This wheel show the eight
Sabbats.
The
Sabbats
From the book "Witchcraft Today" Article by Pauline
Campanelli
Samhain: In many Craft traditions, the wheel of the
year begins at Halloween, often called by the old Celtic name of
Samhain.
Here begins the year's darkest time, midway between
the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is a time when the
spirit world is close to the world of the living, and the veil
between the two is thin. For this reason Witches celebrate the
Samhain sabbat by inviting the spirits of the deceased to join us.
The circle may be decorated with pumpkins, gourds and autumn leaves,
especially oak leaves that symbolize the Lord of Death. The candles
at the four directions might be placed in jack-o-lanterns and a
"gateway" left at the western point -- the direction of death --
through which the dead may enter. The spirits are invited during the
rite, which may include a spiral dance danced counter-clockwise
("widdershins"), symbolic of rebirth. Some device for communicating
with the dead such as a Ouija board might be in the circle. At
Samhain Witches hope to receive messages not only from deceased
loved ones, but from predecessors in the Craft, their Pagan
ancestors or kindred spirits. This is also the time for predicting
the future by casting runes or reading the tarot cards. The Goddess
is honored in her aspect as The Crone, the Goddess of the Dark
Mysteries. The God is honored in his aspect as the Horned God of the
Dead, not only of humans but of animals as well.
Yule:
Falling on December 21, the winter solstice, is the next sabbat. The
days begin growing longer and the dark period begins to lessen. To
Witches, now comes the birth of the Divine Child, the new solar
year.
The Yule circle might be adorned with holly and oak,
symbolic of the waning and waxing Sun, and evergreen boughs symbolic
of rebirth. To celebrate the waxing Sun a Yule log is traditionally
burned and its ashes kept as amulets of protection and fertility.
The God is honored in his aspect as Divine Child and the Goddess as
the Divine Mother.
Imbolc: On the night of February 1 or 2,
Witches celebrate the Imbolc sabbat. This night, halfway between the
winter solstice and the vernal (spring) equinox is the time when
Nature begins to stir unseen and awaken from winter's death-like
sleep.
The circle might be adorned with white flowers,
snowdrops, Christmas roses or paper whites -- or not adorned at all,
symbolizing Nature's apparent barreness at this time. The ritual
might include lighting many candles to symbolize the Sun's
increasing light. Many Witches perform a rite called "Bride's Bed,"
which consists of dressing a doll made with corn or other grain and
placing it in a basket with a wand representing the God. The Goddess
is honored at this sabbat as the Corn Maiden and the God is honored
as the Spirit Father.
Ostara: On or about March 21 Witches
celebrate the vernal equinox, sometimes called Ostara. This is the
time when night and day, dark and light, are equal, and the light
begins to grow greater than the dark. The circle might be decorated
with spring flowers -- daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, pussy willows
-- or bowls and baskets of colored eggs. This is the time for the
ritual blessing of seeds, and as they did in ancient times, Witches
make offerings to the Goddess with colored eggs and cakes, sometimes
inscribed with solar crosses. At this sabbat the Goddess is honored
in her aspect as the Maiden and the God as her brother / consort the
Sun God.
Beltaine: The eve of May 1 is Beltaine, along with
Samhain one of the most sacred days in the Witches' calendar. The
circle is decorated with spring flowers, especially wild ones.
During the ritual a May Queen is crowned with a chaplet of flowers
and a May King is crowned with a wreath of green leaves. A Maypole,
symbolizing the phallus that gives the spark of life, is danced
around and entwined with ribbons, while a fire made with nine woods
is kindled to celebrate the strengthening of the Sun. The Goddess is
honored at Beltaine in her aspect as the White Goddess of fertility
and the God as the Lord of the Greenwood. Beltaine is the
celebration of the Divine Marriage.
Midsummer: On about June
21, the longest day of the year, is the celebration of Midsummer,
the summer solstice. Magickal herbs such as St. John's Wart and
vervain are traditionally gathered now. The circle might be adorned
with summer flowers -- sunflowers are ideal. On this day bonfires
are lit to celebrate the Sun at the peak of its power. Witches leap
over the flames and make amulets of rowan or rue to hang in homes
and barns for the protection of animals. The God is honored in his
aspect as the Sun God and the Goddess as the Earth Mother.
Lammas: The eve of August 1 is Lammas, the celebration of
the first harvest. The circle is adorned with ears of corn, baskets
of vegetables and reaping tools. The ritual itself is a thanksgiving
for the harvest, particularly the grain harvest, and ritual eating
and sharing of bread and wine is the sabbat's main theme. At Lammas
Witches honor the Goddess in her aspect as all-providing Earth
Mother, Grain Goddess or Corn Mother, and the God is honored as the
sacrificed God of Grain.
Mabon: September 21 is the autumn
equinox when day and night are of equal length, and the hours of the
night begin to grow longer than those of day. The circle is adorned
with autumn leaves, seed pods and fall fruits. Witches prepare to
bid farewell to the Maiden of Spring and the Mother of Summer, and
as nature prepares for the death-like sleep of winter, Witches
welcome the Crone and honor the God in his aspect as God of the
dying Sun, the God of death and rebirth.