In our cozy homes, we may feel disconnected from nature's influence, yet this couldn't be further from the truth. Our connection with nature fundamentally shapes how we experience the passage of time.
In today's fast-paced society, taking time to observe seasonal changes is crucial. While time itself hasn't changed, our perception of it has. Aligning ourselves with nature's seasons helps us reconnect with our natural rhythms. This journey begins with self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Seasonal herbal infusions offer a gentle first step toward embracing life's changes rather than resisting them. Each change strengthens us and deepens our self-understanding.
During our sabbats, we explore different aspects of personal growth and reflect on our journey. Each season carries its unique purpose. When we understand and embrace that every part of ourselves has meaning, we can more easily discover our authentic path and the life meant for us.
The Sabbats, celebrated across different cultures and derived partly from Celtic and Germanic customs, honor the seasonal changes in nature. These rhythms once governed rural life, with celebrations closely tied to the agricultural calendar. The festivals center around key moments like harvest times, flowering periods, and livestock cycles. The year wheel encompasses eight sabbats (celebrations): Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon.
Samhain is celebrated on October 31 as a fire festival and is seen as the Celtic New Year. It marks the last harvest festival and heralds the beginning of winter—a time of preparing for the dark months while reflecting on the warm, blossoming period that is ending. During this time, it was believed that the veils between the worlds were at their thinnest, which is why the ancestors are honored during this festival.
Yule, celebrated on December 21st, marks the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. During this time, we celebrate reaching the depths of the dark period and our journey toward the light half of the year. Celebrations includes lighting candles and adorning homes with shiny ornaments. It's a season of joy and warmth, helping us through the dark winter days. Family takes center stage as people gather for grand feasts and festivities.
Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st, is the second fire festival of the dark half of the year. During this festival, we witness the gradual return of light as the sun grows stronger in anticipation of spring. It is a fertility festival that honors the earth's reawakening and renewed abundance.
Ostara, celebrated on March 21st, marks the Spring Equinox—a time when day and night are of equal length. As the last festival celebrated in the dark half of the year wheel, Ostara symbolizes revival, rebirth, and resurrection. The rising temperatures awaken the earth's fertility, as nature stirs from its winter slumber and newborn lambs appear in the fields. This festival heralds the return of light and warmth to the world.
Beltane is celebrated on May 1st and is a fire festival that heralds the lighter half of the year. After the four dark annual festivals have passed, this is the time to welcome the sun's light and new life. Like many festivals in the lighter half of the year, Beltane is a fertility festival. Bonfires are a cherished tradition during this celebration. These fires, lit at the beginning of summer, symbolize the warmth and light that fuel all forms of fertility.
Litha, celebrated on June 21st, marks the summer solstice (midsummer). This celebration represents the peak of the lighter half of the year wheel, when the day is at its longest. After this point, the days gradually shorten as we transition toward the darker half of the year. As Litha stands at the center of the light-filled months, it is traditionally celebrated with bonfires that symbolize the sun, sensuality, life, and fertility. The abundance of life during this time is beautifully reflected in the countless flowers that reach full bloom.
Lammas, celebrated on August 1st, is the first harvest festival of the year. The grain harvest during this time is central to the celebration. People would hold competitions to showcase their remaining vitality before autumn's arrival. The festival honors the understanding that the circle of life continues—even as the harvest dies, it nourishes new life.
Mabon, celebrated on September 21, marks the autumn equinox—a time when day and night are of equal length, mirroring the spring equinox. As the final festival of the year's light half, it offers a peaceful pause before winter's arrival. Being the second harvest festival, Mabon brings joy through celebrating both nature's bounty and personal achievements. It's a perfect moment to reflect on what we've cultivated and release anything that no longer serves us.