The
Eight Sabbats
Candlemas is probably one of the oldest of all seasonal festivals. It is also called Imbolg, which means "in the belly," a reference to the world spirit within the mother. It became a fire festival, celebrating the heat of a new growing season. It is a time to nurture the new fire and life force.
One way to celebrate this Sabbat is to quench all fires/candles and relight them from a special or sacred source, like a red candle, a lighter with a symbolic shape on it. It is a symbol of purification, a new begining. Do a little spring cleaning, get rid of anything that's no longer of any use.
Groups can also celebrate Candlemas with an omen-taking game. Each member brings a bag of small objects. These are dumped into one pile and stirred around. Each member, blindfolded, pickes the first object she touches. She then interprets her object in the form of a prophecy, or the group creates the prophecy for her. If you would rather the game last longer, each person can choose three objects (make sure beforehand that there will be enough) and then interpreted in relation to one another. They may also be given the classical mystical symbols of Body, Mind and Spirit.
Tools
Candles are a neccesity in this ritual, preferably red, white or green ones.But if candles cannot be gotten, then use a dim light or two. Incense or aromatherapy oils of cedar, myrrh, rosemary, musk, cinnamon or frankincense can be used.A chalice or bowl of salt water may also be helpful. Just-blooming flowers and/or dead twigs can symbolise the leaving-behind of death and the coming of new life. Decorate the altare with evergreens, a witch's broom, white flowers and snowflakes. As a little feast, prepare any of the following: pumpkin/sesame/sunflower seeds, poppyseed bread, sour cream, curries, spiced wine.
Meditation
Concentrate on leaving old ways and ideas behind and creating new ideas and plans. Think of a world of peace, balance and harmony, of winter cold and darkness leaving, and spring warmth and darness coming.
On the equinoxes light and dark become equal for a moment. On the Spring Equinox, light is rising. The Goddess is young, Persephone returns to her mother, Demeter, Ishtar and Tammuz are together among the new blossoms of Spring. This is definitely the Sabbat of life and colour. It celebrates the returning of the sun, the birth of new life.
This is a good Sabbat to do outside, or in a room with no carpets. Decorate the space with flowers. Flowers could be planted in the ground to symbolize the new growth. Daffodils are a very good spring flower to use. Eggs are also an important part of spring. They could be hard-boiled and eaten, or decorated like easter eggs. Take a walk through gardens or a forest. Make a wish for the renewal of something, like hope, goodwill or health, over a special candle and let it burn down through the night. This is also a good time to make vows to yourself, rather like New Year's resolutions.
If there is a group, they can have a ring of green candles for their alter, one for each person. This can be the same for hard-boiled eggs or daffodils. The group can decide on a few childhood games to play. A hopscotch can be made. Other good games to play are jacks, marbles or cat's cradle.Any game you think is appropriate. Songs like Round and Round the Mulberry Bush or London Bridge are great to set the mood, or perhapse "when I was little" stories. Movies can be watched while the group huddles together under a blanket. A candle can be passed around the group, each person making a wish for the renewal of something.
Tools
Decorate the altar with green, gold and pastel candles, eggs and flowers; budding twigs, crocuses, willow catkins, daffodils, daisies, heather, lilies, hyacinth. Ribbons of green and gold can be used to decorate. Burn african violet, jasmine, rose, sage or strawberry. Feast on hard-boiled eggs, honey cakes, fruits, sunflower/pumpkin/sesame seeds and pine nuts.
Meditation
Focus on change, new life, awareness, joy, harmony in people and the Earth. Visualize plans for the future coming to life.
This was one of the most joyous times, devoted mainly to outdoors. It was believed that pagan spirits dressed in green ruled the month of May. This was the month os sexual liscence, for love and for fun. It portrays fire and fertility. This time, and the Summer Solstice, was the time of the Sacred Marriages.
The main symbol at Beltane is the Maypole. The tradition Maypole dance would be the most appropriate ritual. Almost any tree outdoors can be used as a Maypole, or a real pole can be planted firmly in the ground. Each member brings a reel of coloured ribbon, about an inch or two thick, and at least twice as long as the Maypole. Each ribbon is then attached to the top of the Maypole. Preferably, there should be an even number of dancers. A small fire of some sort can be lit just outside of the dancing. This could be anything from a real bonfire to a small candle in a glass. The dancers start far out from the Maypole, so the ribbon is kept fairly taught. The dancers face alternately clockwise and counterclockwise. Each dancer moves in the direction they are facing, passing right shoulder with right shoulder and left shoulder with left shoulder. Those passing on the inside will have to duck under the ribbon of the other person. The person on the outside will have to lift their ribbon to let the other one pass under. The group can then dance around the fire they made.Each women in turn can throw into the fire anything that symbolises lonliness, hate or disharmony to them. Or they can write a negative feeling they have had and want to discard on a piece of paper, and throw that into the fire. Each women can then make a love wish over the fire.
If a Maypole can't be used then simply tie green ribbon around trees, or decorate your alter with it, which is good for solo witches. Stick to the group ritual, having the same bonfire and sacrifice into it. Also, paper flowers can be made, or real ones planted. Gifts can be made and handed out to friends or the members of your group. Good gifts would be flowery incense, perfumes, sachets of dried flowers, flower-decorated cards, green herbs or wine.
Tools
One to two inch thick ribbon for the Maypole in colours of green, red, silver, gold and brown. Flowers like rosebuds, lavander, any red, green, blue, pink or orange blossoms. Incense like rose, patchouli, sandalwood, or any other flowery frangrances. Dark green, white or any colours of the rainbow for candles. Use frankincense, lilac or rose incense or oil. Eat marigold custard, vanila ice cream, oatmeal cakes, strawberries, cheries, salads, red wine.
Meditation
Think of blessings and protection for the new year. Picture the blossoming of any desires in your life. Think of sensuality, sexuality and passion.
The theme for this ritual is light and warmth, love and the earth's bounty. Pagans would build bonfires on this day, and leap over them. This is the shortest night of the year, Midsummer's Night, when darkness starts to take over.This is the time of the year's greatest bounty.
This is a ritual best done outside, preferably near water - a pool, river, or stream.If this is impossible, a cauldron or pot can be filled with water and placed in the middle of the circle, with flowers placed around its base. Decorate your space with red roses and seashells. If the ritual is able to be done near running water, wishing-boats can be made. Make them from buoyant, organic material like driftwood, leaves or shells. Nothing man-made or a polluting material. While making the boat, think of a wish you have, then let the boat go in the water. Make resolutions and vows that require inner strength.
If the space you are using will allow it, build a small bonfire. Old wives used to claim that crops that year will grow as high as a person was able to leap over the fire. If care is taken, a group may want to perform this dance. Fears should be recognized, shared and discarded.
Tools
Red roses, sun flowers, any red or yellow flowers, and seashells are used to decorate, along with anything large and round. Sun disks, circles cut from foil, coins or medallions, crystal balls or anything else translucent. Scatter lavender, chamomile, St. John's wort, vervain, any summery potpourri. Use blue, green or yellow candles. Burn frankincense, lemon, myrrh, pine, rose, wisteria. Foods are fresh vegetables, any summer fruits, pumpernickel bread, ale, mead.
Meditation
Focus on current fulfilment, self-exploration, inner development and change. Face any inner demons. Think of truth, self-confidence. Approach any problems.
Lammas means Feast of Bread. It's the festival of the harvest, the ending of Summer. It's about prosperity and reaching goals. The light is waxing, but still prevails over the darkness. This is a time of waiting and changing, the focus is on things to come, maturing, gaining wisdom.
Making a mosaic is fun if you're alone or in a group. Use different grains and rice and glue them onto recyclable paper or cardboard. Have drinks of wine or white grape juice while giving thanks for the first signs of 'harvest' in your life. Go for a walk and find a twig, stone or leaf to bring back to your altar. State the harvest that you hope for (physical, mental, spritual or otherwise). Inscribe the obstacle to that harvest on a clandle and allow it to burn out over the night.Try asking for prosperity, blessings and strength in making your goals real. Use this same ritual for groups as well.
Tools
Green, orange and yellow are the colours of candles. Fruit, corn and grains can be used as decorations - grapes, coloured Indian corn, wheat, oats, rice, cornmeal and corn dolls. Use a candle, either in a cauldron or on its own, or a bonfire outside in the centre of the circle. Burn aloes, rose or sandalwood. Any materials you might want for making a mosaic.
Meditation
Give thanks, think of long term hopes and results you would like to see in your life. Focus on promises and pledges for the future.
Like Lammas, the Autumnal Equinox is a harvest festival, celebrating the coming of the dark. There is a balance of day and night, giving and taking, light and dark, summer and winter, life and death.
Decorate your alter and focus on the coming darkness and the past summer happenings. Cut some apples pentacle-wise (horizontally) and share them round the circle. Try writing about or telling some stories, childhood happenings, summer holidays, anything you feel like. Bring a bag full of bright-coloured cloth, ribbon, rags, anything you can think of, and decorate your clothes by pinning these on. A dance could be made, unpinning each adornment one by one to symbolise the trees shedding of their leaves.
Take a sip from a chalice, giving thanks for something. Make a toast to the Earth. Give a small gift to each of your friends, whether they are part of the circle or not. It can be a small object, or a poem, a piece of knowledge you wish to share, or a song you made for someone. Be creative. Braid three coloured cords together, visualizing anything that gives hope for life, join the two ends and make a necklace.
Tools
Autumn leaves, wildflowers, crysanthemums and pinecones decorate the altar. Put a bowl of unshelled nuts in the centre of your circle. You can also have bowls of late-summer friots like berries, grapes and apples. Try using acorns, sheaves of corn and grains as well. Use oak sprigs, pine cones and dried leaves. Use myrrh or sage as incense. Have grains, fruits, vegetables, cornbread, squash, nuts, apples, carrots, potatoes and cider.
Meditation
Give thanks, think of victories over the past year, of the Earth being healed. Imagine continuing life, and acknowledge new ideas you have received. Focus on improvements, fulfillment and physical results.
This is the longest night of the year, the deepest night and winter before the sun comes round the rule once again. Inanna is returning from the underworld, Persephone is returning to her mother, Demeter. Winter Solstice symbolises the passage, the turning back, the birthing of death into life. It is to help the sun grow in strength and prevail over darkness.
Meditate on darkness and non-being, entering a state between life and death. If you are in a group try hiding the youngest member under a dark veil, letting her be touched by all hands, and then uncovering her at the end of the ritual, symbolising the ritual's theme of rebirth.
You may choose to use a christmas tree as decoration. Take some time out to decorate it, humming or singing songs of merriment. Talk or think about your life's creations, your hopes for the year, new projects just getting underway.Make gifts to give to each of your friends.
Tools
Decorate your alter in white. Holly and mistletoe are used to garnish the ritual area, as well as strings of christmas lights.. Have red, white, green, gold and silver candles. A christmas tree may be fun, and pine is good to use. Decorate the area with gold and snowflakes. Appropriate christmas decorations could be used. Burn bayberry, cedar, pine or rosemary. Eat nits, apples, pork, fruitcake, turkey, eggnog or mulled wine.
Meditation
Think of change in the world and your life, of development. Nurture gifts and abilities. Focus on rebirth, on fears and darkness dissipating.
