As you may or may not know I am Pagan and celebrate the seasonal festivals through the year. During 2025 I thought I’d share our perspective and what we do in our family (my eldest has also been called to the path and I have a feeling my youngest has as well).
To start this series though, I thought I’d share a basic overview of The Wheel of the Year.
For many modern pagans, the Wheel of the Year serves as a deeply symbolic framework for understanding and connecting with the natural world. Rooted in ancient traditions, it reflects the cyclical patterns of nature—marking key points throughout the solar year that honour the rhythms of the Earth. From the growth of plants to the turning of seasons, the Wheel of the Year offers a guide to living in harmony with the environment, celebrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
image from https://pagancollective.wordpress.com/menu/calendar-events-groups/wheel-of-the-year/
The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of eight seasonal festivals (known as Sabbats), each corresponding to specific points in the solar year. These festivals are often celebrated in modern Pagan traditions, such as Wicca, Druidry, and various other nature-based spiritual paths. The cycle is based on the Earth’s relationship with the Sun, marking the changing of the seasons and the transitions between them. Each Sabbat is tied to an agricultural or natural theme, such as sowing, harvesting, or honoring the sun’s power.
In the Southern Hemisphere most switch our festival dates to align with our seasons. So instead of celebrating Yule in December like the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate it during the middle of our winter (June).
The Eight Sabbats
- Samhain (Northern Hemisphere: October 31 – November 1; Southern Hemisphere: April 30 – May 1)
Samhain is the Pagan New Year, a time when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is believed to be thinnest. It’s a time for honouring ancestors, reflecting on the past year, and setting intentions for the year ahead. Many Pagans celebrate with rituals, feasts, and offerings to loved ones who have passed. It’s also the origin of Halloween traditions, though Samhain is much more than just a spooky celebration—it’s a deeply sacred and introspective time.
- Yule/Winter Solstice (NH: around December 21; SH; around June 21)
Yule celebrates the rebirth of the Sun, the longest night of the year, and the gradual return of light. The Winter Solstice marks the turning point where the days begin to lengthen again. It is a time of renewal, hope, and honouring the Sun’s life-giving energy. Yule celebrations often involve lighting candles, decorating trees, feasting, and exchanging gifts—all symbols of light, warmth, and community during the coldest months.
- Imbolc (NH: February 1 – 2; SH: August 1-2)
Imbolc marks the halfway point between winter and spring and is associated with purification and light. It’s a time to honour the goddess Brigid, the patron of healing, fire, poetry, and fertility. Traditionally, Imbolc is a time for spring cleaning, making offerings, and preparing for the coming growth of the Earth. The first signs of spring, such as the blooming of crocuses or the return of migratory birds, are celebrated as symbols of new life.
- Ostara/Spring Equinox (NH: around March 20, SH: around September 22)
Ostara celebrates balance and harmony, as day and night are equal in length. This is a festival of fertility, renewal, and growth. Ostara rituals often include planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically, to manifest new beginnings. Eggs, rabbits, and flowers symbolise fertility and abundance, and it’s a time for coming together with others to celebrate the vibrancy of life’s potential.
- Beltane (NH: April 30 – May 1; SH: October 31)
Beltane is the height of spring and a time to celebrate life, love, and sensuality. The Earth is fertile, and the blossoms of flowers are in full bloom. Traditionally, people light bonfires and jump over the flames to ensure good health and prosperity. The Maypole dance, a popular Beltane tradition, symbolises the union of the masculine and feminine energies. It’s a celebration of passion, vitality, and creativity.
- Litha/Summer Solstice/Midsummer (NH: around June 21; SH: around December 21)
Litha, or Midsummer, celebrates the power of the Sun at its peak. This is the longest day of the year, and the energies of light, warmth, and abundance are at their fullest. Litha is a time for growth, strength, and honouring the Sun’s energy, which is at its height. Rituals often involve fire, flowers, and nature-based activities, symbolising vitality and the fulfilment of life’s potential.
- Lammas/Lughnasadh (NH: August 1; SH: February 1-2)
Lammas, or Lughnasadh, marks the first of the three harvest festivals. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the Earth, particularly grains and fruits. Traditionally, this was a time to bake bread and prepare for the coming seasons. Lammas is also associated with sacrifice—understanding that in order for something to grow, something must be given up. It’s a time for reaping the fruits of your labours and honouring the cycles of abundance and scarcity.
- Mabon/Autumn Equinox (NH: around September 20; SH: around March 22)
Mabon marks the second harvest and celebrates balance, gratitude, and reflection. Just as Ostara was a time of equal balance between light and dark, Mabon represents a moment of equilibrium in the fall. As the days shorten, Mabon encourages Pagans to pause, look inward, and give thanks for the blessings of the year. Rituals often focus on gratitude for the harvest, both physical and spiritual, and preparing for the quieter, darker months ahead.
Why is the Wheel of the Year Important?
The Wheel of the Year serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life. It invites practitioners to live in harmony with nature, honouring the rhythms and cycles that govern the Earth. Through seasonal rituals, we are reminded that life is cyclical—growth and decay are inextricably linked, and we are part of a larger, ongoing process.
For many people today, living in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, the Wheel of the Year offers a way to reconnect with the Earth, slow down, and observe the natural patterns that often go unnoticed. It encourages us to take time for introspection, celebration, and gratitude as we move through each season.
The Wheel of the Year is a beautiful, living symbol of nature’s eternal cycles. By embracing the rhythm of the seasons, we can deepen our connection with the Earth and its many gifts. Each Sabbat offers an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and align ourselves with the natural flow of life. Whether you’re deeply involved in Pagan traditions or simply seeking a greater connection to the world around you, the Wheel of the Year offers a timeless and meaningful way to honour the passage of time and the abundance of the Earth.
What’s your favourite Sabbat to celebrate? How do you honour the changing of the seasons in your own life?
Since I’m starting this series in January we’ll be sharing from towards the end of one cycle, with Lammas, and on to the beginning of the next.
