There are eight Wiccan Sabbats per year. They are based on seasonal changes and traditional harvest dates. The four solar festivals and the four Celtic Fire festivals.
Yule:
Southern Hemisphere: June 21/22
Northern Hemisphere: Dec 21
Winter Solstice. The holiday of Yule was celebrated long before Christians adopted the date. Many of the Christmas traditions we see today stem from old Pagan customs. As the solstice, it is the longest night of the year. From this day forward, light begins to return and we celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God.
Traditions: lighting the Yule log, wreath making, gift giving
Correspondences: pine, holly, myrrh, cinnamon
Imbolc:
Southern Hemisphere: August 1
Northern Hemisphere: Feb 2
Known also as Brigid’s Day.
Imbolc is a day to celebrate the first glimpses of spring, and it is also dedicated to The Celtic Goddess Brigid. Make new starts in life, as you give your home a thorough cleaning.
Traditions: Burning fires and candles, cleaning, making a bed for Brigid
Correspondences: carnation, rosemary, chamomile, milk
Ostara:
Southern Hemisphere: Sept 21
Northern Hemisphere: March 21
Spring Equinox, Lady Day
This is another holiday that has been overlaid with Christian meanings (Easter). Eggs and bunnies are typical symbols, representing new birth and new life. Plant the seeds of long-term goals.
Traditions: colouring eggs, decorating with flowers
Correspondences: jasmine, daffodil, lotus, new spring flowers
Beltane:
Southern Hemisphere: November 1
Northern Hemisphere: May 1
May Day
The God born at Yule is now a man, and the sacred marriage between God and Goddess is consummated. Beltane is a celebration of fertility, growth, love and passion. However you celebrate Beltane, do it with joy and happiness.
Traditions: Dancing around the May pole, lighting bonfires
Correspondences: Rose, lilac, vanilla
Litha:
Southern Hemisphere: Dec 21
Northern Hemisphere: June 21
Summer Solstice. Midsummer is the longest day of the year, and the strength of the sun god begins to wane. The Goddess has left her Maiden form of Imbolc and is now in her Mother aspect. Refill your herb collection for the coming year.
Traditions: Fairy magic, collecting herbs
Correspondences: Orange, lemon, honeysuckle, vervain
Lughnasadh
Southern Hemisphere: Feb 1
Northern Hemisphere: Aug 1
Lammas.
As the first of the three harvest festivals, much of the symbolism for Lammas revolves around grains and bread. Sacrifices were common, though mostly symbolic, in order to ensure the continued success of the harvest.
Traditions: Bread baking, making corn dollies
Correspondences: Corn, sandalwood, heather
Mabon
Southern Hemisphere: March 21
Northern Hemisphere: Sept 21
Autumn Equinox
Day and night are equal again, and the weather grows colder as winter approaches. This is the second harvest festival. Rituals of thanks at this time have brought about the modern holidays of Thanksgiving. Take some time to think about what you are thankful for.
Traditions: Making and drinking of wine, share with the less fortunate
Correspondences: Grapes, blackberries, cedar, patchouli
Samhain:
Southern Hemisphere: April 30
Northern Hemisphere: Oct 31
Halloween, All hallows
Samhain is the one Sabbat that is also widely celebrated amongst non-pagans. The God has died and the Goddess mourns him until his rebirth at Yule. It’s the last harvest festival, and the end of the Wiccan year.
Traditions: Divination, honouring the dead, carving jack o’ Lanterns
Correspondences: pumpkins, apples, sage, mugwort
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