Wiccans celebrate a variation of Imbolc as one of four "fire festivals", which make up half of the eight holidays (or "
sabbats"), of the wheel of the year. Imbolc is defined as a cross-quarter day, midway between the winter solstice (
Yule) and the spring equinox (
Ostara). The precise astrological midpoint in the Northern hemisphere is when the sun reaches fifteen degrees of Aquarius. In the Southern hemisphere, if celebrated as the beginning of Spring, the date is the midpoint of Leo. Among Dianic Wiccans, Imbolc (also known as "Candlemas") is the traditional time for initiations.
Among Reclaiming-style Wiccans, Imbolc is considered a traditional time for rededication and pledges for the coming year.