The Wheel of the Year honors the never ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It expresses the belief which Pagan religions hold that time is circular, not linear. The Sabbats are derived from the rich traditions of  seasonal festivals as celebrated by European cultures.

The word Sabbat is derived from the Greek word "sabbatu," meaning, "to rest."  This word is used to apply to any of the eight solar festivals of the Neo-Pagan and Wiccan year. These are divided into the Greater and Lesser Sabbats known respectively as the Cross Quarter and Quarter Holidays. Quarter holidays are those which fall in the wheel as a clock in the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 positions for the Solstices and Equinoxes, and the Cross Quarters are those holidays which fall between. 

The following is a brief introduction to these holy days for those who are new to or not familiar with the older religions.

Pronounced "sow-in" or "sow-een."  This has been Christianized as "All Hallow's Eve" and is known today as Halloween. This is the ancient new year of the Celts, a time when the veil between the world of the living and dead is the thinnest. Most see this as a day to honor loved ones who have passed on.  In Wiccan and some European traditions, the old God dies at this time to be reborn at Yule and the Goddess goes into mourning leaving the world in darkness.

YULE
Winter Solstice, December 21st or 22nd
LESSER SABBAT
Other names include:
Midwinter, Sun Return, Fionn's Day, Yuletide, Alban Arthan.
Symbols Include: 
Evergreens, wreath, Yule logs, holly and mistletoe.

This sabbat has been Christianized as "Christmas."  It is the Winter Solstice and marks the longest night of the year. Fires and candles are lit to ensure the Sun's return on this night. Pagan traditions of the wreath, the tree and the Yule Log are a part of this sabbat.  Mistletoe and holly were both sacred plants to the ancient Druids. The Sun God is reborn as an infant and has since become the "Baby New Year." It also honors the Mother Goddess from who the god is reborn.

IMBOLC
February 1st
GREATER SABBAT
Other names include:
Oimelc, Brid's Day, Bride's Day, Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc brigantia, Lupercus, Disting.
Symbols Include: 
Candles, grain dollies, equilateral cross (Breid's cross), ewes. 

Pronounced "em-bowl/c."  Christianized as "Candlemas" and is also known as "Bride's Day" and "St. Brigid's Day."  Imbolc is a Gaelic word meaning " in the belly" as a time when the first stirrings of Spring begin in the womb of the Earth Goddess. Imbolc is also known as Oimelc, which means "milk of ewes" and was so named since the lambing season also occurs at this time.  This sabbat honors the Celtic triple goddess Breid, patroness of healing, poetry and smithcraft. Candles are lit to honor her element, which is fire, and to welcome back the young Sun God.  It is traditionally a night of women's mysteries.

OSTARA
Vernal Equinox, March 20th, 21st or 22nd
LESSER SABBAT
Other names include:
Eostre, Lady Day, Alban Eiler, Esther
Symbols Include: 
Eggs, hares and rabbits, the first flowers of the year.

Pronounced "oh-star-ah." Ostara is also known as Lady day, and has been Christianized as "Easter."  It is the Vernal Equinox, when day has power over night and the earth awakens.  This day is named Eostre, the Teutonic goddess of spring and the moon.  It is the first planting festival of the year and welcomes the return of new life. Traditional fertility symbols such as the egg and Eostre's sacred hare are a part of this sabbat. It is a celebration of birth and rebirth.

BELTAINE
May 1st
GREATER SABBAT
Other names include:
Beltane, Bealtinne, Bealtaine, May Day, Rudemas, Giamonios, Bhealltainn, Walburga, Walpurgis, Walpurgisnacht.
Symbols Include: 
May Pole, flowers, and garlands.

Pronounced "bell-tayn" or "beel-teen."  This has been Christianized as "St.Walpurga's Eve," and is still know in Canada and Europe as "May Day." The sun god Beli was traditionally honored on this day, and beltaine literally means "bright fire." It is a day best known as one of fertility and healing using sympathetic magick. The Uniting of the feminine and masculine forces represents the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God.  It is reenacted symbolically in both the Maypole Dance and the Great Rite.

LITHA
Summer Solstice, June 21st or 22nd
LESSER SABBAT
Other names include:
Midsummer, Gathering Day, Feill-Sheathain , Alban Hefin, Whitsuntide.
Symbols Include: 
Fire, solar disk or wheel.

This sabbat has been Christianized as "Whitsuntide" and "St. John's Day" and is commonly known as "Midsummer."  It is the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. The power of the sun is at its peak and the Earth Goddess is pregnant. This is also the time when the Oak and Holly King battle, with the Holly King the victor over the remaining half of the year, battling again at Yule. Bonfires are a part of this sabbat offering both protection from spirits and honoring the sun.

LUGHNASADH
August 1st
GREATER SABBAT
Other names include: 
Lammas, August Eve, Elembiuos, Cornucopia, First Fruits, Feast of St. Catherine.
Symbols Include: 
Grains, breads, and threshing tools. 

Pronounced "loo-nahs-ah."  This has been Christianized as "Lammas," meaning loaf mass, since bread made from the first grain was eaten on this day. It is the first harvest festival of the year, a celebration of the "first fruits." It honors the Celtic god Lugh, a solar deity who is married to the land. He dies annually with the reaping of the crops, but in some traditions it is his foster mother Taillte who sacrifices herself and funeral games were held in her honor. Lughnasadh not only a day of thanksgiving, but one also of ensuring the remaining harvest will be plentiful by ritually giving back to the land.

MABON
Autumnal Equinox, September21st or 22nd
LESSER SABBAT
Other names include:
Harvest Home, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, John Barleycorn, Alban Elfed, Winter Finding, St. Michael's Day.
Symbols Include:
 Apple, wine, vine, grapes, gourd, and the cornucopia.

Pronounced "may-bone."  This sabbat has been Christianized as "St. Michael's Day." Mabon is the Welsh god of harvest and fertility, and also known as the Son of Light. The Autumnal Equinox is known as Harvest Home, the second harvest festival of the year, and also coincides with the grape harvest. Traditionally it is a day of thanksgiving and feasting with wine included as part of the fair. Day and Night become equal and all things are in balance. The sun crosses the equator and begins its descent south, and the Sun God passes with it into the final days of His reign, ending at Samhain.