Esbats & Sabbats -The Pagan Gathering

~ Celebrating The Pagan Holidays ~

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~ THE SABBATS ~

What are the Sabbats and why are they so important?

The Sabbats are the eight seasonal changes that occur at the
quarters and cross quarters of our lunar calander.
In a religious aspect, they celebrate the repeated life cycle of the
Lord & Lady which directly affects the changes in the seasons.
They consist of four major & four minor celebrations.

December 21st
Yule ( yool ) or Winter Solstice
Minor Sabbat - Rebirth of the Solar God

The longest night of the year, Yule marks the rebirth of the Sun God. It is a time of awakening, a time to be thankful, and a time of connection. It is also a time of balance,
as the death of the Holly King, symbolizer of darkness & death vanishes with the birth of the Oak King, symbolizer of life.

Colors: red, green, black, gold, silver, white
Decorations: yule log, holly, mistletoe, ivy, fir, hazel bark, pine needles, cinnamon, cloves, frankincense, myrrh, apples, wreaths, yule tree, bells, snowflakes, candles,
Foods of Celebration: Wassail, fruit cake, turkey w/ stuffing, winter squash, yule log roll, gingerbread cookies, mincemeat pie, plum pudding, duck, snow cream,

Februaury 1st
Imbolc ( ) or Candlemas
Major Sabbat -

March 21st
Ostara ( ) or Spring Equinox
Minor Sabbat -

May 1st
Beltaine ( )
Major Sabbat -

June 21st
Litha or Summer Solstice
Major Sabbat - Union of the Lord & Lady

August 2
Lughnassad (LOO-nus-uh) or Lammas
Major Sabbat - Early Harvest Festival

One of the four Greater Sabbats, Lughnassad marks the beginning of the fall grain harvest.The Sun God also continues in loosing his strength until his death at Samhain. This is a timewhen the grains of life are bountiful. The abundant benefits of fruits, vegetables and herbs, provide us with the nourishments we will need for the coming months of winter.

Colors: White, gold, yellow,
Decorations: Corn, sunflowers, wheat, oats, goldenrod, marigold,
Foods of Celebration: corn bread, lamb, corn on the cob, berries

September 23
Mabon or Autumn Equinox
Minor Sabbat - 2nd Harvest Festival

One of the four lesser sabbats, Mabon is known as the second harvest, celebrating the last fruits of the year. The Goddess begins to morn the upcoming death of the Lord, the nights continue to grow longer.

Colors: Gold, orange-red, copper, bronze, russet
Decorations: Marigold, wheat, cornucopia, baskets of gourds, pumpkins,
apples & corn, sage, oak leaves, sunflower, walnut, hazelnut, acorns,
Foods of celebration: Apple cider, roasted chicken, roasted turkey,
acorn squash, cranberry bread, apple pie, pumpkin pie,

October 31
Samhain (sow-en)
Major Sabbat - Honoring the Deceased
~ Wiccan New Year ~

The night when the veil between the world's is the thinnest, it is a time for remembering and honoring our ancestors. Rituals to banish negativity, keep away evil, and harm are performed at this time. It is a time to look away from the past and into the future. The last of the three harvest festivals.

Colors: Purple, black, gold, orange
Decorations: Pumpkins, sage, rosemary, apples, hazelnuts, turnip seeds, smokey quartz, obsidian, pyrite, hematite
Foods of Celebration: Pumpkin bread, pumpkin squares,corn on the cob, mulled cider, roast pork w/ rosemary & mint jelly, red potatoes and apples, cranberries, candied & caramel apples, toasted pumpkin seeds,

~ THE ESBATS ~

Now that you know what Sabbats are, let's learn more about Esbats.
There are 13 Esbats in each year, occuring once per month, except during the
month that two full moons occurs. The Esbat is a celebration of the
full moon, in honor of the Goddess.