The Wicca is a religion that primarily believes in nature and its forces. They worship a male god along with a female goddess. The holidays the wiccans follow are determined based on lunar and solar events. In other words, the Wiccan holidays are based on seasonal and natural changes. These holidays have much in common with the traditional holidays in other religions and celebrations. An example for this would be Christmas and Yule. They are close to being synonymous with each other.

The most important Wiccan holidays are the Sabbats that celebrate the energy of god and the sun. The so called “Lesser Sabbats” are conducted during the Autumnal and Vernal Equinoxes. It is also celebrated during the winter and summer solstices. These are more popular in comparison with greater Sabbats that are conducted during the Imbolc, Samhain, Lughnassad and Beltane. For Wiccans the Sabbats are of high importance and they are the most popular ones amongst the Wiccan holidays. It is a time for rituals and celebration for them. Magical casting usually is not practised during the celebration time. However, emergency situations can be exceptions wherein they engage in casting spells. The Sabbats coincide often with other man-made rituals. They celebrate the energy of god and the sun and they honour the forces they connect with so that the energies can be used by them. This is of high importance as far as the Wiccan holidays are concerned. This holiday time provides the concerned people with an opportunity to relax and start afresh.

The Autumnal and Vernal equinoxes are called Mabon and Ostara respectively. The winter solstice is connected with the Yule. The total number of commonly celebrated and recognized Wiccan holidays is eight. Four among these Wiccan holidays are conducted during the equinoxes or solstices as mentioned above. The rest of them are conducted during the time period between a solstice and the equinox that follows it. There are evidences obtained from historical research that demonstrate the existence of these holidays during the pre-Christian times that existed in Europe and British Isles. It is also found that the popularity of these holidays were so high even during that time and a large number of people used to honour them by celebrating. Christian churches were unable to prevent them from doing so.

Now let us have a detailed look at some of these holidays:

Imbolc: This has a unique place among the Wiccan holidays and is also known by the name Brigantia. Usually this holiday would be on the 2nd of February and marks the final stages of winter along with the starting of spring. This is the time when seeds that are buried in the earth start to stir. The colour associated with this day is red.

The 20th of March marks the “Vernal Equinox”. On this day the length of darkness and light would be the same. It is considered to be a perfect time for growth. The holiday on the 1st of May for Beltane is celebrated conventionally by coiling ribbons round the Maypole. This is considered as the fertility ritual. The name was taken from several deities who were worshipped by Norse and Celtic people.

The Winter Solstice would be celebrated on the 21st of December. This holiday is also popular by the name Yule. The sun is said to be at the weakest point on this day. This holiday is associated with regeneration and rebirth since the sun starts to wax on this day.

These are some of the popular Wiccan holidays and are based upon almost the same type of ethnics like several other religions and follow the older ways.