Sabats
Major Sabats are indicated with an *
Samhain (Sow-in)
October 31, the New Year. This is the time of the
Harvest, when the God is dead and resides in the Underworld (which is seen
to be the Womb of the Goddess). The Goddess is in Her aspect of the "Crone",
that which cuts down (ie, the crops). I might personally add that the positioning
of the New Year at this time, just before the Sleep of Winter, is somewhat
confusing. Many Pagan cultures of the past put the New Year in the Spring
(which would be Ostara- see below)- just as the Zodiacal Sign of Pisces
gives way to Aries. This, to me, makes much more sense. The placing of
the New Year at Samhain is ancient Celtic in origin, for reasons I do not
know. The Celts also placed the beginning of their day at dusk rather than
dawn.
* Yule
Late Dec., the Winter Solstice. This is the shortest
day of the year. The next day will see the days get longer- in other words,
the Waxing Sun will take over from the Waning Sun. Thus, this day is the
birth of the Sun God from the Goddess. Christianity adopted this holiday;
hence the birth of the Son of God (or the Sun God) from Mary on Christmas.
Imbolc
Feb. 2. This is when the God grows and learns from
His mother, the Goddess. He is growing, but not yet strong enough to take
the Divine Throne (ie, the days are getting longer, but the warmth has
not yet returned to the Earth). The Goddess, His teacher, is now in Her
young Maiden aspect.
*Ostara
Late March, the Spring Equinox. This is when the Sun
God is finally old and strong enough to ascend the Throne, thus expelling
the Lord of the Waning Sun, and the Coldness, from the Throne. The Goddess
is still the Maiden- only now She is the God's wife instead of His mother.
Christianity also adopted this holiday. The Ascention of the God to the
Throne is equal to the Ressurection of Jesus. "Easter" is derived from
the word "Ostara". This is where I feel the New Year should be placed (see
Samhain above).
Beltaine
May 1. This is the time of the mating of the animals,
as well as the planting of the seed. It is the time of blooming flowers
and increasing warmth. This is when the God and Goddess meet in love-making.
This is the high-point of spring, when the Goddess goes from being the
Maiden to being the Mother.
*Midsummer
Late June, the Summer Solstice. This is the longest
day of the year, as well as the hottest time. This is when the Lord of
the Waning Sun rises up and takes the throne from the God (the Lord of
the Waning Year is really only one aspect of the God as a whole). The Lord
of the Waxing year now lies dead, and the days begin to grow shorter.
Lammas (Lughnasadh)
July 31. This is the time when the Goddess goes in
search of the God's body, finds it, and gives it proper burial. This is
when She mourns the loss of the Sun God, and the year begins it's final
decline. The Goddess is now in Her Crone aspect again.
*Mabon
Late September, the Autumn Equinox. The God enters
the Underworld here- and again, that is to say that He is in the Womb of
the Goddess (the Goddess is the Dark Earth which both recieves the Dead,
and nurtures the seed). This is the time of the approach of winter, when
all is at rest. Winter is being prepaired for, and everyone is "digging
in", as it were.
Finally, the God will take over rulership of the Underworld,
and thus it is time for Samhain again...
