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The Wiccan Rede
Witches Rune
The Witches Creed
National Pagan Pride Day
The Pentacle
Your Witch Potential Quiz
The One
The Four Winds
Self Dedication Ritual
The 13 Goals of Wicca
Chants
Moon Phases
Air
Fire
Water
Earth
Wiccan Links
Theban Alphabet
Book of Shadows Blessing
Please Read This
About Wicca
Principles of Wicca
The Burning Times
Book of Shadows
The Ladys Prayer
Colour Correspondances
Stone Crystal Correspondances
Herbal Correspondances
Zodiac Signs
Sabbats
Chakras
Tools of the Craft
Glossary of Wiccan Terms
Lughnasadh
Yule Songs
The Altar
Ritual
Suggested reading list
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Sabbats
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The Witches' calendar follows the cycles of nature, and in honoring those cycles our holidays were born. Each holiday, or sabbat as we call them, represents a transitional point in the seasons Spring gives way to Summer which will eventually give way to Autumn, and so on... We mark these transitions at eight times during the year. There are the four "cross quarter days", the solstices and equinoxes, and the four "greater sabbats" at roughly midpoints between them. While we mark the new year with Samhain, Witches see the cycle of the year as endless without any real beginning or end. Each time we gather to celebrate a sabbat, we turn the Wheel once more.
October 31: Samhain (pronounced, sow-inn), also goes by the name Halloween. This is our time of endings and our times of beginnings, so at Samhain, we celebrate the new year. This is a quieter time, a time when the veil between worlds is thin and spirits may pass more easily. At Mabon, the God Lugh died in order for us to live through his abundance. During the intervening time, He has gather the spirits of those that have died over the year and waits for this nite so that they may pass through the gate to the other side. This is the time to revere our ancestors and to say farewell to those that have passed this last year. It is also a time of divination. The abundance of the fields now gives way to the power and strength of the Horned God of the Hunt. This begins a time of darkness. From now until Yule, the days grow darker and colder. Winter storms begin to sweep down from the north. This time is the barer of many destructive forces. Yet at samhain, we celebrate the passed year and the year to come. We light bonfires and perform rituals to honour our deceased loved ones. Many Halloween tradtitions stem from Samhain. The wearing of scary costumes was originally used to scare away those souls that may mean harm. Yet in spite of the costume, the spirits that know you will still be able to find you and visit. The jack-o-lantern was another means of scaring away hostile spirits, the candle within a beckoning light to those that you wish to welcome.
December 20-23: Yule, also called Winter Solstice, celebrates the rebirth of the Sun, the Sun God, and honours the Horned God. On Yule we experience the longest nite of the year. Although much of the winter's harshest weather is still ahead of us, we celebrate the coming light, and thank the Gods for seeing us through the longest nite. It is a time to look on the past year's achievements and to celebrate with family and friends. From this day until Midsummer, the days grow longer, everyday banishing the darkness a little more in a glow of the warm sunlight that brings the world to life again. This day is the official first day of winter. This holiday will fall somewhere between the dates above and varies from year to year depending on when the Sun reaches the southern most point in it's yearly trek.
February 1: Imbolc, also called the Feast of Brighid, celebrates the approach of spring. The term "Imbolc" means "in milk" and at this time, pregnant sheep, or ewes, begin to lactate. This is one sure sign that spring is right around the corner. Although the days are getting longer, this is still the heart of winter and Brighid, the Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft is honoured. Her gift of smithcraft comes with an added bonus, fire. this may be the reason some celebrate this day as the day of the Celtic Fire Goddess. This is a time of new beginnings and growth. At this time, think of your goals and dreams for this year that you will plant. At this time, greet the pregnant Maiden Goddess and give Her thanks for soon She will give birth to the spring.
March 20-23: Ostara, also called the Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox, celebrates the arrival of spring. This holiday will fall between the above dates depending on which day the Sun, on it's northern trek, crosses the equator. Ostara marks the day when nite and day are equal and balanced. Ostara, her symbol the egg and her sacred animal the rabbit, is the Norse Goddess of fertility, and it is She that is honoured this day. During this time, the snow begins to melt away, the days are getting warmer and new birth is found in the fields as the ewes drop their lambs and by the budding leaves and flowers. this is a time to rejoice, dance, celebrate. Winter has passed and you have survived the harshness of the darker days. Life begins anew. This is a time to plant the seeds of our flower, herb, vegetable, and spiritual gardens. What dreams will you plant to be fertilized by the earth?
May 1: Beltane, also called May Day, is a Sabbat celebrating fertility and the union of the young Horned God and the Goddess. At this time, life is renewing itself. Birds and animals are mating. In the fields, newly planted seeds are beginning to grow. Great fires are lit honouring the fertility God, Belenos. Some leap the fires to show the exuerance of the season. Maypoles are erected and bright ribbons are entwined around them. The Maypole, a phallic symbol, represents the masculine. The soft, colourful ribbons represent the feminine. The union of the two symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess. This is a time to fertilize your dreams with action. It is legend that children conceived at Beltane were gifted by the Gods. These children are known as Merry-Be-Gots.
June 20-23: Litha, also called Midsummer and Summer Solstice, celebrates the abundance and beauty of the Earth. This is the longest day of the year, and will fall somewhere between the dates above depending on when the Sun is at it's northern most point. From this day on, the days will wane, growing shorter and shorter until Yule. The trees and feilds are full and prosperous. The young animals and birds are learning to live and frolic in the fields and trees. This is a time of the faery, when a festival called the Feast of the Faery is held. It is believed that at twilight on this day, the portals between worlds open and the faery folk may pass into our world. Welcome them on this day and they may bless you with their wisdom and joy. This is a time to look internally tat the seeds you've planted that should be at full bloom.
August 1: Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the celebration of Harvest and begins what is called "the chase of Lugh." Lugh is the Celtic Sun God and He rains down upon the crops, living within the golden fields. This is the time of the first harvests. At this celebration we give thanks to the Earth for it's bounty and beauty. It is from these harvests that we eat through the upcoming winter. Honouring the God Lugh, games and sports are played to celebrate strength and good health. The grain Goddesses, Demeter and Ceres are also honoured. This is a time to harvest the dreams planted earlier in the year. More about Lughnasadh (Lammas)
September 20-23: Mabon, or the Autumnal Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere occurs most often on September 23rd, divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Equinox mirrors dwindling of life (and eventual progression to rebirth), as well as the struggle for balance; day and night are equal for a single day. This holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months. It is the second of the three harvest festivals preceded by Lughnasadh and followed by Samhain. It is a "lesser Sabbat." It is a time for giving thanks for our successes in our endeavours. This is a good time to do spells for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and self confidence. It is also a good time to perform spells around the idea of balance in your life, remove guilt and replace it with love and acceptance. On this day, which will fall somewhere between the dates above, the Sun again passes the equator, this time on it's trek south. At this time the "chase of Lugh" ends with the felling of the last shaft of grain. It is within this last shaft that Lugh has hidden, but with His death, His sacrifice, we live through His abundance. Take stock in what you've received and prepare for the dark days. |
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