Date: October 31 – November 1
Themes: Death, rebirth, mystery, transition

Samhain is a time when the veil between worlds is said to be thin. In nature, this is the end of the harvest season. Leaves are falling, the air is damp and heavy, and the trees stand bare against the dimming sky.

When I’m out photographing this time of year, I lean into the eerie stillness. Think fog rolling over a quiet meadow, twisted tree roots, or decaying pumpkins on the vine. These landscapes pictures tell a story of letting go of the quiet power found in the in-between.

Date: Around December 21 
Themes: Rebirth, stillness, hope 

Yule marks the winter solstice; the longest night of the year and the return of the light. It’s a stark but beautiful time in the natural world, with snow-blanketed fields, frozen rivers, and that particular blue cast the sky gets in the dead of winter. 

This is one of my favorite Yule landscape pictures showing Orion rising over a frozen forest in Banff. The deep stillness of winter with the promise of light, is exactly what this Sabbat is all about. 

Date: February 1 – 2
Themes: Renewal, purification, anticipation

Imbolc is subtle. It’s the time when the land is still wrapped in winter’s grip, but tiny signs of life begin to emerge. Snowdrops push through the frost. Buds swell on branches.

This is a great time for macro shots or intimate landscapes, those little glimpses of what’s to come. I often revisit the same location throughout winter and early spring to document the slow transformation. These images speak of hope, patience, and the quiet miracle of awakening.

Date: Around March 21
Themes: Balance, fertility, vibrancy

The spring equinox is pure energy. Day and night are in perfect balance, and the world feels alive again. I chase wildflowers and flowering trees this time of year, often revisiting spots that were completely barren just weeks before.

Your landscapes pictures at Ostara should feel full of motion and color, flowing streams, dancing grasses, or birds in flight. This is nature shaking off her sleep and stretching toward the sun.

Date: April 30 – May 1
Themes: Fertility, abundance, celebration

Beltane marks the beginning of summer. Everything is lush and alive. The earth feels sensual, indulgent, even a bit wild. This is the time for capturing sprawling meadows, bees buzzing through apple blossoms, and that intoxicating shade of green that only spring can deliver.

When I shoot Beltane landscapes, I lean into joy and abundance. Let the frames feel full of light, of color, of life. Sometimes, I’ll even include human figures dancing or walking through the scene to really evoke that festive energy.

Date: Around June 21
Themes: Power, radiance, growth

Litha, or the summer solstice, is when the sun stands at its highest. The days are long and golden, and everything is growing at full throttle.

There’s no better time for sweeping, wide-angle shots that emphasize scale and light, fields of wheat, golden hour mountain shots, or sun flares bursting through tall trees. Capture motion, movement, and expansiveness. Let the sun be your strongest compositional element.

Date: August 1 – 2
Themes: Gratitude, sustenance, hard work

Lughnasadh is the first harvest, a time to honor the work that feeds us. Landscape pictures here often feature ripened crops, golden fields, heavy fruit trees, and earthy textures.

This is also a great time to capture rural landscapes: hay bales, barns, sunset over a cornfield. I love photographing moments that hint at human presence without showing people directly, footpaths through fields or baskets brimming with produce.

Date: Around September 21
Themes: Reflection, balance, release

Mabon is the autumn equinox and the second harvest. The light begins to dim again, and the land glows in rich oranges, reds, and browns. It’s an introspective time, perfect for moody, atmospheric landscapes.

I often focus on the interplay of shadow and light. Fallen leaves in creeks, twisted vines, or the golden glow of afternoon light. Mabon encourages us to reflect on what we’ve gathered and what we’re ready to release.