A Better Understanding of the Pagan Traditions

The 8 Sabbats mark the journey of the seed through the cycle of life, and celebrate the changes in seasons brought on by the cycle of the sun. Each sabbat is a new time of change, a time of new beginnings and old endings.

The key to properly celebrating the Sabbats does not lie in what rituals you should do or what traditions you need to follow. The key to properly appreciating the sabbats for what they are is to recognize and appreciate the cycles around you, and reflect on how the same cycles move you and your world, and then learning to flow with those cycles. Flowing with the cycles is nothing more than understanding their purpose and accepting that it is inevitable.

The Traditions of The sabbats are nothing more than tools for you to express your joy, respect, faith and love of Nature and all that she encompasses.

SAMHAIN
Sunset Oct. ST to Sunset November ST
When the seed first falls from the parent plant, taking the chance of being destroyed once it hit's the ground, Samhain symbolizes a time of great peril. Samhain is known as the crack of Time, when time is not yet old and not yet new.

Traditionally Samhain is when the veils between the past and future are thin, and is a powerful time for divination. Tarot, runes and tea leaves are only a few of the few tools of divination available, many of which are present at most Samhain festivals.

Samhain is also a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. it is a time to end cycles to begin new ones, and is a time to shed unwanted possessions. Items not recyclable are traditionally burned in the Samhain fires.

A time of endings and beginnings, Samhain is a celebration that honors the dead, reveres in the living, reflects on the past and looks to the future.

YULE
Sunset on December Th through November ST
Yule, beginning on the Winter Solstice, marks the Sol Invicus (undefeated sun) and signifies enlightenment and the rebirth of the day. A Universal time of rebirth, many different religions mark the birth of their significator at this time.

Many other Yule tide tradition transcends into Christian celebrations, such as the Christmas tree. In a pagan house an evergreen decorated with ribbons, pine cones and berries or bulbs represents life continuing on through the dark winter, and brings hope of making it through the bitter storms ahead.

Similarly is the Yule log, a symbol of eternal light reminding us that the sun shines through all 12 months, and will return stronger in coming seasons.

Other traditions include the eating of the Yule cakes, one for each day of Yule time, the lighting of candles on St. Lucy's day, the hanging of evergreens about the house and home.

Yule is a powerful time to invoke a renewal, or to bring about change. Yule, more than anything, is a time to get up and celebrate, just to remind yourself that its not always cold and white and wet. There are better days ahead.

The Vernal Equinox
March 20-RD
The Vernal Equinox marks the stirring of the seed within the ground, its resurrection after its apparent death at the onset of winter. A time of great balance, with exactly 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of night. It also marks the time of transition between spring and summer.

Another sabbat that passed on its traditions to the Christian faiths, the Easter egg is actually a pagan tradition. Hens do not lay eggs until they are exposed to 12 hours or more of daylight. Finding the first eggs of the season was celebrated as the mark of the beginning of spring.

Another well known tradition that is still common today is spring cleaning. This is a time to discard old things. Material Items that can not be recycled are ritualistically burned in the fires of May's eve. Burning marjoram or Thyme during this period will help cleanse and purify your home.

Beltane
Sunset April 30-Sunset May ST

Beltane marks the mystical union of the elements in the sustenance of life and a time of environmental harmony.

In the spirit of environmental harmony, Beltane is a time to honor your own surroundings .Tradition hangs fresh wild

flowers in the nooks and crannies of your house that are the homes of the household sprites. Contributing to the cycle of life or creating harmonies within your own environment are other subtle ways of celebrating Beltane. Such things could be as simple as planting fresh grass, trees or flowers, setting up a bird bath, raking old leaves, or even taking a walk around your neighborhood, observing the elements of nature at work.

Beltane is also a powerful time for encouraging growth, instigating a union or facilitating a group effort.

The day side of Beltane is a festival of light, celebrating the sun as it grows stronger. The most well-known Beltane tradition is the Maypole. A freshly felled tree pole, the Maypole can be left in its natural state and decorated with ribbons or stripped and painted in the twirled fashion that signifies the natural union.

May fires are also a common tradition on Beltane. Built of 9 different types of wood, the fire is placed in the center of a nine square grid in which the outer eight squares have been dug out. Jumping through the smoke of the May fire is said to purify the sole.

A Traditional Beltane Ritual

Before the dawn on May ST, Gather an earthen bowl, a tall red candle, a Lagu rune, a pitcher of spring water, matches and appropriate incenses and fresh sprigs as you desire.

Find a place of balance, where you feel you can blend in the best.

Set up your alter space with the earthen bowl in the center. Place the candle and rune in the bowl, and the pitcher of water on the side of your dominant hand. I.E., if you are left handed it goes on the left, if you are right handed it goes on the right. Place the matches on the other side.

While you wait for the sunrise, visualize yourself as a physical part of the environment around you. Meditate on the harmonies around you.

As the first light breaks, light the candle, then pour the water into the bowl, without extinguishing the candle. As you do this reflect on the union of the earth that it symbolizes, and the strength that the coming light has to offer, and all it will produce.

Mid-Summer Solstice
June ST
The Mid-summer solstice marks the time when the flower opens and is fertilized, and is a time of sanctification, celebrating the greatest strength of the sun. Day break on the day of the solstice should be recognized for it is the beginning of the longest day of the year. High Noon should also be celebrated for that is when the Sun's power peaks.

As the flower opens is prepares itself to receive fertilization. Tradition tells us that placing nine flowers under your pillow the night before the solstice, and you will receive prophetic dreams.
The Mid-summer solstice is a good time to harvest herbs and practice rune magic.

Lammas
August ST
Lammas in the celebration of the completed cycle, when the seed reached maturity, and the harvest begins to ripen.
A traditional Lammas story, The mystery of John Barleycorn tells of the physical reality and spirit of grain, as it is cut down, reborn, grows into old age and is cut down again, but turned into the sacred drink and the staff of life.
Lammas signifies regeneration at the place of original creation. A good time to start back at the beginning, or initiate a new beginning.

Autumn Equinox
Sept ST
As the seed ripens, so begins this indeterminate period between the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. A time of Idle rest, the Autumn Equinox marks the start of most Hibernation periods for many animals.