eight sabbats · the modern Pagan calendar
Wheel of the Year
A modern Pagan calendar of eight festivals for the northern hemisphere. It brings together the solstices, equinoxes and four seasonal observances. Traditions and local celebrations vary; this wheel offers one way to follow the changing year.
All dates use UTC. Imbolc (February 1), Beltane (May 1), Lughnasadh (August 1) and Samhain (October 31) use conventional fixed dates, beginning at 00:00 UTC for this calendar. Solstices and equinoxes use calculated solar times. Local or sunset observances may differ.
the wheel turns through
Mabon
Currently inside
Mabon · Autumn Equinox
began Wed, Sep 23, 2026 · 00:05 UTC, 22 calendar days ago
Light and dark in balance again, the year leaning into night. Second harvest. Apples ripen.
balance · second harvest · gratitude · preparing
Next sabbat
Samhain, Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · UTC calendar
in 16 calendar days
All eight, this year and into next
Samhain
A threshold for remembering ancestors, welcoming their stories to the table, and reflecting on endings.
ancestors · endings · divination · the door
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · UTC calendarFixed observance · in 16 calendar days
Yule · Winter Solstice
The longest night. The sun reborn at the bottom of the year. Evergreens, fire, the wheel turning again.
return of light · rest · rebirth
Mon, Dec 21, 2026 · 20:50 UTCCalculated solar event · in 67 calendar days
Imbolc
The thaw inside winter. Brigid lights her flame. Snowdrops push through frozen ground.
beginning again · cleaning · lighting candles · milking the ewes
Mon, Feb 1, 2027 · UTC calendarFixed observance · in 109 calendar days
Ostara · Spring Equinox
Light and dark in balance, the tilt about to favor the day. Eggs, hares, the first flowers.
balance · first planting · fertility · Eos returning
Sat, Mar 20, 2027 · 20:24 UTCCalculated solar event · in 156 calendar days
Beltane
The fire-festival. The May Queen meets the Green Man; cattle driven between two fires.
union · sensuality · flowering · abundance
Sat, May 1, 2027 · UTC calendarFixed observance · in 198 calendar days
Litha · Midsummer
The longest day. The sun at its highest. After this, the year tilts toward the dark.
fullness · peak · the turn
Mon, Jun 21, 2027 · 14:10 UTCCalculated solar event · in 249 calendar days
Lughnasadh
First harvest. The grain is in. Lugh's funeral games, the god of skill is honored as he begins his long descent.
first harvest · skill · bread · gratitude
Sun, Aug 1, 2027 · UTC calendarFixed observance · in 290 calendar days
Mabon · Autumn Equinox
Light and dark in balance again, the year leaning into night. Second harvest. Apples ripen.
balance · second harvest · gratitude · preparing
Thu, Sep 23, 2027 · 06:01 UTCCalculated solar event · in 343 calendar days
Holidays & Festivals
A note at each turning of the year, solstices, the Lunar New Year, the old festivals.
Arrives as they come