Introduction :

Before I list the various holidays that are celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans alike, I would just like to clarify the definitions of the words Esbat, and Sabbat. When Witches come together to work magic, or for healing work then these meetings are called Esbats. An Esbat can occur once a week, depending on how often a coven needs to meet, but as a rule there should be an Esbat at least once a month, in which case it will normally be at the full moon. Some covens also celebrate the new moons. As there is thirteen full moons in a year, thirteen Esbats will be held, where the coven performs a basic Esbat rite, and if the Esbat is taking place at either full moon or new moon, the appropriate rite for either will also be performed in conjunction with the basic rite.

In addition to the Esbats there are Sabbats, which are also celebrated. There are eight Sabbats, which are spaced more or less evenly throughout the year, and each Sabbat has a different ceremony which coincides with the time of the year at which it is held. Sometimes the date of the Sabbat will be the same time as a full or new moon, in which case the Esbat which was to take place on that date will be replaced by the Sabbat. Sabbats are times of festival, with much fun and frolicking.

Below is a representation of the Wheel of the Year, which indicates when the different Sabbats are held. You will notice that there are eight segments, four of which are the greater Sabbats (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh), and four of which are the lesser Sabbats (the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, and the Summer and Winter solstices). I will list these, and the dates at which each Sabbat takes place on either side of the Wheel, after which I will give a description of what each Sabbat is about, in the order which they are celebrated, and how it is celebrated. I would like to point out that the sabbats as portrayed here only pertain to the northern hemisphere, in the southern hemisphere the greater and lesser Sabbats would be pushed by approx. six months. I have included the dates for the southern hemisphere as well, for those of you who are based in the southern hemisphere. The celebration and ritual work are pretty much the same.

Greater Sabbats :   Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Imbolc 31 January 31 July Beltane 30 April 31 October Lughnasadh 31 July 2 February Samhain 31 October 1 May Lesser Sabbats :   Nothern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Spring Equinox 21 March 21 September Summer Solstice 21 June 21 December Autumn Equinox 21 September 21 March Winter Solstice 21 December 21 June

The Sabbats :

Imbolc is one of the greater Sabbats, and is said to be the holiday of the Celtic fire Goddess Brigid. Brigids fire represents the symbolic transformation which offers healing and visions. It is also often referred to as the festival of lights. This Sabbat is representative of new beginnings, and a ritual sweeping of the circle with the witches broom is carried out. Foods of this Sabbat include: pumpkin, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seed breads and cakes, and herbal teas.

Spring equinox (lesser Sabbat), the time of rebirth, new growth and renewal of all things. The time of year when day and night are equal. A time where witches would rejoice and ring bells, and also take time to decorate hardboiled eggs with magical symbols of fertility. This Sabbat has been Christianized and is known today as Easter. They have Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, both of which are symbols of rebirth in the pagan culture. Traditional foods of this Sabbat are: hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, and the seasons first fruits.

Beltane is the time of year when the plant kingdom is coming alive and embracing the warmer weather. The new year is at its prime, animals are coming together in union, as are the Goddess and her consort the Horned-God. Beltane also celebrates the return of the Sun God. This is also the time that most witches will perform magic spells for love. Beltane foods include: red fruits like cherries and strawberries, herbal salads, red wine or punch, and large oatmeal or barley cakes.

Summer solstice heralds the longest day of the year, light and life is found everywhere. A time when the newcomers of the animal kingdom are growing stronger, and the plant kingdom gives promises of a bountiful harvest. However it is also a sign of the turning of the wheel, where after the solstice the days will begin to grow shorter once again. It is the time of year where witches will seek out and harvest magical herbs to be used for spells and potions. Traditional foods of the summer solstice include: fresh vegetables and summer fruits, pumpernickel bread, ale and mead.

Lughnasadh is the first of three harvest festivals. The first grain is used to make ritual loaves. Also the time that brings us together in prayer for continued abundance in harvest. It also heralds the time of the year when the days will begin to get even shorter, so we prepare for the coming of winter. On this Sabbat it is customary to pay homage to the God Lugh, who is the Celtic god of the sun, and also to perform rituals of protection. Foods of this Sabbat are: homemade breads, barley cakes, nuts, wild berries and apples, roasted lamb and ale.

Autumn equinox shows us that we are in the middle of the harvest period, and this is usually also the time of the year when light and darkness are in balance again. The time to gather seeds for the next seasons harvest. We start to prepare for winter by making preserves, baking and creating warm garments for the cold that is to come. Also seen as the second of the three harvest festivals, where there is made time for meditation and giving thanks, and also a time of re-dedication to the craft. Traditional foods of the autumn equinox include: wheat and corn products, breads, nuts, apples, root vegetables, cider and pomegranates.

Samhain is the last harvest festival, and also a time that sees us giving thanks for the harvest. It is also a time that some witches consider as the beginning of the new year. The first day of winter, the night that allows our ancestors to walk freely among us, as we bid them welcome by giving offerings of food. It is also traditional to cast runes and use other methods of divination on this the most magical of all the Sabbats. Samhain foods include: pumpkin pie, cakes for the dead, corn, muffins and breads, cider, ale and herbal tea.

Winter solstice also known as Yule. Celebrating the longest night of the year, and therefore also a turning point that sees the days becoming longer once more. It is a celebration of the sun's rebirth, and a time to bid farewell to the Great Mother. This is also a pagan festival that has been adapted to the Christian faith in the form of Christmas, but even then they have kept many of the ancient pagan traditions, like the decoration of the tree where the hanging of lights in pagan terms symbolizes the sun, moon and stars as they would appear on the tree of life. Winter solstice foods include: fruitcakes, roasted turkey, nuts, red wine and eggnog.

The Esbats :

There are 13 Esbats in a year, and these are also commonly known as full moon rituals/rites. It is at these times where witches will perform healing, and other Magick. The Esbats usually only deal with the Goddess, but can also include the God if need be. Some witches also include the other phases of the moon as Esbats.

The waxing moon, which is the half-moon between the new and full moon, is good for bringing things into ones life, and therefore a good time to perform money spells, love spells, and spells of protection.

The full moon is mostly used for healing and protective Magick, and/or banishing negative energies. It is also used as a time to do divination.

And finally the waning moon, which is the half moon between the full and new moons. It is this moon which is most commonly used for performing banishing spells.