| The Eight Sabbats Sabbats are the times of year that we celebrate the eternal life cycles of the God and Goddess. From birth to life to death and back to birth, the cycle continues. Also known as the Turning of the Wheel. |
| Yule - ( Dec. 21st. ) Midwinter's eve, Winter Solstice, A Lessor Sabbat, One of the four quarter days The virgin Goddess gives birth to the Sun God. This is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. In Old Norse the word "Yule" means "wheel". In ancient Egypt the winter solstice marks the return of the Sun God "Ra". The wreath represents the Wheel of the Year. Plants for this sabbat are Evergreen, Holly, Ivy, and Mistletoe, all representing Fertility and Everlasting life. The Yule log is used for wishing upon. A time when the Oak King ( ruler of the waxing year ) defeats the Holly King ( ruler of the waning year ). In ancient Celtic history, a time when the Robin ( waxing time ) slew the Wren ( waning time ). Wassail in Anglo-Saxon, means " be whole or hale. |
| Imbolc - ( Feb. 2nd.) Candlemas, Brigid's Day, Feast of Torches, Festival of Lights, a Fire Festival The God is a young boy. The Goddess is in Her virgin aspect. Brigid is the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Healing, Smithcraft, and Midwifery. She is known as a Triple aspect Goddess. Newest addition of the eight sabbats. originally only seven sabbats were observed Imbolc stands for " in the womb ". Oimelc stands for " ewes milk ". This is also the Greek festival of Diana, Goddess of Love. It is a time for bonding and love. This is a cross-quarter day. |
| Ostara - ( Mar. 20th. - 23rd. dependant on actual astronomical event ) Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Lady Day The Goddess blankets the earth with fertility. The start of the Celtic day of Spring. Named after the Germanic Virgin Goddess of Spring ( Ostara ). This is a holiday especially sacred to the Goddess. Day and night are equal. The Teutonic name for the Spring Goddess is " Eostre ". A rabbit was said to have laid sacred eggs and having decorated them, presented them to the Goddess Eostre. In a show of pleasure, She bid the rabbit to distribute the eggs throughout the world. The eggs represent the gifts of life. A time to celebrate the victory of life over death. This is a Four Quarter day. The equinox occurs when the sun crosses the equator and enters the House of Aries. |
| Beltaine - ( May 1st. ) The young God grows to manhood. The God and Goddess unite and the Goddess becomes pregnant. Great fertility rite of life, starting at dusk of the 30th. of April and continuing till dawn of the 1st. of May. Beginning of the Celtic summer. The month of May is named in honor of the Goddess " Maia ", originally a Greek nymph. Also one of the " Seven Sisters ", ( Pleiades ). She is the mother of the God Hermes. And Her parents are Atlas and Pleiades, ( a sea nymph ). The word " Beltaine " means balefire. This is a Fertility sabbat. The 2nd. most important day of the eight sabbats. In ancient Rome, it was the Festival of Floralia, " Flora, Goddess of Flowers ". A great time for feasting and joy. In 1644, the Puritans made it illegal to erect a maypole, because of its phallic symbolism. The first Irish settler, " Partholan " arrived on this day. On this day the Tuatha De Danann were conquered by the Milesians. The astrological date for this day is when the sun sets at 15 degrees Taurus. |
| Litha - ( June 20th. - 23rd. dependant on actual astrological event ) MidSummer Solstice, Solar Festival The powers of nature are at their highest. A time for the Feast of Epona, the Celtic Horse Goddess. Faeries are at the height of their power. Dancing around the Mulberry bush is considered protection against faeries. Celebration of Lights triumph over Darkness. Classic time for magick of all kinds. The first battle between the Tuatha De Danann and the Fir Bolgs occured on this day. The Spear ( male icon ) and the Cauldron ( female icon ) are representative of this day. The astrological date is when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer. |
| Lughnasadh - ( Aug. 1st. ) Lammas, August eve, First Harvest, Grain festival The God is dying. Celebration of the Wheat God. Named after the Celtic Sun God, Lugh. Lugh means " He of the shining arm or Shining one ". He is King of the Tautha De Dannan. His wife is the Goddess Dana. This is the most important sabbat of the year. Lammas stands for " loaf mass ". To the Irish-Gaelic, Lughnasadh, is a feast to commemorate the funeral games of the Irish God, Lugh. This was in commemoration of the death of His foster mother, Taillte. A Taillte wedding lasted for one day and a year. |
| Mabon - ( Sept. 20th. - 23rd. dependant on actual astrological event ) Autumn Equinox, Lessor Sabbat, Harvest Home, Four Quarter day, Witches Thanksgiving, Weavers festival, Second Harvest Named for the Welsh God " Mabon ". Day and night are once again equal. Traditional thanksgiving was moved from this date to the November date by president Lincoln at the behest of the Puritans. A time for making corn dollies. The astrological date is when the sun enters the sign of Libra. |
| Samhain - (Nov. 1st. ) ( Sow-hin ) Third Harvest, Feast of the Dead, Halloween's eve, All Hallows, Cross Quarter day The God has died. The Goddess mourns though She knows He will be reborn at Yule. A time when the veil between the worlds is at it's thinnest. An excellent time for divination. Celtic new year. In Irish-Gaelic, the word " Samhraidhreadh means " summer's end ". The day of the Feast of the Roman Apple Goddess, Pamona ". Exactly opposite Beltaine on the Wheel of the year. A very magickal night. Reckoned when the sun has reached 15 degrees Scorpio. |
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