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Yule - December 21 - This Sabbat represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the Goddess give birth to the Sun Child and hope of new light is reborn. Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind.

Candlemas - February 2 - Candlemas involves celebrations of banishing the winter and welcoming the spring. At the time of Candlemas, the newborn Sun God is seen as a small child nursing from his Mother. At this phase of the cycle, winter is swept away and new beginnings are nurtured. Some Wiccan groups favor this time of the year for initiations into the Craft. It is traditional at Candlemas to lisght every lamp in the house for a few minutes in honour of the Sun's rebirth.

Ostara - March 21 - The Spring Equinox is the point of equilibrium - the balance is suspended just before spring bursts forth from winter. The God and Goddess are young children at play and holiday festivals use brightly coloured eggs to represent the child within. Ostar is a time for collecting wildflowers, walking in nature's beautyu and cultivating herb gardens. This is a time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back. The altar should be decorated with flowers. Dishes made with seeds, nuts and leafy vegetables are traditionally eaten.

Beltane - April 30, May 1 - Beltane is the time of the sacred marriage which honours the fertility of the earth, it represents the divine union between the Lord and Lady. Celebrations include weaving a web of life around the Maypole and leaping the Beltane fire for luck. Wiccan handfastings are common at this festival. This is a time of self-discovery, love, union and developing your potential for personal growth.

Midsummer - June 21 - The Summer solstice, the longest day, is a time of triumph for the light. This holiday represents the Sun King in all his glory. In many jWiccan celebrations, this is when the Oak King, who represents the waxing year, is triumphed over by the Holly King, who represents the waning year. The two are one: The Oak King is the growing youth while the Holly King is the mature man. Healings and love magick are especially suitable at this time. Midsummer Night's Eve is supposed to be a good time to commune with field and forest sprites and faeries.

Lammas - August 2 - This is the celbration of the first fruits of the harvest. The Sun King now the Dark Lord, gives his energy to the crops to ensure life while the Mother prepares to give way to her aspect as the Crone. Now is the time to teach what you have learned, to share the fruits of your achievements with the world. Wheat weaving, such as the making of corn dollies, is traditional. Bread is baked and the altar is decorated with fruits and vegetables of the harvest.

Mabon - September 21 - At the Autumn Equinox, the days and nights are equal. It is a time of balance but light gives way to increased darkness. It is the second harvest, and the Goddess mourns her fallen consort, but the emphasis is on the message of rebirth that can be found in the harvest seeds. It is a good time to walk the forests, gathering dried plants for use as altar decorations or herbal magick.

Samhain - October 31 - Samhain, popularly known as hallowe'en, is the Witches' New Year. It is said to be the time when the veil between the worlds is very thin, when souls that are leaving this physical plane can pass out and souls that are reincarnating can pass in. Darkness increases and the Goddess reigns as the Crone, part of the three-in-one that also includes the Maden and Mother. The God, the Dark Lord, passes into the underworld to become the seed of his own rebirth. Many pagans prepare a Feast for the Dead on Samhain night, where they leave offerings of food and drink for the spirits. Divination is hightened this night. Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider, fall foliage can be used as altar decorations