2006-10-01 13:03:39 · 15 answers · asked by CHEYENNE 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Pagans celebrate eight major holidays a year, which we call "sabbats". You will probably find by looking at the list of holidays below that some look familiar. That is because these holidays existed long before the Christian faith came along. When the Roman's were trying to outlaw paganism thousands of years ago, many pagan holidays were changed into what we now celebrate as "Christian" holidays. But many of the actual reasons they were celebrated stayed the same. Here is a list of our Major Sabbats, and when they occur.
Samhain (October 31st) - This is the Pagan "new year", and it marks the end of one year and the beginning of another. During this time we honor those who have passed away from us, and also recognize the changing of the seasons. We try to let go of bad habits at Samhain (pronounced SOW-en), and try to focus on things that need to be changed in our lives. This is also the time of the "death" of the Sun God, who will be reborn at Yule.
Yule (December 21) - This holiday is essentially our "Christmas" celebration. We celebrate by lighting the Yule log, and watching the sun rise (which symbolizes the Sun God's rebirth on this day). Since this sabbat celebrates the winter solstice, we celebrate the beginning of light returning to the earth. We celebrate this holiday by exchanging gifts, decorating a tree, hanging wreaths and mistletoe, singing, feasting, and making merry!
Imbolc (February 2) - Imbolc (pronounced IM-bolk) is the time when pagans celebrate the renewing fertility of the earth. As winter slowly turns to spring, we are reminded that life is about to burst forth. We celebrate Imbolc by planting seeds, or beginning new projects...anything that focuses on the "beginning" of things.
Ostara (March 21) - Ostara (pronounced oh-STAR-ah) is almost celebrated the same as Easter is. On this day we celebrate renewed life and fertility by boiling and decorating eggs, going on egg hunts, and blessing seeds for growth. Anything which celebrates fertility and growth!
Beltane (April 30) - This day is symbolic to us of the God and Goddess uniting in a handfasting (marriage). In this act, they help the Earth to burst forth with life and growth. We celebrate Beltane by dancing around the maypole, or wearing flowers or foliage in their hair, or by bringing flowers into the house.
Litha (June 21) - Litha (pronounced LEE-tha) is the summer solstice, and is generally not celebrated as much as the other sabbats are. This day marks where the God and Goddess are at their peak, but soon the days will grow shorter and shorter. In the past pagans would celebrate this night with a large bonfire, but recently it is only marked with love spells and rituals, and rituals involving nature.
Lammas (August 2) - Lammas is the first harvest festival for pagans. It is the day when rationally the first grain was cut. It is traditional to celebrate this day by baking bread or other "grain" foods. We also celebrate by holding great feasts to celebrate the bountiful harvest, and decorating our houses with autumn decorations.
Mabon (September 21) - The second harvest festival for pagans. It is held on the Autumn equinox to celebrate the last fruits and harvest of the year. Feasts are also held in celebration, but to a more solemn extent. Cornucopias are a popular decoration, as are ears of corn, gourds, pumpkins, and other late season vegetables.
In addition to the above eight major sabbats, most Pagans also celebrate "Esbats" which are held once a month to celebrate the moon. While the sabbats celebrate the "God" aspect, the Esbats celebrate the "Goddess" aspect. Esbats are generally held on the full moon.
2006-10-01 13:06:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
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2006-10-01 13:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by Mama R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Yule, Ostara, Litha, Mabon. That's the 8 major Esbats of the year. There are also the 13 Sabbats (full moons) of the year, as well as 13 new mooon Sabbats that are recognized by some Pagans. All in all, I count 34.
)O(
Belladonna:
I've always learned the full and new moons were the Sabbats, while the seasonal and counterseasonal holidays were Esbats. We likely follow different trads. ;p
2006-10-01 13:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
You mean besides the usual 8 modern Sabbats? And do you count the Esbats?
There's Saturnalia, Lupercalia, Dyonisia aka Bacchanalia, Aphrodesia, the Lesser and Greater Eleusian Mystery Festivals..
What are you asking exactly?
Honestly dear, it's a holiday almost every day.
2006-10-02 09:50:04 · answer #4 · answered by kaplah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I answered this one before:
Holidays include:
Samhain (prononced sow-wen) Celebrated on Oct. 31 as a celebration of those who have gone before us and have left this realm. Also a great time for divinations of any kind as the veil between this world and the next is thinnest at this time.
Yule: Celbrated around Dec. 21 or 22 depending on when the solstice is that year as a celebration of the return of sunlight as the days are now beginning to get longer.
Imbolc or Candlemas: Celebrated on Feb. 2 as the promise of spring is near and the goats produce full milk.
Ostara: Celebrated on March 20 or 21 or 22 depending on the year. Celebrated as the spring equinox. Holiday of fertility and new life as the spring brings things to rebirth.
Beltane or May Day: Celebrated on May 1 as the most fertile time of year. Sexuality, Love, and Fertility are the central themes of this holiday.
Litha or Midsummer: Celebrated on June 21 or 22 depending on the year. Celebrates the summer solstice. The earth is the strongest during this time and crops are ripe.
Lammas or Lughnasadh: Celebrated on Aug.1 as a bread holiday celebrating the first harvests of grain.
Mabon: Celebrated on Sep. 22 as the fall equinox and marks the second harvest. Emphasis on Apples, berries, wine and nuts. It is a time for giving thanks.
These are the 8 Sabbats that pagans celebrate. Also celebrated are each month's full moon. These celebrations are known as esbats.
Any questions? Just email me. : )
2006-10-01 13:08:58 · answer #5 · answered by Spookshow Baby 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
If you go by the strict definition of Pagan (anything not in the big three) and not just the Wiccan\Neo-Pagan wheel of the year there are several each month. Someone is always celebrating something.
2006-10-01 13:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's really more than can be lsited here - it depends on the religion and the associated culture. If you're looking at Wicca and it's close cousins, you have the 8 solar (sabbats) and 13 lunar (esbats) that others have mentioned. If you're looking at, for example, the Roman culture, you've got things like Lupercalia and Saternalia. If you're looking at the Irish culture, there's 4 main "fire festivals": Beltaine, Lughnasadh, Samhain, and Imbolc.
2006-10-02 01:39:32 · answer #7 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Samhain, Yule, Candlemas, Ostera, Beltane, Mid Summer, Lughnasadh and Mabon
Pagan rebirth:
Full moons are Esbats not sabbats
2006-10-01 13:06:34 · answer #8 · answered by Belladonna 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All 8 - Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain, Yule. All in calendar order.
2006-10-02 06:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by Seph7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of them--There is no holiday that is not tainted by paganism, man-made traditions and commerialism. How can the God of truth be pleased with them?--The truth is, he can't.
2006-10-01 13:34:23 · answer #10 · answered by Micah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋