The Sabbats


There are eight Sabbats. Four of them are Greater Sabbats: Samhain (SOW-wen), Imbolc (IM-bolk), Beltane (BEL-tayne), and Lughnassad (LOO-nus-uh), also called Lammas. There are also four Lesser Sabbats: Yule, Ostara (oh-STAR-ah), Summer Solstice and Mabon (MAY-bon).

Samhain (October 31)

Samhain is the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of the Celtic year. Celebrations to honor the dead are held on this night. This is also the night when the veil between the living and dead is said to be at its thinnest. Therefore, communication with spirits, divination and scrying are best undertaken during this time.



Yule (Winter Solstice, around December 21)

Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. It is seen as the rebirth of the Sun God. Fires are lit to welcome the Sun's returning light. A yule log is sometimes burned on this night, with a portion of the log saved each year to light the next years log, symbolizing the rebirth of the Sun God.


Imbolc (February 2)

Imbolc is the festival of lights and the celebration of the renewed fertility of Earth. It is celebrated with fires and lit candles. It's a traditional time for covens to initiate new members or for others to do self-dedications.




Ostara (Spring Equinox, around March 21)

Ostara is the Spring Equinox and is the first day of spring. Fertility abounds. It is a time for beginnings. There is balance between the masculine and feminine forces in nature.



Beltane (April 30)

Beltane is mainly a fire and fertility festival. The major symbols of this holiday are the Maypole and the cauldron. The Maypole is a phallic symbol, which has seven colored ribbons, tied to it. As the people dance around the Maypole they weave the ribbons around it.





Midsummer (Summer Solstice, around June 21)

Midsummer is the longest day and shortest night. In the past bonfires were a way of celebrating and promoting purification, fertility and love. It is said that one custom of our ancestors was jumping over the fire during this holiday. It was believed that the higher one jumped, the higher the crops would grow.




Lughnasadh (August 1)

Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas. Corn is a big part of rituals at this time. It is the beginning of the harvest and it is a tradition to break bread on this day.



Mabon (Autumnal Equinox, around September 21)

Mabon is the second harvest. It is a time to give thanks for all we have and also a time to make sure we keep all that we have gained.