IMBOLC: (February 2) Imbolc is one of the four greater Sabbats celebrating the first stirrings of spring and the growing young God.

SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA: (March 21) Ostara is celebrated on the Vernal Equinox when the day and night are equal, and we begin to see the signs of the young growing God in new shoots and buds on the trees.

BELTANE: (May 1) Beltane is the second most sacred sabbath, preceeded only by Samhain in importance to most witches. Beltane celebrates the arrival of summer and is "the" fertility festival for the lusty God and eager maiden Goddess. The God is often represented as the Stag King/Oak King at this time and begins His rule over the light half of the year.

SUMMER SOLSTICE/MIDSUMMER: (June 21) Litha is when the Sun God has reached the height of His power. The Goddess is now with child in the same way nature is heavy with the bounty of the coming harvests.

LUGHNASADH/LAMMAS: (August 1) The First Harvest. The God/Sun is still strong but soon it will be autumn. This is the first of the three harvest festivals and a time of thanksgiving .

AUTUMN EQUINOX/MABON: (September 21) Harvest Home is a time when again day and night are equal and we are now able to enjoy all the hard work of the summer. This is when the Corn King was symbolically sacrificed to ensure a good harvest.

SAMHAIN: (October 31) The Last Harvest. The Holly King (the waning year) now triumphs over The Oak King (waxing year) . As the wheel turns He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue on and on. This is considered the Witches New Year and is the most traditional time to honor departed loved ones and ancestors.