| The Sabbats |
| YULE: Time: Around December 20-23 Symbolism: Re-newal and Rebirth during winter Candle Colors: red, green and white Ritual Actions: fires lit, candles carried around the circle, Yule log is burned, burn Bayberry candles and allow them to burn themselves out. Symbols: Yule log, small potted plants, evergreens, wheel symbol, red and green symbols IMBOLC (CANDLEMAS): Time: February 2 Symbolism: Festival of Lights Candle Colors: red, pink, lavender, white and brown Ritual Actions: Candles lit and held in the circle, blessing of seeds, wheel symbol placed on altar, "Spring Cleaning", hang corn outside the home for wealth and protection until the day after the Fall Equinox then bury in the garden Symbols: white and green colors or white and blue, dish of snow, evergreens and candles OSTARA (SPRING EQUINOX): Time: Around March 20-23 Symbolism: the start of Spring, represents the warrior aspect of the God, Festival of Fertility Candles Colors: green, yellow and gold Ritual Actions: a fire is lit in the circle during the rite itself, seeds are blessed for future blessings, eggs are colored and placed on the altar; colors are light green, lemon yellow, and pale pink, twisted bread and sweet cakes are prepared to be served at dusk Symbols: color is white, potted plants, cauldron BELTANE (MAY EVE): Time: April 30 Symbolism: the return of fertility Candle Colors: dark green Ritual Action: bonfire leaping, horn blowing, ribbons of blue, lavender, warm pink, lemon yellow and white, pick a tree in your yard and decorate it with ribbons and bows, flower petals can be strewn about the circle (later swept into a pile to be distributed around the house for protection Symbols: color is white, fresh flowers, cauldron filled with flowers, mirrors LITHA (SUMMER SOLSTICE): Time: Around June 20-23 Symbolism: great magickal power Candle Colors: green and blue Ritual Actions: flower-ringed cauldron, herb drying, sunflowers or flowers of red and maize yellow or gold are used on the altar, altar candles are gold and red Symbols: white, mugwort, mirrors to capture the Sun or flames of the fire LAMMAS (LUGHNASADH): Time: August 1 Symbolism: Harvest and Thanksgiving : August Eve Candle Colors: yellow and orange Ritual Actions: beginning of the harvest cycle, bread is baked and eaten, then thrown into the fire; grains are woven into Goddess and God symbols, altar is decorated with pots of yellow and red cockscomb, prepare for Fall by replacing curtains, tableclothes etc... Symbols: colors are red and orange, corn dollies, special loaves of bread MABON (FALL EQUINOX): Time: Around September 20-23 Symbolism: Second Harvest and mysteries Candle Colors: orange, brown and yellow Ritual Actions: fruit is horned, food-cornbread, cakes and cider, ritual sprinkling of leaves- colors used are brown, gold and red, altar cloth can be made of Fall designs, river and stream stones gathered over the summer can be empowered and placed on the altar Symbols: colors are red and brown, pine cones, acorns, wheat and dried leaves SAMHAIN: Time: October 31 Symbolism: the end of Summer, the dead are honored Candle Colors: black and orange Ritual Actions: black candles ward of negativity, windsocks and pentacle wreaths are made for protection, decorate with jack-o-lanterns and gourds, serve cider, scrying in smoke, candle flame, fire or mirror to call upon departed ones, leave food outside after the ritual Symbols: colors are red or black, pomegrantes, pumpkins and apples |