For followers of nature-based spiritual paths like Pagans, Wiccans and Witches, the Wheel of the Year represents the annual cycle of seasons from birth to death and rebirth.  The Wheel marks some of the main celebrations of deity, the God and Goddess.  From antiquity, people have celebrated the ever-turning wheel of the year in eight festivals that mark important points in the cycle: two equinoxes, two solstices and four cross quarter days.

The Sabbats (from the Hebrew—’to rest’) are Wiccan periods of celebration or festival in which the male energy of the God, represented by the Sun, is celebrated. 

There are four Greater and four Lesser Sabbats each year, celebrated at

approximately six weeks apart.

The Lesser or Minor Sabbats represent four naturally occurring events in the annual cycle; the Autumn and Spring Equinox and the Winter and Summer

Solstice.

The Greater or Major Sabbats are: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas.  These celebrations occur at the quarters of the year and are mid points between Solstice and Equinox.

Wherever you live in Australia, you will find local plants (growing naturally) that grow, bloom, fade and die in accordance with the seasons.  Use local plants and flowers in celebrations, festivals and on your altar to act as a reminder of what is happening in the natural world.

Samhain (‘Sow’eine’):  1 May

Also known as All Hallows Eve, Halloween and Witches’ New Year.  This is the most sacred festival celebrated throughout the Wheel of the Year and may be claimed as the Wiccan New Year. A time for meditation and remembering of those who have passed away, coinciding with the end of the harvest, and when they say the veil between this world and the other is at its thinnest.  This is the time when the Lord dies, to be reborn at Yule.  This is the time when winter starts.

Yule:   Nordic “iul” meaning wheel.  June 21-22

The Winter Solstice Festival, when the sun, after it's withdrawal and the longest night/shortest day of the Year, starts to come back closer to the Earth. This new closeness marks the rebirth of the God from his own seed planted on the Goddess.

Imbolc:  (’im mol’c’) Gaelic for ‘in the belly’ 1/2 August 

Also known as Oimelc (ewe’s milk), Imbolg, Candlemas, Brigantia or Bride’s

Day.  This is a fire festival at which time the first hints of Spring are celebrated.

Ostara:   (‘o-stah-rah’)  Between September 20—23rd
Spring Equinox, the time when day and night are of equal length.  Ostara is a celebration of life and of fertility.  It is the time when the God is young and he falls in love with the Goddess.  Their love renews Nature.  Ostara celebrates love and growth.

Beltane: (’bell-tayn’) (fires of Belanos, the sun God, and the Welsh tan = fire)  October 31st

Also known as Beltain, Beltaine, Bealtainne and Festival of Flowers. Celebrated with the famous Beltaine fires, it's perhaps the most well known Sabbat after Samhain. It's THE fertility festival, which celebrates the union of the Goddess and the God.  A time to celebrate fertility and the Earth’s ripe abundance.

Litha (‘LEE-tha”) Between December 21-23rd

Summer Solstice, the time which marks the longest day of the year.  This is the time when the God and Goddess are at their peak, all is green and growing.  The shortest night of the year traditionally marks the time for good magick and love rites.

Lughnassad (“LOO-nus-uh”)  February 2nd.

Also known as Lammas, this is a time of thanksgiving and preparation for the dark, cold winter and the death of Nature.

Mabon (“MAY-bon”)  Between March 21-23rd

Autumn Equinox, the time when the Earth gets ready for the absence of the God and the days start to get shorter.

The festivals celebrate a continuous cycle which has no beginning or end