Wiccan seasonal days of celebration are called Sabbats. There are a total of 8 Sabbats: 4 minor and 4 major. Each is spaced about 45 days apart throughout the year.
The 4 Minor Sabbats are timed to the beginning of each season. They are the two Equinoxes of 21st March and 21st September when the daytime and night-time are each 12 hours long, and the two Solstices, of 21st December, (the longest night of the year) and 21st June (the shortest night of the year).
The exact date of these Sabbats varies from year to year according to the position of the sun in the astrological houses, and may occur from the 20th to 23rd of the month.
The 4 Major Sabbats are approximately half-way between an equinox and solstice. Different Wiccan traditions assign various names and dates to these festivals. Perhaps the most common names are Celtic.
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Wiccan seasonal days of celebration are called Sabbats. There are a total of 8 Sabbats: 4 minor and 4 major. Each is spaced about 45 days apart throughout the year.
The 4 Minor Sabbats are timed to the beginning of each season. They are the two Equinoxes of 21st March and 21st September when the daytime and night-time are each 12 hours long, and the two Solstices, of 21st December, (the longest night of the year) and 21st June (the shortest night of the year).
The exact date of these Sabbats varies from year to year according to the position of the sun in the astrological houses, and may occur from the 20th 23rd of the month.
The 4 Major Sabbats are approximately half-way between an equinox and solstice. Different Wiccan traditions assign various names and dates to these festivals. Perhaps the most common names are Celtic.
Many Wiccans also hold special celebrations at or near the time of each full moon; some also celebrate the new moons.
Imbolc:- 2nd February
Also called Oimelc and Candlemas, Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the land and the growing power of the Sun.
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Spring Equinox [Eoster]:- 20th/23rd March
Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the spring.
Beltane:-1st May
Pagans celebrate Beltane with maypole dances, symbolizing the mystery of the Sacred Marriage of Goddess and God.
Summer Solstice [Litha]:- 20th/23rd June
The longest day of the year.
Lammas [Lughnasadh]:- 1st August
A harvest festival and one of the Pagan festivals of Celtic origin which split the year into four.
Autumn Equinox [Mabon]:- 20th/23rd September
This day is celebrated when day and night are of equal duration.
Samhain [Halloween]:- 31st October
Samhain marks the Feast of the Dead. Many Pagans also celebrate it as the old Celtic New Year (although some mark this at Imbolc).
Winter Solstice [Yule]:- 20th/23rd December
Yule is the time of the winter solstice, when the sun child is reborn, an image of the return of all new life born through the love of the Gods. Within the Northern Tradition Yule is regarded as the New Year.
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