| Sabbats The word sabbat comes from the Greek "sabatu" which means "to rest." Sabbats are the solar festivals that mark various spokes along the wheel of the year. These are usually the times when the sun reaches different points of either extremes or balance. Each Sabbat corresponds to a stage in the ever-renewing life of the God and Goddess as well as the seasons in Nature. Sabbats can be celebrated solitary or in groups. Celebrations generally consist of plenty of food, drink, song and dance. These are times to put aside worries and just relax. Samhain Samhain <SOW-in or SAV-ayn> marks the beginning of the new year for many pagans and wiccans. This is a time to honor ancestors that have passed over. Samhain is also a time where the veil between the worlds is believed to be at its thinest, therefore a prime time for ritual work as well as divination. Yule Yule celebrates the birth of the God. It also marks the return of the Sun. It is a time when the days actually begin to grow longer. Many pagans and wiccans light candles and/or fires to symbolize the return of the light. The Goddess rests now after her long and tiring labor. Imbolg Imbolg is the sabbat that honors the Goddess as the waiting bride of the returning sun God. The God is a robust young boy now whose growing strength is seen in the increasing light. Ostara Ostara is the sabbat that observes the stirring of life beneath the earth. The time when the spark of romance is just being kindled. It is seen as the first day of spring. The God is reaching maturity and the days have reached a balance between light and dark. Beltaine Beltaine marks the maturity of the God. Flowers are budding and love is in the air. The God and Goddess fall in love and is a season where animals mate freely. The Goddess becomes pregnant and the fertility in nature is abundant. Litha Litha also known as Midsummer marks the time when the sun reaches its peak. The earth is green and holds the promise of a bountiful harvest. The Goddess is viewed as heavily pregnant and the God is at his apex of manhood. He is honored as the supreme sun. This is a classical time for magick of all kinds but my favorite is communing with the fae. Lughnasadh Lugnhasadh marks the first harvest. Foilage everywhere begins to bare fruit and drop seed. This is a favorite time to gather seed for the next season. This is primarily a grain harvest and the baking of bread is traditional as well as fruit, vegetable and berry. This is a time where the God begins to lose his strength. The Goddess watches in sadness and yet anticipation of the coming birth of the babe she carries. Mabon Mabon is seen as the second of three harvests, particularly as the celebration of the vine harvests and of wine. It is also associated with apples as symbols of life renewed. Once again we see the balance between light and dark. The God prepares for his death and nature dies back preparing for a well deserved rest. This brings us back to Samhain where many pagans and wiccans bid a temporary farewell to their God. Knowing his return is not far away. |
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