*Samhain,"sow-in" (All Hallow's eve, Festival of the dead, the third Harvest)- Oct. 31 (for some Nov. 1st) Traditional foods: havest fruits,vegtables, pumkins, squash, apples, turnups, mead, honey bear. Many decorate their homes and altars with ageing plants and flowers that range in colors from yellow to brown (i.e. Marigolds). Sabbat Meaning: The third harvest,The veil between the two worlds is thin so loved ones from the invisible world can join in the celebration. It represents the end of one cycle and the beging of another. Also, breeding seasons of both wild and domestic animals. During this time we honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort. As well as our ansestors and loved ones that have passed on. Some still follow old tradition and leave food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Extra chairs were set to the table for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke are very active during this time of the year as well as beltane (the other "spirit night"), pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. This is what sparked the tradition of wearing a costume. To escape being tricked by the unseen creatures while the veil is thin as well as honoring them and uniting the living with the dead..

Yule

Winter Solstice (Yule, Midwinter)- on the first day of winter. Traditional foods: Sabbat Meaning: Celebration of death & rebirth of the sun god, or Oak king ( the life giver), He overcomes depresson and despare. Burning the yule log symbolizes the coming of the sun. The god of the waning year(holly king) is defeated by the god of the waxing year(oak king). For the goddess aspect, she who was death in life at midsummer is now the life in death aspect. She is also the queen of the cold darkness, this is also the time she gives birth to the son/lover who will re-fertilize her & bring light & warmth back into her realm. The Yule log traditionaly is the highlight of the festival. Ash also known as Yggdrasil a representation of the sun is the traditional tree used for winter solstice. The log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift. Once placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal folage, doused with mead, cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze be a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out.

Imbolc

*(Imbolic, "Im-bulk" Lady day)Candlemas the christian change- Feb. 2 Traditional foods:Foods which represent growth, such as seeds, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, etc,) poppyseed breads and cakes, and herbal teas. Sabbat Meaning:'Imbolc' means, literally, 'in the belly' (of the Mother). For in the womb of Maiden, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. 'Oimelc' means 'milk of ewes', for it is also lambing season. Lambs and many other heard animals are either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. Imbolc is the “Festival of the Maiden or Festival of Lights”. Corn dollies are created in honor of all virgin and maiden goddesses. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural as well as magickal tools & marks the center point of the dark half of the year.

Ostara

Spring Equinox (Vernal Equinox, Festival of the trees, Ostara) on first day of spring. Traditional foods: Hard boiled eggs, honey cakes, the fruits of the season, milk and fruit punch. Sabbat Meaning:Night and day stand in perfect balance, with the powers of light on the ascendancy. The god of light now wins a victory over his twin, the god of darkness.

Beltane

*Beltane "B'yal-t'n" (May day)-May 1 Traditional foods: Red fruits (such as cherries and strawberries), salads, red or pink wine pnch, and large, round oatmeal or barley (cakes, muffens, cookies). Sabbat Meaning:breeding seasons of both wild and domestic animals

Litha

Summer Solstice (Mid-summer, Litha) on first day of summer. Traditional foods: Fresh vegetables, summer fruits, pumpernickel bread, ale and mead. Great herbs for this night; rue, roses, St. John's wort, vervain and trefoil. Sabbat Meaning:a solstice is an astronomical point and, due to the calendar creep of the leap-year cycle, the date may vary by a few days depending on the year. The summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer, and we experience the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Astrologers know this as the date on which the sun enters the sign of Cancer. The two chief icons of this holiday is the spear (symbol of the Sun-God in his glory) and the summer cauldron (symbol of the Goddess in her bounty).

Lughnassad

*(Lughnasadh, "loo n'sar" First Harvest, Lammas the christian change)- August 1 Traditional foods: Homemade breads (wheat, oat, and corn bread, barley cakes), nuts, wild berries, apples, rice, roasted lamb, berry pies, elderberry wine, ale, and meadowsweet tea. Sabbat Meaning:The first harvest,

Mabon

Autumn Equinox (Second Harvest) on the first day of fall. Traditional foods: Sabbat Meaning: The second harvest, equal night & equal day, equal male & equal female, good time for sex magic

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