WITCHES HOLIDAYS

January 24th, 2008 | → Filed under Information |

New Moon - The Moon’s un-illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse).
 Waxing Crescent - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.
 First Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.
 Waxing Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is increasing.
 Full Moon - The Moon’s illuminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight.
 Waning Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but not fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.
 Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.
 Waning Crescent - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon’s disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

The Moon. For Wiccans, it is far more than a heavenly body that might catch our eye as we drive home late at night, its fullness shining through trees or brightly overhead. For many Wiccan, she is the embodiment of the Goddess, she is Maiden, Mother and Crone.

It is also an important source of natural energy that is essential in magick, if you perform your spells and rituals at the right lunar phase. Performing spells during the wrong phase of the moon can seriously debilitate the spell, producing no result or possibly the wrong result.

The cycle of the Moon, is approximately 28 1/2 days long, waxing to Full Moon and waning to New Moon.

Waxing Moon means the moon is getting larger in the sky, moving from the New Moon towards the Full Moon. This is a time for spells that attract, that bring positive change, spells for love, good luck, growth. This is a time for new beginnings, to conceptualize ideas, to invoke. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Maiden aspect, give praise to Epona, Artemis or one of the other Maiden Goddesses. The period of the waxing moon lasts about 14 days.

Full Moon is when the moon has reached its zenith, it forms a perfect silvery sphere in the sky. This is a time for spells that transform, increase psychic ability, for fertility spells and invocation to lunar goddesses. This is a time of strength, love and power. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Mother aspect, give praise to Cerridwen, Isis or one of the other Mother Goddesses. The period of the Full Moon lasts from about 3 days before to 3 days after the actual full moon.

Waning Moon means the moon is decreasing in size, moving from the Full Moon towards the New Moon. This is a time for spells that banish, release, reverse. This is a time to break bad habits or bad addictions, to end bad relationships. This is a time of deep intuition and a time for divination. At this time the moon represents the Goddess in her Crone Aspect, give praise to Hecate, Morrigan or one of the other Crone Goddesses. The period of the waning moon lasts about 14 days.

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Sabbats

Samhain (Holloween) - October 31
Samhain is the Wiccan New Year, and is one of the four major holidays of Wicca. [Pronounced "Sow-hen or Sow-in"]. At this time, the God passes into the otherworld to be reborn to the Goddess at Yule. The division between the worlds is thin, and it is a time to remember one’s ancestors and to reflect on the past year. In the past, it was at this time that animals were slaughtered for food during the winter and the tribal chief took part in the ritual as the King Stag.

Yule (Winter Solstice) - circa December 20-23
Yule is a time of rebirth and renewal. At Yule, the Goddess gives birth to her son, the God who is symbolized by the sun. His birth brings hope and the promise of the coming summer. Yule is a remnant of older rituals which hurried the end of winter and the coming of spring.

Imbolc (Brigid, Candlemas) - Feb. 2
Imbolc is one of the four major holidays of Wicca. Imbolc marks the growth of the God into a strong boy, as the days grow longer and the sun gets stronger. It also marks the recovery of the Goddess from giving birth to the God. It is a time of initiation, a beginning, as the seeds begin to wake from their winter sleep. Traditionally many initation rituals and self-dedication rituals are done at this time.

Ostara (Eostar,The Spring Equinox) - circa March 20-23
The Spring Equinox marks the first day of spring. It is the time when the God grows to maturity. The night and day are equal, therefore it is a time of balance when our lives can be brought into harmony. It is a time of beginnings of action.

Beltane (May Eve) - April 30
Beltane is one of the four major holidays of Wicca. Beltane is the emergence of the God into manhood. He falls in love with the Goddess, and their union results in the Goddess being with child. Beltane is a celebration of their coupling and the fertility of the Earth Goddess and all living things. Beltane marks the return of vitality and passion.

Litha (Summer Solstice, Midsummer) - circa June 20-23
Midsummer falls on the longest day of the year. On this day the God begins his journey towards death as the days begin to get shorter. In the past, bonfires were leapt to encourage fertility, health, and love.

Lammas (Lughnasadh) - August 1
Lammas is one of the four major holidays of Wicca. Lammas is the celebration of the successful growing season. The grain is ripe, but is just beginning to be harvested. The God loses strength as the days grow shorter. It is a time to address and overcome fears and anxiety.

Mabon (Autumn Equinox) - circa September 20-23
Mabon is the celebration of a successful harvest. Once again, night and day are equal. It is a time to address the balance in our lives and to be thankful for our success. The God continues to fade with the sun, while the Goddess mourns his loss but rejoices in her pregnancy.

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Esbats

January is the time of the Wolf Moon

The name comes from the time of year, a time when wolves would run close to habitation looking for food. This is a month to protect your own and make sure they don’t go without. Think of others and ask if they need help. If you have an altar, place pictures of family and friends on it, dress it in burgundy and place apples on it; perhaps try to mend rifts with those who you know you should be talking to!

February is the time of the Storm Moon

What a marvellous month for love! A time for self love and also to find and bind your love. Forgive yourself under the full storm moon for not being perfect, and rejoice in just being you. Take time to meditate this month and pamper yourself just a little, the months of warmth and play are still a little way ahead. Place shades of blue on your alter for this month, try using a small quilt as an alter cloth to invoke the true spirit of winter.

March is the time of the Chaste Moon

Light and dark are balanced in the month of March and now is the time for new beginnings, any projects you wanted to start, well this is the month for them. Now is the time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Remember the child of yesterday, and perhaps do something that you haven’t done in years - and when you laugh out loud, stop and think just how much better you feel for doing it. Adorn your altar with white this month and place white candles on it to signify purity and innocence.

April is the time of the Seed Moon

This is a time to believe in you. You started your new venture, now have faith that all will be well. Self confidence and self belief are riding high this month, and you should be on the top of that wave. The spring is here and if those bulbs can get through the cold of the snow and the frost to appear in all their beauty for you to see, then you my friend can do the same. A month for covering your alter in greens and some of the flowers that are starting to appear for all to see. Remember, always ask permission before you cut flowers, and never take more than you truly need as they are happiest in the open.

May is the time of the Hare Moon

This is the time to use your psychic ability, if you don’t think you have it then you are wrong. I believe that we all have some psychic ability, whether it’s being able to read the tarot cards or knowing when your mum is going to turn up and your house is a mess. So take this time to practice trying new things or packs of cards, join a circle and just let yourself go with the flow. Also a very good month for fertility, look at nature - love is in the air. Dress your altar for this month in gold and silver; add a small statue of a hare if you have one or a picture if not.

June is the time of the Mead Moon

A good month to look at how far you have come in the year so far. This is a time to see the birth of all those seeds you have planted. A time to look at nature working hard and to follow suit. Now is not the time to rest, you must keep going. Look at the first 6 months of the year and perhaps change a few things that aren’t working and bring in some new things you haven’t had time to try yet. Cover your altar in oranges, yellows and ambers this month and think of honey; perhaps place a few feathers on your alter for this full moon.

July is the time of the Wort Moon

Go for it, prosperity spells, wealth spells and any success you may wish to gain in the second half of this year - now is the time to bring it up front and centre. But make sure you are also starting to prepare for the colder months ahead. This month is as much about looking forward as it is backwards. Wort translated from Anglo-Saxon means herb, and now is the time to smell, pick and place fresh herbs on your altar for this full moon with a cloth of deep orange.

August is the time of the Barley Moon

This is a month to gather your harvest, to reflect on what you have done so far, and thank the appropriate people - people in the background, those who support you, work with you, or just understand that you are who you are. The Harvest proves a very important point - that every year the barley grows from seed to kernel that will feed and nourish us throughout the year and we must thank the land for all that we have received. Your full moon alter should be dressed in yellow and gold with some harvest fruits and seeds, perhaps a few photos of family here and gone.

September is the time of the Wine Moon

Once again, dark and light are balanced so this is an excellent month for meditation. It is said that wine was an aid to getting in touch with spirit, so this is the month you need to do all your connection work. Obviously we don’t expect you to drink to use your cards or channel, but if you need to brush up on your skills or maybe dedicate a little more time, then do it now. Your altar this month should be covered in purple and lavender, try purple candles and perhaps some dried lavender flowers too.

October is the time of the Blood Moon

In ancient times hunting was a necessity, nowadays the only place we have to chase our meat is to the nearest supermarket - but that doesn’t mean we can’t give thanks for it, even the vegetables we eat have their lives cut short. So now is a time to give thanks for the hunt. Your cloth for this month should be red, scarlet or brown. Give thanks for all you have received and place autumn leaves and perhaps a pumpkin on your altar too.

November is the time of the Snow Moon

Mother earth is now at peace, she has given us food and warmth during the past year and she wishes to rest under a blanket of whitest snow. Take time to finish things that you have been meaning to do for the past few months, (filing all the paperwork in my house)! Since the nights are longer now, we spend more time in the house and we should be preparing for the coldest months. A good covering for your alter is a warm blanket and onions, carrots and vegetables that grow under the ground for this full moon month.

December is the time of the Oak Moon

Though we think of December as a dark month, it is also the time of the returning of the sun. A very special month in many ways, and we ask you to remember those who have less than you. Try to organise a meal with loved ones and ask that everyone brings something so it doesn’t all fall on your head. A time to be with the ones we love, to get ready for the new years arrival and the start of the cycle again. Cover your altar in white and yellow to represent spirit, and the coming of the sun for this full moon celebration.

Blue Moon

This is the month that has two full moons that we will use for our wishes. It falls in a different month each year but it is a very powerful moon. The blue moon is always the second of the full moons in the corresponding month. We need to write down aims and goals for the up and coming year. Place them in an envelope and don’t look at them until the next blue moon. Dress your blue moon alter in the colours that correspond to the month it falls into, and place flowers and fruits from that month, also place pictures of things you would like in your life. Stay real here, and keep it down to earth.