For centuries, earth-honoring cultures have followed the sun's apparent passage through the sky. Your ancestors divided the Wheel of the Year, as the sun's annual cycle is known, into eight periods of approximately six weeks each. Each “spoke” corresponds to a particular degree in the zodiac. Wiccans and other pagans call these eight holidays (or holy days) “sabbats.” It's no coincidence that many modern-day holidays fall close to these ancient, solar dates. Each of these special days affords unique opportunities for performing magick spells and rituals.