Days of Importance
Sabbats and Esbats
There are 8 Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year. The Sabbats are solar, seasonal and represent the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Esbats are the celebration of the 13 full moons that occur every year. The details of each day are listed below in chronological order starting with Samhain, the Pagan New Year.
There are 8 Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year. The Sabbats are solar, seasonal and represent the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth. Esbats are the celebration of the 13 full moons that occur every year. The details of each day are listed below in chronological order starting with Samhain, the Pagan New Year.
The Sabbats
Samhain
Date: October 31 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Orange and Brown
Symbols: Fall fruits
The Pagan New Year, this is the day that the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is at its thinnest. This is a good time for divination. At dinner, remember to set a place for your loved ones that have past this year. Leave an offering of food and drink on your door step for those souls that may still wander.
Yule
Other Names: Winter Solstice
Date: Between December 20th and 23rd
Colors: Red and Dark Green
Symbols: Holly, mistletoe, pine branches, pine cones, wreath
Shortest day of the year. Yule log is decorated with evergreen & holly strands before being lit at sunset and is burned until sunrise. Celebration of family and friends. Celebration of peace, love and positive energy.
Imbolc
Date: February 2 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Pink or Pale Green
Symbols: The Candle Wheel, Evergreens, Willows
First planting of spring. Ritual fires are burned. A time for birth, healing and inspiration. This is a popular time for vows of dedication or consecration.
Ostara
Other Names: Spring Equinox, Eostre
Date: Between March 19th and 23rd
Colors: Light Green
Symbols: Spring flowers
Light overtakes the dark. Rebirth of life. Contemplate new beginnings and fresh ideas. Serious mediation on your hopes and dreams for the coming year. Solar festival of fire, light, and fertility.
Beltane
Date: May 1 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: White, Red and Pink
Symbols: Spring flowers (especially the rose)
Fire and fertility festival. Jumping over the balefire was said to insure protection. Dance around the May Pole. Ring bells to scare away bad spirits. Time for appreciation and affection for all that you have been given in your life. End of spring planting. A time for new beginnings, concepts and ideas.
Litha
Other Names: Summer Solstice, Midsummer
Date: Between June 20th and 23rd
Colors: White and Pale Yellow
Symbols: Spear (God) and Cauldron (Goddess). Summer flowers, St. John's Wort, birch, white Lilys
Longest day of the year. The God is at his peak strength. Midpoint of the year. Light large bonfires after sundown. Peak of magickal power. Remember that nothing lasts forever. Celebrate abundance, fertility, virility, beauty, and the bounty of our earth. Good time for handfasting, workings for empowerment and consummation.
Lughnasadh
Other Names: Lammas, Lughnasad, Lugnassad, Lunasa
Date: August 1 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Gold and Bright Yellow
Symbols: Summer flowers, nuts and grains
Fire and light festival. First grain harvest. Feast dedicated to Earth Mother. Count your blessings.
Mabon
Other Names: Autumn Equinox
Date: Between September 20th and 23rd
Colors: Dark Brown and Red
Symbols: Harvest Foods
Second harvest festival. Celebration of thanks for the crops that were harvested. Dark overtakes the light.
Date: October 31 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Orange and Brown
Symbols: Fall fruits
The Pagan New Year, this is the day that the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead is at its thinnest. This is a good time for divination. At dinner, remember to set a place for your loved ones that have past this year. Leave an offering of food and drink on your door step for those souls that may still wander.
Yule
Other Names: Winter Solstice
Date: Between December 20th and 23rd
Colors: Red and Dark Green
Symbols: Holly, mistletoe, pine branches, pine cones, wreath
Shortest day of the year. Yule log is decorated with evergreen & holly strands before being lit at sunset and is burned until sunrise. Celebration of family and friends. Celebration of peace, love and positive energy.
Imbolc
Date: February 2 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Pink or Pale Green
Symbols: The Candle Wheel, Evergreens, Willows
First planting of spring. Ritual fires are burned. A time for birth, healing and inspiration. This is a popular time for vows of dedication or consecration.
Ostara
Other Names: Spring Equinox, Eostre
Date: Between March 19th and 23rd
Colors: Light Green
Symbols: Spring flowers
Light overtakes the dark. Rebirth of life. Contemplate new beginnings and fresh ideas. Serious mediation on your hopes and dreams for the coming year. Solar festival of fire, light, and fertility.
Beltane
Date: May 1 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: White, Red and Pink
Symbols: Spring flowers (especially the rose)
Fire and fertility festival. Jumping over the balefire was said to insure protection. Dance around the May Pole. Ring bells to scare away bad spirits. Time for appreciation and affection for all that you have been given in your life. End of spring planting. A time for new beginnings, concepts and ideas.
Litha
Other Names: Summer Solstice, Midsummer
Date: Between June 20th and 23rd
Colors: White and Pale Yellow
Symbols: Spear (God) and Cauldron (Goddess). Summer flowers, St. John's Wort, birch, white Lilys
Longest day of the year. The God is at his peak strength. Midpoint of the year. Light large bonfires after sundown. Peak of magickal power. Remember that nothing lasts forever. Celebrate abundance, fertility, virility, beauty, and the bounty of our earth. Good time for handfasting, workings for empowerment and consummation.
Lughnasadh
Other Names: Lammas, Lughnasad, Lugnassad, Lunasa
Date: August 1 (Greater Sabbat/Cross Quarter)
Colors: Gold and Bright Yellow
Symbols: Summer flowers, nuts and grains
Fire and light festival. First grain harvest. Feast dedicated to Earth Mother. Count your blessings.
Mabon
Other Names: Autumn Equinox
Date: Between September 20th and 23rd
Colors: Dark Brown and Red
Symbols: Harvest Foods
Second harvest festival. Celebration of thanks for the crops that were harvested. Dark overtakes the light.
The Esbats of 2010
- Jan 30: Cold Moon
- Feb 28: Quickening Moon
- Mar 29: Storm Moon
- Apr 28: Wind Moon
- May 27: Flower Moon
- Jun 26: Strong Sun Moon
- Jul 25: Blessing Moon
- Aug 24: Corn Moon
- Sep 23: Harvest Moon
- Oct 22: Blood Moon
- Nov 21: Mourning Moon
- Dec 21: Long Nights Moon
