Witch's Calendar

Wiccans connect with the earth and the seasons through what is known as the "Wheel of the Year" (represented by the symbol of an eight-spoked wheel), which is a cycle of eight sabbats (festival days) that divide the year and mark the changing of the seasons and the lunar calendar.

During a sabbat festival, a gathering will mark the season change or mid-season point with appropriate celebration of the deities and spirits. You will learn to work with the seasons and use their passing in your magic. Witches often perform spells and rituals with the cycles of nature or the phases of the moon.

The Four Greater Sabbats
 Samhain : The Druid's New Year, marked at sundown on October 31st, and celebrated in many cultures as Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, All Soul's Day, or Dia de los Muertos. The Wiccan festival marks the rising of Samhain from the underworld and notes the thin line between the mortal world and the spiritual realms. It is the time when loved ones who have died are remembered and celebrated.

 Imbolc : Commemorating Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fire and fertility, this festival is on February 2nd and notes the increasing strength of the sun, and allies with the festivals of Candlemas and Groundhog Day.

 Beltane : Originally celebrated on May 5th but now coinciding with May Day, Beltane celebrates the gods and goddesses of fertility as summer approaches.

 Lughnasadh : Sometimes known as Lammas or August Eve and celebrated on August 1st, this festival celebrates the first harvest of the season. From 'loaf-day', Wiccans celebrate the first wheat harvest and the gifts from the spirits.

The Four Lesser Sabbats
In the Southern Hemisphere, Wiccans celebrate the opposite holidays as the seasons change. As the Northern Hemisphere marks the Spring Equinox, the Southern Hemisphere notes the Autumn Equinox.

 Yule : The Winter Solstice (December 21st), and the shortest day of the year. Wiccan celebrations include yule logs, yule trees, candles, and mistletoe harvesting.

 Ostara : The Spring Equinox (March 21st) is when the hours of daylight are equal to the hours of darkness. This represents the balance of magic.

 Litha : Also known as Midsummer, the Summer Sulstice (June 21st) marks the highest point of the sun and the longest day.

 Mabon : The Autumn Equinox (September 21st) notes the Harvest Festival and celebrates the birth of Mabon, son of the earth goddess Mordon, at the Feast of Mabon.