7th of September, 2025
Witch's Calendar (Sabbats/Esbats/Lunar Events)
Sabbats are the eight major festivals of the year derived from the ancient Celtic or western European (German) traditions and from the four seasonal transitions of the year. Sabbats create a cycle of holidays called the Wheel of the Year.
Each Sabbat is an opportunity to worship gods/goddesses/deities, welcome changes of nature, draw on spiritual powers, and practice healing magic.
History of Sabbats:
There was not much history I could find about the history of Sabbat. However, it was founded by Gerald Gardner, the founder of wicca, and Ross Nichols in the 1950s. The term sabbat is partially taken from the Hebrew word Sabbath.
Some historians theorize that the decorative connotation of Sabbat as it was applied to heretics and witches was possibly anti-semitic since Jewish people were also classified as heretics/evil by Christians.
Wheel of the Year:
The Wheel of the Year consists of Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain. A guide to the Wheel of the Year is reposted above.
Esbats are monthly celebrations/rituals revolving the cycles of the moon. Typically, they are celebrated every new moon/full moon
Celebrations involve honoring the Goddess of the moon, visualizing goals for oneself, offerings, giving thanks, casting spells, and reflecting on personal growth.
History of Esbats:
I could not find much history on Esbats. However, it was also created by Gerald Gardner. Esbat is of French origin derived from the word s'esbattre.
Calendar (2025):
There's at least one full moon/lunar event and one new moon each month. For example, September 7th is a full moon known as the "Corn moon" The calendar of new moons and full moons/lunar events is reposted above.
A calendar for the following year is linked here.