The dates may vary due to the positions of the quarters in the Gregorian calendar. The Sun would need to be in a position that may fall on a certain date. A Sabbat marks the time of the year where the Sun positions change with the Seasons. Some pagan cultures would have a ceremony from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again celebrating the solar holidays. The ritual could include a fire ceremony on a hilltop where the horizon would show the Suns positions throughout the day. In Pagan culture, the celebration and worship of holidays would focus on their tribes' continuance and stability their main source of sustenance and future. Usually this would surround a specific crop of the year or hunt of the year. The word pagan means country dweller or peasant.
There are 13 Full Moon Ritual celebrations and 8 days of Power. The days of power are known as a Sabbat. Sabbats are based on folk festivals and focused on the Suns Solar Cycles.
The Equinox~
The Equinox is a equal balance of Sun and Moon on the Earth. The Sun is positioned over the equator.
The Solstice~
Is when either the Earth is when the Moon or Sun has dominion of light hours or evening hours. The Sun positioned in Capricorn or Cancer. (North or South of the Earth)
The Wheel of the Year 4 Greater Sabbats and 4 Lessor Sabbats The pagan wheel of the year is a series of events that fall on the quarters and cross quarters of the year.
(Cross Quarter Holiday)
Imbolc February 2nd, Marks a time where the Maiden aspect of the Goddess is honored, as well as the Mother and Crone. It is also known as Candlemass or Brigid. Imbolc marks the recovery of the goddess. After giving birth to the God, the longer days cause her to awaken from winters slumber. The God is felt when the Sun's warmth fertilizes the Earth, (Symbolizing the Goddess) which brings stirrings of spring. The stirring causes the seed to germinate and grow. It is a Greater Sabbat of purification, light and fertility. Bonfires were ignited to represent our illumination and inspiration. The fire of candlemass can represent a time for initiation, self-dedication, and renewal. Imbolc is also the Mid point between Summer Solstice Dec 21st *YULE* and Spring Equinox March 21st *Ostara* (Vernal Equinox) Imbolc being a cross quarter, is also known in other references to Ground Hogs day. Wives Geast day (By Norse tradition)
(Quarter Holiday)
Ostara March 21st marks a time when its the first Day of Spring also known as Ostara. It is also known as Spring Equinox or Vernal Equinox. Day and Night are Equal. We become aware of the colors of spring that surround us. The Energies of Nature subtly shifted from winter to spring. The Goddess is symbolized waking in her Maiden phase. She bursts with fertility. The God stretches and grows to maturity. It's a time of action, and of planting seeds (or spells) for future gains. It is a time to tend to your spiritual gardens. symbolically its a time where ideas grow.
(Cross Quarter Holiday)
April 30th Is a traditional date for Beltane. Beltane marks the emergence of the SunGod. Both the God and Goddess fall in love and unite. A ritual personifying this could be the Great Rite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. It also represents a celebration of their fertility. Beltane is also known as Mayday. Many cultures celebrate this holiday in their own ways. There is historical data that it was practiced by the Anglo Saxon traditions as well Middle Eastern Cultures. Beltane is known as different names in several cultures. Several books have examples of the names. A may pole is a male phallic symbol and the focal point of English ritual at dawn. The Trine of life Honored as well. (Youth, Fertility, and Eldership) "Taine" means fire. Men would jump the flames of the Bale fire in sympathetic magic focusing on the Sun's Burning Glaze here again. They would also jump the fire to encourage courtship. It was a primitive sexual competition as well. Beltane May Eve,, Marks a time Where the Sun God is Fiery and Alive and conceived! His energy sexual, protecting, everything we recognize in the emergence of the colors of Spring, Showers at Beltane. Its the midway point between Ostara March 21st and Summer Solstice.
(Quarter Holiday)
Summer Solstice is June 21st, also Known as Litha. When the powers of nature reach their highest point. Bonfires were leapt to Encourage fertility, purification, health and love. The Fire represents the Sun. Midsummer the longest daylight hours are a classic time for magic of all workings. Harvested vegetation would also be honored, as an offering in hopes the next crops would be plentiful. Litha is the first Day of summer. Summer Solstice has Longest Daytime hours of the Year.
(Cross Quarter Holiday)
August 1st Lughnasadh, also known as August Eve It's the time of the First Harvest. The first harvest of garden and home. When Plants of spring drop their fruit or seed. For our use as well as to ensure future crops. The God loses his strength as the Sun reaches further in the south. It is about 6 weeks until the first frost. Day and Nights grow longer. The Goddess observes the God dying. As she observes the God inside her Living on. It ensures the continuance of the triad in the wheel of life. A feast of grain and home celebrates the first harvest. Every meal is an act of attunement with nature. It is the midway point between Litha June 21st and Mabon Sept 21st.
(Quarter Holiday)
Mabon September 21st, marks a time when its the first Day of Fall. It is Fall Equinox. Day and night are equal. We become aware of the colors of Fall that surround us. We are reminded that nothing in the Universe is Constant. The nights begin to grow longer. It is another harvest holiday. Leaves are starting to change colors and fall. Its a colorful reminder of the season changing once again from life to death. Its a traditional time to start storing food for the winter. When the seasons change the harvest is stored. Wines are made from the fruits of the harvest and stored for a whole season. The mother goddess has reigned from summer and now she is preparing for the transition into crone.
(Cross Quarter Holiday)
October 31 Samhain, November Eve, Marks a time When The Horned God is Reborn. Many pagan traditions recognize this time by Honoring, the Horned God by inverting their pentagram jewelry they wear, and some do not. Samhain marks a time when the veil is thin. Where The Crone and the Elder hold dominion over the Earth. Samhain being November's Eve. Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, Hallows Eve and other names as well. Samhain Marks the Coming of the New Celtic Year. Beginning stages of winter has Come. Traditionally, the Sun God would take form to transformation, a time of his sacrifice. The God takes on the Persona of an animal to ensure the circle of life and regeneration proceeds in its Natural cycle. The Sun God is hunted. The Goddess His consort has conceived the Divine Child, and the God returns. Reflection can be emphasized on the past, our ancestors, a time to get familiar with life and death. When the veil is so thin, a person may try divination to tap into the other world. Its a time where the Veil is Thin Between Both Worlds. Samhain pronounced several ways, "Sam"Hayne, S'ow'Win it means summers end. Samhain was the time when the meat from hunting and from the farm animals were preserved for the winter there was also tallow or meat fat to make candles during this time. Pumpkins, gourds, and zucchini from the gardens were used for carving. The jack o lantern was normally a gourd with a candle that children carried through the woods to light thier way they carved faces to frighten away any scary animals or unfriendly spirits. Its a time to focus on the year, make goals, plans, and fortune. The thimble, button rings, coins were used as tools. .It is a dark season that deals with the death and dying. Death is part of the cycle of life we know this as sure as the sun rises and falls. We deal with death face to face in many ways. Remember and touch those we honored in the past. Its a sense of the loss in our hearts our emotional reaction to death its away to not take life for granted and knowing the others are on the other side. A time to live life fully and to move on. Keep goals in mind for the year to come. It marks the midway point between Mabon Sept 21st and Yule December 21st.
(Quarter Holiday)
Yule December 21st Marks a time when its the first day of Winter. Winter Solstice has the longest evening hours of the year. The Goddess gives birth to the divine child. Yule is also on Winter Solstice. Which is the shortest day of the Year (and longest night). It marks the point where the Sun is reborn as well. (The Sun symbolizing the God rebirthing from death to life) In sympathetic magick we light candles welcoming the Sun's light. Its a pre-welcome to Springs arrival in the making. The Goddess Rests after Delivery.
The altar could be in the North. A Yule log could be burned to symbolize the rebirth of the sun king child.
The ashes could be used as a protection circle around the house. Its the revolving wheel of change that brings the birthed king back into perspective. Its a new beginning for the solar god to grow into adolescence.
Lunar Holidays (Esbats)
The days of Power has a PROFOUND IMPACT ON CEREMONIES.
The Full Moon is of the symbol of the Goddess.
There are 13 moons in the calandar one including the blue
12 moon names (Celtic Tradition)
Jan. Wolfmoon - Feb. Storm Moon
March Chaste moon - April Seed Moon
May Hare Moon - June Dryad Moon
July Mead Moon - August Wort Moon
September Barley Moon - October Blood Moon
November Snow Moon -December Oak Moon
The Blue Moon happens every 2.5 years.
It is a very strong moon which is a full moon that happens 2 times in one month. Its a very strong Moon and is rare. A focus for this moon could be on magick of self. Readings can be done for our selves and others a time to share and care so to speak.
The New Moon. Rises at dawn Sets at sunset its symbolic of a time for romance, beauty, health and farms.
The Crescent Moon - Rises at Mid Morn. sets after sunset 3 1/2 days after the new moon.
It is a time for animals, business, change, emotions, money and strength
The First Quarter - (Waxing) Rises at noon sets at Midnight 7 to 10 1/2 days after the New Moon
It is a time for courage, friends, luck, motivation and elemental magic
The Gibbons Moon - Rises at mid-afternoon sets at 3 am in the northwest
The Full Moon - Rises at sunset and sets at dawn. 14 to 17 1/2 days
After the new moon, could be a time for artistic beauty, health, fitness, change, decisions, children, competition, dreams, family, knowledge, healing, romance, legal understanding, money, motivation, protection, self improvement and psychical improvement.
Before the new moon is symbolic of grounding time. The New Moon is the first quarter, which has Maiden characteristics. The moons light waxes, which builds in symbolization of new beginnings, new visions, development of ideas and cleaning of altar space. (Mentally Physically) A time for making tools, positive spells and the color is white. The New Moon symbolizes the estrogen rising in the blood stream. In a goddess sense, its a simile to the womb and how it takes 28 days approximately to cleanse the womb for the nourishment of the child.
The Full Moon - has high psychic powers, Esbats are of the Goddess, womanhood, healing, divination, spells, positive magic, ovulation = birth. The Moon has effects on the tides. It is a good time to eat nuts, for fights (Olde practitioners of warrior nature) energy. It compares that women are one with the ocean, a good time for poetry. Music, plays, dances for the Goddess. Its also a great time for Handfastings (Pagan wedding/promise ceremony) The mother aspect of the full moon is like the mother who teaches. She is sharing her light with us her color is red. Her light sustaining us in the night.
Waning Moon to Dark moon - Dark is the maiden the crones moon. This moon is a time for banishing spells, the color is black, transformation, the crone of winter, her menopause, a dreamers moon and of symbolism. Her color is black. It is a also a time for divination and scrying for spiritual guidence. The
Dark moon is a moon of death and darkness. Even in the darkness in the sky the light is revealed through
All of the stars up above. This moon regenerates itself as its light has wained from darkness it builds a new beginning and cycles again towards full again.
A Esbat is the Full Moon which happens every 28 days 28 1/2 days.
It is considered the bleeding schedule time for psychic sessions and serious work. In ritual and day to day tasks, it could be a time to recall the blessings in life and give thanks. Appreciating the power of the full moon can be used for healing. Sabbats on the other hand are celebrations to have fun laugh giggle sing dance all the things we feast and enjoy.
From formelss to form to formless again the moon phases are a dance of Life, Birth, Death, and Rebirth.
The Desiminating Moon - Rises at Mid evening Sets at mid Morning 3 1/2 to 7 days after the Full Moon a moon of addiction decision Divorce Emotions Stress Protection Good time to deal with stress and is used for protection
The Last Quarter Moon - Rises at Midnight sets at noon 7 1/2 to 10 1/2
days after the Full Moon time for healing also stress and protection
The Balsamic - Dark moon Rises at 3 am sets after Midnight 10 1/2 to 14
days after the Full Moon time for addiction, change, divorce, enemies, Justice, Obstacles, Quarrels, Removal, Separation Theft and stopping Stalkers.
Sabbats Focus in the God (Ritual Days usually) is of the Sun
Esbats focusing on the Goddess (Ritual Preformed usually at Night)
In the days of power its a time for the turning of seasons. The cycle of moons which contain 13 full moon rituals. With Sabbats 4 are determined by solstices or equinoxes, the other 4 are based on old pagan folklore it gives structure and order to the pagan year the names are Celtic and common among wiccans
The Esbats are the wiccan/pagan full moon celebrations. During this time the moon brings a source of energy symbolizing the goddess we tap into the energy to produce magic
Suggestive Reading:
Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Press by Nigel
Pennick Lady of the Night, Llewellyn press by Edain
McCoy Wicca Guide for a Solitary Practitioner,
Llewellyn press by Scott Cunningham Witches Bible Complete, by Janet and Stewart
Ferrar - Llewllyn PressSuggested Online Resources:
Witches
Voice: Pagan
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