Pagan Festivals - Wiccan Sabbats
There are eight major festivals in the Pagan / Wiccan year.
They are normally regarded as beginning at Sunset and last until Sunset the following day.
Of these: four are Celtic in origin and four are solar festivals.
Solar festivals are the Winter Solstice (Yule) which is the shortest day, Summer Solstice (Midsummer) which is the longest day.
The Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox mark the time when hours of light and darkness are equal.
Samhain (Halloween)
October 31st/1st November
Many Pagans celebrate Samhain as the Celtic New Year.
This Pagan festival is probably the best known because of the activities now associated with it.
This is the time that Winter begins - the dark times are ahead.
Our ancestors had to prepare to survive the Winter.
Would there be enough food to get through the harsh times facing them?
Think back to how difficult it must have been - to survive the Winter on what you could store and stash away.
No cozy central heating, double glazing and 24 hour supermarkets.
The elderly, young and sick were all at great risk during these dark times.
There was also the question of how many animals needed to be slaughtered and salted down for food?
How many livestock could they feed through the Winter?
It is for the reasons above that Samhain is associated with Death.
A festival when dead ancestors and friends are remembered.
Many may have died during the dark and cold periods of years past.
It is now that we think of them.
At Samhain many would set an extra place at table for their ancestors.
The food would be left out for any dead relatives that might visit that night.
This is the time when the veil between this world and the Otherworld is the thinnest.
A time when we try to contact the spirits of our ancestors using various methods of Divination.
Yule / Winter Solstice
December 20th/21st
Yule is a turning point in the year -
a time from when the days start to grow longer and the nights shorter. Light is returning!
This is the time of the rebirth of the Sun God.
A time of celebration and a time to honour the the Great Mother Goddess - bringer of new life and hope to the land.
Imbolc
February 1st/2nd
Many people think of this as the beginning of a new year but see also Samhain.
Light is noticeably growing now. We can observe the signs that Spring is on its way.
This festival is dedicated both to the Goddess and to the returning light.
It is now that we think of the Goddess leaving the Underworld.
It is a time of awakening of the Life Force.
We see new shoots appearing from bulbs and perhaps a swelling in the buds on trees and shrubs.
A time often heralded by the appearance of Snowdrops.
Nature and the Goddess are returning to the land.
A time of beginnings.
A time to begin new plans and ventures and to start to implement them but with caution.
Difficult times might still be ahead.
Spring Equinox / Ostara
March 20th/21st
This is a solar festival marking one of the points in the year when hours of light and darkness are equal.
From this point the light is overcoming the darkness.
It is a time that we see daffodils and primroses coming into bloom and the tender new leaves appearing on the trees.
A time to sow seeds in the fertile, warming and nurturing earth.
Ideas and plans made at Imbolc can now go ahead with more confidence.
Beltane
April 30th/1st May
At Beltane Summer really begins. Life is vibrant everywhere.
We think of May Blossom, May Day traditions and May-pole dancing.
The crowning of the May Queen as a symbol of the young Goddess.
The May-pole - a symbol of the God - the weaving of the ribbons by the dancers represents His fertility.
Fertility is traditionally the focus of the May Day Rites.
Midsummer / Litha
June 21st/22nd
Although growth and abundance is everywhere,
this is the longest day and from now on the days begin to shorten.
It is at Midsummer that the Sun King is at the peak of His power.
Lughnasadh / Lammas
August 1st/2nd
The time of the first harvest.
Lammas is associated with the slaying of the God - voluntarily sacrificing himself at the hands of the Goddess.
It is a time we thank the Goddess for the bountiful harvest from the land.
Autumn Equinox / Mabon
September 20th/21st
This is a solar festival marking one of the points in the year when hours of light and darkness are equal.
From this point the dark is overcoming the light.
It is also the time of the second harvest of fruits and nuts.
Leaves are falling from the trees, lush greenness is turning to brown.
Life appears to be leaving the land.
At this time many of the Pagan legends and myths are associated with descent into the Underworld.
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