The eight Sabbats by Amethyst Hawke
The turning of the seasons along with the monthly cycle of the Moon had a massive impact on pagan ceremonies. The Moon was seen symbolic for the Goddess and ceremonies of adoration and magic took place in the light from the Moon. Wiccans still celebrate the Full Moon and the changes of seasons. The Wiccan calender has 13 Full Moon celebrations and 8 Sabbats. Sabbats are major events in the Wiccan world and are represented as the days of power.
4 of these Sabbats are Solstices and Equinoxes which are the beginnings of the astronomical seasons. The other 4 are based on old folk festivals but are still regarded as important in the Wiccan year. The 8 Sabbats keep order and structure to the year, reminding us of the life cycle which will remain long after we have gone.
Probably associated with agriculture and the life bearing cycles of animals, the 4 Sabbats which have been observed for the longest time are:
- Imbolc - February 22nd
- Beltane - April 30th
- Lughnasadh - August 1st
- Samhain - October 31st
Many Wiccan traditions survived for example:
- May Day
- Hallowe'en
- Ground-hog Day
- Thanksgiving
The Sabbats are solar rituals which make up half the Wiccan year with the yearly cycle of the Sun. The Esbats are the Wiccan Full Moon celebrations. There are 12 or 13 Full Moons every year, 1 every 28 1/4 days. The Moon is not only a symbol of the Goddess but a source of energy and Wiccans believe the energy is greater at this time making the Esbat an ideal time to practice magick.
Unfortunately, Christianity have taken over some of the great Pagan sacred traditions and festivals and left them nothing more than a money making claim. Samhain replaced by candy and hideous costumes. Yule was replaced by a Christian birth but even that pails into insignificance to what we now know as $ ka-ching $ ka-ching $.
Wiccans still celebrate these great sacred nights and the old magick remains.
Yule - December 21st
The Goddess gives birth to son at Yule. The Winter Solstice is recognized for births of great importance including Mithras. The Christians also adopted this time of year for their use in 273 C.E. Yule has the shortest day of the year and is a time of the greatest darkness. Since the God is the Sun, this is when the Sun is reborn. Wiccans light candles to welcome the Suns return. Meanwhile the Goddess rests after her delivery. Yule was celebrated for the return of spring who was just around the corner, ready to supply food once again.
Imbolg / Imbolc - February 2nd
The Goddess recovers after giving birth to the God. This is a Sabbat of purification with the renewing of the Sun. It is a festival of light and fertility which was once celebrated in Europe by the lighting of huge fires to represent light and warmth. Initiations and self dedication rituals are often performed at this time either solitary or in a coven. Imbolc is also known as:
- Feast of Torches
- Oimelc
- Lupercalia
- Feast of Pan
- Snowdrop Festival
- Feast of the Waxing Light
- Brigid's Day
Spring Equinox - March 21st
Ostara marks the first day of the true spring. The days and nights become equal as the Goddess and the God work in unison. The Goddess fresh from Her sleep covers the Earth with fertility, while the God who grows into maturity delights at Mother Nature. They together urge animals to reproduce. Ostara is the time of new beginnings. Ostara is also known as:
- Spring
- Rites of Spring
- Eostra's Day
Beltane - April 30th
The God now is fully matured into manhood. The Goddess fall pregnant. The Wiccans celebrate Her fertility in ritual. Beltane also known as May Day is full of tradition of feasts and rituals. May poles were phallic symbols of the God and many people woke at dawn to decorate their May pole with flowers and green branches which represented the Goddess.
Midsummer - June 21st
The Summer Solstice also known as Litha arrives when the powers of nature are at their highest. The Earth is covered with fertility from the Goddess and God. Magick of all kinds can be performed at this classic time, Midsummer.
Lughnasadh - August 1st
The time for the 1st harvest has arrived. The God loses His strength and the Sun rises farther in the South and the nights become longer. The Goddess watches the God dying with sorrow and joy, but still lives on in Her as Her child. As summer begins to pass us by, each meal reminds us of the bountiful array of wonderful crops while realizing that nothing in the universe is constant. Lughnasadh can be known as:
- August Eve
- Feast of Bread
- Harvest Home
- Lammas
Autumn Equinox - September 21st
Mabon is the completion of the harvest. The God begins to ready Himself for the end of His physical body. Nature prepares for winter and draws back its bounty to allow for rest. The Goddess acknowledges the weakening Sun but can still feel the presence of God in Her womb as He wanes.
Samhain - October 31st
We say goodbye to the God knowing He will be back. He is still visable but is getting ready to be reborn. Samhain once marked a time to sacrifice animals who were slaughtered to ensure food throughout winter. Now is the time to reflect over the past year and to contemplate death. The Wiccan belief is that the separation between the physical living and the spiritual dead is at its thinnest during Samhain which helps us remember our ancestors and loved ones who have moved into the spiritual world.
After Samhain, we are back to Yule again to celebrate the complete year.
You must realize that the story with the God and Goddess is not incest but is purely symbolic. By observing the Sabbats, Wiccans can best understand the Earth and its deities and celebrating these Sabbats and Esbats offers real symbolic power.
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Blessed Be
Amethyst Hawke
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