Yule, also known as Yuletide or Yulefest, is celebrated at the winter solstice, which falls between December 20-23 in the northern hemisphere, depending on the year. It represents the transition back into the light, and a welcoming of the sun. It’s also the official first day of winter. This year, Yule and the winter solstice […]
The Yuletide season is rapidly approaching! Many modern-day witches celebrate Yule, which is the winter solstice and the eighth festival in the Wheel of the Year. Yule is the longest night of the year. It marks the end of the dark half and the gradual return to the light. Traditionally, ancient people celebrated Yule with […]
From October 31st to November 1st, which is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, people around the world celebrate Samhain. Learn all about the third harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year and discover the origins and rituals of Samhain, plus altar ideas and easy recipes to try. What is […]
The date for the autumnal equinox is Wednesday, September 22, 2021, signifying the official arrival of fall in the northern hemisphere. Besides pumpkin spice everything returning to our palate, this is a great time to recognize the temporary balance and gradual transition in the natural cycle. Many cultures celebrate Mabon and the autumn equinox. **This […]
Lammas (also known as Lughnasadh) is the fourth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year. It’s the first of three harvest festivals, and Lammas falls between Litha and Mabon on the wheel. Lammas falls on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and February 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This post contains affiliate links, from which the author […]
Also known as Midsummer, Litha (pronounced LEE-thuh) is the fourth Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, and it’s celebrated on the summer solstice. Litha is in between Beltane and Lammas on the wheel. In 2021, Litha falls on June 20th in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. This post contains […]
Beltane, also known as May Day, is celebrated on May 1, which is about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and summer solstice (Litha) in the northern hemisphere. It represents fertility, the peak of spring and the coming of summer. Although Beltane rituals and celebrations had mostly died out toward the mid-20th century, some of […]
Ostara is celebrated at the spring equinox, which falls between March 19-21 in the northern hemisphere, depending on the year. It represents rebirth, new beginnings, and revitalization, and it’s also the first official day of spring.
Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, and it represents the welcoming of spring’s return and the light half of the year.
Witches, pagans, Wiccans, and other cultures celebrate eight important festivals throughout the year. These celebrations are known as the Sabbats, which follow a nature-based calendar. The Greater Sabbats (Ostara, Litha, Mabon, and Yule) are solar-based festivals to honor the spring equinox, summer solstice, fall equinox, and winter solstice respectively. The Lesser Sabbats (Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas, […]
