SABBATS
Because witches honor nature, they have
eight festivals, or Sabbaths, that mark the year as it turns through its seasons.
SAMHAIN
It happens on October 31, at Halloween and is when the Witch year begins. This is
the time of death, of honoring and communing with spirits that have passed to the other
side. Now the veil between the worlds is thin. It is a good time to invite our beloved
dead to visit with us. Victor Anderson says "If a ghost of a loved one shows up, ask
him to join the party."
YULE
The winter solstice happens on December 21, which is the longest darkest night of the
year.
IMBOLC
Lightmass, February 1.
OSTARA
Spring Equinox happens on March 21. Witches celebrate the birth of spring
and the reawakening of life on earth.
BELTANE
The Walpurgis - Night happens on May 1.
LITHA
Summer solstice happens on June 21.
LAMMAS
Is celebrated on August 1 it is the first harvest. Lammas was the medieval name
for holiday and means loafmass. This was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from
the first grain harvest and then offered.
MABON
Fall Equinox happens on September 21. Today, the length of night time is equal
to the length of daytime. Mabon is a welsh name and means "Great Son".