The major Wiccan and witchcraft holidays are called Sabbats - a yearly wheel of the seasons and the harvests. Each Sabbat is based on a major seasonal event, and the half-way points between them, such as Equinox, Solstice, etc. These are the major holidays - Wiccans and Witches also follow the lunar cycle and full moons are also considered days of power. Here is a quick run-down of the major holidays:
Samhain (sow'-en or sow-'ween) October 31 -Other Names: Halloween, Hallowmas, All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Eve, Festival of the Dead, and the Third Festival of Harvest. This holiday is considered the first day of the year, and also the the biggest holiday of the year. It represents the end of the harvest season, the end of summer, the crone aspect of the Goddess, and the change in power to the masculine energies and the Gods. The energy of the holiday is a thinning between the metaphysical world and the NSC (normal state of consciousness) world. This is a time when, in the Celtic context, the ancestors and those who recently passed over can be contacted and communicated with. A tradition in Ireland was to put lights in the sidhe mounds so the dead could find there way back.
Yule (December 21) -other names: Rite, Midwinter, Alban Arthan, Winter Solstice. The holiday represents the rebirth of the Solar God, and the time of the Horned God. The day is also known as Christmas by the Christian populous - it was placed on Yule for conversionary reasons back when the early missionaries were still trying to convert the Celts and Romans. Some celebrations include - lighting of the Yule log and letting it burn for 12 hours, decorating the Yule tree to symbolize the stars and planets in the world tree, Yule specific drinks like eggnog, the Yule feast, the symbolic mistletoe, and recently added by modern culture is the act of giving to friends and family to show appreciation.
Imbolc (February 1) other names: Candlemas, Oimelc. This is the holiday of renewal, and of the triple goddess Brigit. It is the time of renewing the fertility of the fields and cleaning our the old. Typical celebrations and rituals for this holiday include: sweeping a circle with a broom (or besom in Wicca lingo) in a ritual to sweep away the old and bring in the new, also lighting candles and placing them in the windows of the home are traditional. Many groups do candle magick on this holiday, as well as make new candles for the year.
Ostara (March 21) - Other names: Vernal Equinox, the Festival of Trees, Alban Eilir. This is the Spring Equinox, a time when light and dark of the day are equal - it is the maturity of the solar god and the start of spring, and the day of the Goddess Ostara. The solar god fertilizes the mother and brings forth new life. It is a time of fertility for everything and a new energy from leaving the cold dark of winter. The Easter egg is actually an old pagan symbol for new birth, and the hunt for the eggs is the most well known of the celebrations.
Beltane (May 1) Other names: Roodmas, May Day. This is holiday is a celebration of the union of the horned god and the goddess - this is the fertility day for people as well. Some of the celebrations include: the maypole dance, the jumping over the fire ceremony, and the day of flowers. Many groups play games in the forest and hold rituals at dusk. The maypole is the most common celebration, were the maidens dance around the pole, tying ribbons to it in the dance.
Midsummer (June 22) Other Names: Alban, Hefin, and Letha. This is the day of the year with the shortest night - the Oak King steps down and the Holly King rules until Yule. It is the day that the Goddess and God are at there peak, and the arrival of the darkness first appears - the cycle of birth changes to passing and death - light to dark. The darkness is acknowledged as a creative force, and needed for rebirth later. This is the day when the Fae and little forest spirits are the most abundant and easiest to find. This is a great holiday for working magick, especially healing and divination. This is when summer is at it's peak in every aspect.
Lughnassadh (August 1) Other Name: Lammas. The celebration it to honor the realization of the fertility rites of the Goddess and God. It is the first harvest, and the mark of the beginning of harvest season. It is the craft holiday, where festivals of arts were displayed, and dances done. Is is the change from heat to cold and usually moderate temperatures prevail. The common ritual is the making of a corn doll or figure - a new one is made, and the one from the previous year is burned to carry it's messages into the metaphysical realms. This is a good time for fortune and material needs magick.
