The Next Sabbat is Samhain ~ Celtic New Year!

Yule

Yule - (Winter Solstice) The shortest day and longest night and celebrates the rebirth of the Sun God. A light festival which honors not only the birth of the Sun God, but the hope of the lengthening days.

Altar Decorations - Evergreens and pine, mistletoe and holly are all traditional Yule decorations.

Yule Lore. One traditional Yuletide practice is the burning of the Yule log. This starts with the decoration of the Yule tree (which was later adopted as the Christmas tree). Traditional decorations were garlands of dried flowers, fragrant spices, apples, oranges and lemons. At the end of the Yule season, a portion of the Yule tree is cut off, and stored away to dry out for the next year.

At Yule, the log from the previous year is brought out. It was carved with a symbol of the Sun or the God. Examples are a horned circle, a rayed disk with the bolline (white handled) knife. It is set alight in a fireplace, or in a ritual fire. As the log burns, gaze into it and visualize the flames is the sun shining on the coming warmer days. It is also "the light of the Son" who is born upon this day.

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Imbolc / Candlemas / Brigid

Imbolc / Brigid / Candlemas February 2 Halfway between the Winter Solstice (Yule) and Vernal Equinox (Ostara) I have read several origins of the name, one says it comes from the word 'oimelc' or sheep's milk. This was the usual time of the birthing of lambs.

A second source says it is from Belly as in "belly of the Mother Earth" for deep within Mother Earth are the stirrings of spring which will be arriving soon.

Finally, it is a fire festival though of promise where nature stirs unseen from its long slumber of Winter sleep. The Christians adopted this holiday and called in Candlemas which was the time of purification of the virgin Mary. Many Roman Catholics light candles in honor of Mary on this day.

Altar Decorations - White flowers or paper "snowflakes", or even snow in a container symbolizing Natures apparent bareness at this time.

Imbolic Lore. Some Witches perform a rite called "Bride's Bed" which consists of making a doll out of corn and placing it in a basket with a wand representing the God. The Goddess is then honored as the Corn Maiden and the God as the Spirit Father.

One of the nicest folk-customs still practiced in many countries , and especially by Witches in the British Isles and parts of the U.S., is to place a lighted candle in each and every window of the house beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (February 1st), allowing them to continue burning until sunrise.

Many solitaries and Covens make and bless their candles for the year on this date. Some Covens hold candle-making parties and try to make and bless all the candles they'll be using for the whole year on this day.

Today is a good day for walking in the snow, recalling what the land you are walking on looked like in summer. You might want to draw an image of the sun in the snow, or project an image with your power hand.

Another tradition is to turn on every lamp in the house, and/or light a candle in each room just at Sunset to honor the Sun's rebirth. Meditate for a few moments, picturing the lengthening days and the return of his warmth to the land.

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Ostara

Ostara - March 20 -(Vernal Equinox) Night and Day are Equal. At this Sabbat, the Goddess is honored in her aspect as the Maiden, and the God as her consort the Sun God.

Altar Decorations: Flowers should be laid on the altar - buds, and blossoms. A small potted plant too. Colored eggs can be placed in honor of spring. (this is the origin of Easter Eggs) Altar cloths may be spring colors, or have spring patterns.

Ostara Lore. This is a traditional day of planting seeds, working on a magical garden, practicing herb work. You might want to pick some wild flowers that "draw your eye" bring them home. Look them up in a magickal reference to divine the meaning of picking them.

This day is especially for renewing life. Walk through a park, woodland or forest, and celebrate Spring! Renew your vows to your path you have chosen, and honor Nature in celebration!

This is also one of the fire festivals. "Many parts of Europe, particularly Germany, Easter bonfires are lit with fire obtained from the priest, on traditional hilltop sites often known locally as 'Easter Mountain.' As far as the light shines, it is believed, the land will be fruitful and homes secure. And, as always, people jump the dying embers, and cattle were driven over them." (From The Festival of Ostara on Janet & Stewart Farrar's Home Page).

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Beltane

Beltane - May 1st - Mae Eve - When the Druids ruled Free Gaul, Beltane was the traditional day of Marriage.
The Celtic tradition was to pledge yourself to another for "a year and a day" on Beltane. If during the next Beltane the Marriage was not working, the couple would part and not renew their vows on Beltane.

This, along with Samhain, is one of the most sacred days of the year. During ritual the May King is crowned with a wreath of green leaves, and his Queen, the Goddess, is honored in her aspect of Mother as the White Goddess of fertility.

Altar Decorations: Spring flowers, especially wild ones. Petals may be scattered within the circle, and after a ritual they may be swept up and spread around the outside of the house for protection.

Beltane Lore: The Maypole is "erected" in a field. It is the symbol of the phallus that gives the spark of life. Ribbons are tied to the top, and Maidens dance around the pole, weaving the ribbons down its shaft.

Some legends say the colors of the ribbons were spring colors - pink, green, yellow, white. Others say only white and red were used, symbolizing the purity of the maiden and the blood shed this day when her marriage is consummated with her wedded mate.

This is the time of great magick, for divination and celebrating love, growth and passion.

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Alban Hefin - Mid Summer

Alban Hefin - Midsummer - Summer Solstice - June 21 the Longest Day. This is the celebration of the glory of the sun and summer. At Stonehedge, the heelstone marks the midsummer sunrise as seen from the center of the stone circle. For centuries people have been celebrating there at sunrise in honor of the God in all his Glory.

Altar Decorations: Summer flowers, sun flowers, roses, or any flowers with the colors of red, gold and yellow. Wreaths of flowers. Altar candles should be gold and red.

A wreath may be made for the front door with red feathers or flowers (sexuality), yellow feathers or flowers (prosperity) and braided into ivy to help bring these aspects into your house.

Alban Lore: This is another fire festival and bonfires are traditionally lit to celebrate the Sun at its peak of power, and Witches leap over the flames. It is said that herbs gathered on this day will be particularly powerful. The God is honored as the Sun God, the Goddess as the bountiful Earth Mother.

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Lughnassadh

Lughnassadh - August 1st - Celebration of the 1st harvest.

Altar Decorations: Ears of corn, sheaves of wheat and grain, baskets of fresh picked vegetables, tools of harvest. Pots of red and yellow cockscomb which looks like a flame.

Lughnassadh Lore: This is beginning of the harvest season, and preparations for winter. Canning of fruits and vegetables begins. Magickal cabinets are stocked with herbs that were gathered on Alban and dried since. A ritual may be performed to empower these herbs.

At Lughnassadh, Witches honor the Goddess in her aspect of the all-providing Earth Mother, Grain or Corn Goddess. The God is honored as the sacrificed God of the Grain.

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Mabon
Mabon - Autumn Equinox -September 22

Again, the day and night are balanced. This is the second harvest festival, associated with the harvest of corn and other foods taken at this time. With the lengthening nights, preparations are made for the coming Winter.

Altar Decorations - Fall leaves, fall fruits, pine cones, seed pods, flowers and grain. Altar candles should be brown, orange, gold or red. Altar cloths can be made of a material with fall designs.

Mabon Lore: Witches bid farewell to the Maiden of Spring, and the Mother of Summer and bid hello to the Crone, the Goddess of the Dark Mysteries. The God is the Horned God of the Dead of not only humans, but animals as well.

Cornbread cakes and cider can be drank, and the last of the herbs that will be used should be gathered in preparation of the coming frost. Fall leaves can be dipped quickly into hot wax, then placed on wax paper to dry. Sigils of protection can be carved lightly on the leaves.

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Samhain

Samhain (pronounced "sow-en") means literally "summer's end". The Celts felt that Samhain was the last day of the old year, and the day after was new years day, so the night was a time "between the years" and considered very magickal.  Because of this, it is said that the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead, between this realm and the realm of fairy are the weakest on this night.

There is evidence that Samhain was originally celebrated for three days by the Celts.   Philip Carr-Gomm, Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, says in his book Elements of the Druid Tradition:

"Samhuinn, from 31 October to 2 November was a time of no-time.  Celtic society, like all early societies, was highly structured and organised, everyone knew their place.  But to allow that order to be paschologically comfortable, the Celts knew that there had to be a time when order and structure were abolished, when chaos could reign.  And Samhuinn, was such a time.  Time was abolished for the three days of this festival and people did crazy things, men dressed as women and women as men.   Farmers' gates were unhinged and left in ditches, peoples' horses were moved to different fields, and children would knock on neighbours' doors for food and treats in a way that we still find today, in a watered-down way, in the custom of trick-or-treating on Hallowe'en."

On this day, the dead are honored, and those that have the training and are prepared, the druids believe, can journey to the other side.  Feasts were made to honor the dead not as dead, but as spirits that were still around in people's lives, guiding their path.  For many years, my Grandmother was beside me many times and now that my life has gotten smoother, I don't feel her presense as often.  Not that I feel she is "dead" but because she is now helping another who needs her more than I.  I honor her at Samhain each year as one of my spirit guides.

This is the ending of the year, and the Witches new year, celebrated on November 1st.

Altar Decorations: Jack O Lanterns, gourds, fall leaves especially oak leaves that symbolize the Lord of Death. Apples and pomegranates, and cakes and ale for the departed loved ones. Black candles to ward off negativity.

Samhain Lore: This is BY FAR my favorite holiday. It is the only one where I can "act out" as a Witch in public and get away with it. A typical rite involves asking the spirits of the deceased to join the circle, typically by dancing widdershins, then inviting them in from the west through a "gateway". The four corner candles could be placed in Jack O' Lanterns.

This is a good time for contacting the dead by scrying, using a ouija board, or tarot cards. Witches try to contact not only loved ones, but predecessors in the Craft, their Pagan ancestors or Spirit Guides for information for the coming year.

One practice I added this year to my Samhain celebration was a "dumb supper"   In ritual space, I brought a plate of food for myself, my Grandmother, and a good friend who have "passed on" of their favorite foods.  I sat in silence, and honored them thinking of all the wonderful gifts I was given by having them in my life.   I felt both of them very close that day.

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Full Moons in 2000

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References:

Janet & Stewart Farrar's Home Page at JSFarrar

Celtic Magic by D. J. Conway

Elements of the Druid Tradition by Philip Carr-Gomm

The Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Pennick.

The Real Origins of Halloween by Isaac Bonewits

The Spiral Dance - A rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great goddess by Starhawk.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf.

Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Witchcraft Today, Book One, The Modern Craft Movement edited by Chas S. Clifton.

The Witches Sabbats A collection of Articles by Mike Nichols I recommend this site HIGHLY for in-depth reading on the Sabbats.

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