Sabbats

As you know Paganism is an ancient practice from before Christianity.  A few, very uneducated few, will say we have 20 or more holidays...we do not. We have eight Holidays. Four major and four minor. Here is the Sabbats and a brief description about them. If you wish to know more about each one please do your research :)!!

• Samhain- Also known as Halloween, Shadow Fest (Strega), Martinmas, or Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic). In Celtic lore this night is known as the witches New Year, representing one full turn of the seasonal  year. This is also the last day of the three harvest sabbats. Samhain (Celtic) or Halloween occurs on October 31. Dias De Muertos (Mexican) is November 1-2, and Martinmas on November 11.  This is also the one night of the year where the veil between the living and the dead are the thinnest. Some think it is because the God has passed on into the underworld, making the veil thin. It is also a time to communicate with loved ones passed on through feasts, rituals, and divination.

• Yule/Winter Solstice- This is  the shortest day of the year, and the longest night. This day ranges from December 20-22. Some Pagans may even celebrate on the 24 and 25 of December. This is usually due to family and friends who may not know they are pagan. It is one of the solar festivals and is celebrated by fire and the use of the Yulelog. Feasts are prepared specially for after dinner Yule celebrations where the tree is lit up and the log burned.

• Imbolg/Candlemas- Also referred to as Imbolgc, Brigantia (February 1; Caledonii), Lupercus (Strega), Candelaria (Mexican Craft), and Disting (February 14 in the Teutonic Tradition). All involve banishing the winter season. This is the time to welcome spring, it is the first spring fertility festival. The festival is for fertility and to celebrate the things that are not yet born.

• Ostara/Spring Equinox- In Caledonii Tradition it is known as Alban Eiler and represents the warrior aspect of the god. This Holiday occurs in mid-March (usually March 21 or 22) when night and day are of equal lengths. It is a celebration of Balance. Seeds are blessed for future planting. Eggs are colored and placed on the altar as a magickal talisman or hidden for the young ones to find. This festival is considered to be one of fertility. This is the second spring fertility festival.

• Beltane- Also known as May Day, Walburga (Teutonic), Rudemas (Mexican Craft), Festivals of Tana (Strega), and Bealtain (Caledonii). May day is celebrated on the first of May. 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 of course, the May Pole.

• Summer Solstice- Also known as Midsummer Nights Celebration. This is usually in June 21 or the 22. Pecti-Wita celebrates Feill-Sheathain on July 5; the Caledonii Tradition hails in Alban Hefin, celebrating the kingly aspects of the god. This is the longest day of the year. This Holiday is said to represent the sun god- a celebration of passion and success.

• Lammas-  Also called Lughnassadah (Celtic), Cornucopia (Strega), and Thingtide (Teutonic). This the first of the three harvest celebrations in the Craft. Lammas is celebrated on August 2, where Lughnassadah, a celtic festival in honor of the sun god, is held on the seventh. They both represent the same idea. Lammas represents the beginning of the harvest cycle and rests on the early grain harvest as well as fruits and vegetables that are already taken.

•  Autumn Equinox- Also known as Mabon (Celtic), Alban Elfed (Caledonii), and Winter Finding ( Teutonic). Winter Finding spans from the Equinox itself until Winter Night (October 15), which is the Norse new year. This the second harvest holiday.