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The Wheel of the Year observes the passing of seasons throughout the year. It is divided into four major and four minor sabbats which are said to originate from old Celtic festivities.
The minor sabbats are celebrated on days with astronomical importance, depending on Earth's orbit around the sun, and thus fall on a different date each year. The four major sabbats fall on fixed days between the minor sabbats.
, the longest night, is celebrated at winter solstice and is a day for reflection and new beginnings.
is a festival of light and budding life, celebrated on February 1st.
The second minor sabbat, Ostara, is at spring equinox, when day is exactly as long as night. It is a festival of newborn and growing life and marks the beginning of spring.
Beltane is on May 1 in high spring and celebrates life and fertile earth.
Summer solstice or midsummer, Litha, is the longest day of the year and associated with big feasts and a celebration of life.
Lughnasadh or Lammas on August 1 is the first of the three harvest festivals and thus marks the start of harvesting season.
Mabon is the second equinox of the year and the second harvest festival.
Probably the most important sabbat of the year is on the night of October 31st. It's the last harvest festival and about embracing the year and other things coming to an end.
