Phases of the moon
Whether you believe in the power of the Moon or not deep in our subconscious minds is buried the knowledge that the Moon does have real power over our lives, our moods and actions - look how it influences the tides, hence the association with water. Bearing in mind that our bodies are made of approximately 70% water perhaps it is not surprising that the Moon can also affect us quite dramatically.
The Moon plays an important part in Witchcraft. There are 13 Pagan moons in one year - one occurring roughly every 28 days. Witches traditionally celebrate the New and Full Moons. The moon celebrations and rituals are known as Esbats.
Different phases of the moon are used for different purposes. If you were trying to increase something in your life, for example love, wealth, good health or knowledge then you would work with the period from the New to the Full moon (known as the waxing moon. However the night of the Full moon is the most powerful for Magick. If you were wishing to banish something from your life, illness, bad habits, problems etc., you would work from after the Full moon up until the night before the New moon (known as the waxing moon). In every day life you can let the moon guide you. Re-pot or plant things during a waxing moon to help them grow strong. Cut your hair coinciding again with the waxing moon to ensure it grows back strong and healthy.
The eight sabbats
Wicca is both a religion and a Craft. As a religion - like any other religion, its purpose is to put the individual and the group in harmony with the Divine creative principle of the Cosmos, and its manifestations, at all levels. As a Craft, its purpose is to achieve practical ends by psychic means, for good, useful and healing purposes.
Witches on the whole, enjoy ritual - and they are naturally joyful people. Like worshippers of other religions, they find that appropriate ritual uplifts and enriches them. Their rituals tend to be more varied than other faiths'. Fortunately, a framework exists which is common to all paths of Wicca: the Eight Festivals (Sabbats). The sabbats are the witches' way of celebrating, and putting themselves in tune with, the tides and cycles of the Natural world.
The witches' Sabbats are eight:
- IMBOLC, 2nd February
- SPRING EQUINOX, 21st March
- BELTAINE, 30th April
- MIDSUMMER, 22nd June
- LUGHNASADH, 31st July
- AUTUMN EQUINOX, 21st September
- SAMHAIN, 31st October
- YULE, 22nd December.
Of these Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain are the 'Greater Sabbats'; the Equinoxes and Solstices the 'Lesser Sabbats'.