Wheel of the Year - Greater and Lesser Sabbats

Greater or major sabbats are also often referred to as cross-quarter days or fire festivals and are linked to Gaelic tradition, whereas lesser or minor sabbats are also known as quarter days and are loosely based on Germanic festivals. Interpretations of these festivals vary widely amongst different Pagan religions and many are also observed by other religions, although much altered from the traditional Pagan observances of the festivals and for differing reasons.

Sabbats are linked to the seasons and the sun as well as the moon. The greater sabbats are often called moon sabbats and the lesser sabbats as sun sabbats.

There are four greater sabbats. Samhain, Candlemas, Beltaine, and Lammas. These sabbats are more or less equally spaced throughout the year and mark the turning of the four seasons to most of us. Pagans and witches, particularly Wiccans, see all sabbats as being related to the Goddess and God. The Greater sabbats are also linked to Astrology. Symbolized by the four fixed signs of the Zodiac. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

There are also four lesser sabbats. All four are directly linked to the sun. Midsummer and Midwinter are soltices and the remaining two are the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes. A solstice is either the longest or shortest day of the year and an equinox is when the day and night are of equal length. There is one shortest day, one longest, and two of equal length in a year which explains why there are four lesser sabbats.

The Journey To Trad Witchcraft
By: Adrian Eglinton

A comprehensive course on Traditional Witchcraft in the British Isles, including a chapter on the various festivals and practices associated with it, as well as the concepts and beliefs of Traditional Witchcraft and much more ...

Samhain - also known as Halloween or All Hallow's Eve
Date: October 31st.

Celebrated from sundown to sundown as witches begin a new day at sundown. The most important festival of the year for witches as it is the Celtic New Year. Samhain means "summers end" in the ancient Celtic year which was split into two parts. In the year split into four parts it is "autumns end" or the beginning of winter. Samhain is by far the most widely celebrated Pagan festival.

Samhain is the only Pagan festival associated with death and it is a time to remember those who have been lost during the previous year. Finishing projects or paying old debts are some other common practices for this time of year. In some ways it is much like January 1st for other religions where promises are made for the coming year. Samhain is also considered the best time of year for tarot readings and other such scrying activities.

Some of the most commonly practiced customs are the use of jack-o-lanterns, more commonly seen as pumpkins today, and trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating is of Celtic origin and most strongly linked to Scotland. The modern form is almost exclusively the province of children but in older times adults were heavily involved. Men and women would dress as each other and spend a day in their shoes.

Candlemas - also known as Imbolc, Oimelc or Brigit's Day.
Date: February 2nd.

Signifies the beginning of Spring, although that may be hard to fathom today as many countries are still covered in snow during February. Candlemas is the Christianized name for this festival with Imbolc being the more common Pagan name. Imbolc means 'in the belly' and signifies the Goddess changing into a maiden once more. Oimelc means 'milk of yews' as this time of year is also lambing season.

Brigit is an Irish Goddess and this day is traditionally in her name in Ireland. She was considered a Goddess of fire as well as being patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing, particularly midwifery. The Roman Catholic Church did not demonize Brigit like they did with many other Pagan Gods or Goddesses as she was an Irish Goddess. Instead they chose to canonize her and make her the patron saint of smithcraft. This is just one of many examples of Church bending to Paganism in order to gain followers and there are several links to the sabbats. All of the sabbats have been adopted in one way or another by the Roman Catholic Church even though they predate it and are all Pagan festivals.

This holiday is more associated with weather lore today. A time for spring cleaning and making candles. Known as Groundhog Day in America it is linked to weather as there will be six more weeks of bad weather if the Groundhog sees it's shadow. This is ancient custom and can be seen in an old English rhyme. 'If Candlemas be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year'.

Imbolc is also referred to as the Pagan version of Valentine's Day. Forget the hearts and roses though as these are not traditionally associated with Pagans or Witches. There are two main customs associated with Candlemas. The burning of candles in all of the windows of a house from sunset to sunrise and the making of 'Brigit's crosses' for protection. Among some forms of Wicca it is also the time of year for initiations or the re-dedication of pledges.

Beltaine - also known as Beltane, May Day, Cetsamhain, Walpurgisnacht and Roodmas.
Date: May 1st.

Beltaine is linked to the Celtic God of light, Bel, and would literally mean Bel-fire. The second most important holiday of the Pagan year. Cetsamhain is the opposite of Samhain. Walpurgisnacht is the German name for the festival. Roodmas is the medieval Church's name in an attempt to switch the common folks allegiance from the Maypole, symbol of life, to the Holy Rood, the Roman instrument of death. The attempt did not succeed very well and the Maypole is to this day the traditional symbol of May Day.

One point to note about Beltaine is the naming of it as 'Lady Day'. Traditionally this is the name given to the Vernal Equinox and the naming of it as 'Lady Day' is a very recent occurrence. This is limited to America and indicates some unfamiliarity with the European calender and Celtic customs. Examining any standard mythological reference clearly shows the correct date for 'Lady Day' as the Vernal Equinox.

Ancient custom points to dancing around bonfires sky-clad or naked. This traditional approach is most clearly seen in the form of Lady Godiva who made an annual ride through the streets of Coventry on a white horse for three centuries. This came to an abrupt end as it was brought to the attention of The Puritans who made Maypoles illegal in 1644.

Hand fasting is celebrated by Wiccans on this day and follows an ancient Pagan custom. A man and women are joined by a knot as equals and they have three choices. Remain tied for a year and a day, a life time or for all time. The expression 'tying the knot' comes from this practice. Maypole dancing is also commonly practiced during Beltaine.

Other customs associated with Beltaine are morris dancing, sword dancing, music, drinking and archery tournaments. A time for frivolity and fun in general when people gather under the stars for a night.

Lammas - also known as Lughnasadh
Date: August 1st.

Lammas or 'loaf-mass' is a feast to celebrate the death of the Irish sun god Lugh, hence the alternative name of Lughnasadh. Mythically Lugh does not actually die until the Autumnal Equinox and some believe that Lammas is a celebration by Lugh for the death of his foster mother Taillte. This would explain the Tailltean games which are celebrated in Ireland at this time.

Craft festivals would be held at this time of the year as the various guilds celebrated their wares. The first harvest is also associated with Lammas. The tradition of hand fasting has its origins linked to the Tailltean Games where couples would engage in trial marriages for a year and a day. Should these trials prove to be a success they would be extended into lifelong marriage.

One of the ceremonial highlights of Lammas is that of the Catherine Wheel. A large wheel would be set alight and rolled down a hill to commemorate the decline of the sun god as winter approached. Traditionally a time of giving as the harvest is upon us and a time to count our blessings. Gardnarian books say very little about Lammas even though it is a greater sabbat and as steeped in tradition as any other.

Underground Guide To Witchcraft's Greatest Secrets
By: Arabella Jolie

Everyone wants to live a happier and more fulfilling life and now is your chance to do just that. Whether you are interested in Witchcraft or Wicca, Magic and Spells, Voodoo, Paganism, or finding a Coven this course is for you.

Winter Solstice - also known as Yule or Christmas.
Date: December 25th.

The date is set as December 25th but Pagans are actually celebrating the winter solstice which occurs on or about the 21st of December. Yule is the more traditional and ancient name for this time of year and it is not the celebration of only one day. In the Middle Ages it was the beginning of the Twelve Days of Christmas from December 25th to January 6th, known as Twelfth Night. Modern day interpretation tends to ignore this fact and most people only get one day off work.

Yule was celebrated for three centuries before the birth of Christ and was only adopted by the Catholic Church in 320 C.E. Yule is the seed time of the year when the sun god is reborn. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The Christian version of this holiday spread along with Christianity itself. It entered Ireland in the 5th century, England in the 7th and Germany in the 8th.

The Yule log is the traditional symbol of the Winter Solstice and in ancient times it was brought in, wished upon and lit with the embers of last years Yule log. Modern Wiccans follow a similar tradition but instead place candles upon the log as they make a wish and burn the log the following year. In later years the Yule log was replaced by the Yule tree which had candles placed upon it. This practice can be traced back to ancient Egypt.

Evergreens, holly and ivy and mistletoe are all long associated with Yule and symbolize fertility and everlasting life. Druids in particular venerate mistletoe and cut it with a golden sickle on the 6th night. Food and drink, lots of drink, are traditional fare at this time of year as is the giving of presents. In older times these would have been hand made rather than bought as they are today.

Some folklore associated with Yule includes the belief that a person born on Christmas day can see the Little people. Another is that a windy Christmas will bring good luck or that opening all of your doors at midnight will make evil spirits leave.

Vernal Equinox - also known as Ostara, Spring Equinox, Lady Day
Date: March 21st

The Vernal or Spring Equinox is the time of year when day and night are equal with daylight increasing from this day onwards. Lady Day is the old accepted folk name. Ostara can be slightly misleading and is more commonly used by modern Pagans. Ostara is derived from the Teutonic lunar Goddess Eostre. Her main symbols were the bunny and the egg and Eostara is more correctly used with Easter.

Eostara is celebrated on the Vernal Equinox Full Moon whereas the Vernal Equinox is the birth of a New Moon. Eostara would be more accurately celebrated on an Esbat rather than a Sabbat. Easter is held on the first Sunday, after the first Full Moon, after the Vernal Equinox. Should Easter fall on a Full Moon then this was also taken into account by the Catholic Church, which refused to allow any chance of Pagan celebrations on Easter, and it was moved to the following Sunday.

Another major mythology associated with this time of year is the belief that Jesus descended into Hell for three days before ascending into Heaven. There is a coincidence shared with Pagan tradition where the Goddess or God descended into the Underworld for three days. There is a reason for it being three days and it is linked to the Lunar cycle. We tend to think of a New Moon, a time when there is no visible moon, as being one day. This is in fact not the case. The New Moon is also not visible the day before and day after the calender date. Many Books of Shadows refer to this as 'The Descent of the Goddess'. This is Easter and not the Vernal Equinox but it is often mixed up.

This date is where we tend to think Spring begins and it is a time of rebirth and balance and new beginnings. Place an egg in each corner of your garden and your house will be fruitful all year round.

Summer Solstice - also known as Litha or Midsummer's Day
Date: June 21st

The Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year. Commonly referred to as Midsummer's Day as this day marks the middle of Summer when the sun is at its peek. Litha means gentle or navigable which is a reference to the calm seas present at this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Sometimes incorrectly called Beltane by some modern traditions of Wicca but Beltane means May in Gaelic. Christians chose this day to celebrate the feast of John the Baptist, portraying him in rustic clothes and occasionally with cloven feet and horns. The resemblance to the Greek Demi-God Pan can clearly be seen in this portrayal and leads to the term Pan the Baptist by some. Pan is the God of the shepherds and flocks, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music in Greek mythology with the hind quarters, legs and horns of a goat, representing a faun.

Pan was the companion of the nymphs and Midsummer is a special time for those of the Faerie faith. A time for gathering herbs and for outdoor activities and often a time for reflection and re-ordering thoughts for the second half of the year. Pagans who celebrate this holiday eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

Autumn Equinox - also known as Mabon or the Harvest Festival
Date: September 21st

The Autumn Equinox is the second day of the year when night and day are of equal length. Referred to as Mabon by modern Neopagans which literally means Great Sun. Mabon is often associated with a figure in Welsh Arthurian legend called Mabon ap Modron but could also be linked to an early Cornish Saint called Mabyn.

This time of year has been celebrated for centuries as the time of the Harvest Festival and can be traced back to ancient Greece and beyond. Bavarians celebrate this time of year with Oktoberfest which is held in the last week of September every year and is a time of feasting often associated with the consumption of large quantities of ale. A time for bringing in the harvest traditionally celebrated throughout Europe.

Often referred to as the Witches Thanksgiving the date is always in September unless you live in America where the original date was October 3rd. This was changed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to the last Thursday of November and altered again to the second last Thursday in November by Franklin Roosevelt in 1939. Congress moved it back to the last Thursday in November two years later even though the harvest is very much over long before this date.

A time of celebration for the bounty of the earth and a time of balance reflecting on the equal length of both day and night. Hospitality is another tradition common for this time of the year as in times passed you never knew when your neighbor might have to provide food for your family if your own supplies ran low during the winter months. Weak and old animals and livestock were often slaughtered at this time of year to preserve winter feed stocks.

The Apple is widely associated with this time of year giving rise to the tradition of apple pies and cider common in many Western cultures. Baskets of fruit are often given out to those less fortunate at this time of year, a practice particularly common in England with the elderly being the main recipients of such gifts.