THE 8 SABBATS

Samhain ["SOW-in"] (October 31 - November 1) The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us.

The Samhain Holiday begins at sundown on October 31st. The nightide was always a time to be wary of walking alone in the countryside. So much more on this Night when the veils between the worlds of humans and spirits was at its thinnest. Traditional lore speaks of the dead returning to visit their kin and the doors to the Lands of the Sidhe ("shee") or Faery Realm being opened.

Yule or Winter Solstice (around December 21) also known as Alban Arthan, Finn's Day, Festival of Sol, Yuletide, Great Day of the Cauldron, and Festival of Growth.

Although much of the winter harvest weather is still to come, we celebrate the coming light and thank the Gods for seeing us through the longest night. From this day until MidSummer, the days will grow longer and banish the darkness to begin the light that brings warmth and life to the world.

Imbolic (February 1 or 2) also known as Brigid ("Breed") or Candlemas, is the festival of the Goddess Brigid, patron of poetry. On this days Pagans/Wiccans celebrate the first stirrings of Spring. Non-Pagans call this day "Groundhog Day". This is when the first buds can be seen appearing on trees, when the days are quite visibly longer than they were around Yule.

Ostara or Spring Equinox (around March 21) is the first true day of Spring and the days and nights are equal on this day. Ostara is a turning point, a balancing point. At the vernal equinox, we're halfway up the Wheel of the Year from deep winter's Yule, but not yet arrived at the lusty fires of Beltane.

Beltane or May-Day (April 30 or May 1) is a celebration of love. Baltane is also known as May Eve, Roodmas. Beltane celebrates the symbolic union, mating or marriage of the Goddess and God, and links in with the approaching summer months.

Summer Solstice (around June 21) also known as Litha or Midsummer, is the celebration of the sun's peak of power, and his instantaneous loss of power. Mirroring the winter solstice, this is the longest day of the year.

Lammas or Lughnasadhis (August 1) or The First Harvest. Plants are 'setting their seed" already for the next year as the cycle of Nature continues. The Sun still burns brightly, but already the passing of the days begins to herald the coming of Autumn.

Mabon or Fall (Autum) Equinox (around September 21) The Second or Continuing Harvest. The days and nights are equal once again (as in Ostara). There is a slight nip in the air and gardens are in full bloom. Preparations begin to prepare for the long cold months which are to come. Wiccans/Pagans take a moment to pay their respects to the impending dark. and also give thanks to the waning sunlight.

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