Sabbats

Beginning down the Wiccan path, and wonder what the Sabbats are?  Here is a quick intro into their meanings.

There are 8 Wiccan Sabbats throughout the year. The four major ones – also known as cross-quarters (the solstices and the equinoxes), and the four minor ones. They are (briefly):

Imbolc (Im-’olk) – February 2nd An early spring festival, also known as Feast of the Torches. At sunset, people would light lamps and candles in every room.

Ostara – Spring Equinox – Aprox. March 20th Spring festival where the days after today are officially longer.

Beltane – Also called May Day. May 1st The opposite of Samhain and one of the main turning points of the year. Fires would be lit, and couples would leap over them, or bales would be lit, and cattle driven between them.

Midsummer and/or Lithra – Summer Solstice – Aprox. June 21st Longest Day of the Year Sun is at its highest point.

Lughnasadh Loo-n’suh) – August 1st – Celebration of the sun god Lugh. Sometimes called Lammas from “loaf mass”. Usually the time of the first harvest.

Mabon – Autumn Equinox – Aprox. September 21st The hours of daylight and night are equal (like in Ostara). Summer is over and this is another harvest festival.

Samhain (Sow-in) – October 31 Celtic New Year’s Eve, also known as Feast of the Dead, or Ancestor Night. The Christians adopted this festival and call it All Saints Day (Nov. 1st) or All Hallows Eve.  Click here for more in-depth information on Samhain.

Yule – Winter Solstice – Aprox. December 21st The shortest day and the longest night. This celebrates the return of the sun to the earth.