The Sabbats

In Wicca, there are 8 Sabbats, or holidays, that are celebrated through out the year, here you will find a brief desciption of each.

Yule (Winter Solstice) Dec 20-31: The shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. This festival begins on December 20th and ends December 31st, hence the 12 days of Christmas. A time when the waxing Sun overcomes the waning Sun. In some traditions, it's a time when the Holly King (representing the death aspect of the God) is overcome by the Oak King (who embodies the rebirth of the God, and is sometimes refered to as the Divine Child). Since this is a solar festival it's celebrated by fire, the burning of the Yule log, and a portion of the Yule log is kept to be used in lighting next year's log. This piece is kept year round to protect the home. Colors are red and green, and are of Pagen origen. Along with the tree, and exchanging of gifts. The reindeer stag is also a reminder of the Horned God. Candlemas

Imbolic Feb 1 : Candlemas welcomes the change from old to new, a festival for fertility and to celebrate the things that are yet to be born. The frist of the Three Spring Fertility Festivals. Lavender and white candles can be burned in honor of the holiday, a good time for spring cleaning, painting or decorating. Also a good time to look over your magickal cabinet to see what's low and what you may need for the coming months. Ostara

Spring Equinox March 21: This festival represents the warrior aspect of the God. This Sabbat occurs in mid-March when night and day are of equal length. A celebration of balance, fertility, and the second of the Three Fertility Spring Festivals. Seeds are blessed, eggs colored and placed on the altar as magickal tailsmans. The Easter Bunny is of Pagen origin, as are baskets of flowers. Colors are light green, lemon yellow and pale pink. This is also a good time to treat yourself to a new broom, if your a woman, or a new staff if your a man. Both must be ritually cleansed.

Beltane May 1: This is the last of the Three Spring Fertility Festivals, and is when people, plants and animals prepare for the warm months ahead. This is a time for love, union, and the Maypole. Colors are blue, lavender, warm pink, yellow and white, but traditionaly they are red and white, representing the blood that flows from the woman when her purity is taken. Pick a tree in your yard and adorn it with ribbons and bows. This holiday represents the Divine Union of the Lord and Lady.

Summer Soltice June 21 : This is the longest day of the year, although the two do not always fall on the astrological calender. This holiday represents the Sun King in all his glory. A celebration of passion and succes. A good time for business or a situation where the power of male energy is needed. Colors are gold, or sunflowers, or flowers of red (for sexuality) or maze (for prosperity) are good altar decorations.

Lammas August 1: The first of the three harvest celebrations, and represents the beginning of the harvest cycle. Bread is baked, and the altar is decorated with the first fruits of the garden. Magickal cabinets are stocked with herbs, and the herbs for magickal use should be harvested on this day. Also a good time to replace curtains, rugs, tablecloths, ect.

Autumn Equinox Sept. 22 : This is the second in the three harvest celebrations and is associated with the taking of the corn and other foods that are to be harvested. Colors used for candles should be brown, orange, gold or red. Altar cloths can be changed, with patterns of fall designs. River and stream stones can be gathered over the summer and can be empowered for various purposes.

Samhain Oct. 31: This holiday is considered the Witches' New Year, representing one full turn of the seasonal year, and is the last of the three harvest festivals. The veil between the two worlds is weakest and celebrations to honor the dead are done at this time, divination is heightened on this night. Black candles are used to ward off negativity.

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