Feb 2nd - Lughnasadh/Lammas (A Greater Sabbat and an Earth Cross-Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

The first harvest is brought in. Some flowers are already beginning to fade while the late bloomers are coming into their fullness. The new life that came in Spring is fast developing toward adulthood and we are beginning to see the outcomes of the fertile energies sewn earlier in the seasonal year.

Mythological Relevance's

This Sabbat is in honour of the Celtic Sun God Lugh and marks his life in sacrifice so that the fruits can ripen. He is a God of harvest and light.

Popular Rituals

Bake bread from many different grains to honour the harvest and celebrate the food of the Gods.

March 21st - Autumn Equinox/Mabon (A Lesser Sabbat and a Sun Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

The second grain harvest is brought in and the hunt begins. There is an equal balance of light and dark, Summer and Winter, male and female.

Mythological Relevance's

There is equilibrium between male and female energies.

Popular Rituals

Save some ears of corn or grain from the harvest to make into a 'Brigid's Cross' at Imbolg and keep them safe within your home.

April 30th - Samhain/All Hallows (A Greater Sabbat and an Earth Cross-Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

This is the time of the final harvest when Summer is already losing its power and people must prepare for the long winter ahead by preserving foods and slaughtering all but the animals which will be used for breeding next season's stock.

Mythological Relevance's

This is the most important Sabbat of the Wiccan faith. It is a sombre festival that celebrates the dead and marks the time when the veil between the world of the mundane and that of the Spirit is at its thinnest. It is the Wiccan New Year and at sunset, when neither the old nor new year exist and thus when time stands still, humans can commune with their ancestors and loved ones who have passed over.

Popular Rituals

While this Sabbat celebrates our relationship with our ancestors and with the dead, it is not a frightening or sad occasion. It is a time to feast on the last of the harvest and to make ready for the cold times ahead.

Lay an extra place or two at the feast table so that departed ancestors and spirits can share in the festivities.

Carve jack-o-lanterns from pumpkins to honour the Witches and other religious practitioners who have been persecuted for their faith.

Pay any debts, settle quarrels and prepare for a few weeks of quiet solitude and meditation.

June 21/22nd - Winter Solstice/Midwinter/Yule (A Lesser Sabbat and a Sun Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

The longest night of the year and Winter is at its peak.

Mythological Relevance's

This festival marks the re-birth of the sun with the cyclic story of the death of the Holly King (the king of the waning year) and the re-birth of his son the Oak King (the king of the waxing year).

Popular Rituals

This is a time to look forward to the return of the light of the sun and the warmth that it brings. Although still cold, this time of year brings hope for a brighter future as we quietly celebrate the forthcoming warmth and prepare for the growth season to come.

Find a good size log and decorate it with Ivy, (traditionally also with Holly and Mistletoe; Holly because it is an evergreen and symbolises ongoing life while the white seeds of Mistletoe prevalent at this time of year symbolise the sacred seed of new life). Light the log with an unburnt piece of last year's Yule log to symbolise the kindling light of the re-born sun. Save a small piece of the log from burning to use to light next year's log and spread the ashes of the burnt log on the garden.

July 31st - Imbolg/Candlemas (A Greater Sabbat and an Earth Cross-Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

Spring is on its way and we can very clearly see that the days have become longer and the warmth and light of the sun is returning. Imbolg comes from the ancient word meaning 'ewe's milk' and reminds us that this is lambing season. In addition, the grass is beginning to grow again and the Spring flowers are just beginning to come forth from the ground.

Mythological Relevance's

The time of the quickening. The baby Oak King is growing and the Goddess is a maiden once more. This Sabbat belongs to the fire Goddess Brigid, who presides over healing, the well springs and the hearth.

Popular Rituals

Because this time of year is synonymous with new life, new ideas and new beginnings it is particularly relevant for initiations and dedications. Even more, it is a purifying time of year when we should clear out the old things that have held us back and make room for brighter and healthier behaviours and actions for the growing season ahead.

Make a 'Brigid's Cross' from woven straw, hang it on your front door as a protective charm and burn the old one from last year.

Conduct rituals using candles to invoke the fire Goddess Brigid, and to symbolise the light of the longer days.

Sept 21st - Spring Equinox/Ostara/Eostre (A Lesser Sabbat and a Sun Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

Spring has arrived and there is an equal balance of light and dark. Flowers are blooming, birds are nesting and all around, new life is bursting forth.

Mythological Relevance's

This Sabbat is named after the Saxon Goddess Ostara and this festival specifically marks an equal balance between male and female energies. The young Oak King courts the maiden Goddess.

Popular Rituals

Eggs a symbolic of new life and Wiccans use painted eggs to celebrate the wonderful eruption of new life all around them. Throw hard boiled, painted eggs high into the sky and as you do make a wish for the summer months ahead. The higher the egg goes, the more likely your wish will come true. Bury the fallen eggs to cement your wish.

Bake and eat Hot Cross Buns marked with an equilateral cross to symbolise all things equal.

Oct 31st - Beltaine (A Greater Sabbat and an Earth Cross-Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

The summer begins and the warmth is welcomed.

Mythological Relevance's

This is a time of great fertility and is a fun filled time in marked contrast to the sober and sombre Sabbat of Samhain. It celebrates the sacred marriage of the Oak King and the Goddess and the consummation of that union. The fire God Baal is celebrated at this time as the God of light or 'The Bright One' while the Goddess Maya is also celebrated.

Popular Rituals

This is a true fertility festival with dancing round the Maypole (an ancient phallic symbol) to symbolise the sexual union between male and female energies.

Light a balefire with nine different types of wood (three pieces of each wood type) for the God Baal. Leap over the purifying flames and let them cleanse you of unwanted behaviours or openly state your desire and as you jump, let the flames take those desires to the skies to be fulfilled.

Dec 22nd - Summer Solstice/Midsummer’s Eve/Litha (A Lesser Sabbat and a Sun Quarter Day)

Seasonal Relevance's

The longest day of the year and Summer is at its height.

Mythological Relevance's

The Holly King is born of the Goddess and the Oak King dies. This symbolical cycle is repeated each year as new life takes over from old.