Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book III: Wheel of the Year
The Festival Document ........................ 191
What Are the Sabbats? ......................... 192
Cycle of the Eight Sabbats (chart) ....... 193
Witch Sabbaths in Gardner’s Time ....... 194
1: Ostara (Spring Equinox) ......... 196
2. Beltaine (May Day) ................ 203
3. Litha (Summer Solstice) .......... 211
Table of Contents
The The Festival Festival Document
Document
There There shall shall be be Four Four Festivals Festivals in in all all all the the World, World,
World,
That will be the High Festivals of all the Faiths.
They shall be the Equinoxes and the Solstices,
And they will fall according to the Hemisphere in which they occur;
So that Spring and Autumn, Summer and Winter,
Are always in their proper place,
And do not depend upon the months and days of calendars.
Gifts may be exchanged at all of these Festivals,
And the particular symbols of each Faith may be attached,
So that these Festivals may fall in common to all.
In In the the Spring Spring Spring the the Equinox Equinox Equinox shall shall be be be celebrated celebrated at at Dawn,
Dawn,
When the sunlight falls on the Earth and quickens it to Life.
The Sunfire shall be lit, and appropriate gifts are
Candles and Seeds, Lamps and Plants.
In In the the Summer Summer the the Solstice Solstice should should be be celebrated celebrated at at Noon,
Noon,
When the World is in full glory and growth.
The Wine shall be bottled and drunk, and appropriate gifts are
Things to Drink, Fruits, Cups and Flowers.
In In the the the Autumn Autumn the the the Equinox Equinox should should be be celebrated celebrated celebrated at at Sunset,
Sunset,
When the sky begins to dim and the harvest is brought in.
Smokes are offered up, and appropriate gifts are
Scents and Seasonings, Incense and Animals.
In In the the Winter Winter the the Solstice Solstice should should be be celebrated celebrated at at at Midnight,
Midnight,
When seeds, wombs and houses are sealed like the grave.
Bread shall be baked and appropriate gifts are
Things to Eat, Cakes, Plates and Containers.
4. Lughnasadh (First Harvest) .... 220
5. Mabon (Fall Equinox) ............. 227
6. Samhain (Hallowe’en) ............. 240
7. Yule (Winter Solstice) ............. 250
8. Oimelc (Lady Day) .................. 259