| Sabbats |
| Yule/ Winter Solstice-December 20-23 Shortest day of the year, one of the four lesser sabbats. This is the day the Holly King ( death aspect of the God) is overcome by the Oak King (who embodies the rebirth of God/Divine Child) Herbs associated with this holiday are bay, bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, chamomile, evergreen, frankincense, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, pine, rosemary and sage. Imbolc/Candelmas, February 1 One of the major sabbats this is the day pagans celebrate banishing the winter season. Herbs associated with Imbolc are angelica, basil, bay, myrrh, celandine, heather, wisteria and all yellow flowers. Ostara/Spring Equinox ,March 20-23 Another minor sabbat celebrating balance, fertility, new beginnings, re-birth. Herbs associated with Ostara include acorns, calandine, cinquefoil, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, Easter Lily, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, strawberry, tansy, and violets. Beltaine, May 1 Major sabbat celebrating love and unions. Many pagans dance around a Maypole on this day. Herbs associated with Beltaine include almond, angelica, ashtree, bluebells, cinquefoils, daisy, frankincense, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, marigold, meadowsweet, primrose, roses, satyrion root, woodruff, and yellow cowslips. Litha/ Summer Solstice, June 20-23 Lesser sabbat consisting of communing with field and forest, sprites and faeries. Herbs include chamomile, cinquefoil, elder, fennel, hemp, larkspur, lavender, male fern, mugwort, pine, roses, St. John's wort, wild thyme, wisteria, and verbena. Lughnasadh/Lammas, August 1 Major sabbat celebrating the Sun God this is the first of the harvest celebrations. Herbs associated with Lammas are acacia flowers, aloes, cornstalks, cyclamen, fenugreek, frankincense, heather, hollyhock, myrtle, oak, sunflower, wheat. Some witches will bake a loaf of corn bread and place it on thier altar as an offering this day. Mabon/ Autumn Equinox,September 20-23 Second of the harvest festivals. Herbs associated with Mabon include acorns, aster, ferns, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mums, myrrh, oak, passion flower, pine, roses, sage, Solomon's Seal, and thistles. Samhain/Halloween,October 31- November 1, This is the last of the major sabbats. This is the day pagans celebrate and honor the dead. Herbs associated with this day are acorns, apples, broom, deadly nightshade, dittany of Crete, ferns, flax, fumitory, heather, heliotrope, mandrake, mint, mullein, oak, sage and straw. |
 |