Sabbats
Their are eight sabbats in the witches' calandar. The two Solstices, two Equinoxes, and four cross-quarter days. Samhain is the witches' New Year.
Samhain - Also known as: Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Hallowmass, Ancestor Night, Feast of Sam-Fuim, Samana, Samhuinn, Samonios, Shadowfest, and Martinmas.
The festival Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, and SAM-hayn) begins the Witches' Year, commencing the third and final harvest, the beginning of the dark winter half of the year, and the end of Summer. Samhain literally means "End of Summer." It is celebrated typically on October 31st, but some prefer to on November 1st.
This and Beltaine, which sits directly across from Samhain on the wheel, are the only two 'Spirit Nights.' On these nights it is said that the regular laws of space and time no longer apply and the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. Beltaine"s veil reveals more-so the land to Faerie.
Ways to celebrate: Samhain represents departing souls and respect for the dead. Reminiscing about ancestors and having an open supper (Usually called the Feast of the Dead) are two things most do on Samhain night. An open supper is a regular dinner with more chairs and plates set out, leaving a welcome environment for any unseen guests.
In theory with the God and Goddess, the Lady is now in her crone form, honoring and remembering the passed Lord. She waits in reverence for him to be reborn on Yule. This is important in giving thanks to the dark aspects of the God and Goddess because it shows that there is always opposition to light, and that is a natural part of life.
To celebrate with a bonfire, family and friends, or just partaking in the festivities, are all very popular. Also, any spirit contact rituals are best performed on this night over any other night in the year.
The main things being celebrated on Samhain are the Dark Mysteries, rebirth through death, and the third harvest.
Symbols: Gourds, Apples, Cauldrons, Bale fires, Pumpkins, Jack-O-Lanterns, and Besoms.
Herbs: Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Heather, Mandrake, Mugwort, Mullein, Oak Leaves, Patchouli, Sage, and Straw
Incense: Heliotrope, Mint, and Nutmeg.
Foods: Turnip, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, and Poultry.
Colors: Black, Orange, White, Silver, and Gold.
Stones: Any black stone such as Jet or Obsidian.
Yule - Also known as:
Winter Solstice, Yuletide, Midwinter, Sun Return, Alban Arthan, Feill Fionnain, and Fionn's Day.
Yule is the celebration of the Winter Solstice, when the days start growing longer. This usually falls on or roughly around December 21st. Some Neopagans and ancient religions believed that this was the beginning of the New Year, versus Samhain.
This is the time when the mystical Oak and Holly Kings fight once again, the Oak King coming out victorious and leaving his brother to wait patiently for Midsummer. On the other side of the spectrum, the Sun God is now reborn in the form of a child by the Goddess. As the Goddess rests we worship her for her love and motherhood, and the God for his returning light.
Yule symbolizes the longest night of the year, the Rebirth of the Sun, planning for the future, and introspect.
Ways to Celebrate: Gift-giving, spending time with family, caroling,wassailing, burning the Yule log, and decorating the Yule tree are all popular traditions.
Note: Don't let Christmas get you down! Join in the celebrations because though you're not celebrating 'Jesus'' birth, you are celebrating the Sun Kings rebirth. So don't feel left out but join in.
Symbols: Yule Log, Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe hung in doorways, Gold pillar candles, Baskets of clove-studded fruit, Wassail, and Poinsettias.
Herbs: Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Evergreen, Frankincense, Holly, Laurel, Mistletoe, Oak, Pine, Sage, and Yellow Cedar.
Incense: Pine, Cedar, Bayberry, and Cinnamon.
Foods: Cider cookies and cakes, Fruits, Nuts, Pork, Turkey, Eggnog, Ginger Tea, or Wassail.
Colors: Red, Green, White, Gold, Silver, Yellow, and Orange.
Stones: Rubies, Bloodstones, Garnets, Emeralds, and Diamonds.
Imbolc -
Also known as: Imbolg, Candalmas, Brid''s Day, Bride's Day, and Oimelc.
This is a cross-quarter day that typically falls onFebruary 2nd. On this Sabbat, the Goddess in Maiden form awaits the newborn Sun God in her Bride guise. In old traditions, grain dollies were made from corn or wheat straw and placed in small mangers or baskets called 'Bride's Beds.' Nuts were placed around the doll, signs of male fertility.
Fertility and the coming spring are celebrated here and candles, sometimes placed in wreaths, are used to symbolize the coming light. The origin of this name means "Ewes milk," representing the newly born lambs. This is when seeds and gardening tools are blessed for the year ahead.
Since it is the first day of ploughing, in ancient traditions people of the town pushed a plough door to door, followed by a line of children who asked for food, drink, or treats. Should the children be refused, the front garden would be ploughed.
Imbolc represents purity, growth and renewal, reunion of the God and Goddess, fertility, and preparing for the new.
Ways to Celebrate: Yule greens may be burned to send winter on its way. Though the dolls are usually made on Lughnassadh, she can now be placed in her Bride's Bed. The next morning, remove the dress and offer the wheat or corn straw for the birds and animals. Three ears of corn are sometimes places on a door and left until Ostara, representing the triple Goddess.
Imbolc is a good time to cleanse the altar area and tools. White candles and Sandalwood incense are burnt around the house to purify. Brighid's Crosses may be made, one for each room of the house.
Symbols: White flowers, White candles, Brighid's Crosses, Ploughs.
Herbs: Any yellow or white flowers. Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, and Violets.
Incense: Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Violet, Vanilla, and Myrrh.
Food: Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, Muffins, Scones, Cakes and Breads, All dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines, and Herbal Teas.
Colors: White, Yellow, Pink, Red, Light Green, and Brown.
Stones: Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Onyx, Ruby, and Turquoise.
Ostara -
Also known as: Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox, Eostre.
Ostara is the time when the day and night are in balance (along with Mabon) and the God and Goddess are finally wed. This is roughly aroundMarch 21st. In some Celtic traditions, this day represents the awakening of Mother Earth. During a circle, the youngest present usually takes a staff, wand, athame, bolline, or simple stick and taps the Northern point of the circle three times. This calls for the Goddess to wake up and allow life to flower.
This day also represents fertility, though the God and Goddess do not consummate their marriage until Beltane. The symbols of fertility, the egg and rabbit, are common in decorating, along with flowers and greenery.
Ways to celebrate: Hard-boil, bless, and decorate eggs. You can paint on different symbols that correspond with Ostara and Wicca. Hot Cross Buns are often made, using the bolline to cut the X. Bless seeds in the garden, such as flowers or herbs.
Symbols: Eggs, Fertility, Rabbits,Flowers, Seedlings, Greenery, and Marriage,
Herbs: Any spring flowers. Daffodils, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violets, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, and Narcissus.
Incense: Jasmine, Rose, Floral, or Strawberry.
Food: Green vegetables, Dairy, Nuts, Sunflower, and Pine.
Colors: Green, Lavender, Yellow, Pale Pinks and Blues.
Stones: Jasper, Aquamarine, Rose Quartz, and Moonstone.
Beltane -
Also known as: Beltaine, Bealtaine, Mayday, Lady Day, Roodmas, Rudemass, Festival of Tana, Giamonios, and Walburga.
The Sabbat of Beltane falls on or around May 1st. It is the biggest celebration of fertility, when the God and Goddess consummate their marriage. This, like Samhain is a 'Spirit Night,' when the fey rather than spirits, come out to play.
In old Celtic times, this was a day of unbanished sexuality and fun. Young adults would stay in the woods overnight 'A-Maying,' and adults were given one free night to remove their wedding rings and the guidelines that came with it. Nowadays it is not so free, but still holds all of the fun. Often times in circles, two symbols or people presenting the male and the female spectrum will join to symbolize fertility. This is called the Great Rite.
One ancient tradition still in the world today is of the Maypole. The ribbons twining around the pole resemble the Great Rite, though it is celebrated inside and out of Wicca.
Ways to celebrate: Like I said, the Maypole is a commonly done tradition. Another is the Beltane bonfire. Bless the coals and leap over it. This is another ancient tradition that is
interesting and fun. You can use one or all of the nine sacred woods for the fire. Decorate the house and your outfit with flowers.
interesting and fun. You can use one or all of the nine sacred woods for the fire. Decorate the house and your outfit with flowers.
Symbols: May Pole, Bonfires, Flowers, Baskets, Eggs, Butterchurn.
Herbs: Almond, Ash, Cinquefoil, Frankinsense, Marigold, Meadowsweet, Woodruff.
Incense: Rose, any floral.
Food: Breads, fresh produce, eggs. My family and I collect the dandi-lions all spring and early summer and make wine from them on this day. We drink it on Samhain, the other spirit day.
Colors: Red, White, Green, any summer colors.
Litha-
Also known as: Summer Solstice, Midsummer, Midsummer's Night, Midsummer Night's Eve, Gathering Day, Alban Heruin, Alban Hefin, and Feil-Sheathain.
Litha is the celebration of Midsummer, and is typically around June 21st. The sun is at its highest peak on Litha, and the Sun God is in full power. The magic of the Solstice is recognized by the Fey who come out on Litha night more than any other night of the year.
It is also on this day that the Oak King loses against his brother, and the Holly King takes reign as the days grow shorter and shorter.
The Goddess is in her Mother form, pregnant with the bounty of the earth.
Ways to celebrate: Have a bonfire and a party with friends, make contact with the Fey, bless personal gardens, dress in bright colors with lots of flowers. Making amulets or satchels for protection can become a ritual every Litha, burning the old in the Midsummer fire. You can also burn the old Yule wreath if you've held onto it.
Witches ladders are a fun project to make with the whole family.
Symbols: Fire, Fey, Magic, Protection, and the Sun.
Herbs: Mugwort, Vervain, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lily, Oak, Lavender, Ivy, Yarrow, Fern, Elder, Wild Thyme, Carnation, and Daisy.
Incense: Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, and Wisteria.
Food: Fresh fruits and vegetables are typically eaten in thanks for the bountiful agriculture. Hot or spicy foods are also appropriate for the heat of the sun, the Midsummer fires, and the attraction between the God and the Goddess.
Colors: Blue, Green, Gold, Yellow, White, and Red.
Stones: Emerald is the sacred gemstone of Litha.
Lammas -
Also known as:Lughnassadh, August Eve, the Festival of Bread, Emebiuos, Lunasa, Cornucopia, and Thingtide.
Lammas is the cross-quarter day occurring aroundAugust 1. This is the first of the three harvesting rituals. Corn,wheat, barley, and grain, were the main products harvested around this time. The Goddess births the abundance of the world, still in mother form, and the Sun God is honored for his offered prosperity, but is growing older with the waning days.
Ways to celebrate: Do different crafts using corn. On Lammas, tradition has it to make a corn doll for the next Imbolc. These can be done with family and friends. Eat outdoors, and offer some of your food and wine to the Earth and animals. Save any seeds from the feast and plant them next year.
Symbols: Grains, Breads, Threshing Tools, Berries, Cornucopias, Harvest foods.
Herbs: Acacia Flowers, Blackberries, Corn Ears and Stalks, Crab Apples,, Grapes, Heather, Hollyhock, Frankincense, Myrtle, Oak Leaves, Pears, Sloe, and Wheat.
Incense: Aloes, Rose, and Sandalwood.
Food: Blackberry pie, cornbread, apples, and any grains or berries.
Colors: Green, Yellow, Gold, and Gray.
Stones: Carnelian is Lamma's sacred gemstone.
Mabon-
Also known as: Autumn Equinox, Fall Equinox, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Alban Elved, Alban Elfed, Winter Finding.
Mabon is the second harvest and the last Sabbat of the year, as Samhain (the third harvest) is the New Year. Mabon is the Autumn Equinox, so the day and night are equal once again. This day is celebrated around September 21st. On Mabon, thanks are again given for the crops, but in specifics, the vine crops and wine making. While in thanks of the year past, we prepare for the year to come.
This is the time when the God passes, fading with the days. The Goddess begins phasing into her Crone form, as the year continues to wane. She helps carry the God to Summerland and awaits his return at Yule. Thanks are given to the God for his sacrifice and his counterpart for her deed in leading him to the land where he can return again.
Ways to celebrate: One ancient tradition is to visit old burial cairns of the deceased and place an apple upon them. This leads into Samhain, when those passed on have the opportunity to visit. The apple may be seen as a sign of invitation.
A walk through the woods or an attempt at making wine with family and friends can be interesting and a lot of fun. While in the woods, look for dried herbs or sacred trees. Offer libations.
Mabon is about prosperity, so indulge in a great feast and wear your finest among friends, family, and coven members. Prepare to complete all unfinished tasks within the next month, before the New Year.
Symbols: Apples, Vines, Wine, Gourds, Garlands, Cornucopias, and Fall Leaves.
Herbs: Acorns, Astors, Benzoin, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Marigold, Milkweed, Mums, Myrrh, Oak Leaves, Passionflower, Pine, Roses, Sage, Solomon's Seal, Thistle, and Tobacco.
Incense: Benzoin, Myrrh, and Sage.
Food: Breads, Apples, Nuts, Wine, and Vegetables i,e, Potatoes, Carrots, and Onion.
Colors: Red, Orange, Russet, Maroon, Brown, Gold and all fall colors.
Stones: Saphire, Lapis Lazuli, and Yellow Agats.
