We hold two kinds of regular rituals: rituals of worship, called Esbats, and rituals of celebration, called Sabbats. Esbats are private rituals, open only to members of a coven or (at times) of the coven and its grove), and are held at times determined by the cycles of the moon (the symbol of the divine feminine). Sabbats are public rituals, and may be attended by anyone who desires to attend; this is so that we can demonstrate the sacredness and joy of our path to those mundane people who may attend. They are held at times determined by the cycle of the sun (the symbol of the divine masculine).
Esbats are lunar celebrations, held at night at the time of each full and/or new moon. Esbats are always held skyclad, are always private, and are usually held indoors for comfort and privacy. A coven may elect to open some of its Esbats to the members of its grove, which is the group of students working with the coven but not yet fully bonded members of it. The Esbat ritual has several purposes: to worship the Goddess and God, to perform magickal workings that require -- or work better with -- the energies of the whole coven, to share the members’ concerns and joys, and to re-bond the members of the coven with each other. It is interesting that the word "esbat" comes from the old French word "esbatre", which means "to frolic."
Sabbats are solar celebrations, based on the solstices and equinoxes (called the lesser Sabbats) and the four "cross-quarter" days (the greater sabbats). Each of the eight Sabbat rituals celebrates some aspect of each of the four worthies; for example, we celebrate the the season’s events in the lives of the Goddess and God, and we relate those events to the lives of ourselves, the people in our community, and our mother the Earth.
The table below summarizes the Sabbats and the "events" in the lives of the God and Goddess with which they correspond:
| Solar Event | Sabbat Name | God Event | Goddess Event | Symbols |
|
Winter Solstice (around December 21) |
Yule | The Young God is born from the Mother Goddess in the underworld. | In retreat in the underworld, the Goddess gives birth to the young God, and becomes the Crone. |
Evergreen tree, holly, yule log |
|
none (February 1 - 2) |
Imbolc | The Young God takes up his life in the wood. | The Goddess returns to the earth as the Maiden to prepare the earth for new life in the spring. |
Wreath of candles, well of Brigid |
|
Spring Equinox (around March 21) |
Oestara | The Young God mates with and impregnates the Maiden Goddess, beginning his passionate love affair with her. | The Maiden mates with the Young God, receiving his seed into her womb and beginning her passionate love affair with him. |
Eggs, rabbits, flowers (especially wildflowers) |
|
none (April 30 - May 1) |
Beltane | The Young God marries the Maiden and assumes his role as God-King and consort. | The Maiden marries the Young God, becoming the Mother Goddess. |
Maypole (the lingam), Shiela na-gig (the yoni) |
|
Summer Solstice (around June 21) |
Litha | The God-King celebrates the strength and power of the midsummer sun, giving his energy to the land. | The Mother shares in her consort's power, ensuring the earth's fertility for the fall harvest. |
Sun wheel, flame |
|
none (August 1 - 2) |
Lughnasadh or Lammas |
The great feast of the God-King in celebration of the first harvest. | The Mother joins with the God to celebrate the feast of the first harvest. |
Shocks of wheat, corn stalks, the cornucopia |
|
Fall Equinox (around September 21) |
Mabon | Weakening from giving his energies to the season of growth, the God-King becomes the Sacrificed God. | The Mother, alone, leads the people in celebrating the year's most productive harvest. |
Dried harvest stalks, gourds, the wicker man |
|
none (October 31 - November 1) |
Samhain | The God completes his sacrifice by giving his life so that the land can regenerate in the following year. | The Mother Goddess gathers the earth's resources to prepare for the coming winter. |
Cauldron of rebirth, besom (broom), scrying kettle |