If you’ve been exposed to Wicca, it’s likely you’ve heard of some of the holidays and events that Wiccans celebrate – like Imbolc, Ostara, or Samhain. But what are they?
Wiccans follow what’s called the Wheel of the Year, which is a cycle of seasonal events celebrated every year. The events are called ‘Sabbats’, and there are eight – Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas), Mabon, and Samhain. And they’re not as unfamiliar as you might think, either: many modern Western holidays are based on Pagan celebrations, which have rich historical origins.
Throughout history, groups like the Anglo-Saxons and the Celts celebrated the changing seasons, known in the modern day as solstices and equinoxes. In more modern Neo-Paganism, there’s also celebrations for the mid-points between a solstice and an equinox. Sabbats on solstices and equinoxes are known as greater or major Sabbats, and the mid-points as lesser Sabbats.
Though there isn’t an official order for Southern Hemisphere witches since their seasons are opposite to the North, most have agreed to swap them around – so when Northern witches celebrate Imbolc, Southern witches celebrate Lughnasadh.
Wiccan celebrations often focus on the ‘sacred marriage’ between a God and a Goddess, but the history of cyclical celebrations varies widely between and even within different cultures. Persecution of accused witches means little reliable information is available on the array of cultural practices.
But regardless, the Sabbats form an essential part of practice for many Wiccans, witches, and Neo-Pagans across the world. We’ll be taking you through the Sabbats as they happen in the Northern Hemisphere so you can learn how some people celebrate and get ideas about what you can do to commemorate the occasions.
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