What are the Sabbats?

The Sabbats are pagan holidays, four of which fall within the time of the

equinoxes and the solstices, or the quarters, sometimes known as the Lesser

Sabbats. The other four divide the seasons, or the cross-quarters, also known as

the Greater Sabbats. The Sabbats fall in line with Wiccan belief of the cycle of

life, birth, growth, death, and rebirth. All of the Sabbats are season-based, and

are extensions of the original major holidays of planting and harvesting. In

staying with the traditions, which conceived the Sabbats, these festivals begin

when the ancient day did, at sundown, and end at the sundown of the following

day. (RavenWolf, pages 31-38)

Yule (December 21-31) pronounced "You'll" is also known as the Winter Solstice.

This is the celebration of rebirth. Yule also means "wheel", for the year has

reached its turning point, having reached the shortest day of the year. It is known

that the Sun will now grow in strength and the days will become longer. Yule

honors the God, as he is reborn. A typical Yule celebration consists of lighting a

fire with a Yule log (remnants of which should be kept to light next years log),

feast, and decorate the home with seasonal items such as pinecones, holly, and

wreaths.

) pronounced "Im-bolk" also called Candlemass, is the symbol of the earliest

days of spring. Imboloc means "in the belly of the Mother," or Oimelc, " milk of

ewes". Seeds are to be planted. This is a time when God is considered a youth,

becoming a man. Lighting of bonfires to welcome back the sun marks the

Sabbat.

Ostara (March 21st) pronounced "Oh-stare-ah" is also known as Eostras Day or

the Spring Equinox. This day was sacred to Eostre, a Saxon Goddess whose

symbols were the egg and the rabbit. This marks the first day of spring. Day and

night are equal at this time. Everything is coming back to life and the days are

longer. Celebrations

include the dying of eggs (fertility symbol), planting of gardens and setting goals

for the future.

Beltane (May 1st) is pronounced "Bell-tane" also known as May Day. Beltane

means, "fire of Bel." This is the last of the three fertility festivals. Beltane also

represents the union of the Goddess and God. Celebration includes tying

ribbons around the Maypole to symbolize the union of the Goddess and God.

Many Wiccans will have their handfasting ceremony performed on Beltane.

Litha (June 21st) pronounced "lee-tha" is also known as Midsummer or the

Summer Solstice. This is the longest day of the year. Even though the crops that

were planted in the spring continue to grow, it is now known that each day will

continually be shorter. This is a celebration of purification, fertility and love.

Lammas (August 1st) pronounced " La-mass" is also known as Lugnasadh.

Lugnasadh means "funeral of Lugh," the Irish Sun God, although the funeral is

not his, but his mothers. It is the celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. The

Goddess and God celebrate the conception of their child.

Mabon (September 21st) pronounced 'may-bon" is also known as The Autumn

Equinox. Mabon means "son." Day and night are equal. It is a time of rest, to

enjoy the fruits of your labors. It is the celebration of the harvest.

Samhain (October 31st) pronounced "Sow-when", also known as the pagan New

Year. Samhain means, "summer's end." Samhain is traditionally the biggest of

the Wiccan holidays. It is the day when the veil between the physical and

spiritual world is the thinnest. It is a time to honor the dead and to reflect upon

the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Sabbats are a reminder that life is a cycle, we are born, we die, and we are

reborn again. They help the Wiccan celebrate this cycle and to remind them that

it is continuous and unchanging.

What are the Esbats?

An Esbat is a Wiccan working holiday. They occur 13 times a year at each full

moon. This is a time of ritual and Magickal workings. It is a time of worship and

honoring of the Goddess. It is also where a ceremony called "Drawing Down the

Moon" is frequently performed.

"Due to the rotation of the earth, there are thirteen full moons, and each carries a

traditional name. They are: " (RavenWolf, pages 38-40)

Wolf Moon January

Storm Moon February

Chaste Moon March

Seed Moon April

Hare Moon May

Dyad (pair) Moon June

Mead Moon July

Wyrt (green plant) Moon August

Barley Moon September

Snow Moon November

Oak Moon December

Blue Moon Variable

A Blue Moon occurs when the moon appears twice in the same calendar month.

The moon with its 28-day cycle will appear twice within at least one month per

year.

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