The collective
name for
Wiccan solar
celebrations. It is now common for Wiccan groups to celebrate eight Sabbats a year. The four lessor sabbats are the
Quarters of the year: Summer
Solstice, Winter Solstice AKA
Yule, the Vernal
Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox. The four greater sabbats occur roughly half-way between these and are called the
Cross Quarters:
Samhain AKA Halloween,
Bridget,
Beltane AKA
May Day and
Lughnasad. The Wiccan year begins with Samhain.
The Wiccan lunar celebrations are called Esbats usually marking the Full Moon.