The Wheel of the Year consists of eight Sabbats. All the Sabbats are solar in nature,
      marking the passing of the year with natural milestones. Some break the Sabbats down
      into major and minor, the major Sabbats being Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and
      Lughnasadh. The minor Sabbats are Yule (Winter Solstice), Ostara (Spring Equinox),
      Litha (Summer Solstice) and Mabon (Autumn Equinox). It is through these Sabbats
      that witches through out the world mark the passing of the year with celebration and
      reverence for the deities and events that each represents. These holidays are as used by
      witches in the Northern Hemisphere. The witches in the Southern Hemisphere (all you
      Australian and New Zealand witches out there) reverse the Sabbats due to the opposite
      seasons.



                                  (December 20-23)
                                   Yule, also called Winter Solstice, celebrates the rebirth
                                   of the Sun, the Sun God and honors the Horned God.
                                   On Yule we experience the longest night of the year.
                                   Although much of the winter's harshest weather is still
                                   ahead of us, we celebrate the coming light, and thank
                                   the Gods for seeing us through the longest night. It is
                                   a time to look on the past year's achievements and to
                                   celebrate with family and friends. From this day until
                                   Midsummer, the days grow longer, everyday banishing
                                   the darkness a little more in a glow of the warm
                                   sunlight that brings the world to life again. This day is
                                   the official first day of winter. This holiday will fall somewhere between the dates
                                   above and varies from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the
                                   southern most point in its yearly trek.
                
             


                                   (February 1)

                                   Imbolc, also called the Feast of Brighid, celebrates the approach
                                   of spring. The term "Imbolc" means "in milk" and at this time,
                                   pregnant sheep, or ewes, begin to lactate. This is one sure sign
                                   that spring is right around the corner. Although the days are
                                   getting longer, this is still the heart of winter and Brighid, the
                                   Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft is honored. Her
                                   gift of smithcraft comes with an added bonus, fire. This may be
                                   the reason some celebrate this day as the day of the Celtic Fire
                                   Goddess. This is a time of new beginnings and growth. At this
                                   time, think of your goals and dreams for this year that you will plant. At this time,
                                   greet the pregnant Maiden Goddess and give Her thanks for soon She will give
                                   birth to the spring.




                                   (March 20-23)

                                   Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox,
                                   celebrates the arrival of spring. This holiday will fall between the
                                   above dates depending on which day the Sun, on its northern
                                   trek, crosses the equator. Ostara marks the day when night and
                                   day are equal and balanced. Ostara, her symbol the egg and her
                                   sacred animal the rabbit, is the Norse Goddess of fertility, and it
                                   is She that is honored this day. During this time, the snow begins
                                   to melt away, the days are getting warmer and new birth is found
                                   in the fields as the ewes drop their lambs and by the budding
                                   leaves and flowers. This is a time to rejoice, dance, celebrate. Winter has passed
                                   and you have survived the harshness of the darker days. Life begins anew. This is
                                   a time to plant the seeds of our flower, herb, vegetable and spiritual gardens.
                                   What dreams will you plant to be fertilized by the earth?
                                   
                                   

                                   (May 1)

                                   Beltane, also called May Day, is a Sabbat celebrating fertility and
                                   the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess. At this
                                   time, life is renewing itself. Birds and animals are mating. In the
                                   fields, newly planted seeds are beginning to grow. Great fires are
                                   lit honoring the fertility God Belenos. Some leap the fires to
                                   show the exuberance of the season. Maypoles are erected and
                                   bright ribbons are entwined around it. The Maypole, a phallic
                                   symbol, represents the masculine. The soft, colorful ribbons
                                   represent the feminine. The union of the two symbolizes the
                                   union of the God and Goddess. This is the time to fertilize your dreams with
                                   action. It is legend that children conceived at Beltane were gifted by the gods.
                                   These children are known as Merry-Be-Gots.



                                 (June 20-23)

                                 Litha, also called Midsummer and Summer Solstice,
                                 celebrates the abundance and beauty of the Earth. This is the
                                 longest day of the year, and will fall somewhere between the
                                 dates above depending on when the Sun is at its northern
                                 most point. From this day on, the days will wane, growing
                                 shorter and shorter until Yule. The trees and fields are full
                                 and prosperous. The young animals and birds are learning to
                                 live and frolic in the fields and trees. 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. Welcome them on this day and they may bless you with their
                                 wisdom and joy. This is a time to look internally at the seeds you've planted that
                                 should be at full bloom.  



                                  (August 1)
                                  Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the Celebration of
                                  Harvest and begins what is called "the chase of Lugh". Lugh is
                                  the Celtic Sun God and He rains down upon the crops, living
                                  within the golden fields. This is the time of the first harvests.
                                  At this celebration we give thanks to the Earth for its bounty
                                  and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the
                                  upcoming winter. Honoring the God Lugh, games and sports
                                  are played to celebrate strength and good health. The grain
                                  Goddesses Demeter and Ceres are also honored. This is a time to harvest the
                                  dreams planted earlier in the year.




                                   

                                       (September 20-23)

                                       Mabon, or the Fall or Autumnal Equinox, celebrates the end
                                       of harvest. Again we find ourselves with a day and night
                                       equal. On this day, which will fall somewhere between the
                                       dates above, the Sun again passes the equator, this time on its
                                       trek south. 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. This is time for thanksgiving,
                                       evaluation and meditation. Take stock in what you've received and prepare for the
                                       dark days.



                                       
                                       (October 31)
                                       Samhain (pronounced sow-inn), also goes by the name
                                       Halloween. 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. At Mabon, the God Lugh
                                       died in order for us to live through His abundance. During the
                                       intervening time, He has gathered the spirits of those that
                                       have died over the year and waits for this night so that they
                                       may pass through the gate to the other side. 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. The abundance of the fields now gives way to the
                                       power and strength of the Horned God of the Hunt. This begins a time of
                                       darkness. From now until Yule, the days grow darker and colder. Winter storms
                                       begin to sweep down from the north. This time is the barer of many destructive
                                       forces. Yet at Samhain, we celebrate the passed year and the year to come. We
                                       light bonfires and perform rituals to honor our deceased loved ones. Many
                                       Halloween traditions stem from Samhain. The wearing of scary costumes was
                                       originally used to scare away those souls that may mean harm. Yet in spite of the
                                       costume, the spirits that know you will still be able to find you and visit. The
                                       jack-o-lantern was another means of scaring away hostile spirits, the candle within
                                       a beckoning light to those that you wish to welcome.


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