On Sabbat Dates
So, I know that yearly, sabbat dates tend to change. For instance, I assumed Mabon was 21st September this year, but when looking it up I've found dates such as the 22nd and 23rd. I know usually it's acceptible to perform a rite/ritual/celebration on either of these, but is there really any 'official' dates? If so, when is Mabon?
There are many school of thought, that range form "the closes date that works for me (and my group) to the exact time (when such exists. Some are based on events that have exact times, The Solstices and Equinoxes, while others were based on when events happened (First lambing, first frost.)
Then to make matters more fun, even when "days" are known, you need to figure out when day starts- sun down, sun set, sun rise- and then if you are really picky what calendar was being used. All of these will move the date on you. Not even getting into different levels and quality of research done, and how historical you want to be and how close you want to match the dates to the criteria used at the time by the culture in question (which also means not following the 8 spokes of the wheel.)
With all that in mind- I chose for
Samhain Oct 30-Nov 1 (day for the last day of last year, day between, and day for new year)
Yule- When the Solstice falls- Longest night Vigil- moving it for ease seems to defeat the offering in my mind
Imbolc- Feb 1 for a meal, closest weekend to clean and cook and prep.
Beltane- Sunniest day near May 1st for outside stuff, night of the 1st for ritual.
Ostara- Have to say- doesn't speak to me as much, though a family meal with three types of chocolate bunnies (white, milk, dark) as a nod to the changing face of the Lady.
Litha- charging candles for Yule Vigil day of Solstice (up at sunrise,)
Lammas- Aug 1st for ritual/ closest weekend for cooking/Baking and sharing.
Mabon- Ritual day of.
To get the exact days, a quick look in the old farmer’s almanac can be counted on, a google search can work, but sites vary so you have chose carefully- as does many “magical” almanac that get the dates wrong - not as in their suggestions are wrong, but as in their math is faulty.
Reply
Leave a comment