This page was last updated 03/06/05
The Sabbats
The Sabbats are the witches Holy days. They mark the passage of season; the changes in the cycle of life. Apart from Sabbats, there are Esbats, which are festivals usually held on the Full Moon. The following are the Sabbats which make the Wheel of the Year.
Most of the Sabbats have been adopted by the Christian and Catholic Church in early times, as a means of making the FORCED conversion from the old Pagan beliefs to The Churches beliefs more acceptable. I've included the names of the Christian equivalent for educational purposes.
Please take note: The following dates for the Sabbats are for Northern Hemisphere dwellers. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, you will find the name of the Sabbat in RED which occurs on the specified date.
I've included rituals that can be used to observe these holy of days. You can use these provided, or make up your own. All of the rituals refer to "The Circle of Stones" to be cast for the ritual. The ritual for the Circle of Stones can be found on my Rituals page.
Please take note: None of the rituals for the Sabbats are of my own design unless otherwise noted.
Yule (Winter Solstice, December 20-23) - This is the Pre-Christian Yule-Tide festival, which welcomes the dawning of the new year, and the return trip of the sun at the Winter Solstice, as it ends its winter journey, and begins its journey back. Decorating with evergreens occurred even in the earliest of times, as a symbol of renewal and everlasting life; as it was done in many temples and still to this day in many homes and businesses across the world. The Yule Log of the Druids was of oak, but the pine of Attis was used by the Teutons and in Scandinavia an ash faggot was bound within withies and burned at Yule with predictions made from the bursting of the withies. This ritual of burning a Yule Log was seen in widespread customs from Germany, France, England, French-speaking Switzerland, and among the Slavs. Baldur, the Scandinavian god of light and joy, would appear on the eve of December 25th. Traditional ritual includes burning the paper from the previous year containing those things you wished to have achieved. Then, writing things on a piece of paper those things you wish to do away with, then burn that piece of paper. On another piece of paper, you record those things you wish to achieve. The Christians created "Christmas" as their equivalent, connecting the Sabbat to the birth of their 'Jesus Christ', hence the name being derived from 'Christ Mass'.
(South of the Equator should see "Midsummer")
Imbolc (Oimele, Candlemas, February 1) - This festival is dedicated to Brigit, the Goddess of fire and inspiration, and later abopted by the Catholic church as St. Bridget's Day. It's the spring festival of Life and Light, and of Purification.
(South of the Equator should see "Lammas")
Eostar (Ostara, Spring Equinox, March 20-23) - Marking the arrival of spring, this festival is the observation of fertility. Mother Earth and all her creatures are ready for the continuing circle of life. It's a time of balance, when all the elements within us must be brought into new harmony. It's adoption by the Christian Church borrows symbols of the Old Religion. The Easter Hare symbolizes the Goddess, and the Easter Egg represents fertility.
(South of the Equator should see "Mabon")
Beltane (May Eve, April 30- May 2) - The festival which marks the beginning of the Celtic summer. Suggested as a pastoral festival, with Midsummer as the agricultural celebration, both share similar rites. It's the Festival of Baal, or Biel, hence Biel-tane. It's also a period of danger and power. Like Samhain, contact of the dead and fairies are easily achieved; the latter coming out to dance and roam until Samhain. The Christian equivalent of this Sabbat is "National Prayer Day".
(South of the Equator should see "Samhain")
Litha (Summer Solstice - Midsummer, June 20-23) - This is the greatest of Fire Festivals. It marks the turning of the sun from it's summer might, to its autumnal decline. It's the celebration of the God of Light, Mithras.
(South of the Equator should see "Yule")
Lughnasad (Lammas - August 1) - This is the wake of Lugh, the Sun King, who dies when the grain is reaped. It's the festival that marks the symbolic feeding on life, so that new life can come. It's the period of time when the Mother becomes the Reaper, diminishing the light of day which shortens its length. It also marks the passing of summer.
(South of the Equator should see "Imbolc")
Mabon (Fall Equinox, September 20-23) - This is the time of the harvest. It's a period of time to give thanks for the bountiful harvest, of taking and sorrow. It's the moment when day and night are equal, in perfect balance. It marks the transformation of the Sun King to the Shadow Lord. Now is the period of time we must think about balance in our own lives, and that within nature.
(South of the Equator should see "Eostar")
Samhain (Samhuinn, Halloween or All-Hallows Eve, October 31) - This is the Witches New Year. It Marks the end of the beginning, and the turning of the Wheel of Life into the next year. It's a time of cold, dearth, and darkness. Candles are lit in remembrance of dearly departed ones. It's also a period of time when the veil between the physical and spirit world is at its thinnest, when powers are high, and communication with the dead is easiest. Shunned by the Christian church as being an evil holiday, it is anything but evil. Symbology of the present day "Halloween" ties close to that of the old ways. Costumes are worn to scare off the benign and evil spirits. Candles lit and placed within Jack-O-Lanterns which now serve as decoration, used to be placed outside the homestead, to protect the residence from those benign spirits (benign because the spirits really aren't bad). The art of "Trick-Or-Treat" keeps alive the festival which was symbolized with plenty of food, and offerings of food to those who have recently crossed into the spirit world, and have not yet returned, as all spirits do. Rejoice and cherish, as now is not only a time of death, but also the birth of the new year. The Christian equivalent to this Sabbat is All-Saints Day, or All-Souls.
(South of the Equator should see "Beltane")
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