Sabbats:
The major pagan holidays

Imbolc
Also known as Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigid's Day

This holiday is the "Festival of Lights" to celebrate the "quickening" of the year. It is a time of hope and renewal. The days are getting longer, and although it's often hard to tell, this is the time where the first stirrings of spring are beginning to occur (even though you may not be able to see any visible signs for a few more months).

An appropriate craft for this time of year is a "Brigid's Cross" of wheat. Appropriate rituals for this time of year are for fertility, renewal, and cleansing. This is a good time of year to begin spring cleaning, clearing out some of the stale negativity of winter.


Ostara
Spring Equinox

A balance of night and day, and the first signs of rebirth and renewal are beginning to how (though in the northernmost regions, it will still be a bit before Spring actually bursts forth).


Beltane

This is the final "spring" holiday (beginning of summer). A fertility holiday (as can be seen by it's most famous symbol, the may pole).


Litha
Midsummer, summer solstice

Height of solar energy and time to celebrate the sun god in his full glory. As the height of the year's light and warmth, it's a time to celebrate the rich abundance of life.


Lughnassadh
Lammas

The beginning of the harvest cycle and "winding down" of the year.


Mabon
Autumn Equinox

A time of thanksgiving. Although the harvest season is still underway, some focus moves to the season of "the hunt" in preparation for winter.


Samhain

Witches' New Year. Marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is considered the time when the veil between the world's is the thinnest, so it's a good time for divination and contacting spirits.It's a time to remember and honor the dead, and an affirmation of life against the coming season of death.


Yule
Winter Solstice

The shortest day and longest night of the year. It's a time of celebration of the rebirth of the sun god; a time for giving gifts to show appreciation for those with whom we share our daily lives.



I'll be adding more detail on the holidays soon!

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