Sabbats

The Wheel of the Year

Samhain

Yule

Mabon

Lammas

Imbolc

Litha

Ostara

Beltane

The Sabbats are holidays celebrating the changing of the seasons.  Shamhain, Imbold, Beltane and Lammas are considered Great Sabbats, while Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon are considered Lesser sabbats.  The greater Sabbats are where you can see the changes in the seasons, and the lesser Sabbats are the soltices and equinoxes.

Samain:  October 31/ November 1

Samain is the witchs' new year.  It is also the old celtic feast of the dead.  It marks the end of the third and final harvest also know as the meet harvest, so it is a day to commune and remember the dead.  It celebrates the cycle of reincarnation.

In ancient times it was believed that if you did not make the right sacrifices or offerings, the spirits of the dead would come and do mischief to the living... hence the trick or treating tradition.

Yule: Winter Solstice (usually December 21)

The second sabbat of the year is Yule.  Yule celebrates the "rebirth" of the sun god.  The days become longer as the sun god gains strength.  It also symbolizes hope in the middle of winter.  It is a time of rejoicing and a time to make merry and revel in the comfort of one's family and frinds.

Imbolc:  February 2nd

The third sabbat in the turning of the wheel is Imbolc.  Imbolc is a word derived from the Gaelic word immolg meaning milk.  this is the time of the year when the ewes and cattle are giving birth.  During this celebration dary products play a big role in the feasting.  It is the time when the goddess Brighid will be married to the sun god.

stay tuned there is more coming when I have the time!!