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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:22 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:28 pm
Blessed Be
I see your are interested in my additional class on Esbats. Well I figured since I taught you about Sabbats I probably should teach you about Esbats as well.
What is an Esbat?
Some of you might be asking this question, because well be honest most of us only really know about sabbats because they are so much fun and exciting. Well an Esbat can be just as fun and exciting, if not more. A lot of people dance, and sing during their Esbat but of course a lot of people do that during Sabbats too don't they. Traditionally, the Sabbats are times of celebration, while magical work is done at the esbats.
Okay so here is the story, an esbat is a ritual observance of the full moon.
There are thirteen canonical full moons each year, although some years will have only twelve, because a synodic lunar month is more than twenty-eight days long (actually about 29½ days). A "blue moon" is popularly defined as the second full moon in a calendar month, although some define it as the second full moon while the sun is in one sign of the Zodiac. The original meaning of blue moon was the third full moon in a season when there were four Full Moons in that season.
In The Witches' Goddess, Janet and Stewart Farrar note that the Babylonians considered the new moon to be the time when the Goddess was menstruating, and it was bad luck to do work on that day. In Jewish culture, this is the first day of the month, called Rosh Chodesh, and is still observed by some as a holiday for women.
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The Esbat should not be confused with the Sabbat, which takes place eight times within the course of a year and corresponds with the seasonal cycle of Sun and Earth. Esbats are a little different from sabbats. Generally, not as much preparation and ritual goes into celebrating them.
Some Wiccans, consider them to be the rituals held on the nights of the full moon throughout the year, for a total of 13 Esbats in all. Others believe them to be days or nights set aside for magickal workings.
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The word Esbat is thought by many to derive from the french word esbattiere meaning "to frolic" as is rightfully so, as Esbats are joyous occasions.
Esbats are the Wiccan celebrations of the Full Moon. Some Wicca consider the New Moon to be an Esbat also. There are approximately 13 Esbats (Full Moons) a year, at approximately 28 days apart. An Esbat is a time for recognizing the Goddess. Magick performed at this time is especially powerful. The Esbats are also excellent times for meditation and divination. All Esbats are done at night & considered working celebrations.
Esbats performed on a full moon represent ritual working occasions at the time when the Goddess is at full power. Esbats represent celebrations of creative life force throughout the universe, and during them Witches often work petition and candle magick to achieve their goals. An Esbat, whether performed as a solitary or with a group, gives the Witch personal time to link their spirit with deity. If you haven't figured it out by now, a one-on-one relationship with Spirit is vitally important to any Witch.
To provide the most powerful connection to the Goddess, the best thing to do is work outside under the full moon. At a solitary Esbat, a Witch usually draws the energy of the moon into him or herself. If the Esbat is being done by a coven usually the High Priestess would draw down the moon.
Other special events such as Handfastings (marriages) and Wiccanings may be done at Esbats, as well as Goddess-oriented rituals, the charging of talismans or amulets, or the consecration of tools, et cetera. The Esbat provides a foundation ceremony for many various magickal applications.
Traditionally, most early Witches spent the evening of the full moon in prayer, personal celebration, and magickal workings to draw on in the coming month. They would mix herbs, make magickal cords, grind powders, and empower amulets and talismans.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:32 pm
Moon Stuff
Okay I know I mentioned stuff about moons on the Wheel of the Year thread but I figured it suited this just perfectly since well Esbats are about full moons, so here is a little more information about the Full Moons:
Hare Moon (May)
Also known as: Merry or Dyad Moon, Bright Moon, Flower Moon, Frogs Return Moon, Thrimilcmonath (Thrice-Milk Month), Sproutkale, Winnemanoth (Joy Month), Planting Moon, Moon When the Ponies Shed
Nature Spirits: faeries, elves
Herbs: dittany of Crete, elder, mint, rose, mugwort, thyme, yarrow
Colors: green, brown, pink
Flowers: lily of the valley, foxglove, rose, broom
Scents: rose, sandalwood
Stones: emerald, malachite, amber, carnelian
Trees: hawthorn
Animals: cats, lynx, leopard
Birds: swallow, dove, swan
Deities: Bast, Venus, Aphrodite, Maia, Diana, Artemis, Pan, Horned God
Power Flow: full creating energy; propagation. Intuition, contact with faeries and other supernatural beings. Strengthen connection with supernatural protectors and beings around you. Power flowing from the Greenwood Gods and trees.
Mead Moon (June)
Also known as: Moon of Horses, Lovers' Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Honey Moon, Aerra Litha (Before Lithia), Brachmanoth (Break Month), Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon, Moon of Making Fat
Nature Spirits: sylphs, zephyrs
Herbs: skullcap, meadowsweet, vervain, tansy, dog grass, parsley, mosses
Colors: orange, golden-green
Flowers: lavender, orchid, yarrow
Scents: lily of the valley, lavender
Stones: topaz, agate, alexandrite, fluorite
Trees: oak
Animals: monkey, butterfly, frog, toad
Birds: wren, peacock
Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Isis, Neith, Green Man, Cerridwen, Bendis, Ishtar
Power Flow: full but restful energy; protect, strengthen, and prevent. A time of Light; Earth tides are turning. Decision-making, taking responsibility for present happenings. Work on personal inconsistencies. Strengthen and reward yourself for your positive traits.
Hay Moon (July)
Also known as: Wort Moon, Moon of Claiming, Moon of Blood (because of mosquitoes), Blessing Moon, Maedmonat (Meadow Month), Hewimanoth (Hay Month), Fallow Moon, Buck Moon, Thunder Moon
Nature Spirits: hobgoblins (small, grotesque but friendly brownie-type creatures), faeries of harvested crops
Herbs: honeysuckle, agrimony, lemon balm, hyssop
Colors: silver, blue-gray
Flowers: lotus, water lily, jasmine
Scents: orris, frankincense
Stones: pearl, moonstone, white agate
Trees: oak, acacia, ash
Animals: crab, turtle, dolphin, whale
Birds: starling, ibis, swallow
Deities: Khepera, Athene, Juno, Hel, Holda, Cerridwen, Nephthys, Venus
Power Flow: relaxed energy; preparing; succeeding. Dream-work, divination, and meditation on goals and plans, especially spiritual ones.
Corn Moon (August)
Also known as: Barley Moon, Dispute Moon, Weodmonath (Vegetation Month), Harvest Moon, Moon When Cherries Turn Black
Nature Spirits: dryads
Herbs: chamomile, St. John's wort, bay, angelica, fennel, rue, orange
Colors: yellow, gold
Flowers: sunflower, marigold
Scents: frankincense, heliotrope
Stones: cat's eye, carnelian, jasper, fire agate
Trees: hazel, alder, cedar
Animals: lion, phoenix, sphinx, dragon
Birds: crane, falcon, eagle
Deities: Ganesha, Thoth, Hathor, Diana, Hecate, Nemesis
Power Flow: energy into harvesting; gathering, appreciating. Vitality, health. Friendships.
Harvest Moon (September)
Also known as: Wine Moon, Singing Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Haligmonath (Holy Month), Witumanoth (Wood Month), Moon When Deer Paw the Earth
Nature Spirits: trooping faeries
Herbs: copal, fennel, rye, wheat, valerian, skullcap
Colors: brown, yellow-green, yellow
Flowers: narcissus, lily
Scents: storax, mastic, gardenia, bergamont
Stones: peridot, olivine, chrysolite, citrine
Trees: hazel, larch, bay
Animals: snake, jackal
Birds: ibis, sparrow
Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Isis, Nephthys, Freyja, Ch'ang-O, Thoth
Power Flow: rest after labor; balance of Light and Dark. Organize. Clean and straighten up physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter.
Blood Moon (October)
Also known as: Harvest Moon, Shedding Moon, Winterfelleth (Winter Coming), Windermanoth (Vintage Month), Falling Leaf Moon, Ten Colds Moon, Moon of the Changing Season
Nature Spirits: frost faeries, plant faeries
Herbs: pennyroyal, thyme, catnip, uva ursi, angelica, burdock
Colors: dark blue-green
Flowers: calendula, marigold, cosmos
Scents: strawberry, apple blossom, cherry
Stones: opal, tourmaline, beryl, turquoise
Trees: yew, cypress, acacia
Animals: stag, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion
Birds: heron, crow, robin
Deities: Ishtar, Astarte, Demeter, Kore, Lakshmi, Horned God, Belili, Hathor
Power Flow: to let go; inner cleansing. Karma and reincarnation. Justice and balance. Inner harmony.
Blue Moon (October 27-November 1)
Also known as: Moon of the Dead, Hunting Moon, Ancestor Moon, Hunter's Moon
Nature Spirits: banshees and other beings who carry messages between worlds
Herbs: ginger, hops, wormwood, hyssop, patchouli, mugwort, nutmeg, star anise
Colors: black, white, purple
Flowers: white lily, dahlia, chrysanthemum
Scents: rosemary, dragon's blood, lilac, pine, wisteria
Stones: obsidian, onyx, Apache tear
Trees: pine, cypress, yew, elder
Animals: bat, wolf, sow, dog, snake
Birds: owls, raven, falcon
Deities: Cybele, Circe, Hel, Nephthys, Cerridwen, Horned God, Caillech, Freyja, Holda
Power Flow: release, remember; communion with the dead. Prophecy. Releasing old negative memories and emotions.
Snow Moon (November)
Also known as: Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Beaver Moon, Mourning Moon, Blotmonath (Sacrifice Month), Herbistmanoth (Harvest Month), Mad Moon, Moon of Storms, Moon When Deer Shed Antlers
Nature Spirits: subterranean faeries
Herbs: grains of paradise, verbena, betony, borage, cinquefoil, blessed thistle
Colors: gray, sea-green
Flowers: blooming cacti, chrysanthemum
Scents: cedar, cherry blossoms, hyacinth, narcissus, peppermint, lemon
Stones: topaz, hyacinth, lapis lazuli
Trees: alder, cypress
Animals: unicorn, scorpion, crocodile, jackal
Birds: owl, goose, sparrow
Deities: Kali, Black Isis, Nicnevin, Hecate, Bast, Osiris, Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Skadi, Mawu
Power Flow: take root, prepare. Transformation. Strengthen communication with the god or goddess who seems closest to you.
Cold Moon (December)
Also known as: Oak Moon, Wolf Moon, Moon of Long Nights, Long Night's Moon, Aerra Geola (Month Before Yule), Wintermonat (Winter Month), Heilagmanoth (Holy Month), Big Winter Moon, Moon of Popping Trees
Nature Spirits: snow faeries, storm faeries, winter tree faeries
Herbs: holly, English ivy, fir, mistletoe
Colors: blood red, white and black
Flowers: holly, poinsettia, Christmas cactus
Scents: violet, patchouli, rose geranium, frankincense, myrrh, lilac
Stones: serpentine, jacinth, peridot
Trees: pine, fir, holly
Animals: mouse, deer, horse, bear
Birds: rook, robin, snowy owl
Deities: Hathor, Hecate, Neith, Athene, Minerva, Ixchel, Osiris, Norns, Fates
Power Flow: to endure, die, be reborn; Earth tides turning. Darkness. Personal alchemy. Spiritual paths. Reach out to friends and family, the lonely and needy.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:28 pm
New Moon Esbat Rite
Most Esbats though are held during the Full Moon, some however wish to hold Esbats both on the Full and New Moon. Though it does not really matter what time during the moon phase you hold an Esbat. There is also nothing wrong with holding more Esbats than 13. Wicca is about being who you want to be and being blessed for that, therefore you have freedom with much of what you do.
SUPPLIES
Altar with Elemental representations of Earth (Salt), Air (Incense), Fire (Red Candle) and Water (Water).
Ritual cakes (any natural bread or cake, no junk food)
Wine or Ale (anything from the fruit of the vine/grain, fermented or not)
Black Crone Goddess Candle
Quarter Candles - Green (North), Yellow (East), Red (South) and Blue (West)
Matches or lighter
Wand or Athamé for casting circle
Broom or Besom for cleansing the circle
Chalice or Cup for Libation for God and Goddess
Separate Wine Glass or Cup for yourself or coveners
Cauldron for burning negativity
PREPARATION
Light the altar candle and the altar incense.
Take up the besom and walk widdershins (counterclockwise) around the circle sweeping from the center outward to cleanse the circle of negative energy. Recite this chant as you sweep from the center of the circle outwards:
"Sweep out evil, sweep out ill, Where I do the Lady's will. Besom, besom, Lady's Broom, Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom.
Witch's broom swift in flight, Cast out darkness, bring in light. Earth be hallow, air be pure, fire burn bright, as water cures.
A sacred bridge this site shall be, As I will, so mote it be."
**Now hopefully you have already cleansed and Consecrated your tools or else this Esbat might just go longer than you hope. For Cleansing and Consecrating please seek out my soon coming "Wiccan Preparations " thread in the BOS **
BLESS THE ELEMENTS AND SPACE
Hold your hand over each of the four Altar Elements and say for each one:
"Element of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady. I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."
Pass your hand over the element 3 times to banish, and then hold your hand steady to bless. Visualize a sparkling light surrounding and infusing the element. Take up that element and go once deosil around the circle. While walking, disperse the element while reciting the corresponding blessing below:
"Powers of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), this circle grace. Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."
This is where you would cast your circle, again If you do not know how to do this please seek out my "Wiccan Preparations" thread that I will soon be placing in the BOS.
Then calling the quarters is suggested though as far as I have learned it is not required, please correct me if I am wrong.
INVOKING THE CRONE GODDESS
Light the Black Crone candle:
"Oh Dark Mother hear my call. Hecate, Goddess of the Moon,
your daughter (son) is in need your wisdom and strength on this night.
Your child walks with shadows when they wish to walk with the light.
Fears and negativity haunt me, sapping me of my energy and my strength.
I call upon you this night of the dark moon to aid in the banishment of these shadows."
LIBATION AND OPENING TOAST
Pour some wine into the libation dish and say, "To the Lord and Lady!"
Fill the altar goblet with wine. Hold up the altar goblet and say,
"I drink to the God and Goddess."
Take a sip from the goblet, and say,
"Blessed Be."
RITUAL OR SPELL WORK
Write down on a piece of paper those negative traits or problems you wish to be rid of. Then as you burn your paper concentrate on the things to be banished from your life. Feel the fear or negativity and then let it go as you cast it into the fire reciting:
"Hecate, Honored Crone of Night, I call upon you to put things right. Transform these negative thoughts and pain and help my life be whole again."
Since you have created a void by banishing the negativity in your lives, you will need to fill that void. Close your eyes and visualize a blue light washing over you, filling you. You will now need to envoke laughter because that is the strongest banishment of all and the best protection. As you circle deosil, visualize the happiest moments in your life. Let the uninhibited child in you come out to play. Laugh. Even if it is forced in the beginning, it will come if you open the door. Let the laughter fill you.
Now is when you would do Cakes and Ale, Again take a look at my "Wiccan Preparations" thread that will soon be in the BOS.
Give thanks for one thing that you are thankful for, and request assistance for one thing that you are in need of.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:56 pm
Full Moon Esbat Rite
There are many, many different forms of Full Moon Esbat Rites so don't be afraid to Google and see something that works for you. I will list some sites later on that I like the rites in, it was hard just to choose one specific one to use as a sample.
PREPARATION
Light the altar candle and the altar incense.
Take up the besom and walk widdershins (counterclockwise) around the circle sweeping from the center outward to cleanse the circle of negative energy. Recite this chant as you sweep from the center of the circle outwards:
"Sweep out evil, sweep out ill, Where I do the Lady's will. Besom, besom, Lady's Broom, Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom.
Witch's broom swift in flight, Cast out darkness, bring in light. Earth be hallow, air be pure, fire burn bright, as water cures.
A sacred bridge this site shall be, As I will, so mote it be."
**Now hopefully you have already cleansed and Consecrated your tools or else this Esbat might just go longer than you hope. For Cleansing and Consecrating please seek out my soon coming "Wiccan Preparations " thread in the BOS **
BLESS THE ELEMENTS AND SPACE
Hold your hand over each of the four Altar Elements and say for each one:
"Element of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), I cleanse and consecrate thee in the names of the Lord and Lady. I bring their blessings upon you now. So mote it be."
Pass your hand over the element 3 times to banish, and then hold your hand steady to bless. Visualize a sparkling light surrounding and infusing the element. Take up that element and go once deosil around the circle. While walking, disperse the element while reciting the corresponding blessing below:
"Powers of (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), this circle grace. Purify, cleanse, and bless this space."
CAST MAGICK CIRCLE
(please seek out my "Wiccan Preparations" thread that I will soon be placing in the BOS.)
CALL THE QUARTERS
(Seek this in Wiccan Preparations" in the BOS thread once I make it.)
INVOKING THE GOD AND GODDESS
Light the gold God candle:
"I call to the God. Spark of the Spirit Eternal, Lord of the Wild Hunt, Judge of Gods and Men. Shining God of the Sun's rays, Who walks with me through all my days, Into my circle, I invoke you, To bless and guide all that I do. Hail and welcome."
Light the silver Goddess candle:
"I call to the Goddess. Beauty of the Green Earth, White Moon among the Stars, Mysteries of the Waters. Shimmering Goddess of the Moon's light, Who guides me through the dark of night,Into my circle, I invoke you. To bless and guide all that I do. Hail and welcome."
LIBATION AND OPENING TOAST
Pour some wine into the libation dish and say, "To the Lord and Lady!"
Fill the altar goblet with wine. Hold up the altar goblet and say,
"I drink to the God and Goddess."
Take a sip from the goblet, and say,
"Blessed Be."
RITUAL OR SPELL WORK
(insert the spell work you plan to do this night)
CAKES AND ALE
(take a look at my "Wiccan Preparations" thread that will soon be in the BOS.)
Give thanks for one thing that you are thankful for, and request assistance for one thing that you are in need of.
Then you would release the quarters if you chose to call to them in the first place. I will include this in my "Wiccan Preparations" thread once I create it.
Now thank the God and Goddess for being with you this night and Say:
"I give thanks to the God for guarding my circle and joining my rite. Hail and farewell."
Extinguish the gold candle and Say:
"I give thanks to the Goddess for guarding my circle and joining my rite. Hail and farewell."
Extinguish the silver candle.
CLOSE THE CIRCLE
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:01 pm
References and Recognition
Okay so we know that I am not an encyclopedia so not all this information comes from my own brain but it does come from my own research and then has been compiled into these classes. So I figured best that I give thanks and recognition to the sites/people/books that I got my information from.
I will also include a list of sites that have other versions of Esbat Rites.
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Websites Used To Create This Thread:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esbat
http://magickalmusings.net/wicca/topic23.php
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/spiritwolf/casting_a_circle.htm
Sites with more Rites and Rituals:
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Holidays/esbats.html
http://www.goddessmoon.org/sabbats&esbats/esbats/esbat.html
http://www.thegodsgrove.com/fullesbat.htm
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccanandpaganrituals/ht/Esbat_Rite.htm
http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/esimple.html
http://www.asiya.org/sabbats/esbats.html
to find more just Google:
-Esbat Rite
-Esbat Ritual
-Full Moon Esbat Rite
-New Moon Esbat Rite
-Full Moon Esbat Ritual
-New Moon Esbat Ritual
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