Sabbats

The Wheel of the Year

October 31st  -  Samhain/All Hallow's Eve

Pronounced sow-in.  The witches' New Year.  Full of celebrations to those who passed before us, and preparations for the year to come.

December 21st - Yule/Winter Solstice

Pronounced yool.  The longest night of the year.  Yule represents the day the Oak King vanquishes the Holly King to usher in the long days once more.  The night the Goddess gives birth to the God once more.

February 1st - Imbolc/Candlemas

Pronounced im-bulk.  Celebrations of light and longer days begin here.  It is the time of the year when most animals give birth to their young.  Traditionally used as a day of Pagan initiation.

March 21st - Ostara/Spring Equinox

Pronounced os-star-rah.  The one day a year that the night and day time are both equal.  This festival ushers in the coming spring, and is where "spring cleaning" originated.

May 1st - Beltane/May Day

Pronounced bell-tayn.  The traditional celebration of fertility and creativity.  Representative of the day the Goddess becomes pregnant with the God.

June 21st - Litha/Midsummer/Summer Solstice 

Pronounced lih-thah.  The longest day of the year.  It is the Holly King's turn to vanquish the Oak King, ushering in the longer nights once more.

August 1st - Lammas/Lughnasadh 

Pronounced lah-mahs.  Summer is ending and fall is returning.  This is a festival of the years harvest.  The night when the old God dies to allow the new to replace him.

September 21st - Mabon/Autumnal Equinox

Pronounced may-bon.  The festival of thanks.  We rest after the long year and prepare for the winter as we are thankful for the years bounties.

Sources:  Zurich, The White Goddess, and teachings from word of mouth.