This page is dedicated to the Sabbats of Wicca. They are (in order of the beginning of the Wiccan year to the end): Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain.
Yule happens on the Winter Solstice, which is usually around December 21. This is the day the Goddess gave birth to her son, the God. It is very dark on this day as it is the shortest day of the year. This celebrates the return of the sun as the Goddess rests after her long winter of labor. Candles are usually lit to honor the Sun, which represents the God. This celebration is a reminder that death is the leading step towards being reborn.
Imbolc occurs on February 2. It celebrates the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. The Earth (which represents Her) sprouts with the warmth from the Sun. It is an act of purification after the long winter of being away from the Sun. This is a celebration of light and fertility in which any form of light (torches, fires, candles, etc.) are well utilized in ritual.
Ostara occurs on the Vernal Equinox, usually around March 21). This marks the first true day of Spring. This is the time when the Goddess showers the Earth with her fertility, and the God is maturing. He enjoys the beauty of Nature that the Goddess has put forth. During this day, the Sun is prevailing over the darkness of Winter, as the day and the night are of equal length.
Beltane occurs on April 30. This is when the God has reached His manhood. The Goddess and the God unite into one, and the Goddess becomes impregnated with the God. This day is also called by May Day, and has been celebrated for centuries by the Maypole. Wiccans usually garnish themselves and their homes with flowers and other green things, celebrating the fertility of the Goddess.
Midsummer occurs on the Summer Solstice, usually around June 21. This celebrates the fullness and beauty of Nature’s fertility, and the fertility of the Goddess and the God. It is a great time to perform many kinds of magic.
Lughnasadh occurs on August 1 when the first harvestings of the summer’s fertility are reaped. It represents the weakening and impending death of the God, as the days (the Sun) grow shorter. This is a time of sorrow for the Goddess as she watches the God weaken, but she still finds joy, as He is living inside of Her as Her child.
Mabon occurs around September 21, on the Autumnal Equinox. On this day, the day and the night are again of equal length. This is representative of the God’s weakening, as he readies himself for his journey to towards rebirth through the Goddess. At this point, Nature also begins to fade, to ready itself for the impending winter.
Samhain occurs on October 31. This represents the Death of the God as he goes to ready himself to be born again to the Goddess at Yule. This is a time to reflect upon the actions of the preceeding year. During this night, the separation between the physical and spiritual self is very thin.
