Samhain (October 31st) - New Year's, beginning of Winter
Yule (December 20th-23rd) - Middle of Winter
Imbolc (February 2nd) - Beginning of Spring
Spring Equinox (or Ostara, March 20th-23rd) - Middle of Spring
Beltane (May 1st) - Beginning of Summer
Midsummer (or Litha, June 20th-23rd) - Middle of Summer
Lammas (or Lughnasahd, August 21st) - Beginning of Autumn
Fall Equniox (or Mabon, September 21st) - Middle of Autumn
If the placement of the Seasons seem wrong to you, remember that this system applies only to the Northern Hemisphere, and it comes from Celtic countries where the climate is different and changes at different times than in America.
~ Samhain (The New Year), October 31st - Now celebrated as the secular holiday of Halloween, this Sabbat celebrates the last harvest of the year, the beginning of Winter, and mourns the death of one aspect of the God, the Horned One. At this time of year, it is said that the veil between the worlds (ours, the Faerie Realm, and the Spirit World) is the thinnest, so the Fae and departed souls are wont to wander the Earth, and sometimes humans have experiences in their realities as well. It is a time to remember those that have passed on from this mortal plane (and indeed those that do not usually dwell here), and to welcome them back for one night of feasting, as it is customary to leave offerings of cookies, cakes, milk, wine, or juice on this night. Jack o’lanterns are left out to guide spirits to welcoming homes, and to drive away those that would do us harm. Costumes are worn so that we may play alongside the spirits and the Faeries without fear, and that they may move among us, going completely unnoticed except by those who know what they’re looking at.
~ Yule, around December 21st - This is the middle of Winter (as opposed to the common calendar saying this is the beginning of Winter), and rejoices in the actual returning light (the days getting longer) in the symbolic birth of the Sun Child aspect of the God from the Earth Mother aspect of the Goddess. This is the longest night of the year so it would seem that darkness has conquered the Earth, but since it is the pinnacle of that darkness the only direction to go from here is towards more light. It is a reminder that the only constant is change, that even though the nights were long and cold, now they will begin to diminish and warm, making ready for new growth and rebirth. We decorate trees as a form of Magick, hanging fruit-like ornaments to encourage Nature to remember Her fertile time ahead.
~ Imbolc, February 2nd - This Sabbat marks the beginning of Spring. It is the time of the first planting of the year. This "is the quickening time of the year, when the Earth is made pregnant with the promise of summer fruitfulness and the harvest to come." This is also called the Feast of Torches, as we begin to truly notice the longer days and shorter nights. This is the time of year to set goals and work to realize dreams, for as the Earth grows, so should our minds and hearts.
~ Spring Equinox, around March 21st - The celebration of equal day and night, it is the continued work of planting and the growing Spring. The first plants are beginning to grow, and the Earth continues to warm and be nurtured by Spring rains. We truly begin to see the results of our efforts as our plants and dreams begin to sprout and take form. The Christian holiday of Easter is close to this time, and the eggs and rabbits associated with it are actually ancient Pagan signs of fertility and growth.
~ Beltane, May 1st - This is a further celebration of growth. It is a time of celebrating fertility and that growth. At this time the May King and Queen aspects of God and Goddess reign. It is a time of joyous celebration and passion. It is also the beginning of Summer. Traditionally, this is the time to dance around the Maypole, as it is a symbol of the fertility and union between the God and Goddess. We experience the long sunny days and the warm nights of Summer, and spend much time outdoors dancing, laughing, singing and rejoicing with our loved ones.
~ Midsummer, around June 21st - This Sabbat marks the middle of Summer. All the planting is done, and we can relax and watch things grow, tending when needed. It is a time to light bonfires and dance, celebrating into the late nights. We also recognize that it is the time of most daylight, the longest day of the year, and now night will begin to grow longer, the darkness soon dominating the day once more. The goals we planted at Imbolc should be blooming, much like the flowers of the Earth.
~ Lammas, August 1st - This is the first harvest of the year when things are most bountiful. Again, there is more dancing and rejoicing at harvest celebrations when the work is done. Night continues to grow, and the Lord of the Grain aspect is our focus as we recognize the sacrifice He makes so that we may have food for the Winter. We pay our respects to him as we work the fields and reap the benefits of the year’s long work. It is the beginning of Autumn.
~ Fall Equinox, September 21st - The middle of Autumn, this is again a time of balance between light and dark, and the work of the harvest continues. It is a time to reflect, see what you have accomplished over the past year, and also to look forward to the future. It is a time to give thanks to the Lord, even more so than at Lammas, for all He has provided us with. We look at what we have harvested, both from the Earth and from ourselves, and see all we have gained, and all we can use to keep Summer’s light and warmth with us as the nights grow longer and colder.
