The Wiccan Sabbats are holidays are held during the Equinoxes, Solstices, and the Cross Quarters between these two. Every Wiccan celebrates these holidays in his own way. Below I shall discuss a very brief summary of each and rituals performed on each of these days.
Samhain (SOWEN)- This is on October 31, also called Halloween. It is usually chosen as the New Year for most pagans, but not all. This is the time of year when the Horned God presides as the Lord of the Underworld, and it's also the holiday where the veil between life and death is the thinnest. It's one of the most important holidays, and a good time to pray to your ancestors. During this holiday, votive candles, pumpkins, and divination tools are frequently used as means to respect and honor ancestors.
Yule (YOOL)- This holiday is on the Winter Solstice in December, around December 21 or 22. The Horned God has died, but now he is reborn to the Goddess at this holiday! This is a reason why some pagans choose this holiday as their New Year. I personally choose Samhain as the beginning of the New Year. This holiday is a time of personal renewal as well as a time of peace and honoring of the family. Mistletoe, wreathes, holly, and the Yule log are common with this holiday.
Imbolc(IMOLC)- Celebrated on February 2nd, this is the holiday of the Celtic Fire Goddess Brigid. It is the time of year where the young God is suckling from his mother, the Goddess, who is resting from Her labour. Rituals in this time include those of creative inspiration, purification, initiations, and temple blessings. Lighting candles, cleaning of the house, and looking for signs of Spring (as the modern Groundhog's Day story goes as well) are also parts of this holiday.
Ostara(OSTARA)- This holiday is celebrated on the Vernal Equinox in March. At Ostara is the return of the Goddess and, the God roams the earth as a child. Rituals around this holiday include those of new growth, seed blessings, and other birthing types of things. Egg baskets and wearing green are also common in this time.
Beltane or Bealtinne(BELTANE or BYALCHINNA)- This is also one of the most important holidays. Beltane is celebrated on May first. It is the time when the veil between the human world and the faery world is the thinnest. At this time of year, the Great God has grown, he and the Goddess have fallen in love, and they marry at Beltane. At this time, the rituals of love, fertility, and crop blessings are prevalent. Flower baskets and May poles, symbols of fertility, are also used during this time.
Litha(LEETHA)or Midsummer- Litha is celebrated on the Summer Solstice in June. It is when the Goddess and God consummate their marriage. This is a time of happiness, and all-night vigils, celebrations, processions, and bonfires are common.
Lughnassadh or Lammas(LOONASA or LAMMAHS)- Lammas is celebrated on August 2nd. At this time, the God blesses the seeds to make it grow, as He did at Litha, when he planted His own seed into the womb of the Goddess (Note: the Goddess is pregnant). He also uses up his energy and prepares for his descent into the underworld. Rituals of prosperity and generousity are all given in this time. The offering of the first grains is also common.
Mabon(MAYBON) - This holiday is celebrated on the Autumnal Exquinox in September. At this holiday, the God dies. During this time, the crops (the matured seeds the God blessed) are harvested and preparations are made for cold weather while the Horned God goes to rule the Underworld and is then reborn, starting the processes of life and death anew.
