Each pagan belief has slightly different Traditions concerning the celebration of the Sabbats that the symbolism each date holds, but there are some broad generalizations that can be made. Traditionally, much as the Goddess is associated with the moon, the God is associated with the sun. Our Esbats (rituals focused on the phases of the moon) honor the journey of the Goddess through her individual phases, much as our Sabbats honor the journey of the God through the solar year. Although the Sabbats are primarily the story of the God, we are reminded that all life is born from the Goddess's womb. Although she is in her aspect of Mother through much of the solar story, she is a threefold Goddess and we see her in her Maiden aspect as well.
In the story of the Goddess and the God that is reflected in the solar year, we celebrate the birth of the God as Oak King to the Mother aspect of the Goddess on Winter Solstice (or Yule, approximately December 21st). Because the God is also associated with the Oak tree, the moon falling closest to the Winter Solstice is often called The Oak Moon and is the first moon of the year. As we celebrate the new year, many of us think of the elderly "old year" being replaced by the child "new year." The dualistic God experiences the Holly King dying of old age (the old year passing) even as the Oak King is reborn (the new year arriving). This reminds us once again of the sacred cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
As with so much in our lives, Imbolc (February 2nd) is a time of promise and expectation. And waiting. The Goddess is still embracing the aspect of Mother, pregnant with the God of the waning year (the Holly King) who will be born at Ostara.
But the unborn god-child in the Goddess's womb isn't the only life beginning to stir. At Imbolc we honor the lengthening of days and, with the increasing sunlight, we honor the stirring of vegetative life in the world. Though it is only February 2nd, warm weather is just around the corner. And although the promise and potential are there, we still have the reminder of winter's darkness to make it through.
In the story of the Goddess and the God, the Holly King (the God of the waning year) is born at Ostara (the Spring Equinox). Just as life is always around us, we are reminded through the birth of the Holly King that death is also a natural part of things. Death is neither good nor bad, but an integral part of the life/death/rebirth cycle.
Beltane (approximately May 2nd) is a celebration of fertility and pleasure. In the story of the Goddess and the God, the Oak King and the Maiden aspect of the Goddess become lovers, and are joined in sacred union. The Goddess becomes pregnant with the child that will be born at the following Yule; the Oak King reborn.
After months of growing sunlight, the sun has reached its peak Midsummer (Summer Solstice). In the mystical story of the Goddess and the God, the Oak King is confronted by his shadow self, the Holly King, and the God of the waxing year is slain. With each passing day, the hours of sunlight will grow less. Even though the crops that were planted will continue to grow, even though we will still experience warm weather and summertime fun, there is a definite change in the world around us. Ever so slowly, the year is beginning to fade.
Lugnasadh (August 1st) is many things. It is a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. And as such, we have a wake for the Oak King. The year is in the Holly King's hands, and we celebrate that fact even as the God and the Goddess make love and she becomes pregnant with the child that will be born the following Ostara.
Mabon (Autumnal Equinox) is a celebration of harvest, a time to reflect on the successes we've had in the fading year, those chapters of our lives that are coming to a close. We celebrate both the abundance of the earth, as well as the abundance in our lives, giving thanks for what we have received during the Wheel of the Year as the Oak King begins to make his descent into the underworld.
In the divine myth, the gates of the underworld open to accept the Oak King on Samhain (October 31st). In many traditions, this was the time of year that all spirits entered the afterlife. A time to say a final goodbye to family members and friends that have died during the previous year, as well as a time to give thanks to the animal world for the meat that some witches eat.