Sabbats

 

  

 

SAMHAIN

 (Sow'een) (Greater Sabbat)  Samhain is the festival celebrated on October 31st. This is the beginning of the pagan new year. This is also the time of year that we say goodbye to the loved ones we lost through the year and also the time that we meet with those who have passed on to the Summerlands in the past years.  In this way, we can say "Merry meet, Merry part, and Merry meet again" to those no longer physically here.  The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest at this time of year.  Samhain is also a gathering up of energies before the depths of winter.  This is also the best time of year for spells involving getting rid of bad habits like smoking, drinking (abuse), and also to end a negative situation such as a bad relationship.  This is also the last harvest festival of the year.  Symbols include apples, black cats, besoms and cauldrons.  The best colors to use for this rite would be orange, black, white, silver, and gold.

 

YULE

 (Minor Sabbat) Yule is the festival celebrated on or about December 21st.  This time of year marks the rebirth of the Sun God from the Goddess.  This is the longest night of the year, and is celebrated by welcoming the new baby Sun King.  This is the best time of year for spells of renewal, harmony, wisdom and peace.  Father Winter (Santa) arrives bearing gifts for all.  The Yule log is symbolic of the Sun King and should be lit by a piece of the previous years Yule log.  Symbols include the Yule log, tree, sun and mistletoe.  Colors used during this time of year are red and dark green.

 

IMBOLC

 (Im-bulk)(Greater Sabbat)  Imbolc is the festival celebrated on February 2nd. It marks the first stirrings of Spring and is a traditional time of magick.  This is the time for spells for new beginnings, new growth, and hope.  Imbolc is also the first fire and fertility festival of the year, with significance placed upon the Light of fire. As many candles as possible are lit now to symbolize the coming of the new light.  Symbols include the Bride, grain dollies and the sun wheel.  The colors used for this time of year are white, pale green and yellow.

 

OSTARA

 (Minor Sabbat)  Ostara is the Vernal or Spring Equinox and is celebrated between March 19th and 21st.  It is also the second fire and fertility festival of the year celebrating the resurgence of Earth fertility.  Night and day are equally balanced.  The symbols for Ostara are the egg and the rabbit.  Life begins anew at this time and we should plant the seeds of our flower, herb and vevetable gardens.  Fertility rites may be done at this time.  Colors used for this time of year are all pastels in green, yellow, pink and blue.

 

BELTANE

 (Byul-tin)(Greater Sabbat)  Beltane or May Day is the festival celebrated on April 30th/ May 1st.  This is a celebration where we honor the union of the Goddess and God, the maypole is symbolic of this union.  Beltane is the last of the three fire and fertility festivals of the year.  Beltaine brings hopes of love, prosperity, friendship and peace. As we dance amongst the flowers around the Maypole our thoughts wander through our lives and loves . It is said that if you bathe in the dew of Beltaine morn, your beauty will flourish throughout the year.Beltaine literally means "fire of Bel". Bel is known as the bright and shining one. The fires celebrate the return of life and fruitfulness to the earth. Celebration includes frolicking throughout the countryside, dancing the Maypole, leaping over fires, and "going a maying".  Symbols include maypole, flowers, chalice and knife.  Colors used during this time are red, white, green and yellow.

 

MIDSUMMER

 (Minor Sabbat)  Midsummer or the Summer Solstice is a festival to honor the Sun God and is celebrated on June 21st.  This is the time of year where the sun is at its height of power.  Traditional Pagan activities of Midsummer is to leap across bonfires to promote fertility of animals and crops.  Twilight of this day is the time to see and communicate with the faeries.  This is the best time of year for weddings, handfastings, and spells for unity.  Symbols include Sun, fire, faeries, and the Oak tree.  Colors used for this time of year are green, gold, blue and tan.

 

LUGHNASADH

 (Loon-zar)(Greater Sabbat)  Lughnasadh or Lammas is the festival celebrated on August 1st.  It marks the first harvest and the ebbing of the sun's energies.  This is the first of the harvest festivals.  The first fruits of the annual harvest are reaped, and the days grow shorter.  Festivities and rituals typically center around the assurance of a bountiful harvest season and the celebration of the harvest cycle. A bountiful harvest insured the safe passage of the tribe through the upcoming winter months.  Lughnasadh is a time of bounty, celebration, and hopes for an abundant harvest season. We celebrate the bounty of our own life's harvest, the work we have done in our own lives as well as in our community.  Symbols include corn dollies, spear, bonfires and scythe.  Colors used at this time of year are bronze, gold, green, orange and golden yellow.

 

MABON

 (Minor Sabbat)  Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox is the festival celebrated on or around September 21st and marks the second harvest festival.  This is the best time for thanks and reflection and the best time to start planning for the coming year.  The spells done at this time are prosperity rituals, introspection, past life recall.  Symbols are pine cones, corn, gourd and cornucopia.  Colors used during this time of year are brown, deep gold, scarlet and purple.