From October 31st to November 1st, which is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, people around the world celebrate Samhain. But what exactly is Samhain? Is it the Pagan version of Halloween? Learn all about the third harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year and discover the origins and rituals […]
Lammas (Lughnasadh) | Fifth Sabbat & First Harvest Festival
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 (lah-muz) and Lughnasadh (loo-nah-sa) are used interchangeably among modern witches, spiritualists, and Pagans. The Sabbat is celebrated on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere […]
The Summer Solstice | Litha’s History, Rituals, and Recipes
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. This year, Litha falls on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in the Northern Hemisphere. This article will explore Litha’s origins, history, and […]
Beltane Fire Festival | May Day Origins, Rituals, & Recipes
Beltane, also known as May Day, is celebrated on May 1st, 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, The Second Sabbat in the Wheel of the Year
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.
What is Imbolc? The First Sabbat in the Wheel of the Year
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.
Wheel of the Year | An Overview of the 8 Sabbats
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, […]