Sabbats - Wheel of the Year
Samhain - Hallowmas
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- Created: Wednesday, 11 October 2006 11:14
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 05 November 2008 17:58
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Samhain: October 31st The Celtic New Year
This night is a magickal moment in time. The veil between the worlds is at it’s thinnest, we are closest to the door to the spirit world from which our ancestors pervade. Samhain is the most serious of the harvest festivals as traditionally choices had to be made among the live stock as to which would be harvested and which could survive the long winter to give birth to new life near Imbolc. As the animals were slain the meat was salted ( which in ancient times was one of the only known ways of preserving). This is believed to be one of the reasons we use salt in a ritual, to keep away unwanted spirits and protect the circle. As the animals were harvested so were the last of the crops. Infact, what ever was left out after all souls night was thought to belong to the underworld. It was taught that a Pooka (a hobgoblin) appearing in the form of a black cloaked headless horseman was sent to guard the bounty and torment anyone who tried to take it. The Veil to the other world that lead us to the elementals at Beltane now open us to the sacred world of the ancestors. You will find yourself among their familiar energies once more. It is common at this sabbat to invite your ancestors to a Dumb (silent) Supper and set a place to honor them. In fact in times of old people would put food out on their doorsteps for visiting spirits, and if you had to venture out it was thought to do so in disquise so unwanted or negative spirits wouldn’t be able to recognize you. As it is the New Year it is also traditionally a time to dedicate yourself to the path, take a magickal name, or join a coven. You may also find it a time for banishing the unwanted as it is the last sabbat of the waning year. Remember though that the focus is not on death but on the renewal of life. Be thankful for all you have and all that is to come.
Imbolc - Candlemas
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- Created: Tuesday, 10 October 2006 20:42
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Imbolc: February 2nd Bring back the Light
Entice the sun’s return by burning lots of candles or using fairy lights in your ritual.
Imbolc translates to in the belly or in milk. Lambing time. The awakening of spring. Some stomp or dance upon our Mother Earth to awaken her.
This festival is celebrated with Fire in mind, but remember the time of year is Aquarius.. Light... East... Air.
It’s also very near Valentines Day…but that’s another story.
The Sun challenges the darkness of winter. The Moon/Goddess is very noticed at this Sabbat, we celebrate her as the giver of life, light and abundance.
Ostara - Spring Equinox
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- Created: Tuesday, 10 October 2006 19:15
- Last Updated: Monday, 31 March 2008 10:33
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Ostara: March 21st The Spring Equinox
Balance comes into play again with the Libra full moon, and as the wheel turns the Pregnant Virgin Goddess carries the seeds of new life, that will be the harvest when balance returns again at Mabon. Eggs have long been a symbol of fertility so it’s no mistake that we would associate them with this Sabbat. A rabbit ( also a fertility symbol as well as the moons sacred animal) is said to have wanted to please the Goddess of Spring Eostre, so he found the best fertility symbol he could and brought to her brightly colored eggs as a gift. The God begins to gain power as the Wheel waxes so that he may marry the Goddess at Beltane. Empower and give our seeds to be planted. Honor the Great Mother with brightly colored eggs. Let Chalice and blade (the Celtic cross symbol) be reflected in your cakes and ale serve hot cross buns. Celebrate spring. Interestingly enough the Christian celebration of Easter is still calculated by using this Sabbat as a starting point. Easter is always held the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after Ostara
Yule - Winter Solstice
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- Created: Tuesday, 10 October 2006 21:10
- Last Updated: Monday, 10 March 2008 15:32
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Yule: December 21st or 22nd The Sun’s Return
This Sabbat marks the birth of the Sun God (sun not son) The Holly king who took over the dark 1/2 of the year at Litha now must fight a loosing battle and surrender/ return the crown to his brother the Oak King. His consort the Goddess who had shown us death in life at the Summer solstice, now awakens us to life in death as she gives birth to the child of promise. The dying and resurrected God of grain, bread….( Christ took on the aspects of sun, light, bread, sacrement) Anyway the child of promise is reborn to bring us hope of what is to come. The Wheel turns once again now waxing towards Imbolc. A good idea for a ritual would be to re-enact the slaying of the of the Dark King, and focus on ensuring the return of the light, ( you could use crystals or candles you charged at Litha in the Sun’s peak of power) You may wish to burn a Yule log, (it should be Oak) and keep a small piece to bring in the light. You can also keep it’s ashes to spread on your garden. Oh yes and remember keep your Yule tree to burn in an Imbolc fire.
Litha - Summer Solstice
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- Created: Friday, 06 October 2006 17:27
- Last Updated: Monday, 10 March 2008 15:34
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Litha: June 21st The Summer Solstice
This Sabbat marks the longest day of the year. The height of the sun’s power. It’s at this point the Wheel begins to wane. The Goddess is very pregnant, as is our Mother Earth. Her bounty has been planted and fertilized, fruits can be harvested like strawberries (see Sag full moon) It’s no coincidence that this firey full moon comes so near the Sun’s firey Sabbat. Rituals for Litha focus on nurturing new life and crops. However motherhood is not the only concern, for each mother has her consort. The Sun God, The Oak King at his peak of power celebrates his approaching fatherhood and passes his crown to his brother the Holly King. The best time if possible to hold your ceremony would be mid-day. Charge amulets with power for protection, Charge candles and crystals to use at Yule to call back the light. You can certainly feel the Gods power in the warm sun light. You may also wish to honor Cerridwen at this time the Goddess of life death and rebirth with a cauldron rite.