Wiccan Holidays

Ben's Wicca Pages

Wiccan Holidays

Sabbats

As members of the Craft, we acknowledge the transformation of the seasons throughout the year, celebrating the sun's journey across the sky; marked out by the eight Days of Power or 'Sabbats'.
These represent seasonal birth, death and rebirth as the relationship between the Goddess and the God are constantly changing.
Each spoke of the wheel marks an important moment of the Earth's movement and progression.
These are times to give thanks for that which we have, and to ask that the earth may be continually fertile so that we may continue to grow our crops and rear animals as we have always done.
Many Witches start preparing for a Sabbat perhaps a week in advance and will begin celebrations starting the day before the actual Sabbat date and ending at sundown on the day after. Some choose to cut out chocolate, caffeine, or red-meat in the run-up to the festival.
In covens, the weeks before the Sabbats are very important. Its a time to learn lines, and prepare for the rite. Making food for the feasts should be done with the mindfulness of magickal intent, and some insist on strict ten minute meditations and visualizations in preparation for the ritual.

Following Sabbat dates in the Northern Hemisphere:

Yule: December 21

Also called Midwinter or Winter Solstice, Yule is the celebration of the shortest day of the year. We celebrate the end of Winter (the length of the days get longer after) and the coming of Spring.

The Lady gives birth to the Lord on this day. He is reborn from the seed he planted at Beltane.

Yule is a gathering of family and friends in order to lift everyone's flagging spirits by exchanging gifts and enjoying a feast. Celebrate this day by spreading birdseed outside for hungry birds, reading stories to children, and singing songs in front of a burning Yule log.

Imbolc: February 2

Imbolc is one of the four major Sabbats (holidays). It is also one of the three fire festivals.

Imbolc means "in milk" and is the celebration of the world as it comes alive with life. All of the mother animals are full of milk for their young. The Goddess is also in milk for her nursing baby. She nourishes the world along with Her child.

Imbolc is the day we bless our magical candles. Celebrate this time with a candle making party. Help your world welcome Spring by planting flowers.

Ostara: March 21

Spring Equinox occurs when there are equal amounts of day and night. It is a fertility festival celebrating the fertility of the Goddess. The world around us is blooming and coming to life after the hibernation of Winter.

The Lord and Lady begin their courtship on this day. He begins to woo Her for His wife.

Many of the customs of Easter came from the traditions of Spring Equinox. Easter eggs and rabbits symbolize fertility.

Beltaine: May 1

Beltaine is the second most important Sabbat (holiday). It is the beginning of Summer and the beginning of the Summer half of the year. The veil between the worlds is thinnest, and travelling between the different land (lands of the living, the spirits, the fairies and other lands) is possible

The Lord and Lady marry today. They consummate their marriage and She becomes pregnant with a child who will be reborn on Yule night.

Celebrate all of the aspects of this holiday. Use a maypole to honour the fertility of the time. The maypole symbolizes a phallus being implanted into the Mother Earth. Make a bonfire to celebrate this fire festival. Leave out bits of food to appease the fairy folk.

Litha: June 21

Midsummer or Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. The sun is at the height of its power.

The God reigns supreme on this day for He is the Sun Lord. His Wife the Goddess is pregnant with Their child.

The world around us has fully blossomed out and is beginning to ripen. Summer fruits and berries are ready to turn into jams and pie. Celebrate the fire aspect of this holiday with a Midsummer barbecue. Leave a bit of the leftover food out for the wee folk and fairies who are still wandering about.

Lughnasadh: August 1

Lughnasadh or Lammas marks the beginning of Autumn. This festival celebrates the first grain harvest and the products which come from grain (mainly beer and bread). It is the first harvest festival.

The God is aging. As the days grow shorter, so does His strength. Yet He will still live so long as the number of daylight hours outnumber the number dark hours, which lasts until Autumn Equinox.

Throw a feast in honour of the first harvest and include as many different kinds of bread and beer as you can. Pagan engagements or temporary handfastings are performed today. These "marriages" last until next year's Lughnasadh when they can either be renewed or not.

Mabon : September 21

Again we see the world in a balance. The number of day and dark hours are equal. Tomorrow, however, the dark shall rule. This Sabbat is the Witch's Thanksgiving.

The Lady mourns Her Lord for today He dies. She knows that He will be reborn on Midwinter night, yet She will miss Her companion and lover. Her belly is full with the life of the God.

Throw a Thanksgiving feast. Since the day and night sit in balance this day, try to find balance in your life.

Samhaine: October 31

Samhaine (pronounced sow ween) is the most important Sabbat of the Witch's year. It is the Wiccan New Year , when the wheel has made another turn. It is the beginning of Winter (ancient Pagans only noted two seasons: Winter and Summer.

The Goddess is heavily pregnant with Her Child. On Samhaine, when the veils between the worlds are thinnest, She opens the Gates and lets the souls of all those who have departed this past year into the Summerland. One of the souls She allows to pass is that of the God, who will be reborn come Yule.

The veil between the worlds is the thinnest this day. The spirits of the dead can come and go freely, enjoying sights they once beheld as living beings. Remember those who have passed away before us as they recover in the Summerland.

Many Witches wait until Samhain to do the most important rites: rites of dedication, creating a new coven, rites of initiation, and rites to increase to a higher level.