There are four greater sabbats and four lesser sabbats. The greater sabbats mark the main holidays in the pagan religions. The lesser sabbats are man-made holidays usually associated with fertility or crops. A sabbat is a time for rejoicing, being with others and remembering what we have been given.
Each sabbat is dedicated to specific event and has customary cermonies associated with it. All sabbats begin in the same fashion:
Sabbat rituals can be found in many books. These "pre-made" rituals can provide an excellent starting point for creating your own ritual. The sabbat ritual should be structured to remind all participants of what is being celebrated and honor the Goddess and God. Good sources for premade rituals are: Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Eight Sabbats for Witches, West Country Wicca A Journal of the Old Religion, Wicca A guide for the Solitary Practioner, Witchcraft Today The Modern Movement, Earth Magick A Dianic Book of Shadows.
Sabbat |
Date |
Description |
 Samhain, Greater Sabbat |
October 31 |
In Celtic tradition, Samhain, pronounced "Sow-wen", is the beginning and end of the year. It is on this day that the veil between the worlds is the thinnest. It is a time for family, remembering and honoring those who have passed away, and honoring our ancestors. It is a time for celebration and rejoicing. Samhain is also a time for getting rid of weakness. |
 Yule, Winter Solstice, Lesser Sabbat |
December 21 |
This is the shortest day of the year. The old king has died, the physical year is coming to its end. From this point on, the days get longer and brighter until summer solstice. It is a time of waiting. |
| Candlemas, Imbolc, Greater Sabbat |
February 2 |
The new king is born. This is the festival of lights. It is the festival of Brigit. The ewes are coming in to give birth. It is the first awakenings of new life in the Earth. It is a time of new beginnings. |
| Ostara, Spring equinox, Lesser Sabbat |
March 21 |
This is the first of the planting festivals, it is the celebration of the fertility of plants. This day marks the end of winter and the coming of spring. |
| Beltane, May Day, Greater Sabbat |
May 1 |
This is the celebration of the fertility of the Goddess and of people. It is often celebrated with the May Pole (or May Hole) dance. The celebration often ends with participants pairing off and finding secluded areas in the night. |
| Summer Solstice, Mid Summer's Eve, Lesser Sabbat |
June 21 |
This marks the longest day of the year. The Horned God is at the height of his power. This is the celebration of the growing season. The crops have been planted and there is a brief rest before the harvest begins. The celebration also often ends with participants pairing off and finding secluded areas in the night. |
| Lammas, Greater Sabbat |
August 2 |
This is the first of the harvest festivals. The days are growing shorter and everying is preparing for the coming of winter. The Goddess is seen in her pregnant stage, bursting with life. It is time of celebrating the bounty of the Earth. Bread made from newly-harvested grain is consumed with much fervor during cakes and ale. |
| Autumnal Equinox, Mabon, Lesser Sabbat |
September 21 |
Equal day and equal night. This is the second of the harvest festivals. It is also the day of Persephone, as it was on this day that she went to live in the underworld for half of the year. It marks the ending of fall and onset of winter. |
As you can see, the sabbats are a time of celebration. They mark the birth and death of the year. It is the cycle of all things. Birth/Death, Fertility/Harvest, Beginning/Ending, all of these are evident.