A Sabbat in witchcraft and Wicca refers to one of the eight major seasonal festivals celebrated throughout the Wheel of the Year. Not all pagans or witches observe these Sabbats, but those who do view them as important markers of the changing seasons and cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The timing of these celebrations may vary, based on personal beliefs, lunar cycles, or geographic location. The Sabbats include:
- YuleYule, celebrated during the Winter Solstice, marks the year's peak darkness, transitioning into longer days. It's a pagan festival emphasizing rebirth, renewal, and continuity through rituals like candle lighting and evergreen decorating. Yule symbolizes the sun's revival, underlining a time for reflection, self-care, and community...: Celebrating the Winter Solstice and the return of the light.
- ImbolcImbolc, also known as Imbolg or Saint Brigid's Day, is one of the eight sabbats, or pagan holidays, on the Wheel of the Year. Celebrated annually on February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, and August 1st in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the midpoint between...: A festival of lights marking the midway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, often associated with the goddess Brigid.
- OstaraOstara, also known as Eostre or the Spring Equinox, is one of the eight sabbats celebrated typically in March. Falling on the Equinox, or the following full moon, Ostara signifies a time of balance, renewal, and initiation. It symbolizes the reawakening of life from its...: Celebrating the Spring Equinox, when day and night are equal, and the beginning of spring.
- BeltaneBeltane, held annually on May 1st, is a festival steeped in ancient traditions, joyous celebrations, and profound symbolic significance. It is a cornerstone in the Wheel of the Year, marking a high point in the changing seasons. This vibrant festival acknowledges the full bloom of...: A festival that marks the beginning of summer, often associated with bonfires and maypole dancing.
- LithaLitha, also referred to as the Summer Solstice or Midsummer, is one of the eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. This festival is held on the longest day and shortest night of the year, celebrating the zenith of the sun's power and the...: Celebrating the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year.
- LammasLammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is one of the eight sabbats celebrated in the Wheel of the Year. Occurring on the 1st of August, it marks the mid-point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. This festival is a joyous occasion to acknowledge the... (or LughnasadhLughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is one of the eight sabbats celebrated in the Wheel of the Year. Occurring on the 1st of August, it marks the mid-point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. This festival is a joyous occasion to acknowledge the...): Celebrating the first harvest of the year.
- MabonMabon, also known as the Autumn Equinox, is a magical moment in the Wheel of the Year, taking place in September when daylight and darkness balance each other perfectly. Celebrated as the second harvest festival, Mabon is a time of gratitude for the bounty of...: The Autumn Equinox, when day and night are once again equal, marking the beginning of autumn.
- SamhainSamhain, celebrated on October 31st, is one of the eight sacred Sabbats recognized in witchcraft and Wicca. Revered as a time when the veil between our world and the spirit realm is at its thinnest, Samhain allows us to celebrate, remember, and honor our ancestors...: Celebrating the final harvest and the start of winter, often viewed as a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thin.