Observed by many modern Pagans and Witches, the Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal and solar festivals and/or events. In other words, it marks the transitions of the sun – the constant energy flow – through the changing of the seasons. It represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
The Wheel of the Year represents the path of the Sun God – the masculine Divine – and His relationship with the Goddess – the female Divine. There are 8 points on the symbolic Wheel of the Year that denote each of the Sabbats, a symbolic event between the Divinities.
There are 4 Cross-quarter points or Fire Festivals. These are known as “Greater Sabbats” and coincide with the Earth’s agricultural cycles. These Sabbats are Imbolc (Candlemas), Beltane, Lughnasadh (Lammas), and Samhain.
It should be noted that some Pagans only celebrate two Sabbats: Beltane (the focus on Life) and Samhain (the focus on Death). In this case, these Sabbats are known as “Major Sabbats” and occur when the veils between the Earthly and Spiritual Realms are the thinnest.
There are 4 Quarter-points or Solar Festivals. These are known as “Lesser Sabbats” and commemorate the Sun’s position in the sky. These Sabbats are Ostara (the Spring Equinox), Litha (the Summer Solstice), Mabon (the Autumn Equinox), and Yule (the Winter Solstice).
