The Sabbats
In ancient times, when people lived with nature, the changing of the seasons and cycles of the Moon had a profound impact on religious ceremonies. The Moon was seen as a symbol of the Goddess and the Sun as the God. Ceremonies to worship and celebrate the deities and cycles of nature took place at certain times of the year.
Wiccans still celebrate the Full Moon and changing of the seasons. The Wiccan religious calendar contains thirteen Full Moon celebrations (Esbats) and eight Sabbats.
The rituals give structure and order to the Wiccan year, and also remind us of the endless cycle that is life.
Because we celebrate the Sabbats according to the seasons, in the Southern Hemisphere, we celebrate a different Sabbat to what is being celebrated on that date in the Northern Hemisphere, eg: if the Northern Hemisphere is celebrating Yule, which is held in the Winter time, it will be Summer in the Southern Hemisphere and so we will be celebrating Midsummer.
Wiccans, Witches and some other Pagans are practically the only groups now that still understand and celebrate these ancient holy days. Most of the Sabbats have been changed over time to suit Christian belief, as it was easier to use a Pagan holiday than create a whole new date.
It is plain to see the Pagan traditions in modern holidays, take Yule - which is now known as Christmas, the supposed birth of Christ, when in fact Jesus would more likely have been born in Spring rather than the middle of Winter. The Christmas tree is another Pagan tradition - a live tree would be taken inside during winter to keep the wood spirits warm. The tree would be decorated with food to feed the spirits. The act of giving gifts at 'Christmas' is another Pagan custom, as are Easter eggs at 'Easter', formerlly known as Ostara. And then there is Halloween, known to Pagans as Samhain, a night to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones gone before us. Now it is about greed and trickery - with candy and dressing up to scare.
Click on the Sabbat names below to learn more about each particular celebration. Note the initials S.H. and N.H. will stand for Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere.
Lughnasad Mabon Samhain Yule
Imbolc Ostara Beltane Midsummer
My published letter about Samhain
