Yule
| Imbolc
| Ostara
| Beltane
| Litha
| Lughnassad
| Mabon
| Samhain
When witches gather, it is known as a sabbat, there are eight of these during the year. Local villages would gather together to celebrate the four seasonal changes of the year.
The Sabbats are a part of the Wheel of the Year which follows the passage of the sun through the sky. Divided into two groups, consisting of the Major Sabbats that fall on dates which represent high energy during that season and the Minor Sabbats which mark the changes of a season and fall on the Solstices and the Equinoxes, dates which vary from one year to the next.
The suggestion has been made that Sabbat comes from the Hebrew word Sabbath meaning a 'Sacred' or 'Holy' time. Another is thought to come from the Greek God Dionysus's title of Sabidus, He was the God of wine, women, revelry and song.
Based on the Celts' pastoral culture, the Major Sabbats are the older holidays, and the first Sabbats in Europe are believed to have been Samhain and Beltane, when the cattle herds were driven from Summer to Winter pastures and back again. The Minor Sabbats came at a later time, possibly imported by the Saxons, Romans and Angles.
When the sun appears to stand still on it's elliptical path, reaching the most Southern and Northern points, a Solstice occurs. These are turning points during the year, and very important to Witches. An Equinox is when the sun passess the equator, making both day and night equal in length.
In the natural world, it is the Sabbats which keep us attuned to the seasonal changes. These changes are no longer as important to people these days are they were a few hundred years ago, even the farmers need not worry so much about the changing seasons with food able to be grown all year round, and there being a constant supply of fodder for the animals. However, having a connection with these changes can help you to live a healthier and richer life.
To learn more on the individual Major and Minor Sabbats, simply follow the links below.
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Last updated 15/09/2002