The Wheel of the Year

The Eight Sabbats
The Sabbats are celebrated with the changes in season. In essence, they tell the story of the God and Goddess, and Witches are reminded of the passing of seasons and the changes in nature.

• Samhain - Celebrated on October 31, this is the beginning of the Wheel of the Year, known as the Witches New Year, marking the darkest time of the year. It is a time when the spirit world and the living world are very close, and some invite the spirits of the deceased to celebrate with them. At this time, Witches hope to get messages from passed relatives or other kindred spirits. The God dies at Samhain, and we honor Him as the Horned God of those who have passed onto the next plain, animal and human alike. The Goddess mourns His passing, and the Earth prepares for the coming Winter.
  
  
• Yule - Celebrated on or about December 21, the winter solstice, this is when the days grow longer and the nights shorter. The Sun is seen as the God, reborn of the Goddess at Yule, and bringing with Him the longer days. Witches say goodbye to winter and prepare to welcome Spring.
  
  
• Imbolc - Celebrated on February 1 or 2, this is the night between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Nature begins to emerge from the cloak of Winter's snows, and the Goddess is recovering from the birth of the God.
  
  
• Ostara - Celebrated on or about March 21, this is the spring equinox. This is when night and day are equal. Seeds may be blessed and sown, and some Witches honor the Goddess with colored eggs. The God is growing, and coming into maturity, Spring is beginning, and the Goddess is seen all around us.
  
  
• Beltane - Celebrated on the last day of April, the eve of the first of May, or May first, this is one of the most sacred Sabbats. The God is mature and beautiful, the Goddess is fertile, as is the land. The God and Goddess join together on this day, and the Goddess becomes pregnant with the God. Plants are blooming, and all Nature is alive and fragrant. Fire jumping and weaving are traditional at Beltane.
  
  
• Midsummer - Celebrated on or about June 21, the longest day of the year. Herbs are taditionally gathered now and fires are lit to honor the God and Goddess. This is the time of the longest light from the Sun, the God, and we honor Him at this time.
  
  
• Lammas - Celebrated August first, this is the first harvest. It is a time for thanksgiving for the grain harvest. The God and Goddess are honored for giving us sustanance again for yet another year, and the Earth is supplying us all with nourishment and beauty.
  
  
• Mabon - Celebrated September 21, the autumn equinox, when the night starts to get longer. Witches begin to say goodbye to the spring and summer, and nautre prepares for the sleep of winter. The Sun, the God, is starting to wither, and the Goddess prepares for Winter, and to say goodbye to the God, even as She is pregnant with Him.