The Wiccan Sabbats
Wiccans, and other Pagans, of a similar path often celebrate holidays that are called Sabbats. These are seasonal celebrations that, at their roots, represent the cycle of birth, death and rebirth while being based around the yearly solstices and equinoxes. These festivals are often a means to help attune the physical human mind, body, and spirit with the flow of nature's energy along with the essence of the God and Goddess. They are times for bonding, a time to recognize the aspects of the season within yourself. Most Pagans believe that by joining forces with the natural forces around us we bring harmony, balance, and order to our physical existence. These are necessary aspects of life for positive change and to create an atmosphere for spiritual learning and growth.
During the wheel of the year, there are eight pagan sabbats. Ceremonies will often begin at sundown on the eve of the dates given and continue to sundown of the marked day. This is not a rigid requirement, though one is encouraged to follow it if possible. Do not feel like it is a requirement and you are a bad pagan for not following every single bullet point. But I would like to make a suggestion of carrying a special calendar around with you to mark the moon phases and holidays for the year. There are also phone apps nowadays that help follow the moon phases. Just because pagans are close to nature, it does not mean we need scorn technology! It is also a good thing to plan in advance, especially if you plan on a ritual to celebrate.
During the wheel of the year, there are eight pagan sabbats. Ceremonies will often begin at sundown on the eve of the dates given and continue to sundown of the marked day. This is not a rigid requirement, though one is encouraged to follow it if possible. Do not feel like it is a requirement and you are a bad pagan for not following every single bullet point. But I would like to make a suggestion of carrying a special calendar around with you to mark the moon phases and holidays for the year. There are also phone apps nowadays that help follow the moon phases. Just because pagans are close to nature, it does not mean we need scorn technology! It is also a good thing to plan in advance, especially if you plan on a ritual to celebrate.
But why are the holidays begun on the night before? The reason would be that the early calendars were based on lunar cycles rather than solar cycles. A day did not begin at midnight or with the sunrise, but rather with the night and moon rise. To the ancient pagans, night fall was the beginning of the new day. Many other religions continue the practice of evening festivities to this day as well. Judaism comes to mind. So this isn't just a pagan thing.
As a last note: While there are eight Sabbats, wiccans and other pagans will celebrate what are called Esbats these are the minor festivals that celebrate the thirteen full moons of the year. It is during the Esbats that the Goddess is recognized to be at her full power.