For those of you who don't know what a Sabbat is, it's a Wiccan holiday. There are 8 Sabbats in total. The word "Sabbat" comes from the Babylonian and mean's "heart's rest".

On each of the 8 Sabbats a different ceremony is performed. Essentially Sabbats are looked upon as a time for rejoicing and celebration. Work is not done at a Sabbat, unless there is some emergency such as a healing.


















Samhain - October 31

Samhain is a festival held at the end of the harvest season. It represents the final harvest and the time to store crops for the winter. Samhain is the Wiccan New Year. This is the night when the veils between the two worlds are their thinnest and spirits of life and death are celebrated side by side. Samhain is a holiday of divination and a time of the dead. There is a tradition of placing candles to help guide the spirits on their earthly travels.

Samhain is a time of reflection, of looking back over the past year, and coming to terms with the one phenomenon of life over which we have no control which is death. We celebrate the year passed and the year to come by lighting bonfires and performing rituals to honor those who have gone before. We offer bread and wine to the God and Goddess as a thanks for their guidance throughout the passed year and in advance for the year to come. At Samhain, we say a temporary farewell to the God because he will be reborn of the Goddess at Yule.

Herbs:
Pumpkin, apple, nuts, thistle, chrysanthemum, broom, oak leaves & sage

Incense:
Apple, nutmeg, sage & mint

Color:
Black & Orange

Decorations:
Jack-o-lanterns, photos of deceased loved ones, apples, fall leaves, autumn flowers & squash

Foods:
Apples, nuts, cider, mulled wine, pumpkin dishes, cranberry muffins, herbal tea



Yule - December 21

Yule is also known as the Winter Solstice. It celebrates the rebirth of the Sun God and honors the Horned God. This is the official day of winter. Yule has the longest night of the year. We celebrate the coming of light and give thanks to the Goddess and God for seeing us through the longest night.

Herbs:
Holly, mistletoe, rosemary, oak & pine cones

Incense:
Bayberry, pine, cedar, rosemary & juniper

Color:
Red, green, white, silver & gold

Decorations:
Yule log, mistletoe, wreaths, strings of dried flowers & cinnamon sticks, apples, oranges & yule tree

Food:
Nuts, apples, oranges, caraway nuts, mulled wine & roasted turkey



Imbolc - February 2

Imbolc is also known as the feast of Brighid, Oimelc & Imbolg. The word "imbolc" means "in milk". This is the time when pregnant sheep begin to lactate, a sign that spring is coming. The Celtic Goddess of healing, poetry and smithcraft is honored. Today, the Celtic Goddess is known as the Celtic Fire Goddess.

This is the time of year when you think of your goals and dreams for this year that you want to accomplish. Imbolc is celebrated by lighting candles or fires, this is a way to help give energy to the sun.

Herbs:
Snowdrop, bay, heather, first flower of the year

Incense:
Rosemary, cinnamon, westeria frankincense & myrrh

Color:
White, orange & red

Decoration:
Lamps, brooms, yellow flowers

Food:
All dairy products, curries, onions, chives, spiced wine, seeds, herbal tea



Ostara - March 21

Ostara is also known as the Spring Equinox, Lady Day & Oestara, which celebrates the arrival of spring. It marks the day when night and day are equal. Ostara is the Norse Goddess of fertility. Ostara symbols are the egg and the rabbit.

This is the time for personal growth and is a time for rituals promoting new projects.

Herbs:
Honeysuckle, iris, peony, violet & all spring flowers

Incense:
Jasmine, rose & strawberry

Color:
Green & yellow

Decorations:
Colored eggs, rabbit decorations & spring flowers

Food:
Seeds, green vegetables, spiced wine, cupcakes, fruits, & hard boiled eggs



Beltane - May 1

Beltaine celebrates the fertility and union of the Horned God and the Goddness. Their union celebrates new life in all forms. It's also a traditional day for handfasting.

A Maypole is erected and colorful ribbons are hung on it. The pole represents the masculine, while the colorful ribbons are the feminine. The union of the symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess.

Herbs:
Honeysuckle, st. john's wort, hawthorn & all flowers

Incense:
Frankincense, lilac & rose

Color:
Green, pink, blue & yellow

Decorations:
Maypole, strings of beads or flowers, ribbons & spring flowers

Food:
Dairy, oatmeal cakes, cherries, strawberries, wine & green salads



Litha - June 21

Litha is also known as Midsummer and Summer Solstice, which celebrates the abundance and beauty of the Earth. This is also the longest day of the year. It's also the time of the Faery. A festival called the Feast of the Faery is held. On Litha, it's believed that at twilight the portals between worlds open and the Faery folk may passed into our world. Welcome them and they will bless you with their wisdom and joy.

Litha also honors the fatherhood of the God with the Goddess.

Herbs:
Lavender, chamomile, roses, daisy & lilies

Incense:
Frankincense, lemon, rose, wisteria & lavender

Color:
Blue, green & yellow

Decorations:
Dried herbs, potpourri, seashells, summer flowers & fruits

Food:
Summer fruits, all mead & fresh vegtables



Lugnasadh - August 1

Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas, which represents the first harvest of summer. It's the celebration of harvest and begins what is called "the chase of Lugh". Lugh is the Celtic Sun God and He grows within the crops. We give thanks to the Earth for its bounty and beauty. Honoring the God Lugh, games and sports are played to celebrate good health and strength. The grain Goddess Demeter and Ceres are also honored.

Herbs:
All grains, grapes, heather, blackberries & sunflowers

Incense:
Sandalwood, rose & aloes

Color:
Yellow, orange, green & brown

Decorations:
Any wheat weaving & shafts of grain

Food:
Breads, cider, blackberries, pies and jellies, rice & herbal tea



Mabon - September 21

Mabon is also known as the Autumnal Equinox, which celebrates the end of harvest. With equal hours of sunlight and darkness. Mabon is also the second harvest. It's a time to celebrate and give thanks for the experiences of the year.

Herbs:
Hazel, corn, acorns, oak, wheat stalks, cypress cones & pine cones

Incense:
Myrrh, sage & pine

Color:
Orange, dark red, yellow & brown

Decorations:
Acorns, pomegranates, pine cones & baskets of fallen leaves

Food:
Breads, cornbread, beans, squash, apples, carrots, potatoes, onions & corn