Sabbaths
There are eight Sabbaths every year that are celebrated along with the full and new moons. All of the Sabbaths are either based on the harvest cycle or on the rotation of the earth, while the phases of the moon help keep us in balance with the ebb and flow of the every cycling energy.
Imbolic or Candlemas-- February 1
It is the first spring rite. As winter wanes, the cycle again turns to fertility and the harvest. Traditionally it is the time for planning the next season's crops and for lambing. However, in modern life it has become a time of planning the year's projects and for the future.
Ostara--approximately March 21
Ostara takes place on the Spring Equinox and is the second spring festival. Traditionally the ground is prepared and the early, harder crops are planted. It is a time when projects are organized and set into motion.
Beltane or May Day--May 1
Beltane is the final spring festival. It is the time of planting. Beltane is the bonding day between the Goddess and the God as they bring their energy together to create fertility in the land and in living beings. It is said to be very bad luck to marry on this day and up stage the Divine union. What is set in motion on this day is what will be harvested in the fall.
Litha or mid summer is approximately June 21
Litha takes place on Summer Solstice and is the longest day of the year. It is the first of the harvest festivals. Traditionally the God's energy is celebrated with his reign being the longest on this day. It is also the day to honor the earth spirits with cakes and sweets from the ripening fruits and early vegetables. By offering them gifts, you are more able to enjoy their humor and learn their wisdom.
Lughnasadh--August 2
It is the second harvest festival as the vegetable and grain have begun to ripen. Crops harvested and preserved. This is the time of what we have sent in motion to come home for good or evil.
Mabon or Autumn Equinox--approximately September 21
Mabon is the final harvest festival as the late harvest is brought in and preserved. It is the reaping of what we have sown.
Samhain--October 31
Samhain is the ending of the year. It is the day when the veils between the realms are the thinnest. Whether the dead or earth spirits, humans communicate with them the easiest during this time. It is the time for honoring your ancestors and making amends with those who have crossed over.
Yule--Winter Solstice approximately December 21
Being the shortest day, the Goddess energy is the most powerful at this time. Yule is the time to awaken and reconnect with the feminine energy in all of us as we reflect on the lessons and challenges of the past. In doing so we learn from our mistakes and take the time to re-evaluate our spiritual path. Traditionally, it is the time of the death of the old sun god and the rebirth of the new.
Known as esbats, full moons have their own rituals. Twelve of the thirteen full moons have been named. The thirteenth moon appears in varies months depending on how the other full moon fall during the months. If it has a name, I haven't heard it.
January--the Wolf Moon
February--the Chaste Moon
March--the Seed Moon
April--the Hare Moon
May--the Dyad Moon
June--the Honey Moon
July--the Wort Moon
August--the Barley Moon
September--the Harvest Moon
October--the Blood Moon
November--the Snow Moon
December--the Oak Moon
An excerpt from Out of the Shadows and Into the light--A Book of Shadows available at www.theresachaze.com
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 10
To Janet: Many of us who follow the Wiccan path have always done so, but didn't know what we were following. We were part of the Christian church, just because our parents were - so it was not our original faith, but our parents.