Sabbats and Esbats
Sabbats and Esbats are holidays of the Pagan calendar, often ascribed to Wicca in particular.
The Esbats are thirteen in number, and are celebrated on nights when the moon is full-- they are generally considered to be 'working' holidays, when it is appropriate to make use of the full moon's power to do magic.
The Sabbats are eight in number, and are considered to be major holidays, meant to be spent in ritual celebration and contemplation. They are split into the quarter days, which correspond to the astrological height of each season, and the cross-quarter days, which correspond to the solstices and the equinoxes between seasons. The cross-quarter days are often held to be more important than the quarter days, though all eight are commonly celebrated. The Sabbats are often depicted as spokes upon the Wheel of the Year.
The eight Sabbats are, in order of occurrence:
The Esbats are thirteen in number, and are celebrated on nights when the moon is full-- they are generally considered to be 'working' holidays, when it is appropriate to make use of the full moon's power to do magic.
The Sabbats are eight in number, and are considered to be major holidays, meant to be spent in ritual celebration and contemplation. They are split into the quarter days, which correspond to the astrological height of each season, and the cross-quarter days, which correspond to the solstices and the equinoxes between seasons. The cross-quarter days are often held to be more important than the quarter days, though all eight are commonly celebrated. The Sabbats are often depicted as spokes upon the Wheel of the Year.
The eight Sabbats are, in order of occurrence: