Wiccan Sabbots (Holidays)

Samhain (October 31st)

Samhain marks the Celtic New Year, and is the day when the veil between this world and the Otherworld is most transparent. The spirits of dead relatives and ancestors walk the earth, visit friends and family, and join in any celebrations. Food and drink should be left out for the spirit travelers and candles should be placed in windows to guide loved ones home. This night is the most important festival of the year.
On this night the God dies, the Goddess goes in mourning for her son, and the world turns dark. We are then under the Goddess as Crone, or wise old woman. Many Celts, both Pagan and Christian, visit graveyards at this time. Feasts are made in remembrance of those we loved and lost, and as a remembrance of our own continuance of life. It is a time of throwing out old ideas and bad habits, and making "new year resolutions."
Customs include bonfires, apple games, costumes, tricks (trick or treat), feasting, and pumpkin carving. Sacred foods would include acorns, apples, red meats, red wine, squash, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnips, and of course pumpkin and sweets.

Yule (December 21)

Yule takes place on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. From this day until midsummer, the sun grows stronger. Now the sun would be at its lowest point and is therefore a festival of light that encourages the growth of the sun. Yes, most Christmas traditions were fostered from this festival.
Customs include Yule logs, kissing under mistletoe, lighting bright candles (lights), hanging evergreen, and decorating trees. Sacred foods such as wine, white cakes, and mints were devoured at the feasts.

Imbolc (February 1st-2nd)

Imbolc, is the Festival of Milk, and marks the mid-point of the dark half of the year, celebrating the coming of spring. This is Bridget day, the fire She kindled at Yule shines bright in swollen pregnant bellies, and milk begins to flow. Hearths are cleaned, fires put out and relit, and blessed on Bridget's behalf.
Pot-luck feasts are held, with mead and fresh milk to drink. Imbolc is a festival of light and rebirth. It is a time to meditate; let the mind, and soul see what needs done before spring comes. At sundown, light candles to welcome the upcoming brightness and renewal of Spring.

Ostara (March 21st)

March 21st is Ostara and marks the Spring Equinox, when day and night equal in length. Birds begin nesting and laying eggs. Eggs are symbolic of rebirth, and fertility. The Celts would paint eggs with symbols and pictures of what one wishes to manifest in the future. The eggs would then be buried in the Earth, who would then hear the dreams of Her children.
Ashes from sacred fires, or handfuls of soil from a high mountaintop are scattered on newly sown fields. Offerings of food and milk are left for fairies who live in and around rocks and are responsible for fertility of the land. Water is the main entrance to the Otherworld during this festival.
High hilltops are visited and there bonfires are lit, and picnics of eggs, cakes, figs, and ale are enjoyed. The figs symbolize fertility, the fruit being the female element, and the leaf being the male. Birds and Cows are special animals of this occasion. 

Beltaine (May 1st)

The first day of may, is a time to honor all life and celebrate with gusto! It was primarily a fertility festival, and is a promising time for conception. May to the Celts was a month of sexual freedom when trial marriages of one year and a day could be contracted. If it was no longer working after that time, the partners simply went their separate ways.
Customs include maypoles (symbolic erected poles for dancing around), wearing and decorating with flowers, and bright colors. People would feast on sweets, mead (of course), cakes, cookies, fruit, and milk.

Midsummer (June 21st)

This is when the waxing sun reaches it's highest point before going back into darkness. It is the longest day of the year and the earth is lush and green. Many of the customs of Beltaine are also celebrated at Midsummer, probably because of the clear weather. Maypole dancing, fertility rites, and the most famous bonfire are a few.
Decorate your house with fresh flowers and keep it full of light to represent the sun. On this night faerie folk gather in great numbers, so do not forget to honor them in any observances.

Lughnasadh (August 1st or 2nd)

A festival to honor the deity Lugh, this day represents the first of the harvest festivals. Lugh was a poet, silversmith, healer, warrior, magician, musician, and blacksmith. He was God of the Harvest, Fire, and Sun. The harvest festival offers corn, wheat, and August fruits and Vegetables. It is a time to discuss the years harvest and upcoming plans. Contests of strength and skill were performed by some and witnessed at others. This was also a popular time for marriages.
This should be the day when you most honor the earth and thank her for providing you with food, water, and shelter. Honor the Mother through games, singing, storytelling, competition, contests, feasting, and marriages.

Mabon (September 21)

Once again the hours of day and night are in balance. However, this time the sun is weakening, not growing. This is time belonging to winter and darkness. A major time of rest, take a deep breath and look back on the past months - meditate and reflect. To the Celts this also marked the main apple harvest.