The Sabbats
Here is a list of the Wiccan holidays which are known as Sabbats. There are eight major holidays throughout the year which are all listed, along with whatever definitions we have been able to find.
If you have anything you would like to add, or we have missed something, please contact us and we will what we think.
These are for the northern hemisphere, if any one has the following for
the southern hemisphere please contact us.
Yule
Yule is a celebration of renewal and rebirth during the winter months. It celebrates the rebirth of the God, and the return of the sun and light. It is usually celebrated on the Winter Solstice, which is around December 21st.
Traditional activities and decorations include a fire, a yule log, a potted tree to bring in and decorate, wreaths, mistletoe, bells, cinnamon sticks, quartz crystals, and the standard Red and Green colored decorations.
Imbolc
Imbolc is the "Festival of Lights". It is a celebration of the coming spring, and the beginings of the reawakenings of the plants and animals coming out of hibernaton. It also celebrates the return of warmth and light from it's winter's sleep, and the recovery of the Goddess from giving birth to the God.
The traditional activities include tying three different colored ears of "Indian Corn" together with a ribbon and hanging it on the front door, lighting a candle in each room, having a dish of white flowers floating in a dish of water, and having a dish of snow or ever greens. Decorations should be white, blue, or green.
Ostara
This is a celebration of fertility and renewed life. This is the time to free yourself of anything that is holding you in the past.
Traditional decorations include things like a cauldron, a balefire, colored eggs, baskets of flowers, the "Easter" bunny, and potted plants. Main colors are white, light green, yellow, and pale pink. Take a walk in the park, or start an herb garden to celebrate this holiday.
Beltane
This Sabbat celebrates the Divine Union of the Goddess and the God. It is a return of fertility and preparation for the coming summer months.
Celebrate with flowers, mirrors (to reflect the light of the sun), woven ribbons, flowers in a bowl of water, and baskets of flowers (lots of flowers *grin*). Traditional colors include blue, lavendar, white, pink and yellow.
Litha
Also known as Mid-Summer, this holiday is the longest day of the year. It celebrates the God and the coming harvest. Now is the time to perform magick for passion, success, or any magick that needs a male influence, or a special "boost" of energy.
Decorations are things that symbolize the sun and the God. Things like sunflowers, wreaths of red and yellow feathers, mirrors, and assorted other red and yellow flowers.
Lammas
This is the celebration of the first harvest. Give thanks to the God and Goddess for providing you with fresh food.
Bake bread at this time, and use berries, and other fresh produce as decorations. Corn dollies and fresh flowers (if there are any around) and harvested herbs are also traditional at this time. The colors for this holiday are red and yellow.
Mabon
This is the celebration of the second harvest, and of the mysteries of life. Preparing for the winter months should start now, and thank the God and Goddess for providing you with this food, which can start to get stored for winter.
The final herbs and produce from the second harvest, pine cones, river stones collected over the summer are traditional decorations along with leaves that are begining to turn color diped in parafin. Brown, red, gold, and orange are traditional now.
Samhain
This is the Witch's New Year. It celebrates one full turn of the Wheel of the Year. It is a time to remember and honor those we knew who have passed on to their next life. It is also a time to recognize the death of the God and to know that He will return again at Yule. It celebrates the end of summer and the final last things that should be harvested before the frost. Now is the perfect time for divining what lies ahead in the coming year, as well as communicating with the deceased as the veil between the worlds is the thinnest now.
Standard Halloween decorations are traditional decorations as well. So are pommegranates, pumpkins, and apples. Place a plate of food outside the house for the deceased to eat.