Sabbats
Lammas  (July 31 and August 1)

Relative Deities: Ceres, Demeter, the Corn Mother, Lugh, John Barleycorn, the Green Man
Relative Herbs: All herbs and all grains (corn, wheat, milo, rice, oats, etc.)
Relative Stones: Tiger-eye, golden topaz, opal, citrine, ametrine

Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh [loog’-na-sod] is the mid summer and the start of the harvest. Celebration to the Sun God for His help with the fertility of the Earth and He begins to wane in the sky. However, His seeds are in Mother Earth and She is at Her peak. Fruits and vegetables are ripened and herbs are at their most potent at this time. We reap the fruits of Her labor and know that we are blessed by all of Mother Earth’s bounty.
Mabon  (September 20 or 21)

Relative Deities: Mabon, Modron, Persephone, Demeter
Relative Herbs: Marigold, sunflower, hibiscus, rose petals, myrrh
Relative Stones: amber, clear quartz, tiger-eye, citrine

Mabon [ma’-bon] is the Welsh God, the “Great Sun”. The tale states that Mabon was captured from the Great Mother (Modron) and taken to the Underworld to prevent Him from shining His light upon the world. However, Mabon was clever and returned to fertilize the Earth. This is also the Fall Equinox, the first day of Autumn and the second period of the harvest. This is also the time to celebrate the bounty of Mother Earth and give Her thanks for Her blessings She bestows upon us. This is often called the “Witches Thanksgiving”. We will plan lavish feasts and gratefully enjoy the bounty. This is also the time to remember our ancestors and those who have passed on. Therefore, we give thanks for what we are given, what we are and for the future gifts to come. Additionally, we give thanks to the yet born. We should reflect on all we receive (small and big).
Sahmain  (October 31)

Relative Deities: Hectate, Pan, Persephone, Hades, the Morrigan
Related Herbs: Bay leaf, lavender, mugwort, nutmeg, sage
Related Stones: Obsidian, black onyx, bloodstone, amethyst, opal

Samhain [sow’-en] is celebrated on October 31st. Other names are Halloween, Hallows and All Hallows Eve. The celebration relates the roles of Death in the cycle of Life. In ancient cultures this was the day to close loose ends, put things to rest, finish the gathering of crops, and prepare for the winter. The main aspect of this sabbat is to honor those who have died. The potential of working with Spirits is quite connective now. The veil between Life and Death are at its thinnest point this time. We are at the closest to the Spirits which can be the best time to work with divinatory tools. This is one of the highest and most magical times and also considered the New Year.
Yule  (December 21 or 22)

Relative Deities: Mother Berta, Father Winter, Santa Claus, Kriss Kringle, St. Nick, the Kings of Holly and Oak
Relative Herbs: Chamomile, rosemary, ginger, sage, cinnamon
Relative Stones: Quartz crystal, blue sunstone, emerald, ruby, sapphire

Yule lands on the first day of winter (Solar Festival). This is also known as the Winter Solstice. Some of the traditions are similar to Christian Christmas, yet the ancient Egyptians started this festival about 4,000 years ago. It was a 12-day celebration of Horus’ rebirth. Naturally, many other cultures created similar festivals of celebration of gift-giving also. Yule is derived from the Scandinavian word Jul meaning wheel. This celebration is from the battle between the Holly King (darkness of the old year) and the Oak King (light of the new year). The tale is told during the lighting of the Yule Log to encourage the Sun’s birth to warm us again.
Imbolc  (February 2)

Relative Deities: Brigid, Brid, the Maiden, the Spring Goddess, the Young Lord
Herbs: Angelica, basil, bay leaves, myrrh
Relative Stones: Quartz crystal, opal, moonstone, aventurine, sunstone

Imbolc [im’-bolk] is also known as Candlemas and Groundhog Day. Imbolc means “in the belly”. This festival is the stirring of Earth for the coming of spring. Another celebratory aspect is the preparation of Brigid’s Bed. It is a basket filled with raffia of Easter grass with decorations of white ribbons and ivy. A corn dolly dressed in a bride dress along with a male symbol represents the first meeting between the Maiden Goddess and the Young Lord (fertility). A common ritual of this is for purification (similar to spring cleaning). Time to rid ourselves of useless items and ill-conceived notions, bad characteristics and a cleansing of the mind and spirit."
Ostara  (March 20 or 21)

Relative Deities: Eostre, the adolescent Spring Maiden, the adolescent Spring Lord
Relative Herbs: Jasmine, Rose, Violet, Chamomile, Hibiscus, Rosemary, Lavender, Coltsfoot, Patchouli, Daffodil, Grape Vines
Relative Foods: Green Vegetables, Nuts, Dairy Products, Bean Sprouts
Relative Stones: Moss agate, green moonstone, orange calcite, rose quart
Relative Colors: Pastels; blue, yellow, pink, green

Ostara [o-star’-a] is also known as the Vernal or Spring Equinox. This festival is the renewal of the Earth and of our spiritual selves. The Christian celebration of Easter and Ostara are derived from the Goddess Eostre. Legend has it that Eostre was in the company of children and turned a bird into a rabbit and the rabbit laid colored eggs. Relatively, the egg white represents the nature of the Goddess and the yolk represents the Sun God. The shell of the egg is what seals the perfect love for each other.
Beltane  (April 30 and May 1)

Relative Deities: May Queen, Stag Lord, Jack-in-the-Green, the Green man
Relative Herbs: Frankincense, roses, lemon balm, lemon thyme
Relative Stones: Quartz crystal, sunstone, orange calcite, malachite

Beltane is the festival of fire and fertility welcoming summer. The first Beltane celebrators were the Celts. The celebration starts at sunset April 30 and ends sunset May 30. Beltane is a Welsh work – tan (fire) and Bel (Welsh Sky God), e.g. “fire in the sky”. The traditional festival called for a teenage boy and girl to respectively play the parts of the Stag Lord (battling male) and the May Queen (mated female) which would represent fertility to all the lands. Some traditions are the dancing around the Maypole clockwise (direction of the sun) intertwining flowers and vines. The Maypole remained the entire year. It was cut down the following Beltane and used for the Beltane fire. This fire symbolized the Sun’s longer days in the sky. Sick persons and animals were walked between bonfires of the Beltane logs for protection and to ensure fertility.
Midsummer  (June 21 or 22)

Relative Deities: Mother Earth, Father Sun, the fey and fairy people
Relative Herbs: Rue, roses, vervain, trefoil, St. John’s Wort, chamomile, lavender, mugwort
Relative Stones: Amethyst, malachite, golden topaz, opal, quartz crystal, azurite-malachite, lapis lazuli

Midsummer, also known as Summer Solstice, Litha or St. John’s Day celebrates the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. The Goddess becomes Mother Earth and the God takes His place as Father Sun. The two know work together for a green and fertile Earth. This festival celebrates sharing, giving, kindness and helping one another. Also, our fairy friends (lightening bugs) are busy laboring over our hearts, spiritual gardens helping guide us so that we are performing nice acts for others (they make it easy for us). With this in mind, we must also honor Midsummer Night.
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