There are eight standard Pagan holidays, or Sabbats as they are more commonly called, which are celebrated during each calendar year. These Sabbats represent the God and Goddess in their various aspects, and the seasonal aspects of birth, death, and rebirth. It is interesting to note that the eight Sabbats now known to modern Western pagans used to number only five: Beltain, Midsummer, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and Yule.

The Sabbats are representative of the turning of the wheel of the year and each honor different phases in the life cycle of the Goddess and the God. There is enough rich lore associated with each Sabbat to fill a book! Below are the eight Sabbats, starting with Samhain (pronounced Sow-in or Sah-vin), which is known as the Witches' New Year and marks the beginning of the Wheel:

Samhain        Yule       Imbolc       Ostara       Beltane

Summer Solstice       Lughnasadh        Mabon

In addition to the festivals of the year, there are life-markers as well, celebrating turning-points in any Pagan's life. They are known by different names by different people, but the basic principle is the same: Celebrating the life force within everyone and the positive forces that are at work.

Birthing Rite       Initiation Rite (after intiation period)

Female Rite of Passage       Male Rite of Passage       Handfasting

Handparting         Elderage       Passing Over Rite