What is the Wheel of the Year and when are the eight sabbats?

Fire festivals and solar festivals

Four of the sabbats — Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh — come from Gaelic seasonal festivals and fall roughly between the solstices and equinoxes. The other four mark the solstices and equinoxes themselves. The eight were brought together as one 'wheel' in the mid-twentieth century, mainly through Wicca and modern Druidry.

The year in brief

• Samhain: the end of harvest, honouring ancestors, the Pagan new year for many.
• Yule: the longest night and the return of the light.
• Imbolc: first signs of spring, Brigid and the hearth.
• Ostara: balance of light and dark, eggs and seeds.
• Beltane: summer's start, flowers, fire and love.
• Litha: the longest day, sun and strength.
• Lughnasadh: the first harvest and bread.
• Mabon: the second harvest and thanksgiving.

Marking the sabbats simply

You don't need a coven or special tools. Walk outside and notice the season, cook something seasonal, change the colours on a small altar, light a candle. Each festival page has traditions, colours and altar ideas.