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| Samhain - October 31 A celebration of the final harvest and the spirit world, including our ancestors. The crone, as Goddess and ancestor, is the supreme diety of this festival. She of the crossroads, Hecate, comes to us at this time to aid our transition and transformation. A time to honor all that has passed in the last year including loved ones, relationships and bad habits. An excellent time to let go of all that no longer serves you. Because the veil is thin to other times and places, this is an excellent sabbat to do past life regressions, divination and retrieve inofrmation that is otherwise hidden. Yule - December 21 The winter solstice is the oldest of the sabbats, perhaps 12,000 - 20,000 years old. This is the longest night of the year and every day after this is returning to the the light. Mark this day as the reurn of the sun and fire Goddesses. Evergreens are potent symbols of never ending life and this why pine, holly, and ivy are so prominent. Mistletoe was especially sacred to the Druids. Imbolc- February 2 Brighid's Day, a festival of fire and light. A traditional time to initiate new witches and reaffirm our path and dedication to Goddess. Brighid is the Celtic Goddess of fire, fertility, metal smithing, childbirth, protection, healing and creativiity. One common tradition on this holy day is to turn off all of the lights in your house and leave only one candle burning. Now light every candle in your home, bringing Brighid's protection and light into your space. You may also turn on all of the lights for an even brighter celebration. this sympathetic magick symbolizes the growing power of the sun and brighid's light in your life. Eostre - March 21 Spring Equinox is celebrated as a day of balance and sexual awakening. In the Greek mythology of Demeter and Persephone, it is the time when the maiden Goddess Kore returns to the greening meadows and into her mothers arms rom her underworld journey. A time to plant the new seeds in you life, decide what you want to "grow" or manifest. Rabbits. sacred eggs, and flowering plants are all potent symbols of fertility. Bring this fertility into all aspects of your life as you create abundance, art and all you desire. Beltain - May 1 Second only to Samhain in popularity, this sabbat is a time to build a bonfire, dance around the May pole and make merry. A few traditions are jumping the balefire for ritual purification, celebrating the "Lusty Month of May" by sacred union and decorating with greenery and flowers. Midsummer - June 21 The summer solstice honors the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its peak of power. A traditional time to gather and dry herbs and flowers as they are at the peak of power too. Celebrate this time by gathering with the covens that have hived from yours or the larger paganf community. Lughnasadh - August 1 Also known as Lammas (loaf mass), this festival celebrates the first fruits of the harvest. The grains and the bread made from them are often part of the ceremony. This is a great time to honor your hard work and to see how the "seeds" you planted in Eostre have manifested. Mabon - September 21 The Autumn Equinox, also known as the Witches' Thanksgiving, is the second of the harvest festivals. Have a ceremony to honor your abundance and all that you are thankful for. Feasts of berrry pie, nuts, winter squash and wild rice would be entirely appropriate. International Pagan Pride Day is also celebrated at this time. In addition to the public awareness campaign, this organization continues the beautiful tradition of sharing our bounty with those less fortunate. For more information about the sabbats, check out these books: The Sabbats by Edain McCoy |
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