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We
have comprised our Eight Seasonal Sabbats into
a story that fits the beliefs of some Pagans.
This is how we celebrate the Sabbats, others may
differ...
- We
start our story with Samhain; Halloween to the
uninitiated and to those who cannot accept its
Pagan history. We have reaped our last harvest.
The gourds are hung out to dry for our dance
rattles. The pumpkins, apples, and late corn
are now picked and stored away for the upcoming
winter. The Horned God has begun the preparations
for the hard times to come. The cattle, sheep,
and deer have been fattened and the weaklings
have been weeded out. When the spring comes,
only the strongest will breed to ensure the
herd for next year. On this night, at the time
of the end, and the beginning of our New Year,
the Veil between our world and the next has
been thinned. The Otherworlds, Fairies, and
Spirits alike, can be seen, heard, and felt
near. Drawn by our rituals and celebrations,
they come to join us. Gladly, we welcome our
ancestors and our kin. Places are set at our
feast tables, offering them friendship, and,
in return, they Bless and Guide us. Our Lady
Mother is full in Her pregnancy, and with this
fullness, we know that the Sun will be reborn
at Yule. So we cheer the Old Sun as it descends
into the West, preparing for that rebirth. Initiations
and Rites of Passage are done at this time,
for what better way to start the New Year than
to start a new way of life or a new phase of
it!
- With
this we come to Yule. The Goddess is asleep,
waiting for the Sun God to awaken Her in the
Spring. The Horned God is a proud and vigilant
Protector. His spear is ever ready to defend
the animals of field and wood, keeping them
strong for Spring. The Sun God has died and
is reborn, gaining strength with each passing
day. We exchange gifts to celebrate the return
of the Sun and to help each other through the
remaining Cold-Time. We know, however, that
it is half-over so our gatherings are gay and
bright. The King and Queen of our year have
slipped off from their thrones and in their
absence, the Jester wears the Crown. Our Lord
of Misrule is his name. When the King and Queen
realize this, they return to claim their thrones
and with this, we end our Yule Sabbat.
- When
Imbolc arrives, we find that the Horned God
is tired. He has seen to His duties, but He
has no more strength to light the signal Fires.
So we go forth in the cold and light the Fires.
The Fires that lead the Sun God back to Gaia
so that she can wake fully from Her sleep. We
plant our Fires within Her body, warming Her
and waking Her, and welcoming Her return in
a glorious fashion. Even though the Horned God
is tired, He does HIs best to protect the animals,
but only the strongest and healthiest can survive
the last months of cold, trying to survive until
Ostara.
- Thus
we live until Ostara. Our Mother is fully awake
now and surveys the damages of winter. She sees
how tired the Horned God is and feels sympathy
for Him. She tells Him He has done well and
in return, She will return His strength and
youth. Yet, He must promise to help with the
planting and growing times. He gladly accepts
Her offer and enters into the Cave of Rebirth
as She bids Him to do. Within, it is dark, quiet,
and warm. He gently drifts off to sleep, dreaming
of Himself being Young and full of energy again.
When He awakens and crawls forth from the Cave,
He finds that His antlers have been shed and
He now wears a crown and cloak of leaves. Green
things grow from His touch and vines twine and
sprout from His beard. He is the Green Man.
As promised, He is young and strength has returned
to His once weary limbs. He bounds forth, happy
to replace His spear for the plow, and begins
His task of fertilization of the fields.
- The
year turns and soon Beltaine arrives. The Earth
is alive, writhing with green life. The Green
Man has been very busy, enjoying His youth and
virility. The Great Mother calls Him to Her,
for it is time for the Great Marriage between
them. They are married, and in the Great Rite
that follows, She is once more impregnated for
the following Spring. We have planted our fields
and put our animals to pasture. Now is the time
to rest and enjoy Life before the Harvest begins.
We come together and Honor the Union of our
Lord and Lady. Singing and dancing, our festivals
last far into the night and with the coming
morning some of us have found partners as well.
- With
Midsummer, we find that our Mother is indeed
pregnant. With this fact, the Green Man is given
free rein on this night. He has reached the
zenith of His powers and He travels the fields
and groves searching for "victims". He delights
in playing harmless, if not annoying, tricks
on His people. With the height of His powers,
we sing and dance with Him, trying to avoid
His pranks, but still enjoying life at its easiest
and fullest.
- The
first Harvest arrives with Lughnasadh. The Green
Man and the Goddess reap what they have sown,
and thus we do too. We see that the Green Man's
foliage is beginning to change colors and the
horned animals are drawing near to Him. At the
Festivals, our Mother serves us of Her first
harvest and we eat and drink heartily, knowing
that, with the portents, winter is coming, and
the time of the Horned God is near. We begin
our preparations for the upcoming Cold-Time,
making bread from our grains and storing the
fruits of our labors to dry.
- We
continue on to Mabon. Once more, the Goddess,
our Mother, calls to the Green Man. It is time
to prepare for Winter. She instructs Him to
withdraw into the Cave of Transformation. He
does as He is bade, and when He arises from
His sleep, He is strong and healthy once more.
Upon His crown, he wears a stately set of antlers.
He calls to Him the horned ones of field and
forest, and the year travels on to begin again...
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