The Wiccan Wheel could basically be called be our Year. It goes by the waning and waxing of the Moon, the changing seasons, progression through the houses of the Zodiac, the agricultural year, and the solar year with its cycle of the sun/earth relationship. There are eight major holidays we celebrate throughout the year.
Greater Sabbats:
February 2: Imbolc
May 1: Beltane
August 1: Lughnasadh
October 31: Samhain
Lesser Sabbats (also called Esbats):
Spring Equinox: Eostre
Summer Solstice: Litha
Autumn Equinox: Mabon
Winter Solstice: Yule
The Esbats have approximate dates as they go by the changing of the seasons.
Greater Sabbats
Imbolc - February 2 - also known as Imbolg, Oimelc, Candlemas, and Earrach. This is the day when life starts stirring under the frozen ground. The God (the Sun) also grows in size and strength on Imbolc. It is celebrated with a "fire festival of lights" and is sacred to the Irish goddess Brigid. Witches light candles and start spring cleaning on this day.
Beltane - May 1 - also known as May Eve, Samradh, Cetsamain and Walpurgis Night. This time of year the light has grown longer during the day, and the Lord and Maiden celebrate their relationship. It's a fire and fertility festival that transforms the Maiden to Mother. Beltane Eve is the best time for the Great Rite. Witches gather dew on May morning, put flowers on our altars, leave offerings for fairies, and tend sacred places like groves and wells. It is sacred to Maia, the Greco-Roman goddess of Spring.
Lughnasadh - August 1 - also known as Lammas, Lunasa and Hlafmass, and the Festival of Loaves. It is a festival of fire and light and the beginning of the harvest, but it's also the day of mourning for the death of the God because of the shorter days. Witches bake bread, put grain on our altars, count our blessings and give thanks to the Goddess. It is named after the Celtic god Lugh/Llew, Lord of Light.
Samhain - October 31 - also called Halloween, Allantide, Geimredh, and All Hallows Eve. The days grow darker and winter is initiated. The Goddess enters her time of sleeping and dreaming, while the God awaits rebirth. It is the end of start of the new year, and this day can be spent celebrating in costume parties, balls, or just as a night of honoring ancestors and contacting departed loved ones.
Lesser Sabbats
Spring Equinox - March 21 - also called Ostara and Eostre. The day and night are perfect balance, and the God and Godess start their courtship. It is a solar festival of fire, light, and fertility, and witches follow the old pagan custom of dying or painting hard-boiled eggs, then balance the eggs on their ends to symbolize equilibrium. They work magic to balance any imbalances in their lives. It is sacred to and named after the Saxon goddess of Spring, called Ostara or Eostre.
Summer Solstice - June 21 - also called Litha and Midsummer. The Goddess is pregnant and the God is at his full power. It's the longest day of the year and marks the division of the year. Witches celebrate abundance, fertility, virility, the beauty and bounty of Nature. This is a good time for handfastings and male rituals, powerful magick, and communing with nature spirits and faeries.
Autumn Equinox - September 21 - also called Mabon. Crops are harvested and the days are again balanced. The Goddess is pregnant with the 'Child of Promise' and the Sun waiting to be reborn. It is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and give thanks. Witches put the fruits of the season on our altars, bake bread and pies, work magic to balance imbalances.
Winter Solstice - December 21 - also called Longest Nights. The Goddess gives birth to the God, the Child of Promise who is reborn with the returning Sun. It is a joyous celebration with friends and family, of peace, love, and positive energy. celebration of family and friends, of peace and love and positive energy. Witches incorporate ancient pagan traditions into the festivities, like yule logs, giving gifts, wassail cups, mistletoe charms, bringing evergreens into the home and decorating a tree.
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