Ready?  Then let’s begin.  Esbats are the rituals done in celebration of the cycle of the moon.  Whereas Sabbats celebrate the cycle of the seasons.  Both are equally important as a form of balance.

As a general rule of thumb, Esbats are held on the night of the full moon, or within 1-2 days before or after it.  However, some covens hold Esbats on the night of the new or dark moon.  And still others recognize and hold Esbats on both the full and the new moon.

In many covens, the High Priestess will "Draw Down the Moon" as part of the ritual on this night.  This is the time for healings, magickal workings, and for teaching.  Esbats are a time for consecrations as well.

Since you are learning, I recommend celebrating the full moon Esbat.  It is a time of growth, honoring what we have received.  Do any spellwork during the waxing phase of the moon.  The waxing phase is the period between the new moon and the full moon.

The waning period (full moon to dark moon) is a period of rest, to meditate and contemplate on what you’ve learned.  As a general rule, the only spellwork done at this time should be to banish negative things.  BUT, having said that, if someone needs healing, don’t wait until the waxing moon - it’s okay to do it now.  As I said, these are general rules of thumb.

Where the Esbats are working rituals, Sabbats are celebratory rituals.  You now know the myth and general ritual happenings for each Sabbat.  But there is more to knowing a Sabbat than that.  You don’t connect with the cycles of the seasons by knowing these things.  Just as the seasons have cycles, so do our lifes.  Yes, the seasonal cylces do affect us on a yearly basis, but life itself is also a cycle.

That is the focus of this lesson.  Your homework: find a viable meaning for each Sabbat.  Look to the lore, to the current practices.  What is it that strikes a cord with you?  When you’re done, decide how to give meaning to each Sabbat based upon your perceptions.
 
 

© 2001 Mother