Wiccans Days Of Power

In the Past, when people lived with nature, the turning of the seasons and the monthly cycle of the Moon had a huge impact on religious ceremonies. The moon was seen as a symbol of the Goddess, with ceremonies of adoration and magic took place in its light. The coming of winter, the first stirrings of spring, and the warm summer followed by the advent of fall were also marked with rituals.
The Wiccans, heirs of the pre-christian folk religions of Europe, still celebrate the Full Moon and observe the changing of the seasons. The Wiccan religious calendar contains 13 Full Moon celebrations and eight Sabbats or days of power.
The Four Sabbat - associated with agriculture and the bearing cycles of animals. Imoblc (Feb 2), Beltane (April 30), Lughnasadh (Aug 1) and Samhain (Oct 31). The names are Celtic and are quite common among Wiccans, though many other exist.
There are 12 to 13 Full Moons yearly, or one ever 28 1/4 days. The Moon is the symbol of the Goddess as well as a source of energy. So, after the religious aspects of the Esbats, Wiccans often practice magick, Tapping into the larger amounts of energy which are thought to exist at these times.

The Goddess gives birth to a son, the GOD, on Yule (cica December 21). This is no way associated with Christianity. Mithras was said to have been born on this day. The Christians simply adopted it for their use in 273 C.E. (Commen era). Yule is the shortest day of the year and is a time for the greatest darkness. Wiccans usually celebrate Yule just before dawn, then they watch the Sun rise as a finale to their efforts.
Imbolc (February 2) is the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth the the God. The long periods of light waken her. God is a young boy, and His power is felt in the longer days. This is the beggining of spring. This is a Sabbat of purification after the shut in life (or our cabin walls) of winter. This is also known as Feast of Torches, Oimelc, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Snowdrop Festival, Fewast of the Waxing Light, Brigid's day, and probably by many other names. Allot of female Wiccans follow the old Scandinavian custom of wearing crowns of lit candles. This is traditional times of initiations into covens, and also for dedication rituals.
Ostara (cica March 21), This is my favorite, is Spring Equinox, also known as Spring. (I love spring). Eostra's Day, marks the first day of true spring. On ostara the hours of day and night are equal. This is a time of beginnings, action, and planting spells for future gains, and tending ritual gardens. (or any garden you may have)
Beltan (April 30) marks the emergence of the young god into man hood. Our Goddess and God fall in love, make love in the grasses and blossoms uniting, fertility, and pregnancy. This is when our Goddes becomes pregnant with our God.
Beltane (also known as May day)
MidSummer, the Summer Solstice (circa June 21), also known as Litha. In the past bonfires were lept to encourage fertility, purifications, love and health. Midsummer is a classic time for magick rituals.
Lughnasadh (August 1) is the time of the first harvest, when the plants of spring wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure future crops. This day also known as August eve, Feast of bread, Harvest Home and Lammas, wesn't necessarily observed on this day.
Mabon (Circa September 21), the Autumn Equinox, is the completion of the harvest begun at Lughnasadh. Night and day are equal again during this time. Nature draws back, preparing it self for winter during this time.
Samhain (October 31), the Wicca say farewell to the God. This is of course temporary. He readies to be reborn again from the Goddess. Also known as november Eve, Feast of the Dead, Feats of Apples, hallows, and All Hallows, once marked the time of scarifice. In some places this is the time when animals were slaughtered to make sure there is enoug food for the winter. This is a time of looking back over the year, reflection, and coming of terms with the one phenomenon of life which we have no control = death. Wiccans feel on this night the sperations between the physical and spiritual realities is thin. We remember their ancestors and all those who have gone before this. After Samhain, we celebrate Yule, and so the whell of the year is complete.

One question I hear all the time is "Why is the God the son and then the lover of the goddess?" No this isnt incest. This is symbolism. In one of the wiccan myths the changing fertility of the Earth is represented by the Goddess and God. It speaks of the mysteries of birth, death and rebirth. It celebrates the wondrous aspects and beautiful effects of love, and honors women who perpetualte our speices. And very real dependence that humans have on the earth, the Sun and the Moon and of the effects of the seasons on our daliy lives.

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