The Sabbats - Wiccan - http://maxpages.com/velvettsky/The

Yule: (Around December 21) The Goddess gives birth to a son, the God. This is in no way an adaption of the Christian holiday of Christmas. The Winter Solstice had been viewed as a time of divine birth long before Christianity. Yule is the shortest day of the year. Since the God is also the Sun, this marks the point of the year when the sun is reborn, and the days get longer. Wiccans sometimes celebrate Yule just before dawn, so the Sun coming up is a big finale. Since this is the time of year when the sun is reborn, the Wicca light fires and candles to celebrate it's returning light. The Goddess rests after Her delivery.

Imbolc: (Feb2): This marks the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. This is a Sabbat of purification after the long winter. It is also a festival of light and fertility. Imbols is also known as Feast of Tourches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Feast of Waxing light and no doubt many other names. This is a traditional time for initiations into covens. Self-dedication rituals can be performed or renewed at this time.

Ostra: (Around March 21) The Spring Equinox, also known as the Rites of Spring. It marks the first day of true spring. The Goddess blankets the Earth with green fertility as she bursts forth from her slumber. The God, growing to maturity, walks through the fertile feilds and delights in nature. On Ostra the hours of the day and night are equal. This is a time of beginnings, of action, of planting spells for future gains, and tending ritual gardens.

Beltane: (April 30) This marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. He desires the Goddess, and they fall in love,lie among the grasses and blossons and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. Wiccans celebrate the symbol of Her firtility in ritual. Beltane has long been marked with feasts and rituals. May poles were used in old English village rituals. Many people rose at dawn to gather flowers and greenery. The May pole was just to represent the God and the flowers of the Goddess. Beltane marks the return of vitality and passion. The cauldron is a more common focal point in Beltane rituals today. The cauldron of course represents the Goddess.

Midsummer, the Summer Sosltice: (Around June 21) Midsummer, also known as Litha, arrives when the powers of nature are at their highest point. The Earth is bursting with pertility of the Goddess and Gos. In the past, bonfires were lit to encourage firtility, purification, health and love. The fire represents the Sun, and the God, and was used to celebrate the longest day of the year. Midsummer is an excellent time for magic of all kinds.

Lughnasadh: (August 1) This is the time of the first harvest, when the plants of spring wither and drop their fruits of seeps for use as well as to ensure furture crops. The God is also loosing his strength as the days fet shroter. The Goddess watches in sorrow, but also in joy, as She realises the God is dying but still lives on inside Her and Her child. As summer passes, Wiccans remember its warmth and bounty in the food we eat. We are reminded that nothing in the universe is constant.

Mabon: (Around September 21) Mabon is the Autumn Equinox, is the comletion of the harvest begun at Lughnasadh. Once again day and night are equal, as the God prepares to leave His physical body and begin his journey towards rebirth of the Goddess. Nature declines, draws back it's bounty, readying for winter and its time to rest. The Goddess nods in the weakening Sun, and feels the presence of the God as He wanes and awaits his rebirth.

Samhain: (October 31): The Wicca say farewell to the God, but he will soon be reborn of the Goddes at Yule. Samhain, also known as November Eve, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, Hallowa and All Hallows, once marked the time of sacrifice. Samhain is a time of reflection, of looking back over the last year of coming to terms with one thing life guarentees-death. It is believed that the veil sperating physical and spiritual realities is thin. It is on this night that Wiccans remember their ancestors an all those who have gone before.

amandamegson@yahoo.ca

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