Sabbats

Sabbats are seasonal festivals observed in many modern Pagan and Wiccan traditions, particularly within the concept of the Wheel of the Year. They are distinct from the Jewish and Christian Sabbaths and are often celebrated as public or coven-based rites as well as in individual practice. In some contexts, the term sabbat also refers to a regular gathering of witches, but in typical usage the Sabbats are annual celebrations linked to solar events and agricultural cycles.

The eight Sabbats mark the turning points of the year. Yule occurs around the winter solstice and symbolizes rebirth of the sun. Imbolc is observed in early February and welcomes the first stirrings of spring. Ostara, at the spring equinox, emphasizes balance between light and dark. Beltane on May Day highlights fertility and growth. Litha, near the summer solstice, celebrates the longest day. Lughnasadh on August 1 marks the harvest. Mabon, around the autumnal equinox, is a season of thanks and balance. Samhain, around October 31, honors ancestors and the thinning of the veil between worlds.

Observances typically include symbolic imagery, feasting or fasting, ritual work, music and dancing, lighting candles or fires, and offerings to deities, spirits, or the land. Many practitioners align sabbat dates with local climate and adjust for the northern or southern hemisphere. While Sabbats form a common framework for neopagan practice, traditions vary in emphasis, interpretation, and exact timing, with some groups observing additional cross-quarter days or interpreting the cycle symbolically rather than literally.