The Path of Magic
Ritual Observance of Nature
There are two types of rituals that witches and wizards tend to observe during a year. The first and most important group of rituals celebrate the Wheel of the Year, the progress of the seasons with the god in his aspects as Lord of Creation, Lord of the Underworld and the Son Reborn.
There are eight sabbats, four major and four lesser, that relate to the solstices and equinoxes, all of which mark the changes in the seasons. These are rituals that mark the passage of the Sun through the Heavens and it effects earth. Sabbat rituals are a way of tuning into the earth's energy and aligning one's purpose and life to the mood of the earth. Spells may be worked at these times, if their importance warrants it; for instance, if there is the need for a particularly powerful healing, perhaps for an individual who is seriously ill, or if energy is being directed to a group that is doing something useful for the world and needs help. Strong, extroverted techniques, such as chanting, ecstatic dancing and sex magic, are often practiced during these rituals. Many witches and wizards will, however, treat sabbats as purely celebratory and devotional occasions.
The second type of rituals, called Esbats, concern the passage of the moon through her phases where the goddess is seen in her aspects as Maid, Mother and Crone. Moon rituals are an excellent time to cast healing, love and money spells, to make charms, and to use trance work and meditation to aid the solution of a problem. These are gentler rituals that use techniques much more introspective than those used for the sabbats.
Phases of the Moon
Traditionally it was thought that occult power was at its height at full moon, but each aspect of the goddess as waxing and waning moon has its own power that can be tapped by a witch or wizard. The goddess, through the moon, rules the oceans and the seas. She is the ebb and flow of creation and death. As a witch or wizard, to truly understand the goddess and the moon, you must live your life according to all her phases.
Look at what is happening in everyday life and see if there are correspondences with the moon's phase. Many ordinary desk diaries have the phases of the moon noted. If you keep a diary or a journal, check the previous dates and notice whether you were, for instance, able to finish a project near waxing moon. Becoming aware of how the earth's energies work gives you enormous power, because you are then able to work with these energies to achieve your own projects and ambitions rather than relying solely on your own energy.
Another way to link into the phases of the moon and what they mean to you is to set time aside to meditate on the three aspects of the goddess. You can do this in your own sacred space. Set aside one night for each aspect, idealy the night of the appropriate phase of the moon. For each phase, if you can see the moon, focus on it and imagine the Maid, Mother and Crone as yourself. Initiate a conversation with this other self and listen to her wisdom. Become familiar with her because, once established, you may seek her advice and guidance about a particular issue.
Observing the Seasons
The eight festivals occur approximately every six weeks throughout the year, A sabbat is the high point of a seasonal phase, which is celebrated by banquets and rituals to underline its significance and importance of the season. However, it is equally important to observe all the everyday activities and changes in energy flows that precede a new festival. As with the observance of the moon, keep a journal that shows your everyday activities and the success or otherwise of your projects. Have you ever noticed that money or recognition always happens at around harvest time if you have planned wisely?
The Chinese were well aware of the effects of the changes of season and their influence on their health. With each season, the Chinese would eat different foods prepared in different ways. For instance, for summer, light vegetables with a high moisture content would be eatenm cooked quickly in the wok. During winter, root vegetables were eaten more and longer cooking processes were used, such as baking. The food you prepare for festivals can also embody this wisdom- an excellent way of strongly linking into the mood of the sabbat through the produce of the earth. In an age when fruits and vegetables can be grown all year round in greenhouses, try to vary your diet when the fruits and vegetables are naturally in season.
By flowing with the energy of the season you will be surprised how muc your energy increases, because you are not acting against nature's wisdom. Similarly, the Chinese believed that during winter, as the earth sleeps so should human beings rest more. During this time the body should be given a chance to recharge, to get itself ready for the challenge of spring and the high energy needed to get through summer.
Seasonal Rituals and Practices
Know the Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year refers to the eight seasona sabbats that are celebrated by witches and wizards during the year. It concerns the passage of the sun through the heavens and focuses on the story of the god.
In midwinter, the goddess gives birth to a son who grows to adolescence by spring. In spring, the goddess appeas to the god in a youthful form. She falls pregnant to him and grows in beauty as Mother of Life in summer and autumn. The god in the same time ages and dies slowly becoming the Lord of Death, symbolizing winter. In the darkest time, when the days are at their shortest, the goddess gives birth to the son, whom she will again take as a lover in spring, continuing the life cycle or spiral.
The Sabbats are divided into two groups. The Greater Sabbats fall on dates that represent highest energy in the season.
The Lesser Sabbats fall on the equinoxes and solstices, the dates of which vary slightly from year to year.
Greater Sabbats:
Samhain or Halloween, (All Hallows Eve) October 31
Imbolc or Candlemass February 2
Beltane or May Day May 1
Lammas or Lughnasadh August 1
Lesser Sabbats:
Yule or Midwinter Solstice December 21-23
Ostara or Spring Equinox March 21-23
Litha or Midsummer Solstice June 21-23
Mabon or Autumn Equinox September 21-23
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