SABBATS (Masterpost)

Sabbats mark the passage of the sun, representing the cycles of life and death through The Wheel of the Year and the Triple Moon Goddess. There are eight of ‘em in total and to be perfectly honest, they can be a little tricky to grasp at first because their names and dates vary depending on your path and your location in the world. This is because of the difference between the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres. See, The Wheel of the Year originated in the North so, in the Southern Hemisphere, most people advance Sabbat dates so that they match up with the natural seasons and their meanings. For example, while a Canadian Pagan like myself would be celebrating Samhain in chilly autumn, an Australian Pagan would be enjoying a nice late spring day celebrating Beltane.  However, there are some in the South who still celebrate with the original Northern dates.

The Sabbats are split up into two different groups called the Greater Sabbats and the Lesser Sabbats. The Greater includes Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas because they fall on dates that represent high energy in its season. The Lesser Sabbats are Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon because they fall on the equinoxes and solstices marking the changes of the four seasons on Earth. Below is a simplified list for now and over the next couple of posts I’ll be covering each in greater detail, STARTING with Imbolc just because it’s right around the corner for me! (•̀ᴗ•́)و 

1. IMBOLC (IMBOLG, CANDLEMAS, BRIGID’S DAY)
   northern hemisphere date is February 1-2
   southern hemisphere date is July 31/August 1
   
   
2. OSTARA (SPRING EQUINOX)
   northern hemisphere date is March 20-23
   southern hemisphere date is September 20-23
   
   
3. BELTANE (MAY DAY, NOVEY EVE)
   northern hemisphere date is May 1st
   southern hemisphere date is October 31/November 1
   
   
4. LITHA (SUMMER SOLSTICE)
   northern hemisphere date is June 21/22
   southern hemisphere date is December 21/22 
   
   
5. LAMMAS (LUGHNASADH)
   northern hemisphere date is July 31/August 1
   southern hemisphere date is February 1-2
   
   
6. MABON (AUTUMN EQUINOX)
   northern hemisphere date is September 20-23
   southern hemisphere date is March 20-23
   
   
7. SAMHAIN (HALLOWEEN / ALL HALLOW’S EVE)
   northern hemisphere date is October 31
   southern hemisphere date is April 30/May 1
   
   
8. YULE (WINTER SOLSTICE)
   northern hemisphere date is December 20-23
   southern hemisphere date is June 20-23
   

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