Witches Sabbats 2009 (Northern Hemisphere)

2009
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
FEB 2 (this date stays the same each year)	Candlemas	Greater	High	This sabbat marks the first signs of life returning to the land. The strong and growing young Sun God has been nursing at the Mother Goddess’ breast as a child; now the Goddess exchanges her robes for those of the Maiden. As one of the four “fire festivals,” candles are lit to sweep away the winter darkness.	Imbolc (“in the belly”), Oimelc (“milk of ewes”), Brigid’s Day, Brigit, Bride’s Day, Brigantia, and Lupercalia (Lupercus was the God of shepherds in Roman mythology and was associated with goats and dogs; he was identified with Faunus, the equivalent of the Greek God Pan)	“Old Style” is when the sun has reached fifteen degrees Aquari­us (FEB 4; this date varies each year)
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
MAR 20 (this date varies each year as it falls on the Spring/ Vernal Equi­nox)	Lady Day	Lesser	Low	This celebration occurs when day and night are equal and light is on the ascendant. The Maiden Goddess welcomes the grown Sun God’s embraces and conceives a child to be born in nine months at the next Winter Solstice. This festival also celebrates the marriage of the Goddess and the God (except in climates where it is too cold for outside rituals).	“Ostara” or “Eostara,” which are historically incorrect (the festi­val of the Goddess “Eostar” is separate and is best celebrated on the Spring/ Vernal Equinox full moon or esbat), Earrach Eilir, and Festival of Trees	None
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
MAY 1 (this date stays the same each year)	Beltane	Greater	High	This celebration signals the time of year when the crops sown on Lady Day begin to sprout, the animals bear their young, and the people begin to get out of their houses. For people in northern climes, the marriage of the Maiden Goddess and the Sun God is now celebrated. One of the four “fire festivals,” bonfires are lighted. Activities center around fecundity and procreation, such as the maypole.	May Day	“Old Style” is when the sun has reached fifteen degrees Taurus (MAY 4; this date varies each year)
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
JUN 21 (this date varies each year as it falls on the Summer Solstice)	Mid-Summer’s Eve	Lesser	Low	This is the longest day and shortest night of the year. From this time onwards, the days gradually grow shorter again. The Sun God is at the peak of his power. The bounty of the earth ripens, as does the Mother Goddess with Her child. This is a time for rest and play, a respite between the planting and harvesting of the crops.	Litha, Samradh, Alban Hefin, Aerra Litha, Mother Night, and St. John’s Eve	None
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
AUG 1 (this date stays the same each year)	Lammas	Greater	High	This sabbat is a celebration of the first harvest. One of the four “fire festivals,” fire wheels were often rolled down hills to mark the declining of the Sun God’s power. The Mother Goddess watches in sorrow and joy as she realizes that the Sun God is dying, and yet lives on inside Her as Her child.	Lugh­nassah, Lugh­nasadh, Lamastide, First Harvest, Bread Harvest, and Festival of First Fruits	“Old Style” is when the sun has reached fifteen degrees Leo (AUG 6; this date varies each year)
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
SEP 22 (this date varies each year as it falls on the Fall/ Autumn Equi­nox)	Harvest Home	Lesser	Low	This sabbat is a celebration and thanksgiving of the second harvest and a time of rest after hard work. Once more the balance of day and night are equal with darkness on the ascendant. The Sun God dies, but his power is preserved in the spirit of the fields, trapped and crystallized in the barley and corn. The Goddess takes on the aspect of the Crone, the old and wise one who stands at the crossroads of life and death, all-seeing and all-knowing.	Mabon, Foghar, Alban Elfed, Second Harvest, Fruit Harvest, and Wine Harvest	None
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
OCT 31 (this date stays the same each year)	All Hallow’s Eve	Greater	High	This festival marks the beginning and end of the pagan year. It is the beginning of the resting season of the land, a time of remembrance of those who have gone before, and a time to pierce the veil between the worlds and divine what the coming year holds. The Sun God waits in the Shining Land to be reborn and the Crone Goddess stirs the cauldron of life, death and rebirth.	All Hallows, Hallow E’en, Hallo­ween, Last Harvest, Blood Harvest, Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, Noson Calef Gaef, and Samhain	“Old Style” is when the sun has reached fifteen degrees Scorpio (NOV 6; this date varies each year)
Date	Name	Sabbat	Holiday	Celebration	Alt Names	Alt Date
DEC 21 (this date varies each year as it falls on the Winter Solstice)	Yule	Lesser	Low	This sabbat occurs on the longest night and shortest day, when the decreasing days give way to increasing light and life. The Goddess Mother once again gives birth to the new Sun God.	Mid-Winter’s Eve, Mid-Winter, Cuidle, Alban Arthan, and Winter Rite	None