Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of theYear is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals. It consists of either four oreight festivals: either the solstices and equinoxes, known as the "quarterdays", or the four midpoints between, known as the "cross quarterdays"; traditions often celebrate all eight festivals.

The major Sabbatsare: Candlemas, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain. The four minor Sabbats are: SpringEquinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.

Major Sabbats

Candlemas Sabbat(also known as Imbolc, Oimelc and Lady Day) is celebrated annually on February2. Candlemas is a Fire Festival which celebrates the coming of Spring. ThisSabbat represents new beginnings and spiritual growth, and "the sweepingout of the old" is symbolized by the sweeping of the circle with a besomor Witch's broom.

Beltane Sabbat(also known as May Day, Rood Day, Rudemas and Walpurgisnacht) is celebratedannually on May Eve/May First. Beltane is derived from an ancient Druid FireFestival celebrating the union of the Goddess and the Horned God, and thus is afertility festival. Beltane also celebrates the returning Sun God (or sun).

Lammas Sabbat (alsoknown as Lughnasadh, August Eve, and the First Festival of Harvest) iscelebrated annually on August 1/2. Lammas is the first Festival of Harvest. OnLammas, Witches give thanks to the gods for the harvest and honor the fertilityaspect of the sacred union of the Goddess and God.

Samhain Sabbat(also known as Halloween, Hallowmas, All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Eve,Festival of the Dead and Third Festival of Harvest) is celebrated annually onOctober 31. Samhain is the most important of all eight Sabbats. Samhaincelebrates the end of the Goddess-ruled Summer and marks the arrival of theGod-rule Winter. Samhain is also the Celtic/Druid New Year, the beginning ofthe cider season and solemn rite and festival of the dead.

Minor Sabbats

Spring Equinox(also known as Vernal Equinox Sabbath, Festival of the Trees, Ostara and Riteof Eostre) is celebrated annually on the first day of spring. The SpringEquinox Sabbat is a fertility rite and celebrates the birth of Spring and thereawakening of life from the earth.

Summer Solstice(also known as Midsummer, Litha and Saint John's Day)is celebrated annually on the first day ofsummer. Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year when the Sun is atits zenith. This day symbolizes the power of the sun which marks an importantturning point on the Great Solar Wheel of the Year.

Autumn Equinox(also known as Fall Sabbat and Second Festival of Harvest) is celebratedannually on the first day of autumn. Autumn Equinox is time to celebrate thecompletion of the grain harvest which began at Lammas. It is also time forthanksgiving, meditation and introspection.

Winter SolsticeSabbat(also known as Yule, Winter Rite, and Midwinter) is celebrated annuallyon the first day of winter. Winter Solstice is the longest day of the year. Itis the festival of the sun's rebirth.

From Wikipedia