The Sabbats are the witches holidays, if you like. They represent the circle of life, birth, life, death and rebirth. There are 8 sabbats in total:
Samhain - celebrated on October 31st. This is the Witch's New Year, the traditional end of the growing season. This is the time of the Lord's death and where the veil between our world and the world of the dead is at it's thinnest. We celebrate by remembering the dead, maybe laying a place for them at our feast. We also mark the end of the year by doing divination, seeing what the coming year will bring by using our favourite divination method(s).
Yule - celebrated on or around December 21st. Also known as the Winter Solstice. This is the time where the Goddess gives birth to the God. This is the return of the sun/son. It is also the time of the shortest day of the year. At this time we celebrate our family and friends, we celebrate peace, love and light.
Imbolc - celebrated on or around February 1st. Also known as Candlemas. We are celebrating birth now, early signs of spring and rebirth are starting to emerge - the first shoots are appearing, lambs are being born. The God is growing fast now, he is no longer a baby but a fine young boy.
Ostara - celebrated around March 21st. Also known as the Spring Equinox. It is when the Goddess and the God begin their courtship, now he is a fine young man. Day and night are now equal, balance is being restored. Traditionally a time of rebirth. Spring has finally sprung and there are plenty of signs of new life all around us. It is a time for new beginnings.
Beltane - celebrated on May 1st. The time when the Lord and Lady consummate their relationship. This sabbat is all about fertility, so you should finish your seed planting now and maybe finalise plans you have been making for your life.
Litha - celebrated on or around June 21st. Also known as the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It is midsummer. The Goddess is pregnant with the God now. It is a great time for handfastings and marriages of any sort - my own wedding was June 23rd, many moons ago. Everything is ripe and abundant now, but we are mindful that nothing lasts forever. Within a few days the seemingly everlasting light will begin to wain again. The God is at his peak now.
Lughnasadh - celebrated on August 1st, or thereabouts. It is the first of the harvest festivals. A time for giving thanks for what we have.
Mabon - celebrated on or around September 21st. Another of the harvest festivals and also another time of balance. The dark will now overtake the light, as we move towards Samhain and Yule again. Traditionally a time for giving thanks and enjoying the benefits of what we have grown this past year. The God rests inside the womb of the Goddess now, waiting to be reborn at Yule.
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