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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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 Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:49 pm
In this thread you will find information on the eight pagan holidays or Sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year. As with most pagan beliefs and concepts, there are many different traditions and correspondences to this notion. Below you fill find some general but widely accepted traditions and practices incorporated in each Sabbat.
The Sabbats and their Established Dates
Samhain
October 31st
Also known as: Hallowmas, All Hallows Eve,
Samana, Samhuinn, Samonios,
Celtic New Year, Third/Final/ Last Harvest
Yule
Winter Solstice (Around December 21st)
Also known as: Midwinter, Sun Return,
Fionn's Day, Meán Geimhridh
Imbolc
February 2nd
Also known as: Imbolg, Oimealg,
Brid's Day, Bride's Day, Candlemas
Ostara
Spring Equinox (Around March 21st)
Also known as: Eostre, Lady Day,
Meán Earraigh
Beltane
May 1st
Also known as: May Day, May Eve,
Beltaine, Bealtaine, Giamonios
Midsummer
Summer Solstice (Around June 21st)
Also known as: Litha, Gathering Day,
Meán Samhraidh
Lammas
August 1st
Also known as: Lughnasadh, August Eve
Lugnasad, Elembiuos, First Harvest
Mabon
Autumn Equinox (Around September 21st)
Also known as: Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon,
Meán Fómhair, Second Harvest
Some group the Sabbats into two classes; Greater/Major and Lesser/Minor. The Greater or Major Sabbats consist of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, and Lammas. While the Lesser or Minor Sabbats include then Yule, Ostara, Midsummer, and Mabon; the Solstices and Equinoxes.
It's also commonly viewed that the Goddess and God each rule for half of the year. The Goddess reigns supreme starting on Samhain (through the winter seasons) until her mating with the God at Beltane where he then is more predominate (through the summer seasons) until once again he journeys to the Otherworld at Samhain.
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:50 pm
 (Pronunciation Irish Gaelic: SOW-in / Scots Gaelic: SAH-ven)
General Overview
Samhain is considered to be the Old Celtic New Year, the renewal of the Wheel of the Year, and the Last Harvest. As the days wane and darkness grows, we say farewell to the aged God as he passes and journeys into the land of the dead where he will wait to be reborn again at Yule, thus continuing the cycle. The Goddess now reigns dominate. Samhain is seen as a time when the veil between our world and the Other-world is at it's thinnest. It is believed that this allows the dead to walk the earth and contact with the spirits is more easily accomplished. It is a time for reflection, honoring those passed, and divination.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
It is customary to prepare a feast and leave empty chairs for the spirits to join you. Candles were (and some still hold this practice) placed in windows as a guide for said spirits - this is where the modern Jack-o'Lantern originated from.
Samhain, being the Last Harvest, was a time when cattle or other herd animals were slaughtered for the winter,(personally I think that this may be where some get misconceptions about animal sacrifice at Halloween) as well as in general attending to any unfinished summer work. It was seen by some as a taboo for there to be any remaining crops after Samhain as they would then belong to the nature spirits.
The name 'bonfire' is believed to be derived from the custom of burning the bones of the cattle which were slaughtered at this time - a 'bone fire'. Fires were often lite and here we find a number of traditions centering around achieving luck by the bonfire - jumping through the flames, ashes taken and scattered in the fields, torches lit from the fire being carried around the boundaries of land and homes, stones with personal marks were caste into the fire then later retrieved from the ashes, just to name a few.
With the veil at it's thinnest on this night it's no wonder divination is so prominent at this time. Some forms of divination or foreseeing include throwing nuts on the fire - if a nut burned brightly it meant that the thrower would be alive in twelve months time, and if it flared up brightly it meant marriage within twelve months. To see if a relationship would last, one could place two hazelnuts side by side and burn them over a fire. If they stay together as they burn then the couple would last, but if the nuts burst apart the relationship would break up. An old belief is that by peeling an apple on Samhain and keeping the peel in one piece, then throwing it over your shoulder you will discover the initials of a future lover. Ducking or bobbing for apples was actually a marriage divination. The first person to bite an apple would be the first to marry in the coming year. 'Dookin’ for apples' is thought to have originated from a Druidical rite associated with water. Other names for this holiday:Hallowmas, All Hallows Eve, Samana, Samhuinn, Samonios, Celtic New Year, Third/Final/ Last Harvest Established date:October 31st Astrological date:First full moon of Scorpio/Sun at 15° Scorpio Associated colors:Black and Orange
Symbols: Jack o'lantern, cauldron, balefire, broom, masks, corn husk bundles, skull/skeletons Customs: Bonfires, fire calling, pumpkin carving, divination, apple games, 'Dumb Supper' (meal eaten in silence to which the dead are invited), honoring the dead Associated herbs:Acorn and Oak, apple, arborvitae (yellow cedar), corn, Dittany of Crete, fumitory, hazel, mullein, nightshade, pumpkin, sage, turnip, wormwood
Traditional incenses:Apple, mint, nutmeg, heliotrope, sage Sacred Foods:Acorns, apples, red meats, red wine, root and vine vegetables (squash, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnips, and so on..) Associated Deities:Crone Goddesses, Dying/Aging Gods, Sacrificial Gods, Death and Other-world Deities
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:51 pm
(Pronunciation: YOU-all) General Overview
The Winter Solstice, Yule, is the longest night of the year. Most pagans depict the Sun as being a very masculine symbol- the God and the Moon and the Night as feminine- The Goddess. Thus as the longest Night gives way to the return of the Sun, we celebrate the Goddess giving birth to, and the returning of the God. From now until Midsummer he grows stronger after having battling the darkness and venturing the Other-world since Samhain. Although, the Goddess is still the predominate until Beltane. This is a time of rebirth and encouragement.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
The ceremonial Yule log is probably one of the most well known pagan customs. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift. It must never be bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour or corn wheat before being lit by a piece of last years log. The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out.
Another way to celebrate this holiday is to stay up all night to welcome/witness the birth of the Sun, as well as light candles and fires in welcome and encouragement.
The home is often decorated with holly, ivy, mistletoe and other greens to welcome any nature spirits that may be seeking shelter from the cold and dark.
Although Yule is one of the oldest and most widely celebrated Sabbats, it was actually not traditionally part of the Celtic year until it was introduced by Norse invaders. In some traditions, Yule is actually celebrated as the beginning of the New Year.
In some sects covens or in group rituals, it is a custom to reenact the battle of the Holly and Oak Kings- The Holly King, representing the waning year, loses to the Oak King, representing the waxing year.
Other names for this holiday:Midwinter, Sun Return, Fionn's Day, Meán Geimhridh
Date:Winter Solstice/Sun at 0° Capricorn (Usually around December 21st)Associated colors:Red, Green, White
Symbols:Evergreens, wreath, Yule log, holly, spinning wheels
Customs:Yule logs, watching the sun rise, making wreaths, lighting candles, wassailing, kissing under the mistletoeAssociated herbs:Yellow cedar, ash, bay laurel, blessed thistle, chamomile, frankincense, juniper, holly, mistletoe, pineTraditional incenses:Cedar, bayberry, pine, rosemary
Sacred Foods:White wines, white cakes, bitter herbs, mintsAssociated Deities:Virgin Goddesses, Triple Goddesses, Newborn Gods, Holly and Oak Kings
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:52 pm
(Proununciation: EM-bowlk) General Overview
Imbolc marks the earliest signs of the Spring to come. This is seen as a time of growth while the earth is reawakening. We celebrate newness and begin spring cleaning. Again, here we acknowledge the Sun's continuing development as this is the midpoint of the dark half of the year. The Goddess is viewed as a young bride awaiting her union with the God at Beltane and the Crone aspects is waning.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
Depending on the culture, there are a couple different variations of why exactly this Sabbat celebrated. Before the Nordic influence of Yule, this was originally when the Sun's return was more formally celebrated by the Celts. Specifically in Irish tradition, the Goddess Brid or Brighid, is honored at this time in her bride or maiden form. It is also seen as a festival of lactating ewe's and other herd animals. An alternative name, Oimealg, actually translates to 'eew milk' meaning 'milk of ewe's' and Imbolc itself, means 'in the belly.'
If ever there was a Sabbat to light candles, this would be the one. Candles were lit in abundance, often with in wreaths (another symbol for the Wheel of the Year.) This symbolized the waxing Sun.
Imbolc is vastly seen as an excellent time for cleansing and consecrating ones tools as well as perfect for initiations or re-dedication rituals.
Celts would dress grain dollies as brides and set them in a place of honor in their homes. They were sometimes placed in cradles called Bride's Beds and nuts were tossed in with them as a symbol of male fertility surrounding the young maiden. Young girls would also fashion and dress dollies of oat straw or wheat and carry them door to door on Imbolc Eve where then each household would bestow a small gift or trinket on the 'bride.'
When the Celts depended on the cycle of the seasons for fresh foods, this was also an important time as it was the time of year when new lambs are born and ewes lactating, providing milk for dairy products.
"Brighid's crosses" can be made from wheat as a protective symbol for the home.
Brighid's snake would emerge from the earths womb on this day to test the weather. This was one the first notions of our modern Groundhog day wherein an animal is thought to predict the weather. In Germany they sought the prediction of a hedgehog or badger. When the Germans, the Deutsch, came to America, specifically Pennsylvania, and had their name jumbled into the Pennsylvania Dutch, they chose the local creature that most resembled their native hedgehog/badger- the groundhog.
Other names for this holiday:Imbolg, Oimealg, Brid's Day, Bride's Day, Candlemas Established date:February 2nd Astrological date:First full moon of Aquarius/Sun at 15° Aquarius Associated colors:White, silver, pale yellow Symbols:Candles, brides, grain dolly, burrowing animals, ewes/milk producing animals, hearth and home Customs:Candle burning, putting out and relighting the hearth, making Brighid's Crosses or bride dollies, feasting on dairy products Associated herbs:Angelica, basil, bay, blackberry, celandine, coltsfoot, heather, iris, myrrh, tansy, violets Traditional incenses:Basil, myrrh, wisteria Sacred Foods:Milk, cheese, dairy products Associated Deities:Virgin/Maiden/Child Goddesses, Young/Child Male Gods *I would have made this one pretty too with corresponding yellow highlighted headers but honestly, the yellow on here hurts my eyes.
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:57 pm
(Proununciation: Oh-star-ah)
General Overview
Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is the first official day of Spring. The days and nights are now equal in length as the Young God continues to mature and grow. Some view this time as a courtship between the God and Goddess before their consecrated at Beltane. It is a time of action, beginnings, and spring planting.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
This, as well, is another holiday not initially celebrated by the Celts until introduced by another culture. Most of it's associations were honored at Beltane instead. It's thought that the Saxons presented this Sabbat to the Celtic world around the year 600 CE in observation of the equinox.
Birds begin nesting and laying eggs. Being a symbol of rebirth, fertility, and immortality, it's no wonder why there are so many customs associated with eggs on this day- They may be painted with symbols or pictures of what one wishes to manifest in the year to come then buried in Mother Earth so that she may hear our wishes. In some communities eggs were hidden in the stores of seed grains and left there to encourage the seeds to sprout and bless the sowing. Decorated and hard boiled eggs were/are used in games of hide and seek or rolled down hillsides, even used in attempts to strike and opponent's legs. After wards, any eggs that were still intact were eaten.
Offerings of food and milk were given to nature spirits that were believed to be responsible for the fertility of the land.
Figs, a symbol of fertility with the leaf being the male element and fruit naturally the female, and fig cakes are consumed.
People may go bird watching on this day in hopes of catching sight of returning flocks.
Some traditions may honor the God in his warrior form on this date.
Feasting and social activities are common as well as simply admiring nature blossoming.
Other names for this holiday:Spring Equinox, Eostre, Lady Day, Meán Earraigh Date:Vernal(Spring) Equinox/Sun at 0° Aries (Usually around March 21st) Associated colors:Pastels Symbols:Egg, equilateral cross, butterfly, rabbits, chicks Customs:Collecting/decorating eggs, bird watching, egg hunts, burying eggs, planting Associated herbs:Acorn, celandine, cinquefoil, dandelion, dogwood, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, rose, tansy, violet Traditional incenses:Violet, jasmine, rose, sage, strawberry Sacred Foods:Fish, sweets, sweet breads, eggs
Associated Deities:Young Gods and Goddesses, Warrior Gods, Deities awakening to sexuality
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:59 pm
 (Pronunciation: Bell-tain)
General Overview
At Beltane the God and Goddess come together to sanctify their union in celebration of the Earths ripened fertility. Mostly commonly in the form of the Great Mother and Horned God of the Woodlands, the consummation of their Sacred Marriage symbolically fertilizes the land and animals to insure a bountiful harvest season. This is a time to celebrate new life, unions and partnerships, and the God and Goddess at the peak of their sexuality.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
Often, when mentioning anything related to the Sabbats to my non-pagan friends, I generally get two main responses. Samhain or Halloween is almost always the first topic of discussion, but next in line is usually Beltane. From most of my male friends I usually get asked something along the lines of, "Hey! Don't ya'll have some holiday where the women run around naked and ya'll go at it like rabbits er someth'n?" (The hick twang courtesy of living in Missouri lol) Obviously, the connotation with Beltane celebrating fertility and sexuality is well known.
The Great Rite, is the symbolic union of the male and female principles of creation. The two halves of the 'All' which come together to bring all things into being. The Great Rite may be performed by ritualistically placing a male ritual tool, such as a sword or athame, into a female ritual tool such as cauldron or chalice. Often, couples working together will invoke the deities and perform The Great Rite in a more literal and physical tradition.
Some* accredit this holiday to having important historical events taken place on various Beltane holidays through out the years- The Partholon landed on Eire and left on the same day three hundred years later, the Tuatha De Danann arrived in Eire, as well as when the Sons of Mil came to Eire. *I've read about an equal amount of sources that would support this, as well as those with alternative dates or simply no mentioning of the Sabbat at all.
On May's Eve folks would rise at midnight to gather boughs and flowers to decorate their homes with so that the Sun would see these decorations in his honor when he first rises.
Young women would collect morning dew from hawthorn blossoms to keep them beautiful.
Many give offerings to fairies and natures spirits as this time as well as establish woodland shrines. One particular offering was of milk being poured into hollows of stones or trees.
The May Pole is a custom that is practiced both within and outside of Paganism. The weaving of ribbons around the phallic May Pole symbolizes the union of the God and Goddess. The pole also denotes the movement between the earth and the sky which gives way to Springs growth and renewal.
Other names for this holiday:May Day, May Eve, Beltaine, Bealtaine, Giamonios Established date:May 1st Astrological date:First full moon of Taurus/Sun at 15° Taurus Associated colors:Red and White Symbols:May Poles, flowers, bright colors, sunshine, eggs, baskets, flowers Customs:May Poles, Spiral/circle and May Pole dances, feasting, making offerings Associated herbs:Almond, belladonna, clover, frankincense, hawthorn, ivy, marigold, meadowsweet, orchid root, rose, rowan, sorrel, woodruff Traditional incenses:Frankincense, rose, lilac, hawthorn Sacred Foods:Sweets, mead, cakes, cookies, fruit, milk products Associated Deities:Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, Deities of the Hunt and Woodlands
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:00 am
General Overview
Midsummer, or the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. The earth is lush and green and waxing sun reaches it's highest point before it begins it's descend into the dark half of the year. The Goddess is now heavily pregnant and the God is as the peak of his manhood and power. At this time we celebrate the light's triumph over darkness and the bountiful beauty that light brings into life.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
Midsummer is yet another Sabbat that became part of the Celtic Wheel of the Year after being introduced by the Norse and Saxons.
A wide-spread tradition on this day is to light bonfires, fire being a prime symbol of the Sun. People may dance and leap through the fire. All taken or passed through the sacred fire, smoldering herbs were carried to the stables, torches were carried sun-wise around the house and field, and coals were scattered about the fields. These were all gestures of bounty and good fortune.
In some sects, trees were highly worshiped at midsummer. Oaks that grew near wells and fountains would be decorated with colored clothes or ribbons and hawthorn trees were danced around after being decorated.
Herbs gathered on this day are seem as extremely powerful. Celebrate the Sabbat by decorating your home or alter with fresh flowers. Yellow flowers in particular represent the sun wonderfully.
Some members in covens or groups may once again evoke the Holly and Oak Kings to battle as they did at Yule, only now the Holly King reigns victorious as the year will begin to wane.
It's a great time to Draw Down the Sun while he is at his peak.
Anything passed through the bonfire at this time, tools, animals, and so on, may receive the God's blessing.
Fairy and otherworldly creatures are thought to gather in numbers on this night. It's a great opportunity to honor them and include them in your festivities.
Other names for this holiday:Summer Solstice, Litha, Gathering Day, Meán Samhraidh Date:Summer Solstice/Sun at 0° Cancer (Usually around June 21st) Associated colors:Green, yellow, bright colors Symbols:Fire, mistletoe, solar disks, feathers, blades, oaks, roses Customs:Bonfires, faerie hunting, gathering herbs, divination Associated herbs:Chamomile, chickweed, chicory, cinquefoil, dogwood, elderflower, fennel, figwort, hemp, lavender, male fern, meadowsweet, mistletoe, mugwort, pine, rose, St. John's Wort, vervain Traditional incenses:Frankincense, myrrh, pine, rose, wisteria Sacred Foods:Mead and wine, first vegetables of summer, bread, new cheese, edible flowers Associated Deities:Sun Gods,Gods at the peak of their power, Pregnant Goddesses,
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Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:01 am
 (Proununciations: [Lammas] LAH-mus/ [Lughnasadh] LOO-nah-sah) General Overview
Lammas, also widely known as Lughnasadh, is the first of the three harvest festivals, followed by Mabon and Samhain. The days begin to become noticeably shorter as the nights grow longer. We honor the Goddess in her form of being a Queen or Mother of Abundances and the God as the King or Father of Prosperity. This first harvest is primarily that of grains; corn, wheat, barely, and grain products such as breads. The Sun has consummated it's union with the earth and the first 'fruits' of the harvest are now bountiful and ready for threshing and harvesting. This is a time to celebrate life in its fullness and honor the earth for the riches of her bounty.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
Those who celebrate this holiday under the name of Lughnasadh, do so in honor of the Irish Sun God Lugh. Lugh was a poet, healer, silversmith, warrior, musician, and blacksmith.
The threshing of grains was at one time seen as a very sacred act. Threshing houses had small wooden panels under the door so that no loose grain could escape. This is the origins of the modern word "threshold."
Some believe that Lughnasadh actually replaced an older fertility festival. It was also the high summer gathering of certain Celtic tribes to discuss harvest concerns and plans for the upcoming year.
Contests of strength and skill were often held as well as dancing, races, singing, poetry and storytelling ensued.
Lammas is also seen as the turning point of in the life cycle of the Divine Couple. Although on this day she is abundance and bountiful, the Goddess now begins to age and will soon cease to bring forth new life. Her son, the spirit of grain, is cut down and his seeds scattered. It's actually quite common in many civilizations and cultures, that the cycle of death is portrayed as the seasonal death of a vegetation or fertility figure. This is really not so sad when we understand that death is just a part of life. One must die to be reborn.
Lugnasadh was traditionally a communal gathering held near a distinctive landmark such as sacred tree, hilltop, or well.
A traditional Welsh harvest game, rhibo, was often played by three pairs. They stood facing each other, holding hands. A person then laid on their outstretched arms and was tossed repeatedly in the air. The game symbolizes the winnowing of grain by tossing it so that the husks and dirt can be blown away by the wind. Other names for this holiday:Lughnasadh, August Eve, Lugnasad, Elembiuos, First Harvest Established date:August 1st Astrological date:First full moon of Leo/Sun at 15° Leo Associated colors:Gray, gold, green, yellow Symbols:Any grain symbols; wheat stalks, loaves of bread, corn stalks, as well as scythes or sickles, sun symbols Customs:Games, feasts, singing, dancing, poetry, storytelling, competitions, races, contests of strength Associated herbs:Berries, fenugreek, frankincense, heather, hollyhock, mistletoe, oak, oat, sunflower Traditional incenses:Aloe, rose, sandalwood Sacred Foods:Bread, all foods made with grain, wine, poultry and other domestic fowl, fish and other sea foods, porridge, oatmeal, pancakes, strawberries, blueberries, and other ripe fruits Associated Deities:Solar Deities, Harvest and Grain Deities, Mother Goddesses
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:03 am
 (Pronunciation: MAY-bun)General Overview
Mabon, the second harvest festival, denotes the Fall Equinox. Once again night and day are of equal length. However, at this celebration we will pay our respects to the Sun God as he wanes and prepares for his journey to the other world at Samhain. It is a time to give thanks for all of that which the Sun has given us and welcome the Goddess in her rising Crone aspect.
Tidbits of Traditions and History
This holiday is often associated with wild game (particularly fowl), the apple harvest, and celebrations of grapes and wine.
Preparations for the dark half of the year should be made at this time.
An ancient symbol for the wealth of the harvest is the horn of plenty, or the cornucopia. It's both a male and female symbol- the shape of the horn notably phallic, and the inner part of the horn being hollow and receptive decided female.
Along with the Sun God, we also honor the Green Man at this time. In the months to come the forests will become barren as winter progresses. Libations may be made to trees such as cider, wine, and herbs. Offerings may also be scattered over harvested fields in the spirit of thanksgiving.
Some feel the essential nature of this Sabbat is the gathering and drawing together of family and clans as they prepare to face the chaos of the dark half of the year and Samhain. A feast is prepaired and it's appropriate to wear lavish finery and rich fabrics in sumptuous settings. The best tableware and finest foods are displayed as mead and music should be abundant.
Other names for this holiday:Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Meán Fómhair, Second Harvest Date:Autumn Equinox/Sun at 0° Libra (Usually around September 21st) Associated colors:Orange, russet, maroon Symbols:Grapes, corn bundles, fish, cornucopia, gourds, vine, garland, apples Customs:Harvest feasting, meditation, thanksgiving Associated herbs:Acorn, fern, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh passionflower, rose, sage, Solomon's Seal, Thistle, Vegetables Traditional incenses:Myrrh, sage Sacred Foods:Red wines, wild game (fowl especially), squash, melons, cakes, stews, pomegranates Associated Deities:Wine Gods, Harvest Deities, Aging Deities, Sun Gods, Deities of the Hunt
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Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:04 am
End Notes and Food for Thought
Now, some of you may be thinking, "Umm... some of these holidays seem to have some of the same associations and traditions even, as that of Christian holidays around the same time of year. What's up with that!?"
This is very true, they do. These Sabbats were worshiped for centuries before the birth of Christ. Many Christian holidays were strategically established around the same time of the year as pagan holidays. This was done in an effort to convert people to Christianity. However, we must bare in mind that during times of persecution and scrutiny towards the Old Ways, the Christian counterpart to the pagan holidays at least allowed people to have some sort of seasonally corresponding celebration without being condemned. It was much better to have the Sabbats and their meanings slightly twisted, misconstrued, and adapted into the Christian theology than be completely wiped out. We are very lucky to now live in a time where we can openly celebrate these sacred earth-centered Sabbats as close to how our ancestors would have traditionally celebrated them as we can, with what knowledge we have.
Also, the information I have provided is really all just a tip of the iceberg. I wanted to provide a very general and eclectic summary of the Wheel of the Year. I very much encourage you to seek out more resources and information on anything that peeked your interest, as well as experience these holidays for yourself in your own individual way. After all, they are a celebration of Nature, light and dark, life and death, reflection and appreciation. Enjoy them.
List of resources used:
Celtic Folklore Cooking by Joanne Asala, Celtic Myth and Magick by Edain McCoy, A Druid's Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman, Witchvox.com, Witchway.net
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:16 pm
YAY! This Thread is finally open! Any discussion on the Wheel of the Year or Sabbats in general is welcome here. However, we do hope to have an actual separate event thread for each Sabbat though, so please post any actual celebratory conversations in the designated thread which will be created and open at the time of the corresponding Sabbat. heart
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