The Wheel of the Year consists of 8 Sabbats, 4 solar holidays (solstices and equinoxes) and the 4 fire festivals. Although the Wheel of the Year is fairly new, started in the 50’s by modern Wicca, the celebrations themselves are rooted deep in history across various traditions throughout the world. While most traditions list Yule as the beginning of the Wiccan calendar, I place mine in calendar order.
The Eight Sabbats
- Imbolc: Pronounced Im-bulk, this Sabbat is celebrated at the beginning of February, celebrating the first stirrings of spring and the awakening of the land. Imbolc is a time for renewal and ritual cleansing. It is a great time for spring cleaning and sweeping out the old years energy to make way for new beginnings.
- Ostara: Pronounced Oh-star-ah, the spring equinox (March 20-23), signals balance between light and dark. Ostara was named after the Germanic goddess of spring, Eostre. This is a time to celebrate growth. Paint eggs, craft decorations for spring, collect wildflowers for your altar.
- Beltane: Celebrated May 1, Beltane is a celebration of fire, fertility, and the vitality of summer. Beltane is when Handfastings are held for Wiccans. Beltane derives from the Celtic word Bealtaine, meaning bright fire, which makes it a perfect time to hold a bon fire. Another common tradition is the Maypole, whether you can decorate a full sized Maypole outside or just a mini Maypole on your altar. Another way to celebrate is to have a wedding feast for the God and Goddess.
- Litha: Pronounced Lee-tha, the summer solstice (June 20-23), celebrates the longest day of the year. Also known as Midsummer, this is a day to celebrate the sun. Have lunch outdoors, make a sun catcher, burn your yule wreath.
- Lammas: Pronounced Lah-mahs, literally means “loaf mass,” celebrated August first, marks the first grain harvest and is a time for giving thanks. Common traditions are baking bread, harvesting the first crops from your garden, make corn dollies, host a Lammas feast.
- Mabon: Pronounce Mah-Bawn, the Autumn equinox (September 20-23), marks the second harvest and a time of equal light and dark. This is a time to give thanks for the years harvest. Common celebrations include gathering dried herbs and seeds for next year, making a besom, holding a Mabon feast
- Samhain: Pronounced SOW-een, celebrated on October 31st, is the final harvest, a time for honoring ancestors, and the new year in many traditions. It is a time for drying herbs, canning foods to preserve for the coming winter. Common traditions are making an altar for ancestors, carving pumpkins, dressing in costume to trick the spirits.
- Yule: Pronounced Yool, the winter solstice (December 20-23), marks the longest night of the year. In most traditions Yule marks the start of the Wiccan year. Yule is a time for quiet celebration, Winter is in full swing, but the sun is making its return as the days will once again get longer. Traditional celebrations include creating a Yule log, baking gingerbread cookies, making a wreath or garland, or make Yule ornaments.
