The 8 Sabbats

• Imbolc

-Imbolc is celebrated February 1st. Imbolc is also known as the Feast of Brighid, and celebrates the coming of spring. This is a time of new beginnings and growth. This holiday honors Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft. Also sometimes known as the Celtic Fire Goddess.
• Ostara

-Ostara is celebrated March 20-23. Ostara is also known as the Spring Equinox, and celebrates the arrival of spring. Ostara marks the day when night and day are equal and balanced. This holiday honors the Norse Goddess of Fertility.
• Beltane

-Beltane is celebrated May 1st. Beltane is also known as May Day, and celebrates fertility and the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess.
• Litha

-Litha is celebrated June 20-23. Litha is also known as Midsummer or Summer Solstice, and celebrates the abundance and beauty of the Earth. This is the longest day of the year. This is a time of the Faery, when a festival called the Feast of the Faery is held. It is believed that at twilight on this day, the portals between worlds open and the faery folk my pass into our world.
• Lughnasadh

-Lughnasadh is celebrated August 1st. Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas, and celebrates the Celebration of Harvest and begins what is called "the chase of Lugh". This holiday honors the Celtic Sun God Lugh. The grain Goddesses Demeter and Ceres are also honored.
• Mabon

-Mabon is celebrated September 20-23. Mabon is also known as Fall or Autumnal Equinox, and celebrates the end of harvest. At this time the "chase of Lugh" ends with the felling of the last shaft of grain. It is within this last shaft that Lugh has hidden, but with His death, His sacrifice, we live through His abundance.
• Samhain

-Samhain is celebrated October 31. Samhain is also known as All Hallows, All Hallow's Eve, Hallow E'en, and Halloween. The most magical night of the year. Exactly opposite Beltane on the wheel of the year, Halloween is Beltane's dark twin. Samhain is the most important holiday to a witch. All Hallow's Eve is the eve of All Hallow's Day (November 1st). This is our time of endings and our time of beginnings, so at Samhain, we celebrate the New Year. This is a quieter time, a time when the veil between worlds is thin and the spirits may pass more easily. This is the time to revere our ancestors and to say farewell to those that have passed this last year. It is also a time of divination.
• Yule

-Yule is celebrated December 20-23. Yule is also known as Winter Solstice, and celebrates the rebirth of the Sun, the Sun God, and honors the Horned God. This day is the official first day of winter. On Yule we experience the longest night of the year. It is a time to look on the past year's achievements and to celebrate with family and friends.










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