The Wiccan Calendar
Southern Hemisphere.
In the Wiccan calendar, there are four main days of power, (Sabbats), all revolving around the Solstices and Equinoxes - the astronomical beginnings of the seasons, and with deep connection to the agricultural year. In the southern hemisphere, the Sabbats don't always align with the traditional understanding of goddess spirituality - for example, Easter is named after the Spring goddess Eostre, whose feast day is celebrated in the northern hemisphere's Spring time (Mar 20 - 23). In the southern hemisphere, Easter lands in Autumn, not an entirely appropriate time to be celebrating "new life"! Nevertheless, we can still celebrate the essence of each Sabbat.
Yule
(Winter Solstice)
The time of the shortest day of the year, the sun begins its path out of winter towards Spring. Yule (around DECEMBER 22nd) also known as: Yuletide, Alban Arthan.
Yule is the time of greatest darkness and the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice had been associated with the birth of a "Divine King" long before the rise of Christianity. Since the Sun is considered to represent the Male Divinity in many Pagan Traditions, this time is celebrated as the "return of the Sun God" where He is reborn of the Goddess.
Candlemas
Imbolc (Brigid's Day)
The light of rebirth grows stronger. It is a time for purification as we continue to emerge from the dark of winter.(February 1st or 2nd)
also known as: Candlemas, Imbolg, Imbolgc brigantia, Lupercus, Disting
IMBOLC
The earliest whisperings of Springtide are heard now as the Goddess nurtures Her Young Son. As a time of the year associated with beginning growth, Imbolc is an initiatory period for many. Here we plant the "seeds" of our hopes and dreams for the coming summer months.
Spring Equinox
When the day and night are equal length. By now, we are feeling re-energised and are ready to burst forth with renewed energy, (around March 21st)also known as: Vernal Equinox, Ostara, Alban Eiler, Esther
SPRING EQUINOX/OSTARA
( on or about March 21) The first true day of Springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length as the Young God continues to mature and grow. We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.
Beltane
May Day in the northern hemisphere
The name is derived from the Celtic god Belenus, and is a time to celebrate fertility and the earth's ripe abundance.also known as: Mayday, Walburga, Galan Mai, Shenn da Boaldyn, Bealtinne, Beltine, Beltain, Beal-tine, Beltan, Bel-tien, Beltein, Bealtuinn and Bealtaine
BELTAINE
(April 30-May 1 - Western Hemisphere) The Land represented by the Goddess is now ripe and fertile and the Young God expresses His Love for Her. This is a time of joyous reveling as the first flowers of Summer are gathered in Their Honor.
Summer Solstice
Litha
When the sun reaches its zenith, and then turns southward and the days begin to shorten. Make hay while the sun shines!also known as: Litha, Feill-Sheathain, Jani, Alban Hefin, Juhannus, Midsommarafton, Saint John's Eve.
"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." -- Maori proverb
Summer Solstice falls at the precise moment when the Sun's power is at its zenith. It is the time of year when the noon sun appears to be farthest north from the celestial equator. "Solstice" is Latin for "sun stands still" (sol "sun" and sistere "to stand"). Summer Solstice is so named because to the naked eye the sun appears stationary in its northern and southern progression. The sun is directly over the tropic of Cancer at the summer solstice, at which time the sun is 23°27' north. The sun travels 23.5 degrees to reach its maximum distance from the celestial equator during both the summer and winter solstice.
Lammas
Harvest Festival
A time of thanksgiving and preparation for the dark, cold winter and the death of nature.on or about August 1stalso known as: Lugnasad, Lammas, Cornucopia, Thingtide, Lammastide, Lughomass, Festival of Light, Latha Lunasdal
Falling midway between Summer Solstice and Autumnal Equinox is the cross-quarter holiday of Lughnasadh, which is the first in the trilogy of harvest festivals, Lughnasadh, Mabon and finally Samhain. It is at the time of Lughnasadh when the days suddenly seem to shorten and the nights grow longer At Lughnasadh, the Wheel of the Year begins to shift from growing time to harvest time. The subtle changes of the waning sun that occurred at Summer Solstice becomes more evident as the balance of day and night seem to shift more dramatically. The slight seasonal changes in weather, and the declining arc of the sun, the southern movement of it rising and setting are other indicators of this shift. "After Lammas, corn ripens as much by night as by day."
Although temperatures can still be high, the mood and sensation of the year most decidedly changes. We enter the harvest time. It is the point in time when the first grains are collected and ritualistically sacrificed to ensure the continuance of the cycle of life both physically and spiritually.
Autumn Equinox
Mabon
A time when nature declines, draws back into bounty, readying for winter and its time of rest. also known as: Alban Elfed, Winter Finding(on or about September 21)
The Second or Continuing Harvest. Now, as at Ostara, the days and nights are equal once again. gardens are in full bloom and heavy with nature's bounty. There is a slight nip in the air already and preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which are to come.
Samhain
Hallowe'en
The most sacred holiday celebrated throughout the Wheel of the Year is Samhain (pronounced sow-en), which may mean "summer's end". Samhain is the time to celebrate the Crone, the wise one, the healer.
(October 31st -Nov 1st)
The Last Harvest.
The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing"(divination). As
