The significance of Litha lies in its connection to the power of the sun and the energy of life. Pagans rejoice in the abundance of the Earth, the blossoming of flowers, and the ripening of fruits and crops. It's a time to honor the fertility of the land and the growth of nature. Beltane comes from the phrase “Bel-tan,” which translates to “good fire.” This is because the return of the sun and summer embody the element of fire. Ancient celebrations would see torches of fire being lit and carried through the land, along with people making music, sharing stories in a circle, and feasting. Raven Grimassi (2000). Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft. St Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Worldwide. p.219. ISBN 9781567182576.

Personal Empowerment: Pagan traditions, encourage a personal relationship with the divine, which is always present in nature. This relationship gives one a sense of connection to something larger than oneself. May Day is also celebrated by decorated and dancing around the maypole (representing the male aspect). And, it’s believed that, like at Samhain, the veil between the living and the spirit world is thinner. For Wiccans, this Sabbat is also a holiday of love and romance and when the God and Goddess come together. The cross-quarter days are also known as the “greater sabbats,” while the quarter-points are known as the “lesser sabbats.” This isn’t because they’re less important but because the energy is said to be greater during the cross-quarter festivals.As we have established, the eight Sabbats generally represent the masculine energies of the Sun God. Each point on the Wheel is thought to correspond with a certain point in the god’s lifecycle. Similarly, we can see the Moon Goddess take on the Maiden, Mother, and Crone forms as the months pass. Well, believe it or not, the Wiccan Sabbats are a result of decades, if not centuries, of modern interpretations of ancient rites. In fact, some pretty famous scholars unknowingly participated in the creation of the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, c. 1837. This work is in the public domain.

This day is sometimes also known as Brigid’s day—the Celtic Goddess of fire, creation, and healing. Around Imbolc, her fire begins to spark and awaken the earth, as well as our inner fire. Since the Sabbats are meant to align us with the Earth’s natural cycles, they usually focus on agricultural symbolism. But even if you don’t live near nature, the Wheel can help you center your existence. After all, all work eventually bears fruit.

7 o’clock on the Pagan Wheel of the Year: Lughnasadh (Lammas and Frey Feast)

Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox, falls between September 20th and 23rd in the Northern Hemisphere. Named after the Welsh god Mabon ap Modron, this holiday marks the second harvest of the year, when day and night are in perfect balance before the descent into winter's darkness. Celtic pagans mark the festival by making corn dollies and Wiccans bake bread in the shape of the God. Mabon Even if you’ve never planted anything, you can harvest, come fall. Working on yourself during the year can also result in a rich bounty! So the themes of the seasonal festivals can have many parallels to our personal lives, as well. What you will see is the consecration of a ritual circle with fire and water; salutations to the four directions, plus their correspondences; the evocation of a deity/spirit; and food at the end of it. The purpose of the ritual will either be seasonal or for a specific reason – for instance a healing or initiation. Who leads the ritual? Pagan clergy are unlicensed: wiccans work on a lineage system, a bit like a minor form of apostolic succession, depending on who initiated them; and other groups tend to take it in turns.

Nature-Based Spirituality: Pagans view nature as sacred and deeply interconnected with spiritual life. They celebrate natural cycles, such as the changing of seasons, and find divine inspiration in the natural world.The Mabon Equinox is the second time of the year when there is a balance between light and dark, meaning the day and night are equal in length. There is a sense of harmony, which coincides with the sun moving into Libra—the sign represented by the scales. Imbolc falls on February 1st or 2nd in the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as Candlemas in some Christian traditions, Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox ( Ostara). Gardnerian Book of Shadows: The Sabbat Rituals: August Eve". www.sacred-texts.com . Retrieved 20 September 2017.

For Wiccans, Lughnasadh is marks when the god’s power begins to decline. And, for some pagans, it’s the time when the Celtic Sun God Lugh transfers his power to the grain. When the grain is harvested and baked into bread, his cycle of life is complete. Whether you consider yourself a witch, Wiccan or pagan or not, you can still celebrate these holidays and the wheel of the year. Think of it as celebrating nature and making the most of each season. Rituals during Mabon often involve symbols of balance, such as scales or representations of polarities like day and night. Pagans feasts to celebrate the bounty of nature and prepare for the cooler months ahead. Some authorities claim the Christian festival of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) and the preceding evening are appropriations of Samhain by early Christian missionaries to the British Isles. [37] [38] Practice [ edit ]

10 o’clock on the Pagan Wheel of the Year: Samhain (Winter Nights, Halloween, Hallows, Hallowtide, Shadow Fest, Allantide, Third Harvest, Harvest Home, Geimredh, Day of the Dead, Spirit Night, Candle Night, November Eve, Nutcrack Night, Ancestor Night and Apple Fest)

Starhawk (1979, 1989) The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess. New York, Harper and Row ISBN 0-06-250814-8 pp.193-6 (revised edition) The eight Sabbats of the modern Wheel of the Year include Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, and Mabon. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is still associated with the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead and is a time to honor ancestors and departed loved ones. Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year and is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light. Imbolc, celebrated on February 2nd, marks the beginning of spring and is associated with purification, new beginnings, and the goddess Brigid. Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, is a time of balance between light and dark and is associated with fertility and growth. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a time to celebrate the union of the god and goddess and the fertility of the earth. Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year and is a time to honor the sun and the power of the god. Lughnasadh, celebrated on August 1st, marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth. Mabon, celebrated on the fall equinox, is a time of balance between light and dark and is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to prepare for the coming winter.