Sabbats & Esbats
There are 8 Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year. The Sabbats are solar, seasonal and represent the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. These days are Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltain, Litha, Lughnasadh, and Mabon. Sabbats are celebrated in honor of the God, since it is His sacrifice of birth, life, death and rebirth that are represented by the Sabbats.
Esbats are the celebration of the 13 full moons that occur every year. The Esbats are lunar and represent the Goddess at her height of power. These are the times when Her magick is more potent than on any other day of the month.
Samhain Other Names: Witch's New Year, Summer's End, All Hollow's Even Date: October 31 Northern Hempishere* (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter) Celebration of: The Lord dies and awaits his rebirth at Yule Related Holiday: Halloween Colors: Orange & Brown Symbols: Fall fruits Notes: This is the day that the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is at its thinnest. This is a good time for divination. At dinner, remember to set a place for your loved ones that have past this year. Leave an offering of food and drink on your door step for those souls that may still wander.
Yule Other Names: Winter Solstice Date: December 21 Northern Hempishere* (there about) Celebration of: The Goddess gives birth to the God Related Holiday: Christmas Colors: Purple or Dark Green Symbols: Holly, mistletoe, pine branches, pine cones, wreath Notes: Shortest day of the year. Yule log is decorated with evergreen & holly strands before being lit at sunset and is burned until sunrise. Celebration of family and friends. Celebration of peace, love and positive energy.
Imbolc Other Names: Imbolq, Olmeic, Candlemas, Brigits Day, Bride Day Date: February 2 Northern Hempishere* (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter) Celebration of: The God is a young child growing in size and strength Related Holiday: Valentine's Day Colors: Pink or Pale Green Symbols: The Candle Wheel, Evergreens, Willows, Grain Dolly Notes: First planting of spring. Ritual fires are burned. A time for birth, healing and inspiration. This is a popular time for vows of dedication or consecration.
Ostara Other Names: Spring Equinox, Eostre Date: March 21 Northern Hempishere* (there about) Celebration of: The God and Goddess begin their courtship Related Holiday: Easter Colors: Light Green Symbols: Spring flowers Notes: Light overtakes the dark. Rebirth of life. Contemplate new beginnings and fresh ideas. Serious mediation on your hopes and dreams for the coming year. Solar festival of fire, light, and fertility.
Beltain Other Names: Beltane, May Eve, May Day, Samradh Date: May 1 Northern Hempishere* (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter) Celebration of: The Lord and Lady consummate their relationship Colors: White, Red and Pink Symbols: Spring flowers (especially the rose). Notes: Fire and fertility festival. Jumping over the balefire was said to insure protection. Dance around the May Pole. Ring bells to scare away bad spirits. Time for appreciation and affection for all that you have been given in your life. End of spring planting. A time for new beginnings, concepts and ideas.
Litha Other Names: Summer Solstice, Midsummer Date: June 21 Northern Hempishere* (there about) Celebration of: The Goddess is pregnant with the God Related Holiday: Feast of John the Baptist Colors: White and Pale Yellow Symbols: Spear (God) and Cauldron (Goddess). Summer flowers, St. John's Wort, birch, white Lilly's Notes: Longest day of the year. The God is at his peak strength. Midpoint of the year. Light large bonfires after sundown. Peak of magickal power. Remember that nothing lasts forever. Celebrate abundance, fertility, virility, beauty, and the bounty of our earth. Good time for handfasting, workings for empowerment and consummation.
Lughnasadh Other Names: Lammas, Lughnasad, Lugnassad, Lunasa Date: August 1 Northern Hempishere* (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter) Celebration of: A Festival of not only life and bounty, but of harvest and death, the complete cycle of life. Colors: Gold and Bright Yellow Symbols: Summer flowers, nuts and grains Notes: Fire and light festival. First grain harvest. Feast dedicated to Earth Mother. Count your blessings.
Mabon Other Names: Autumn Equinox, Harvest Home, Pagan Thanksgiving Date: September 21 Northern Hempishere* (there about) Celebration of: The God now sleeps within the womb of the Goddess Colors: Dark Brown and Red Symbols: Harvest Foods Notes: Second harvest festival. Celebration of thanks for the crops that were harvested. Dark overtakes the light. |
Moon Phases
The New Moon: birth, initiation, new beginnings
Waxing Moon: birth, growth, new beginnings, the start of a new project, positive change
The Full Moon: fertility, growth, transformation, fulfillment, sexuality, maturation, love, power, maximum psychic ability
Waning Moon: wisdom, endings, release, banishment, intuition, prophecy, divination, old age, deep secrets, the power of healing
January 2006 (Wolf Moon): Full - 14 New -29
February 2006 (Storm Moon): Full - 12 New - 27
March 2006 (Seed Moon): New - 29 Full- 14
April 2006 (Hare Moon): New - 27 Full - 13
May 2006 (Dyad Moon): New - 27 Full - 13
June 2006 (Meade Moon): New - 25 Full - 11
July 2006 (Wort Moon): New - 25 Full - 11
August 2006 (Corn Moon): New - 23 Full - 9
September 2006 (Harvest Moon): New - 22 Full - 7
October 2006 (Blood Moon): New - 22 Full - 6
November 2006 (Snow Moon): New - 20 Full - 5
December 2006 (Oak Moon): New - 20 Full - 4 New - 31 |