Sun throughout the ritual year. In the northern hemisphere, these eight Sabbats are: |
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| Samhain Oct. 31 (All Hallows Eve, or "Hallowe'en"; November Eve) The Witches' New Year. The Goddess descends to the Underworld, and the Wheel once again begins the eternal Cycle of Life. It is on this day that the world of men and the Spirit realm are at their closest. It is traditionally a time to remember those who have gone before us. (Note: although the pronunciation of "Samhain" varies in different Celtic dialects, "sow'-en" is perhaps the most commonly used | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winter Solstice approx. Dec. 21 (Midwinter; Yule, or "Wheel") The longest night of the year; from this time on, the days start increasing in length. The Lord of Light is reborn of the Goddess, the Divine Birth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Candlemas Feb. 2 (Imbolg or Oimelc, "in the belly") It is the 'quickening' or stirring, the promise of Spring to come, for life once again begins to stir in the barren and sleeping land. The Goddess returns from the Underworld. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vernal Equinox approx. Mar. 21 Day and night are equal, but day is increasing - the Light has conquered the darkness. The Young Lord has proven Himself, and been given His Name and Arms by the Mother. The Green God arises in the fields. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beltane April 30 (May Eve) It is the day of unbridled passion, of the Love Chase - of the Courtship of the God and Goddess. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer Solstice approx. June 21 (Midsummer) This Sabbat marks the longest day of the year, and from this time forward the days decrease in length; the Sun has reached its height, and the Lord of Light begins to wane in strength. The Sacred Marriage of the God and Goddess. This is a time to celebrate, for the fields are planted, and there is a brief rest before the coming harvest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lammas July 31("Loaf mass", also called Lughnassad, "Commemoration of Lugh"; August Eve) The First-Fruits of the Harvest, and as such a day of giving thanks - but also one of sacrifice as the God-King becomes a willing sacrifice to ensure the success of the next planting season. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autumn Equinox approx. Sept. 21 Night and day are equal, with night increasing in length; it is the time that we bid farewell to the warm embraces of the Sun God, for He has died and resurrected to become the Leader of the Wild Hunt - and also the Lord of the Dead in the shadows of the Underworld. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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