Fire Festivals-Quarters of the Year	Cross Quarters
Yule or Winter Solstice	Candlemas or Imbolc
Ostara or Spring Equinox	Beltane or May Day
Midsummer or Summer Solstice	Lammas or Lughnassadh
Mabon or Autumn Equinox	Samhain or Halloween

 

Sabbats

Samhain: October 31

Also known as: Halloween, All Hallow's Eve (Celtic, Nov. 7), Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas/Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic, Nov. 22), November Eve, Feast of Dead, Witches' New Year

It is the last of the harvest festivals. It is the farewell to the God as waiting for rebirth. It celebrates the dead and coming to terms with death. It is the time when the separation between the physical and spiritual realms are at their thinnest. Samhain completes the Wheel of the the Year. It is a time to reflect on the past year.

It is time for divination and speaking to the dead. Gourds, pumpkins, and cider are usually consumed. Black candles will ward off negativity.

Colours: Black

Yule: December 21

Also known as: Yuletide (Teutonic), Winter Solstice, Alban Arthan (Caledonii Tradition)

It is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Yuletide goes from Mother Night on Dec. 20 to Yule Night on Dec. 31. Caledonii Tradition does not consider Alban Arthan a Fire Festival, but when the waxing Moon overcomes the waning Moon. The Goddess gives birth to a son, the God and the sun is reborn. It is this period in which the Goddess sleeps. The Holly King (Death aspect of the God) is overcome by Oak King (rebirth of the God into the "Divine Child"). Yule was turned into Christmas by Christians in 273 BCE.

Years ago it was celebrated by building fires and burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, wreaths, and sharing gifts. The reindeer stag is a reminder of the Horned God. Burning bayberry candles can ensure wealth and happiness for the upcoming year.

Colours: Red and green

Candlemas: February 2

Also known as: Imbolic (Celtic), Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonii Tradition, Feb. 1), Lupercus/Lupercalia (Strega), Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Candelaria (Mexican Craft), Disting (Teutonic, Feb. 14)

This is the period when the Goddess recovers after giving birth to the God. He becomes a child. It is the first of the 3 Spring festivals and celebrates fertility and things yet to be born. It celebrates the banishing of Winter and the welcoming of Spring. It welcomes change from the old to the new. It is for fertility, light, and purification.

Colours: White and lavender.

Ostara: Around March 21

Also known as: Spring Equinox, Eostra's Day, Alban Eiler (Caledonii Tradition), turned into Easter by the Christians

It is the first day of Spring and the second Spring Festival, one of fertility and renewal. It celebrates balance. The Goddess gives Earth fertility and the God grows. It is a time of beginnings and actions. Alban Eiler represents the warrior aspect of the God.

Seeds are blessed for planting. Eggs are coloured and put on the altar as magickal talismans. There are bunnies and baskets of flowers. Rabbits and eggs are symbols of fertility. Rabbits are also connected to the Greek goddess Hecate.

Colours: Light green, yellow, pale pink

Beltane: May 5

Also known as: May Day (May 1), Walburga (Teutonic), Rudemas (Mexican Craft), Festival of Tana (Strega), Bealtinne (Caledonni Tradition)<

It is the last of the three Spring festivals, when all prepare for the months ahead. It joins the two halves to make a whole, a third entity. It is the Divine Union of the Lord and Lady. It is when the God becomes a man. He and the Goddess reproduce to give birth to the God. It is a time for love, union, vitality, passion, and hopes being consumated.

There are flower baskets. It is also traditional to have a May Pole, a tree to adorn with ribbons and bows.

Colours: Red which represents the blood flow of a woman when virginity is lost. Others are bright blue, lavender, warm pink, yellow, and white.

Midsummer: Around June 21

Also known as: Summer Solstice, Litha, Feill-Sheathain (Pecti-Wita, July 5), Alban Hefin (Caledonii Tradition)

It is the longest day of the year. It celebrates the fertility of the God and the Goddess. It is the climax of nature's powers. It celebrates passion and success and represents the Sun King. the Caledonii Tradition celebrates the king aspect of the God.

One can commune with fields, forests, sprites, and faeries.

Colors: Red and yellow.

Lammas: August 2

Also known as: Lughnassadh (Celtic, Aug. 7), Cornucopia (Strega), Thingtide (Teutonic), August Eve

It is the first of the harvest festivals, the beginning of the harvest cycle. The God loses strength and nights are longer. Lughnassadh honors the Sun God.

Decorate with first fruits.

Colours: Red and yellow.

Autumn Equinox: Around September 21

Also known as: Mabon (Celtic), Alban Elfed (Caledonii Tradition), Winter Finding (Teutonic)

Days and nights are equal. It is the second harvest festival and celebrates the harvest and its completion. It is when the God prepares for renewal/rebirth. Nature declines, getting ready for Winter. Winter Finding is from the Equinox to Winter Night (Oct. 15). The Caledonii Tradition celebrates the Lord of Mysteries.

Cornbread and cider are good to consume at this time.

Colours: Brown, orange, gold, and red.

Esbats

Full Moon

The best days for magick are 7 days around this time: 3 days before, 1 during, and 3 after. Work can take 1 Moon cycle to come into affect and be completed.

New Moon

Waxing Moon

The period between the New and Full Moon.

Waning Moon

The period between the Full Moon and New Moon.

Dark Moon

It is 3 days before the New Moon. This is traditionally a period when no magick is performed. It is a time of rest, which the body needs after much work. It is a good time to meditate or vision quest. Hecate rules during this period, so if there is something needed to be done with her help, this is the time. If anything, this is the time for dark rituals.

Harvest Moon

The Full Moon nearest Mabon.

Blue Moon

This is when the Moon with the 28-day cycle appears twice in one month. It is also called the Goal Moon and is a good time to set specific long-term goals.