Sabbets: From Grimoire
There are eight sabbets (or witch holidays) that fall on the equinoxes and solstices and the days halfway between known as the cross-quarter days. These form the Wheel of the Year and are based in Celtic tradition. Just as witches follow the cycle of the moon, we follow the cycle of the earth and the changing of the seasons through the sabbets.
(Note: I’m not going to be discussing correspondences, there are plenty of other sources for that. I am going to be sharing a bit of info on the sabbet, some activities I like to do to celebrate and some altar decorating ideas. Also the dates I’m giving are for the Northern hemisphere.)
Samhain
October 31 (also known as Halloween, All Hollow’s Eve, the Witch’s New Year)
Samhain is old Irish for ‘summer’s end’. In the Celtic yin yang, gam is Samhain and sam is Beltane, the sabbet that falls completely opposite it. At Beltane, we learn through relationships while at Samhain, we learn through solitude. Now is a great time for shadow work, embracing the darkness in all of us. It is the time to reflect on the year that is past, recharge your energies for the year to come and reset your intentions. The veil between worlds is thinnest of this sabbet so it is also a great time to honor loved ones who have passed on and communicate with spirits from another realm.
Things to do:
dress up. Not even just in costume. Put on makeup, get all fancy. Just do something to make you feel like a different person
carve pumpkins. A Halloween must that also counts as celebrating the sabbet. Jack o’lanterns are great for protection magic
lay out offerings for your ancestors (if you don’t have any loved ones you want to honor, maybe something for a beloved pet)
Spiced soul cakes
A traditional recipe
Altar decor: pumpkins, skulls, besom (broom), cauldron, dark candles, offerings
Yule
December 21-23 (also known as the winter solstice)
The shortest day and longest night, representing rebirth and the return of the light. The winter solstice has been celebrated in many different ways for thousands of years. Stonehenge in England was built so it framed the solstice’s sunset. It is time to give from within whether that be with a thoughtful gift (maybe handmade), taking time out of your schedule to spend with a loved one or giving to charity. Any giving that makes you feel good and warm inside.
Things to do:
hot chocolate and cookies
wassailing; both a hot drink of spiced apple ale and a German tradition of drinking said drink while going door to door singing (the start of modern-day caroling)
any “Christmas-y” activity
Yule Log
Burning the Yule log is at the core of a traditional Yule celebration. Often the log are decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and other herbs to bring their magical properties to the coming year. Whatever you choose to decorate with is up to you, but remember to save a piece of your Yule log to light the next one.
Altar decor: pine cones, candle wreath, bobbles, chocolate coins, white candle, fairy lights
Imbolc
February 1-2 (also known as Brigid’s Day, Candlemas)
Imbolc is an Irish-Gaelic word meaning ‘in the belly’ or ‘ewe’s milk’ and represents the return of life and the first signs of spring. It is also a celebrations of the Celtic goddess, Brigid, who is a triple goddess, her three forms being the Poet, the Healer and the Smith. Three was a very important number to the Celts, the most binding oaths sworn by the land, sea and sky. Now is the time to “awake” from our wintery slumber, dust off and begin to nurture our resolutions and goals.
Things to do:light a candle in every room even for just a few minutes to celebrate the sun’s rebirth
make a Brigid’s cross
spring clean
list goals and projects to nurture
Ritual Bath
Brigid is my matron so it is important for me to honor her on Imbolc. An easy way is a ritual bath with epson salt and white candles. It helps me to get into a meditative state and connect with my matron.
Altar decor: Brigid’s cross, green candles, symbols of three like the maiden/mother/crone, “garden in a cauldron” (soil, seeds and herbs like rosemary, lavender, bay or basil)
Ostara
March 21-23 (also known as the spring equinox)
Now is a time of balance and harmony and of birth and manifesting, planting seeds, both metaphorically and physically. Doing some “preparing the ground” soul work, see what changes you need to make moving forward. Taking time to bloom and work on yourself.
Things to do:
take a walk and smell the flowers
bake hot cross buns
garden
make Ostara charms (bundles of lavender or rosemary)
decorate/color eggs
Egg Wishing spell
Eggs are a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Whisper your wishes, goals and intentions into one, draw a sigil on the shell (either a pentacle or one you create yourself) and then bury it in the earth so that it can nurture and help you manifest your wishes.
Altar decor: eggs in a nest, flowers, bunnies or chicks, Ostara charms
Beltane
April 30-May 1 (also known as May Day)
Fun fact: my boyfriend and my anniversary falls right in the middle of this sabbet that represents sexuality. Like its opposite, Samhain, the veil between worlds is thinner so now is a great time to connect with fae and nature spirits. Now is the time to take pleasure in life and practice self-love as well as sharing love.
Things to do:
make (and wear) flower crowns
treat yourself whatever that means for you
have sex or practice self-lusting
Ribbon Relationship Spell
This is not a spell to find love, this is a spell to strengthen the relationship you already have. You will need ribbons (one for every year of your relationship and one for the year to come) and two candles (red or white). Optional is an incense blend. I used ginger, sugar, rose petals, mint and almond. Light the candles and incense and start braiding the ribbons. Think about your relationship as you do so, the ups and downs, the happy and hard times, and what you want your future to hold. Pass the finished braid over the smoke and candles. Then blow out the candles to release then spell and have sex (or other bonding activity) with your partner to cement it. This spell can be repeated and renewed every year, just add a new ribbon.
Altar decor: flowers, tokens from your partner, ribbons
Litha
June 21-23 (also known as the summer solstice, midsummer)
The longest day and shortest night of the year. This is a time of high energy and release, enjoying the season and just being carefree. The power of the sun is at its strongest, protective, healing, empowering and revitalizing.
Things to do:
leave offerings for the fae (milk, oats and honey are good)
write down some good things that have happened in the past six months and burn them, reflecting on the happy memories
visit the beach or other natural water source
Solstice Sunset Meditation
When the sun finally begins to set on this longest day, go outside and sit comfortably, facing West. Let the sun’s rays wash over you as you think about the year that has passed so far and the months that lay ahead. Give a short prayer of thanks as the sun sinks beyond the horizon.
Altar decor: chalice (or cauldron) of water, strawberries, sunflowers, seashells
Lughnasadh
August 1-2 (also known as Lammas)
Named after the Celtic sun god, Lugh, this sabbet marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a masculine energy sabbet and the opposite of Imbolc which focuses on the feminine. Lammas is the Anglo-Saxon name and it means ‘loaf mass’. It is time to celebrate the fullness of life and the abundance of the earth.
Things to do:make a corn doll
support a local farmers market
go to a renfaire or highland games
list what you want to manifest/set goals for the coming months
listen to Celtic music
do a harvest meditation; visualizing for fields as new hopes and dreams, what you’ve been working toward, what has made you unhappy, what to let go
Make Homemade Garlic Herb Knots
I made these totally accidentally this year right before Lammas and decided it will be a tradition now. I love baking bread and the recipe I use can be made into so many different forms. Just add one teaspoon of oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary, sage and garlic powder to the flour before adding the water. I like to stuff mine with mozzarella cheese, but you can just make them as is.Altar decor: corn doll, autumn colors, wheat or other seasonal pickings
Mabon
September 21-23 (also known as the autumn equinox)
Sometimes called the Witch’s Thanksgiving, it is the time to appreciate and give thanks. A good time for balance and harmony, but also for change.
Things to do:
make a feast with your loved ones using in-season foods
drink apple cider
write a gratitude list
give a prayer of thanks
Apple Prosperity Spell
Take an apple and sit comfortable, getting into a meditative state. Chant, pray, say mantras or whatever in your head as you eat the apple, asking for support and good fortune in the coming months. Remember to give thanks after and bury the core in the earth to give back.
Altar decor: pomegranates, leaves and acorns, gourds, cornucopia
