Four of the Sabbats (the Greater Sabbats) are agricultural festivals and mark the beginning of the seasons. Their names are also Celtic in origin. They are Imbolg, Bealtaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain. The remaining four are solar festivals, whose timing is determined by the relationship of the Sun to the Earth. These are known as the Lesser Sabbats, are the Winter Solstice (the shortest day), the Summer Solstice (the longest day) and the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes when the hours of darkness and light are equal.

On the surface, the Wheel of the Year is similar in both Hemispheres. The Sabbats mark the cycles of sowing and reaping, the passage from Winter to Spring, then from Summer and Autumn. Through this cycle, Wiccans accept there are times of growth but also times of old age and death. In all things, there is wisdom to be learnt, not just in what is bright and new; there is also deep knowledge and vision in those things old and dark.

It is common knowledge that there is a six-month difference in the seasons between the two Hemispheres - when the Northern Hemisphere is celebrating Summer, in the Southern Hemisphere it is Winter. For this reason, the Temple of the Dark Moon follows the Southern dates. However, in explaining the Sabbats, we believe that an understanding of the original associated myths and folklore needs to be understood. Whilst these myths and folklore may seem out of place in a sunburnt land such as Australia, they do offer many keys in understanding the Mystery contained within each Sabbat festival.

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