In Pagan Wheel of the Year there are eight major Sabbaths. They are celebrated to mark the change of the seasons and other important dates that held special value to our ancestors. These festivals continue to connect us with nature and inner changes that happen as we walk through this walk called ‘life’.
Winter Solstice, otherwise known as Yule, usually begins on 21st of December and ends on January 1st. This is the longest Sabbath among the Sabbaths and it represents the return of the Sun, aka warmth and life.
During the 12 days of Yule, a Yule log (which is a big piece of the tree) is meant to burn for 12 nights in the hearth of the home. Celts believed the sun stood still during the winter solstice. They thought by keeping the Yule log burning for these 12 days encouraged the sun to move, making the days longer.
In Norse traditions, Jöl is connected with the Wild Hunt led by Odin (known in this case as Jölnir) and the deeper meaning is ‘raven’s feast’, or feast for the crows. Wild Hunt is said to be a soul-raving chase that besides being led by Odin, consists of the souls of the dead, ghostly dogs, fairies, Valkyries and elves.
Seeing the Wild Hunt was thought to presage some catastrophic events like war or plague, or at least the death of the one who witnessed it, which is why kids were kept inside during the 12 days of Yuletide, and grownups didn’t remain outside after the dark. Until the 16th century, the winter months were a time of famine in northern Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered so that they wouldn’t have to be fed during the winter, making the solstice a time when fresh meat was plentiful. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting.
The Yule log has kept people gathered around the fire, keeping warm, feeling safe and telling stories about myths and legends. In ancient Rome Winter Solstice was celebrated as the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn – the god of agricultural bounty. Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, debauchery and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations.
Jesus was born around the 21st of March during the explosion of the Supernova that was visible with the naked eye in the sky, which places him under the sign of Pisces, or possibly Aries. Under no means could he have been a Capricorn, which makes it clear how Christmas and Santa Clause are actually Pagan practices, and holiday hiding under the guise of a Christian sabbatical.
Next we have Imbolc (Oimelc) which usually falls on February 1st and lasts until the February 2nd. Imbolc celebration centers around the lighting of fires. Fires were meant to call out to the Sun god/dess and to bring spring faster. Imbolc is also the holy day of Brigid – the goddess of Fire, healing and fertility, which is another reason why fires are lit during this Sabbath.
Imbolc was an ancient Druidic festival dedicated to the mysteries of motherhood, which is why its ceremonies were usually carried out by Druid priestesses rather than by male members of the order. Imbolc was often characterized by wild sex orgies and other activities that can be traced to its origin as a pagan fertility celebration.
Placing a statue of a lamb on your altar during the Imbolc, offering beer to Brigid and cooking and eating lamb is a traditional way to honor this goddess. As for the activities, well, it’s a fertility festival, so… sex orgy is a good way to go about it. Or just a regular sex activity, you know, whatever rocks your boat.
Ostara or the Spring Equinox, usually falls between 19th and 23rd March. This is the festival of spring; welcoming the Spring with open arms, first buds appear, cherry blossoms and Forsythias bloom. The nature awakens, days become longer and sun shines brighter. People come out of their homes, encouraged by the solar overpowering of the cold and darkness.
The mythology behind this Sabbath depicts the story of Eostre – Germanic goddess of spring, transforming a bird into a hare which then laid colored eggs for her festival. As it happens, cottontails’ (bunnies) mating season begins in March which represents the renewal and blossoming of the nature itself.
Good way to celebrate Ostara is to plant some plants, spend time in nature as it awakens from its slumber, hang out with your friends and family and color boiled eggs as the offering for Eostre.
Beltane (May Eve) usually falls on May 1st; it’s a celebration of spring at its peak, and welcoming of summer. During the Beltane the flames, smoke and ashes were deemed sacred.
Both people and cattle would walk around the bonfire or between two bonfires, sometimes even jumping over flames, to gain protection, health and wealth. Household fires would be put out and then re-lit using flames from the central bonfire.
Beltane is very famous for Maypole ritual. A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of the Beltane festival, around which a maypole dance often takes place. In some cases, the maypole is a permanent feature that is only utilized during the festival, although in other cases it is erected specifically for the purpose before being taken down again.
Beltane is a one of the most popular Sabbaths as its purpose is to connect infatuated couples in a copulation act. Singing, dancing, making flower crowns, laughing, drinking and eating seasonal fruits are good ways to celebrate the peak of spring and honor the gods.
Litha (Summer Solstice) usually falls between June 20th and 24th. This festival celebrates the arrival of summer, the peak strength of the Sun god and bountiful crops. The Goddess is now full and pregnant with Child, and the Sun God is at the height of His virility. This is the peak of the Solar year and the Sun is at the height of its life-giving power.
During the Litha, Earth is fertile, people are contempt and it is a time of joy and celebration. Yet within this climax is the whisper and promise of a return to the Dark. As the Light reaches its peak so this is also the moment when the power of the Sun begins to wane. From now on the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer and we are drawn back into the Dark to complete the Wheel of the Year.
The Celts celebrated Litha with hilltop bonfires and dancing. Many people attempted to jump over or through the bonfires for good luck. Other European traditions included setting large wheels on fire, and rolling them down a hill into a body of water.
Lughnasadh (Lammas) falls on August 1st and it marks the beginning of harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Some observers celebrate with a harvest ritual. This ritual typically involves decorating an altar with symbols of the season. Some of these symbols include scythes (because they are used to cut the grain), corn, grapes, apples, and/or any other crops that might be harvested at this time.
This is the time to count your blessings, be thankful for everything you received from the earth, spend cheery times with your friends and family, and celebrate the last days of the Sun.
Mabon (Autumn Equinox) usually begins on September 21st and lasts until the 29th. By the legend, Mabon is the Child of Light and the son of the Earth Mother Goddess, Modron. Both he and his mother were deities in origin, descending from a divine mother–son pair. Night and day are again of equal length and in perfect equilibrium - dark and light, masculine and feminine in balance.
But, once again, the world is on the cusp of transition; from now on the year begins to wane, and from this moment darkness begins to defeat the light. The cycle of the natural world is moving towards completion, the Sun's power is waning, the nights grow longer and the days grow shorter. The sap of trees returns back to their roots deep in the earth, changing the green of summer to the fire of autumn, to the flaming reds, oranges and golds. We are returning to the dark from whence we came.
The Cornucopia, Horn of Plenty, is a traditional symbol for Mabon. It is a wonderful symbol for the wealth of harvest and is beautifully balanced symbol which is both male (phallic) and female (hollow and receptive). Along with it, apples, blackberries, pears and corn are great altar decorations and feast recipes.
Take a long walk, enjoy the last remnants of nice weather and ponder what will you work on during the dark part of the year. Prepare your body, mind and soul for the darkness that is to come. Stay thankful.
And we come to the last Sabbath and my personal favorite – Samhain (Hallowe’en) that falls on October 31st. Samhain is a Sabbath that marks the end of the harvest season and beginning of the dark half of the year – winter.
This is also considered “Witches’ New Year”, and the costumes are worn in order to trick the spirits that come from the underground due to the thinning of the veil between the dead and the living. The same reason why pumpkins are carved and placed in front of the entrance doors – to keep the unwanted and unfriendly spirits away.
Samhain is the best time for a dumb supper. Prepare pumpkin and apple themed dishes for the feast, bring the food out, decorate your altar in Samhain colors, leave your offerings for the dead, and for the spirits. Begin your supper with your closest family and the photos of your ancestors in order to feed their spirits and honor their memories.
This is a great time for divination practices and shadow work. Visit the graveyard to leave your offerings and spend some time in quiet reminiscing of your loved ones that are now on the Other side. Be respectful to the crows and monitor your dreams, what dreams you have now will hold important insights and windows in the things to come.
Hopefully you’ve learned something new, or got reminded of something old, but still as inspiring and important. Stay curious, stay fabulous and merry holidays!