| Every religion has its own days of power, reverence | | | | is the day where the days begin to grow longer, and |
| and celebration. Wicca is no different in this regard. | | | | the sun is making a comeback. The general |
| The holidays that Wiccans celebrate are referred to | | | | representation of this is of Holly King, a Dark God, |
| as Sabbats, or the Eight High Holy days. They occur | | | | passing and being replaced by the Oak King, or Sun |
| approximately every six weeks, and denote the | | | | God. Though the sabbat that signifies the beginning |
| changing of the seasons. The sun, as a | | | | of the year may vary from tradition to tradition, this |
| representation of the God, is revered during a | | | | is the one that is most popular in signifying the |
| sabbat, and the ceremony for a particular holiday is | | | | beginning of the year. |
| often performed at high noon. The other type of | | | | All of the sabbats represent a phase of life, and Yule |
| holy day that is more familiar to most people is the | | | | falls into the fertility category. This is a time of |
| Esbat. The Esbat is a monthly occurrence that | | | | conception, where the beginnings of life begin to stir. |
| generally coincides with the moon being full. It is the | | | | When covens and families come together on this |
| night when witches gather to perform ritual and | | | | holiday, plans begin to be made for the coming year, |
| magickal workings for the coming month. | | | | as well as preparations for the coming spring. |
| This article will detail all of these holy days and | | | | Candlemas |
| hopefully shed a little light on what witches do | | | | Candlemas is also known by the name of Imbolc. It is |
| throughout the year to honor their Deities. | | | | well and truly the first fertility festival of springtime. |
| The Esbat | | | | The specific date that this day falls on varies from |
| As stated above, the Esbat is a ceremony that | | | | tradition to tradition, but it can be anywhere from |
| coincides with the cycles of the moon. Generally, the | | | | January 31st to February 2nd. At this time, we are |
| day that it is done occurs when the moon is full, | | | | beginning to see the very first signs of spring, and |
| though this is not necessary. The full moon is | | | | the renewal of life. |
| significant because witches firmly believe that the | | | | The festivities for Candlemas all center on clearing |
| power of magickal workings wax and wane with the | | | | out the old and making way for the new. The Maiden |
| phases of the moon. When the moon is waxing, or | | | | aspect of the Goddess is honored at this time, as |
| becoming fuller, it is good to perform rites that are | | | | are any Gods and Goddesses that relate to love and |
| drawing things to you or increasing positive influences | | | | fertility. This holiday is considered an especially |
| in general. When the moon is waning, or diminishing, it | | | | auspicious time for a new marriage or relationship. |
| is good for banishing influences that are no longer | | | | One of the traditional symbols of Candlemas is the |
| wanted, or getting rid of negativity. Yet when the | | | | plough. They are often decorated and incorporated |
| moon is full, the magickal workings are at their peak, | | | | into the festivities. Another tradition for the holiday is |
| and it is good for nearly any rite that a witch may | | | | to create a besom, a simple broom constructed of |
| wish to perform. The new moon, or dark moon, | | | | twigs or straw, and use it to ritually cleanse the |
| occurs when the moon is not visible at all. During this | | | | home. It is then placed near the front, symbolizing |
| time, the rites that are performed are either for | | | | sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. |
| extreme protection rites or negative magicks. | | | | Ostara |
| On whatever day the esbat is performed, it is done | | | | Also called Eostar, this High Holy Day falls on the |
| in the evening or at night. The reason behind this is | | | | spring equinox, on or near March 21st. This is the |
| that these rites are meant to be working with the | | | | second of the three fertility festivals. Springtime is |
| Goddess, who represented by the moon. | | | | coming on full force at this time, and planting for the |
| The actual process of performing the esbat can be | | | | year's crops is well underway. New spring growth can |
| summed up very concisely. The witch or coven will | | | | be seen everywhere, and the Gods are petitioned |
| gather at a designated ritual space. There, they will | | | | for luck with the crops and the home. |
| cast a circle, and perform rites that will raise their | | | | Two of the traditional symbols for this holiday are |
| magickal and psychic power, and then direct that | | | | the egg and the rabbit. The egg is an emblem of |
| power at their desired goal. Since there are so many | | | | new life and new growth, and it is incorporated into |
| variables as to what a witch or group of witches | | | | many ritual workings and festivities at this time. The |
| may wish to direct their energy, it is difficult to offer | | | | rabbit, known for its prolific mating habits, is also a |
| up an example of what these rites may entail. | | | | symbol of growth and abundance. Both also |
| However, one of the things that is a common theme | | | | symbolize change. The Christian faith has fully |
| among esbats is that it is a time for connecting and | | | | adopted both of these symbols into their celebrations |
| communing with Deity. This is often done by the | | | | that occur at near the same time. |
| reciting of The Wiccan Rede and The Charge of the | | | | Beltane |
| Goddess while in circle. Afterwards, time may be | | | | Also know as May Day, this Holy Day falls on May |
| spent in either meditation or performing acts of | | | | first. It is the last of the fertility festivals for the |
| divination with tarot cards, runes or other means. | | | | year, and with it comes unabashed sexuality for |
| This is followed by a communion of cakes and wine, | | | | many traditions. The May Pole is one symbol of this |
| where the gathered witches will celebrate their | | | | holiday that is found throughout many traditions. It is |
| coming together and catch up on the previous month | | | | a tall pole set in the ground, symbolizing the Sun God |
| and make plans for the coming one. Then the ritual | | | | uniting with Earth. It is decorated with long ribbons |
| circle is opened, the leftover cakes and wine are | | | | and fresh flowers, and, of course, maidens |
| offered up to Nature, and the witches will go their | | | | traditionally dance around the pole. |
| separate ways. | | | | One of the traditional May Day activities for this |
| The Eight High Holy Days | | | | holiday is to secretly leave baskets of flowers and |
| There are eight major holidays that Wiccans | | | | goodies at the doors of your neighbors. |
| celebrate: | | | | Generally, this is a holiday that celebrates and revels |
| - Samhain (pronounce saw-vin or sow-en) | | | | in the return of the sun. |
| - Yule | | | | Midsummer |
| - Candlemas | | | | This Holy Day celebrates the God, represented by |
| - Ostara | | | | the sun in all of his glory. It is celebrated on the |
| - Beltane | | | | summer solstice, when the longest day of the year |
| - Midsummer | | | | takes place. Midsummer is neither a fertility festival |
| - Lammas | | | | nor a harvest festival. In this way, it is similar to Yule. |
| - and Mabon | | | | On this day, rites often center on protection for the |
| Each of the Holy Days represents a different turning | | | | home and family for the coming year, rites of |
| of the seasons, and a different phase of life. The | | | | divination, and celebrating the abundance of The Oak |
| common representation of these phases is the God, | | | | King in his prime of life. |
| though many practitioners incorporate an aspect of | | | | For those who work with faerie energy in their rites, |
| the Goddess in some fashion as well. They are | | | | Midsummer is an ideal time to commune with them. It |
| primarily Sun festivals, and, unlike esbats, the rituals | | | | is a common tradition for witches to go out in the |
| are often performed when the sun is at its highest in | | | | twilight and look for faerie folk in stands of oak, ash |
| the sky. | | | | and thorn trees. |
| Sabbats are usually large gatherings where entire | | | | Lammas |
| families will come together and celebrate with food | | | | Another name for this holiday is Lughnassadh. It |
| and drink in addition to the religious rites. | | | | occurs on August 1st, and it is the first of the three |
| Samhain | | | | harvest sabbats celebrated by witches. Attention |
| Samhain is probably the most recognizable of all of | | | | turns now to harvest the crops and gardens, and |
| the Wiccan Sabbats. It falls on October 31st and | | | | preparations begin for the coming winter. The days |
| signifies the ending of one cycle of the year. While | | | | are beginning to grow shorter, and the Sun God |
| many view it as the beginning of the next yearly | | | | begins to lose his strength as the days grow shorter. |
| cycle, that does not actually occur until Yule in | | | | As this is the time of year when we first begin to |
| December. | | | | reap the bounties of harvest, it is often a holiday |
| The main symbolism behind this holiday is death and | | | | accompanied with feasting and celebration. |
| honoring loved ones that have passed on. It is | | | | Decorations and dollies are often made from dried |
| commonly thought that on this night, the veil | | | | ears of corn, and used in rites and to decorate the |
| between the worlds is at its thinnest, and witches | | | | home. |
| take advantage of this opportunity to communicate | | | | Mabon |
| with their family and friends who have passed on. | | | | Mabon is the primary harvest festival, counterpoint to |
| Samhain is also the last harvest festival of the year, | | | | Ostara, and it occurs on the Autumnal Equinox. On |
| and the last opportunity for the coven and their | | | | this day, witches pay homage to retreating daylight, |
| families to come together to share their resources | | | | and prepare for the coming winter. This holiday |
| before digging in for the winter. The period of time | | | | symbolizes the God in old age and readying for his |
| between Samhain and Yule is spent contemplating | | | | impending death and rebirth. |
| plans for the coming year and remembering the year | | | | Though this holiday is a little more somber than the |
| that has passed. | | | | rest of them, it is also one where Wiccans are sure |
| Yule | | | | to give thanks for what they have received |
| Yule is generally thought to coincide with the Christian | | | | throughout the past year. It is a popular time of year |
| holiday of Christmas. This is not precisely so. Yule | | | | for witches and pagans to give back to their |
| actually falls on the day of the winter solstice, which | | | | communities, and generally share their bountiful |
| generally falls on or around December 21st. | | | | harvests. |
| The significance of this holiday is that of rebirth. This | | | | |