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| Wiccans celebrate nature and Earth by having eight festivals or Sabbats. Wiccans have a partnership with Mother Earth and we honor her with these days. The Wheel of the Year is a very sacred and ancient ritual calendar that marks the Sun's journey across the sky and the changing of seasons. Wiccans celebrate these holidays starting the day before until the day after the actual Sabbat date. |
Samhain (sow-en) - October 31
| Samhain is when the Wiccan year begins. It is the day to perform spells and rituals that make way for new life. It's a day to do away with the old and reign in the new. Samhain is also known as Hallomas, Samhuinn, Samonios, Samana, and Halloween in modern Christian times. It's colors are black and orange. Dieties for this Sabbat are Dying or Aging Gods, Sacrificial Gods, Crone Goddesses, Death and Otherworld Gods and Goddesses. Symbols are the cauldron, mask, balefire, and jack o'lantern. |
Yule - December 21
| Yule is the Winter Solstice celebrating the rebirth of the Sun. It's precise date will change from year to year but it is usually on or around December 21st. Yule celebrates the shortest day and the longest darkest night of the year. On this day the Goddess, Mother Earth, gives birth to the Sun once again. Yule is also known as Fionn's Day, Midwinter, and Christmas in modern Christian times. It's colors are red, green and white. Dieties for this Sabbat are Triple Goddess, Newborn Gods, and the Virgin Goddesses. Symbols are the wreath, Yule Log, holly, evergreen, and spinning wheels. |
Imbolc (EM-bowl'g) - February 1st
| Imbolc is the Sabbat that celebrates the Goddess as the Sun God's bride-to-be. All are honored on this day. Imbolc is also known as Brid's Day, Bride's Day, Imbolg, and Oimelc. This is the time for Spring cleaning. Some Wiccan's will celebrate a day called Candlemas on February 2nd. Imbolc colors are white, pale yellow and silver. Dieties for this Sabbat are Virgin, Maiden or Child Goddesses, Gods and Young Men, Boys or infants. Symbols are grain, burrowing animals, ewes, candles, and marigolds. |
Ostara - March 20
| Ostara is the Spring Equinox and the Sabbat of Balance. Day and night are of equal length and the days begin to grow longer than the nights. A time of renewed life. Ostara is also known as Lady Day or Eostre. Ostara colors are anything soft like pastels. Dieties for this Sabbat are Warrior Gods, Youthful Gods and Goddesses, and Faerie Queens. Symbols are the equilateral cross, the butterfly and the egg. |
Beltane - May 1
| Beltane marks the second major cycle of the year. This Sabbat is a celebration of new life in all it's forms. This is the day the God and Goddess are united in sacred marriage and their relationship is consummated. To me this day is special because it is my favorite time for Handfasting or Wiccan marriage ceremonies. Beltane is also known as May Day, Bealtaine, Rudemas, Bhealltainn, and Giamonios. Beltane colors are red and white (symbols of the God and Goddess). Dieties for this Sabbat are Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, and Dieties of the Hunt. Symbols are baskets, flowers, butterchurns and the May Pole. |
Midsummer - June 20
| Midsummer is the Summer Solstice and the time when Father Sun reaches the highest power, Mother Earth is green and holds the promise of a bountiful harvest. Midsummer is also known as Litha, Gathering Day, and Feill-Sheathain. Midsummer colors are green and sometimes blue. Dieties for this Sabbat are Pregnant, lusty Goddesses and Gods at Peak Power or Strength. Symbols are feathers, sun dials, fire, and swords. Herbs for this Sabbat are vervain, chamomile, rose, lavender and carnation. |
Lughnasadh (Loo-NAHS-ah) - August 1
| Lughnasadh is a grain harvest festival. We are reminded at this time that nothing in nature remains constant. Also known as Lammas, Elembiuos and August Eve. It's colors are gray, green, yellow and gold. Dieties for this Sabbat are Harvest and Grain Dieties and New Mother Goddesses. Symbols are grains, cornucopias, breads and threshing tools. |
Mabon - September 22
| Mabon is t he Autumn Equinox and the second harvest festival of the year. This Sabbat celebrates the harvest of the vine, apples and wine as symbols of life renewed. Day and night are equal once more as the God prepares to travel toward renewal and rebirth from the Goddess. Mabon is also known as Wine harvest or Feast of Avalon. It's colors are maroon, orange, russet, orange and other colors of Autumn. Dieties of this Sabbat are Wine Gods, Aging Gods and Goddesses, and Harvest Dieties. Symbols are wine, vine, gourd, apple, cornucopias, burial cairns and garland. |
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