Sabbats and the Wheel of the Year…
Sabbats are celebration festivals that mark the Wheel of the Year. Because Wiccans and Witches honour nature, they have eight festivals, or Sabbats, that mark the year as it turns through its seasons. On these days rituals are performed to realign ourselves with the Earth and her cycles. Sabbats celebrate the astronomical occurrences of the Sun and related daylight hours and are known as Halloween, Winter Solstice, Candlemas, Spring Equinox, May Day, Summer Solstice, Lammas and Autumn Equinox. Various other names are given to these special Sabbat days depending on cultural and religious differences.
The Sabbat of Halloween or more correctly Samhain is perhaps the most well known celebration related to Wicca, Paganism, Celtic tradition or Witchcraft. The Halloween Sabbat is a celebration of the time when the veil between the world of the living and the Spirit realm is at it’s thinnest and is considered to be the Witches' New Year. It is a time for both beginnings and endings. This very special day is considered one of the optimum times to perform Spells especially those for ridding negativity, protection and attracting positive energies – for it is considered a time of great magical power. Halloween is the most important of the eight Witch’s Sabbats and is celebrated throughout the world with traditional Pagan feasts, bonfires, and rituals to honour the spirits of deceased loved ones. The last night of October was the ancient Celt's New Year's Eve. It marked the end of the Summer and the beginning of Winter (also known as the dark half of the year). How you can celebrate Halloween… Halloween Honouring the Gifts of the Night Plan in advance a night walk to honour the gifts of the night. Ensure your safety by having a companion with you and a torch or lantern. Go to a forest, lakeside, the ocean, the mountains or hillside or a quiet garden or public park, somewhere where you can see the stars and the moon, (weather permitting.) Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as it surrounds you. Pay attention to all the Elements that surround you and how they relate to all your senses. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. Look into the dark sky and connect with the energy of the moon and stars. Silently ask the element of Spirit to connect with you. At this time be open to any messages that come to you. On your return home, place representatives of the night upon your Altar This could be the Tarot cards of the Moon and the Star, a Moonstone crystal, or beautiful things with the pattern or shape of the stars or moon you have already in your possession. As you look upon your Altar take a few moments to remember your senses, the elements and the darkness of the night on your walk and know that they will remain with you to give you inner strength, increased intuition and awareness that you are connected with everything and everyone in the universe. For more on the celebration of Halloween see Wheel of the Year The Winter Solstice or Yule is a celebration of the shortest day and longest night and begins the Yuletide festivities. It is a time to release any fears and doubts and all outworn ideas. It is a time to let go of anything in your life that is preventing you from embracing new beginnings that will lead to new growth. It is a time to bid farewell to the past and walk toward a brighter future. The Winter Solstice Sabbat is celebrated throughout the world and is also known as Yule. It is the longest night of the year, marking the time when the days begin to grow longer and the hours of darkness decrease. Love, family togetherness, and accomplishments of the past year are also celebrated. How you can celebrate Yule… Plan in advance a simple walk to honour the gifts of nature. Go to a forest, lakeside, the ocean, the mountains or hillside or a quiet garden or public park. Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as it surrounds you. Winter relates to the element of Earth with corresponding colours of white, brown and black. Notice the elements around you – Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Pay attention to the element of Earth that surrounds you and how it relates to all your senses. Feel the ground beneath you and your connection with the earth. Silently ask the element of Earth and Spirit to connect with you and aid you with keeping your feet on the ground, being sensible in decision making, keeping a sense of perspective, being well grounded. At this time be open to any messages that come to you. Look for gifts of nature connected with wintertime and the element of Earth - a fir cone, holly, a robin, snowflakes. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. On your return home, place representatives of the element of Earth upon your altar. These items can be things you have collected on your walk or beautiful things in the colours white, brown or black you have already in your possession. As you look upon your Altar take a few moments to remember your senses and the element of Earth and know that the positive qualities of the element of Earth will remain with you to aid your ability to remain grounded and practical. For more on the celebration of Yule see Wheel of the Year
This Sabbat of Imbolc or Candlemas on February 2nd honours the Moon as the source of fertility for the months to come. This is the time the earth feels the first stirrings of spring. The warmth has returned and the days are discernibly longer. It is a time of year to make a commitment or recommitment to your spiritual growth. It is a time to look ahead in hope and joy for what is to come. It is a time of divination, looking into the coming year. It is a time for cleaning and purification. How you can celebrate Candlemas… Candlemas Spell You can cast a simple Spell. This Spell will bid farewell to any remaining darkness in your life and welcome the new light. Prepare your tools & ingredients on your Altar Incense stick and holder Before you commence Light the incense Create your Sacred Space & Circle Call upon the elements Raise energy Recite your Spell Light one of the white candles while saying: Light five more white candles saying: Light the remaining six white candles while saying: At this point, state your wishes for the coming year. Finally repeat 3 times:
Release energy Ground yourself For more on the celebration of Candlemas see Wheel of the Year The Spring Equinox or Ostara Sabbat is a celebration of the return of spring when night and day, light and dark, the Sun and the Moon are equal. It is a time of balance, when all the elements within us must be brought into a new harmony. On this the first day of Spring the Spring Equinox is celebrated. It is a time of year to make a commitment or recommitment to your spiritual growth. It is a time to look ahead in hope and joy for what is to come. It is a time of divination, looking into the coming year. It is a time for cleaning and purification. How you can celebrate the Spring Equinox… Spring Equinox Honouring the Gifts of Nature Exercise Plan in advance a simple walk to honour the gifts of nature. Go to a forest, lakeside, the ocean, the mountains or hillside, or a quiet garden or public park. Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as they surround you. Spring relates to the element of Air with corresponding colours of white, green and yellow. Notice the elements around you – Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Pay attention to the element of Air that surrounds you and how it relates to all your senses. Feel the breeze on your face; hear the rustle of leaves as the wind blows through the trees; smell and taste the freshness of the clean air as you breathe deeply, look skyward to see any clouds floating in the air. Silently ask the element of Air and Spirit to connect with you and aid you with learning, effective communication, ideas and inspiration and correct decision-making. At this time be open to any messages that come to you. Look for gifts of nature connected with springtime and the element of Air - a white or yellow flower, a daisy or buttercup, the sound of birdsong, a feather. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. On your return home, place representatives of the element of Air upon your altar. These items can be things you have collected on your walk or beautiful things in the colours white, yellow or green you have already in your possession. As you look upon your altar take a few moments to remember your senses and the element of Air and know that the positive qualities of the element of Air will remain with you to aid your mind, your ability to learn and your perception and communication skills. For more on the celebration of Ostara see Wheel of the Year
May Day or Beltane is traditionally is a time of great merriment, a celebration of the joy of life reborn. The celebration of life and love and the weaving of all things together in the dance of the maypole are of course symbolic of the burgeoning life and fertility of spring. How you can celebrate May Day… Celebration of Colour Exercise In the morning arrange a bunch of brightly coloured flowers upon your Altar. Wear bright multi coloured clothing all day. Prepare and eat as many different brightly coloured foods as possible – a salad containing orange and yellow peppers, tomatoes, beetroot, green leaves is perfect. Throughout your day be aware of all the colours around you. In the evening concentrate before your Altar and focus on one particular colour. Whichever colour comes to your mind is the colour that you are most in need of in your life. For more on the celebration of May Day see Wheel of the Year The Summer Solstice or Litha celebrates the joy, warmth and laughter of summer; and of the power of the Sun. The Sun exerts its maximum power at the Solstice, bringing positive energy. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, the day when the sun is at the height of its power. On the first day of Summer the Summer Solstice Sabbat is celebrated and is also known as Midsummer. It marks the longest day of the year when the Sun is at its zenith. The Summer Solstice celebrates the joy, warmth and laughter of summer and of the power of the Sun. How you can celebrate the Summer Solstice…
Summer Solstice Honouring the Gifts of Nature Exercise Plan in advance a simple walk to honour the gifts of nature. Go to a forest, lakeside, the ocean, the mountains or hillside or a quiet garden or public park. Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as it surrounds you. Summer relates to the element of Fire with corresponding colours of red, orange and yellow. Notice the elements around you – Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Pay attention to the element of Fire that surrounds you and how it relates to all your senses. Feel the warmth of the Sun on your body; feel the heat within you radiating from deep within your chest outward towards your legs and feet, your arms and hands. Feel both the inner heat from within you combining with the outer heat coming from the Sun. Silently ask the element of Fire and Spirit to connect with you and aid you with your creativity, passion and motivation and putting your ideas into action. At this time be open to any messages that come to you. Look for gifts of nature connected with summertime and the element of Fire - a red, orange or yellow flower. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. On your return home, place representatives of the element of Fire upon your altar. These items can be things you have collected on your walk or beautiful things in the colours red, orange or yellow you have already in your possession. As you look upon your altar take a few moments to focus on your creativity and the element of Fire and know that the positive qualities of the element of Fire will remain with you to aid your motivation and passion to put your creative ideas into action and create success. For more on the celebration of the Summer Solstice see Wheel of the Year Also known as Lughnasadh it is celebrated on August 1st. This Sabbat marks the first harvest celebration. This is the early harvest, the harvest of grains that are used to create bread. Light begins to diminish as the days shorten and we begin the journey towards winter. How you can celebrate Lammas… Rainbow Honouring the Gifts of Nature Exercise Plan in advance a simple walk to honour the gifts of nature. Go to a forest, lakeside, the ocean, the mountains or hillside or a quiet garden or public park. Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as it surrounds you. Pay attention to all the elements that surround you and how they relate to all your senses. Look for gifts of nature - a beautiful stone, a perfect flower, the sound of birdsong. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. Look for all the colours of the rainbow as you stroll along. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. If you are very, very lucky you will see a rainbow in the sky – if not, look for every colour in the stones, pebbles, river, sky, trees, flowers, birds, butterflies etc. Look closely at each colour and take into you it’s particular energy as you stop momentarily to focus on each one. On your return home, place representatives of each colour of the rainbow upon your altar. These items can be things you have collected on your walk or beautiful things you have already in your possession. As you look upon your Altar take a few moments to remember your senses, the elements and the colours on your walk and know that they will remain with you to give you strength, empowerment and knowledge that you are connected with everything and everyone. For more on the celebration of Lammas see Wheel of the Year The Autumn Equinox or Mabon is a celebration of the completion of the harvest and a time for thanksgiving. This is a time of balance, when day and night are equal once again. The powers of light and darkness are now in balance. This is a time to celebrate blessings of the year. How you can celebrate the Autumn Equinox… Autumn Equinox Honouring the Gifts of Nature Exercise Plan in advance a simple walk to honour the gifts of nature. Go to a place that has water, lakeside, the ocean, a stream or river. Breathe deeply as you take in all the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature as it surrounds you. Autumn relates to the element of Water with corresponding colours of green and blue. Notice the elements around you – Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Pay attention to the element of Water that surrounds you and how it relates to all your senses. If possible and not dangerous or too cold submerge yourself in the water. If not touch the water with your hand. Feel the movement contained within the water and connect with energy of this element. Silently ask the element of Water and Spirit to connect with you and aid you with your emotions, feelings and intuition. At this time be open to any messages that come to you. Look for gifts of nature connected with Autumn and the element of Water - a pebble from a river, a seashell, the sound of a waterfall, the babbling of a river, the crashing of waves. Let the joys of nature seep into your soul as you stroll along. On your return home, place representatives of the element of Water upon your altar. These items can be things you have collected on your walk or beautiful things in the colours blue or green you have already in your possession. As you look upon your Altar take a few moments to remember your senses and the element of Water and know that the positive qualities of the element of Water will remain with you to aid your psychic ability, your intuition and your emotions. For more on the celebration of the Autumn Equinox see Wheel of the Year
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