The witches year is divided into 13 full moon esbats and 8 celebrations a year called sabbats that create the wheel of the year. These days are sacred days to celebrate the turning of the wheel and the change of the seasons. A calendar of eight festivals falling on the solstices, the equinoxes and four other intermediate dates is observed by many branches of neopaganism. The solstices and equinoxes are widely known as Quarter days; the four dates falling between them are the Cross-quarter days or "fire festivals".

In Wicca the eight festivals are called Sabbats and are distinct from Esbats, which are Wiccan festivals falling at full or new moon. Some modern Druids follow a similar eightfold wheel, but do not refer to the individual festivals as Sabbats. While retaining the Irish names for the fire festivals, they use names derived from the writings of Iolo Morganwg for the solstices and equinoxes. Keltrian druidry uses the same festival names as are common in North American Wicca.

The festivals, with the usual dates of their celebrations, are:

Midwinter/Yule/Alban Arthan, on the winter solstice
Imbolc/Oimelc/Brigid's Day, on February 2 and the preceding eve
Ostara/Lady Day/Alban Eilir, on the spring equinox
Beltane/Beltaine/May Day on May 1 and the preceding eve
Midsummer/Litha/Alban Hefin, on the summer solstice
Lughnasadh/Lammas, on August 1 and the preceding eve
Mabon/Harvest Home/Alban Elfed, on the autumnal equinox
Samhain, on November 1 and the preceding eve October 31
While most of these names derive from historical festivals, the names Litha and Mabon, which have become popular in North America were invented by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s.

This calendar originates in the northern hemisphere, and the symbolism of its festivals follows these seasons. In the southern hemisphere it is common to shift the dates of the festivals by six months to preserve the seasonal symbolism (so that for instance an Australian celebrates Samhain on 1 May, while a Canadian is celebrating Beltane).

Many Neopagans consider days to begin at sundown rather than at midnight, by which reckoning Beltane festivities, for instance, would last from sundown on 30 April (Beltane Eve) to sundown on 1 May.

[edit] Origins of the Wheel
The cross-quarter festivals of Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain were historically observed in medieval Ireland and to a lesser extent medieval Wales; they possibly derive from the first century Gaulish Coligny Calendar[citation needed] which, being a lunisolar calendar, does not correspond to fixed days in the solar calendar; alternatively they may derive from the Roman Kalends, the first of a month.

The four quarter days of the Christian calendar were also observed in medieval [citation needed] and modern Europe and England, on dates close to the solstices and equinoxes[citation needed], and these are still marked by a variety of folk customs in parts of Europe and the British Isles; for example, traditions involving the Devil collecting nuts at or near the Autumn Equinox are widespread in England; in France it is traditional to leap a bonfire at the feast of St John (24 June).

The name Yule comes from a double-month celebrated in the ancient Germanic calendar[citation needed]; it corresponded roughly to the months of November and December. The holiday in the Christian calender was more closely based on the Germanic holiday Winter's Nights, and the name Yule was associated with it later[citation needed].

However there is no place in Europe where all eight festivals have been observed as a set, and the complete eightfold Wheel of the Year is unknown prior to modern Wicca. Its invention is attributed to Gerald Gardner, founder of Wicca, working together with Ross Nichols, founder of the Druidic Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.[citation needed]

"No known pre-Christian people celebrated all the eight festivals of the calendar adopted by Wicca. Around the four genuine Gaelic quarter days are now ranged the Midwinter and September feasts of the Anglo-Saxons, the Midsummer celebrations so prominent in folklore and (for symmetry) the vernal equinox, which does not seem to have been commemorated by any ancient northern Europeans."[1]
In ancient Iran, Assyria, and Rome, however, the new year began on the vernal equinox. In the case of the Romans, this was 1 March, which became dislodged over time from the astrological Aries/vernal equinox due to Roman calendar drift.

In contrast to the names used in England, in Scotland the fire festivals were (until a change of law in 1991) referred to as Quarter days, also as Term days or Rent days. This has led to some confusion of terminology, as different groups call different sets of festivals the 'Quarter days'.

[edit] Modern Interpretations of the Wheel
Some neopagans have adopted dates for the cross-quarter festivals based on a count of days rather than the Calends of the months, working on the assumption that the dates given above derive from the Roman based Gregorian Calendar. They recognize that the fire festivals are near the midpoints between the solstices and equinoxes, and use the midpoint dates instead of the traditional dates. These modern calculations tend to give dates a few days after the traditional calendar based dates - Feb. 4 or 5 for Imbolc, May 6 or 7 for Beltane, Aug. 5 or 6 for Lughnasadh, and Nov. 5 or 6 for Samhain. There is some archeological evidence for such day counting in Neolithic European cultures, including astronomical alignments in tombs to sunrise about a week into November (Samhain).[2]

Other variants of the Wheel sets the four Sun Sabbats (Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon) to the solstice/equinox dates, while the other four (called Moon Sabbats) are set depending on the phase of the moon. Some traditions celebrate each of the Cross-quarter days on the closest Full Moon to the modern Gregorian Calendar date associated with each festival. Other traditions celebrate on a chosen mid-season Full Moon (typically the 2nd Full Moon after the preceding Equinox / Solstice, placing the observance 29-59 days into the season with an average of 44 days). Others observe each festival in association with a related mid-season phase of the moon, with Imbolc being associate in various traditions with the New, Crescent, or First Quarter Moon; Beltane with the First Quarter, Gibbous, or Full Moon; Lammas with the Full, Disseminating or Last Quarter Moon; and Samhain with the Last Quarter, Balsamic, or New Moon (See phase of the moon). There are many traditions and opinions, with no definitive interpretation.

[edit] Mythological Narratives
Several narratives describe the cycle of the Wheel of the Year. For Neo-Pagans, the most common is the Horned God/Goddes duality. In this narrative, the God is born from the Goddess at Imbolc, courts her maiden aspect at Beltaine, dies at Lammas, passess into the underworld at Samhain, then is born from her mother/crone aspect again at Imbolc. The Goddess, in turn, ages and rejuvinates endlessly with the seasons, being courted by and giving birth to the Horned God.

Another, more solar, narrative is of the Holly King and the Oak King. These two figures battle with each other endlessly. At Midsummer the Oak King is at his height, but the weakened Holly King also begins to regain his strength at that moment. At the Autumnal Equinox, the tables finally turn in the Holly King's favor, and he vanquishes the Oak King at Yule. At this moment, the Oak King begins to regain his footing, and finally manages to turn the tables at the Vernal Equinox

In ancient Greece, the narrative of the wheel is told in the cycle of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades. The year is divided by the pomegranate seeds eaten by Persephone in the underworld, delineating the fertile and infertile cycle of the year.

THE SABBATS

Samhain - October 31

Now is the time of year in which we pass from light into darkness, symbolized by the death of the God of the sun. At this time, the spirits may roam the Earth along with the living, and the Goddess is in her crone aspect. Seasonal items should decorate the Altar. Grains, gourds, and dried flowers are appropriate. Some extras you might want to lay out are things like apples, tarot cards, runes,hazel nuts, divination wands, a plate of food to be left outside for wandering spirits, and corn bread or a pomegranate in place of crescent cakes. One thing I would suggest is a yellow candle with a sun painted on it. This represents the dying God. The Altar cloth is black, the Altar candles should be red and black. Cast the sacred circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess.

After this is done, light the God candle. Say:

"On this night when the dead once more walk freely among the living, we pass into darkness and do so willingly, for we know that it is simply the turning of the wheel. We give thanks to the God and the Goddess for the bounty that They have provided us over the summer. On this night , the Lord of the Hunt, the Lord of the Sun passes away from us. We realize, however, that it is simply the cycle of life, and we wait for that time when the Sun will once more be born of the moon. As this candle represents the Lord of the Sun, so does it's blowing out represent the passing of the Lord of the Sun."

Having said this, extinguish the God candle. This candle is not to be lit again until Yule. Now is the time to invoke the crone aspect of the Goddess by saying:
"Goddess of the stars and of the waning moon, Goddess of Magick and wisdom, whisper in my ear whatever you may and trust that the knowledge will be wisely used. Lend your power to my spells and rituals and trust that they will result in no harm to any of your creatures, great or small."Now is the time for any Magick or seasonal activities which you had planned to perform this evening. Any Magick, and things such as drumming and chanting, carving apples or pumpkins, divination with the Tarot, runes, wands, hazelnuts, or a pendulum, or scrying in fire, smoke or water. After any such business is done with, hold the simple feast. Then you may banish the sacred circle.. Take the offering dish outside, and bury the offerings in the earth. Remember to leave a plate of food outside for wandering spirits.

Yule - circa December 21

This Sabbat celebrates rebirth and renewal, and the return of longer days as the Lord of the Sun is reborn from the womb of the Goddess. Wreaths and evergreen trees may decorate the home. Set up the Altar with your usual tools. Extra tools will include a Yule log, a small evergreen tree, a wreath representing both the wheel of the year and the goddess, and the God candle that you used in the Samhain ritual. The Yule ritual will be performed skyclad. The Altar will be decorated with a variety of evergreens, and the Altar candles shall be red and green. The color of the Altar cloth shall be green. Cast the sacred circle. Then, invoke the God and the Goddess. Then bring the God candle used on Samhain to the front of the altar.

Say:
"As this candle represents the Lord of the Sun, as did it's blowing out represent His passing, as will it's lighting represent His return." Take an altar candle and light the God candle. Bringing the altar candle with you, move around the altar to the Yule log at the rear. Light the first candle, saying:"Blessed be the Goddess in her maiden form, fresh and young. May all the world be born young again with her."
Light the second candle, saying:"Blessed be the Goddess in her motherly form, lovely and heavy with child. May all that springs from her womb be strong and fruitful."
Light the third candle, saying: "Blessed be the Goddess in the form of the crone, powerful and wise. Guardian of Magick and the wheel of life."
Now the Yule log has been lit, put the altar candle in it's place. Return to the front of the altar and stand, facing East. Speak these words:
"On this night the Lord of the Sun is reborn and the Goddess and the God are reunited. As the sun returns and the wheel of the year turns once more, we honor the Goddess and the newly born God, our Mother and Father."
Now is the time for any seasonal activities that you had planned for this evening. Magick is not appropriate. Singing, decorating the Yule tree, etc., are. After any such business has been taken care of, you may banish the sacred circle.

Imbolc - February 1

A festival of lights to herald the coming of spring. A popular Imbolc activity is to prepare seed for spring planting. Lay out the altar with your regular altar tools and add these extras: a bowl of earth with a seed of some sort, as many white tapers on the altar as is safe, and seasonal decorations, such as evergreens, sun wheels, or a cup of melted snow. The altar cloth shall blue, and the altar candles shall be green and white. Cast the sacred circle, and invoke the God and the Goddess.
Then bring the seed and dish of earth or planting pot to the front of the altar. Hold the seed in your hand, knowing that it is the beginnings of life. Bless it in this manner:
"In my hands I hold the seed of beginnings, of life, wisdom, and of coming spring. I ask the God and the Goddess to place a blessing on it so that it may prosper in the coming season." Then think of something you want. It could be a request of the God and the Goddess, or something you want from yourself. Concentrate on this as you hold the seed."With this seed I plant a request, and hope that with careful nurturing and daily care, my goals may come to fruition in time."
Having said this, place the seed in the soil and cover it. What is to be done with it after this is up to you. Hold the simple feast, and then you may do any Magick or seasonal activities that you had planned for this evening. One Imbolc tradition is to weave corn dollies. Banish the sacred circle.

Ostara - circa March 21

This Sabbat recognizes the start of spring, and celebrates the Goddess, once again in her maiden aspect. This Sabbat is a time for fertility rituals, and the cutting of spring's first blossoms. The altar and the circle should be decorated with a variety of fresh flowers. Set up the altar with your usual tools, including a green potted plant, and the cauldron placed somewhere in the circle. The cauldron may be filled with fresh water and floating flowers. Light the altar candles and the incense,
and cast the sacred circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess. Kneel before the altar, facing East, and gaze at the plant. Recognize it not only as a plant, but as a symbol of the awakening earth. Say:
"Blessed is the Goddess, our Mother, our provider. Now, the dark days of winter are past, and the world grows green once more. As life awakens from it's slumber, and is renewed by the power of the God and the Goddess, we thank them for all we have received from them." Touch the plant. Connect with it's energies, and feel its life. Say:
"This plant is representative of the awakening of life after it's long winter slumber. May I learn to be kind to all creatures, great and small, and may I bear in my heart a warmth and understanding of all living things. Mother Goddess, Father God, teach me to revere the earth and all it's treasures always."
Take part in any Magick or seasonal activities that you had planned. Tradition on Ostara is the decoration of eggs. Hold the simple feast and banish the sacred circle.

Beltane - April 30

This Sabbat celebrates the joining of the God and the Goddess. She is now in her Mother aspect, and it is from Her womb that all life will spring. This is yet another fertility Sabbat. The altar and circle should be decorated with flowers. Any white flowers are appropriate, especially those with five petals. The cauldron may be filled with flowers. The altar cloth and candles shall be white. Flower garlands may be worn by the participant. Set out your altar with your usual tools. Include a white ribbon and a red ribbon. Light your incense and the altar candles, and cast the circle. Invoke the God and the Goddess. Kneel before the altar, facing East. Place the ribbons on the pentacle, the end of the white ribbon covering the end of the red one. Speak these words:"Oh Father God, oh Mother Goddess, now is the time of your joining. Through your happiness, may all be happy, and through your fruitfulness, may all in nature be fruitful." Begin plaiting the ribbons together. This is a simplified & solitary version of the traditional maypole. While you are doing this, say:
"All life in all the world springs from the union of the God and the Goddess. Blessed are they, the creators, the Ancient ones!
Do with the ribbons whatever you wish. Any Magick or other seasonal activities may follow. If you are outdoors in a fairly safe place, you may wish to light a small balefire. After such festivities are completed, hold the simple feast, & banish the circle.

Litha/Midsummer - circa June 21

This Sabbat celebrates the Goddess. She is now with child, as is nature with the bounty of the coming harvest. This is a time when energies abound, & is a good time for Magick/purification rites. The altar can be decorated with summer herbs, greenery, & flowers. The cup should be filled with milk. If you have made a protective amulet previous to the ritual, you will want to place this on
the altar. Before the ritual begins, make a small pouch out of white cloth and fill it with any combination of midsummer herbs that you wish & be sure to add them in threes. Tie pouch with red string & place it on the altar. The altar cloth & candles should be white. Light the altar candles and the incense, & cast the circle. Invoke the God & the Goddess. Kneel before the altar, facing east, and say:
"With these mystic rites, I celebrate the summer time and the coming bounty of autumn. Now, the world is bathed in the warm glow of the sun, and the fields and seas and skies and forests are teeming with life." Hold the cloth pouch in your hands. Concentrate on any problems, pain or illness that you wish to be rid of. Picture these things going into the bag. Stand up, walk around to East side of the altar. Light the pouch with an altar candle. Drop the pouch into the cauldron to watch it burn. As you watch, know that those impurities are burning to ash. Say:"Oh great Goddess and God, on this Magickal night I pray that you will help me to know and understand myself and the world around me. May you bring joy and happiness into my life, and may no harm come to anything by my hands."

Lughnasadh - August 2

Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest Sabbats. As it is a harvest, the God figures more prominently here than the Goddess, though she, too, is revered and thanked for bringing the fruits of harvest. The altar and circle can be decorated with sheaves of grains such as barley, oats or wheat. Fruits are appropriate, as are breads. In fact, bread may take the place of crescent cakes and cider instead of wine in the simple feast. The corn dolly that was woven at Imbolc may take her place on the Lughnasadh altar as well. The altar cloth shall be red, and the Altar candles shall be orange. Lay out your altar with all your usual tools, light the altar candles and the incense, and cast the sacred circle. Then invoke the God and the Goddess. Lift some of the grain in your hand as you stand before the altar, facing East. Say: "Now is the first harvest of the year, the time when the fruits of nature give of themselves that we may survive. Now, as the God prepares for death, may his sacrifice help us to understand and accept the sacrifices we must make in our own lives. Now, as the Goddess enters cronehood, may she whisper her secrets and Magick in our ears, that we may put them to good use, and not misuse." Rub the heads of the grain with your fingers so that the grains fall onto the altar. This is a ritualized version of the threshing of grain, an act considered sacred in pre-Christian Ireland. Then lift a piece of fruit, and take a bite out of it, savoring it. Say: "I partake of the fruits of the first harvest, that it's energies might aid mine in my search for wisdom, goodness, and perfection. Oh Goddess of the moon, Mother of all, oh Lord of the sun, Father to everything, I thank thee for the bounty you have given me. May I always remember to harm none, and may my actions please you always."
Eat the rest of the fruit. Works of Magick may follow. Feasting may follow the ritual, with appropriate foods such as breads, berries, crab apples, and any locally ripe produce. After any such activities are finished, banish the sacred circle.

Mabon - circa September 21

This is the second harvest Sabbat. The Goddess is entering into cronehood, and the dark of the year is beginning, so this is a time often associated with mysterious lore and wisdom. The altar and circle should be decorated with autumn leaves, gourds, berries, pine and cypress cones, acorns, oak sprigs and other fruits of the season. New willow staves and wands were traditionally consecrated or empowered on this day, so if you've just recently cut one, you might want to bring it into the circle with you. You should also have a small basket filled with a variety of autumn leaves. The altar cloth shall be brown, and the altar candles shall be red. Cast circle & pick up the basket of leaves and hold it in both hands. Spill the leaves slowly so that they cascade down to the ground within the circle as you say these words:
"The days grow colder, and the leaves fall. Our Lord of the sun rides the winds westward, and the cool, misty night descends. Fruits ripen, and the seeds drop. This is a time of balance, when night equals day, and though all seems dead or dying, I know that life continues. Life is not possible without death, and the coming of winter is just another spoke in the great wheel."
Put the basket down, and say: "Oh great Goddess of the waning moon, keeper of the cauldron, of secret Magicks and forgotten lore, teach me to be wise and peaceful in thought and deed. Grant me your wisdom, and do not fear that it may be used unwisely, or for purposes other than those which encourage peace and prosperity."
Works of Magick or activities may be performed now. After any such things have been taken care of, hold the simple feast, and then banish the sacred circle.

(information on sabbats taken from Scott Cuninghams Book please buy it for more information)

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