Witchy Celebrations

Below is an article that I wrote for the Witches Tower on the Sabbats but feel free to start a Discussion on each one and add any other information that you may have.

Witches Sabbats~Wheel Of The Year

Samhain (October 31st: Northern Hemisphere and May 1st: Southern Hemisphere)

Samhain is celebrated on the Eve of these dates as our last Harvest Celebration and the beginning of the Witches New Year. Samhain comes from the Celtic Language and means “Summer’s End” but is also called by many other names such as All Hallows Eve and Halloween because of other Beliefs. Due to it being the beginning of our Wheel Of The Year it is considered by most to the “Great Sabbat”.

It is a celebration of endings and beginnings because the Sun God has died to be reborn at Yule and ensure our continuing existence. The Earth is at rest and Harvest is done. We do Rituals to honor those that have passed on, to undo unhealthy items in our life and prepare for the coming Year.

History shows that this date was used by many cultures as a celebration of a “Festival Of The Dead” and it’s believed that on this night the veil between the physical and spiritual world is the thinnest. That’s why we as Witches use this night not only to honor our loved ones but for Divination.

Many traditions from different cultures have passed on to this celebration but the most wide spread is the cutting of Jack-O-Lanterns which began as lanterns probably made from gourds to ward off unwanted spirits. Another custom was to leave food out for the souls of the dead and many Witches today see the tradition of “Trick-Or-Treating” as carrying on this custom by giving out treats to children dressed as spirits that night.

Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with photos of loved ones that have passed, Autumn flowers and leaves, pumpkins and gourds and even “Halloween” decorations. Use colors of the season and eat fruits of the season like apples, pumpkins, pomegranates and cranberries.


Yule (December 20-22nd: Northern Hemisphere and June 20-22nd: Southern
Hemispere)

Is the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun God and is a Solstice and is from the Latin Word, Sol Stetit meaning “Sun Stands Still”. It is a time to start planning for the coming planting season and give thanks for the turning of the Wheel.

The Yule Log is one of our oldest traditions for this celebration and symbolizes rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Goddess. Yule Logs are new each year but are lit with a piece saved from last year’s log.

Traditions shared by many Beliefs are the decorated Tree and sharing of Gifts. We as Witches usually enjoy making hand-crafted ornaments and use symbols of our Beliefs. Gifts are exchanged between Family and Friends with many of these also being hand-crafted.

This is a time for using wonderful Herbs like cinnamon and nutmeg in foods and Incense like frankincense, bayberry and myrrh. Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with colors of the season like red, green, gold, silver and take a walk in nature for pine boughs, holly, mistletoe and use these for wreaths.


Imbolic (February 2nd: Northern Hemisphere and August 1st: Southern Hemisphere)

Imbolic is a celebration of “The First Light” and turning of the Wheel because of the awaking Mother Earth. Another translation for Imbolic is “In The Belly” due to this. It’s also a Great Sabbat for Witches and a time when some are initiated into Covens or perform self dedication Rituals.

Most Rituals performed at this time are for spiritual cleansing and purification and fertility and light in honor of the Goddess.

The most popular custom practiced by those of different Beliefs is to place a lighted candle in every window and allow it to burn from dusk to dawn.

Popular colors to use are white, orange and red and decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with lamps, candles, brooms and the first flowers of the season.


Ostara (March 20-22nd: Northern Hemisphere and September 20-22: Southern
Hemisphere)

Ostara is an Equinox which means that the day and night are now equal in length and equinox comes form the combined Latin Words, aequus meaning equal and nox meaning night.

It’s a celebration of Life and a time to do Rituals for new beginnings and actions. For most it’s the beginning of the planting season and we start our herb gardens.

History seems to vary on where many of the traditions began but we Witches view both the rabbit and eggs as signs of fertility so we enjoy the celebration by coloring eggs and decorating with rabbits.

Decorating is fun and easy for Ostara so decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with spring colors, colored eggs, rabbits and seeds. Eat the first fruits and vegetables of the season.


Beltane (May 1st: Northern Hemisphere and October 31st: Southern Hemisphere)

Beltane is another of the Great Sabbats and starts the other half of the Wheel Of The Year. It’s from the Celtic Word, “Bealtaine” meaning Bel-fire, the fire of the God of Light, Bel.

We celebrate the union of the God and Goddess either through a symbolic or literal sexual union known as The Great Rite. The most popular symbolic way is the May Pole because the pole represents the masculine and the ribbons represent the feminine and the combining represents the union.

Rituals are based on fertility of all creatures, the planting season and even those to better our Life. Beltane Fires are also still lit and jumped by some to insure luck and fertility.

Celebration foods include wonderful salads made from the fruits and vegetables of the season. Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with a May Pole and garlands of Spring Flowers. Some Herbs and Incense used for Rituals are St. John’s Wort, Hawthorn, Frankincense, Lilac and Rose.


Litha (June 20-22nd: Northern Hemisphere and December 20-22: Southern Hemisphere)

Litha is another Solstice and considered one of the most Magickal of times. Rituals are based on joy for all that Life has given us and since it’s believed to be a time of the Faery, a perfect time for Ritual Magick.

This is also the time when most Witches began gathering and storing their herbs for the coming months.

Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with Faeries, Summer Flowers and Dried Herbs. Use light colors and scents of wonderful flowers.


Lammas (August 1st: Northern Hemispere and February 2nd: Southern Hemispere)

Lammas is the first Harvest Celebration and a Great Sabbat. It’s also called Lughnasadh by many for the Celtic Sun God, Lugh and to celebrate his puberty.

First crops are picked and many cultures hold Craft Festivals at this time. Rituals are based on thankfulness and the sharing of bread made from the first grains.

Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with Corn Dollies, Shafts of Grain and Sunflowers. Share foods of breads, berries and ciders.


Mabon (September 20-22nd: Northern Hemisphere and March 20-22nd: Southern
Hemisphere)

Mabon is the second Harvest Celebration, considered the Witches Thanksgiving and an Equinox.

Celebrations are shared with Family and Friends and we prepare for the time that the Earth will lie in rest. Rituals are based around thanksgiving and preparing ourselves for the new “Cycle Of Light” with evaluation and meditation.

Share a Thanksgiving meal with breads and vegetables of the season. Use the herbs that you’ve grown to make incense. Decorate your home, Sacred Space or Altar with Fall leaves, pine cones, ears of corn and nuts.