Sabbats

The Card: First Sabbat

The Name: Samhain

The Image: The spirits of the dead dance in a circle around an altar decorated with skulls, tobacco and food.

The Interpretation: Samhain is the time of passing through the veil, from life to death, from death to rebirth, from potential to actual. Keep open to the lessons of the dead, and they will help you find that which was lost and manifest mysteries. As a person: Someone who has passed on; someone who is in touch with the dead. As a time: October 31st; a time of passage. Reversed: By keeping your eyes on the other world, you are being distracted from the task that is right in front of you.

The Card: Second Sabbat

The Name: Yule; Winter Solstice

The Image: The haloed, golden-haired child of the sun is reborn from the Earth Mother's cauldron, all pain from his vanquishing at the hands of the Holly king forgotten as he joyously rises from the evergreen-bedecked womb of the Lady.

The Interpretation: The Sun may have disappeared, but nothing is permanent but the rolling of the cycles. It is time for the table to turn again, and the Light to take His rightful place alongside the Lady. As a person: A newborn; Someone of sunny disposition; Any conqueror. As a time: Midwinter; A time of the turning of the tables; The dark before dawn. Reversed: The dark rules, and His rule seems unchecked. Hope is never gone, but right now it might be wise to make peace with the Dark.

The Card: Third Sabbat

The Name: Imbolc; Brigid's Day

The Image: The goddess of flame walks across the snow toward the horizon. Where she has stepped, the snow has melted and crocuses are beginning to sprout.

The Interpretation: The end of the long winter is at hand, and the plants and animals are beginning to awaken and grow. It's time for your hibernation to end, for you are ready for the new cycle. As a person: A woman of fiery nature; Someone coming out of a long dormancy. As a time: February; First melt, First awakening. Reversed: You are not ready to go out yet; Rest awhile longer.

The Card: Fourth Sabbat

The Name: Ostara; Vernal Equinox

The Image: Persephone returns from the underworld, into the embrace of her Mother. Spring blossoms around them.

The Interpretation: Light and Dark are equal now, though Light is taking ascendancy. It is a time of emergence, first seeds, and beginnings of new life. Warmth and light are returning to the world, the ground is thawed and the seeds are showing their first sprouts. It is a moment of absolute infinite potential. As a person: A prodigal child returning; A mother who always receives her children when they return to her. As a time: Spring; March; A turning point where Light starts to take over. Reversed: It is the point in the cycle for you to grow, to start life fresh, but you are still hiding in your chrysalis. Find out what's stopping you and remove that influence, for you must come out soon or you will languish all season.

The Card: Fifth Sabbat

The Name: Beltane

The Image: Couples at the Beltane festival jump the bonfire, hand-in-hand.

The Interpretation: The green things are growing, flowers are blooming, and everyone is in the mood. This is a night to consummate, to plant, to conceive. Things started tonight will grow within a cocoon of magic. As a person: The mate you've chosen; the mate of the evening; anyone you're co-crating with. As a time: May 1st, first planting; first bloom; meetings about the start of new things. Reversed: Frolic and play, but don't overdo it: you have to go to work in the morning and what you're doing tonight isn't very productive.

The Card: Sixth Sabbat

The Name: Midsummer

The Image: Fairies and humans dance in a celebration of lights and sweet wine.

The Interpretation: Be of light heart, and celebrate in all things. Deck your room with flowers, take scented baths, eat birthday cake whenever you want. Live life fully, and enjoy the pleasures it offers. If pleasure becomes a spiritual thing, then you need not be at risk for addiction to it. As a person: Someone who lives life to the fullest; a dancer; someone who throws great parties; children. As a time: June 21st; a party. Reversed: Don't celebrate yet—there are still a few things to be taken care of first.

The Card: Seventh Sabbat

The Name: Lughnasadh

The Image: A harvest Lady crowns a kneeling initiate before a company of celebrants.

The Interpretation: It is time to dedicate yourself to your path. Solemnize it with ritual, either alone or in front of others with similar path. As a person: A new initiate. As a time: August 1st; any dedication ritual. Reversed: You're not quite ready yet, so don't make promises to the Universe you can't keep.

The Card: Eighth Sabbat

The Name: Mabon; The Autumnal Equinox

The Image: In a harvest time field a village gathers to watch the annual reenactment of the Battle of Kings, the dark Holly King versus the light Oak King.

The Interpretation: Light and Dark are equal now, though Dark is taking ascendancy. A time of internal workings is at hand, and a facing of the night. This is all a normal and healthy part of the life cycle, and the Sun will return. It's a time of harvest, when the things you've created should be eaten, enjoyed, appreciated and processed. Soon the winter will be hear—be ready. As a person: One who enjoys life, lives in the moment perfectly balanced between light and dark, and does not fear the coming night. As a time: September; Thanksgiving; A time of harvesting or processing the good things that have grown this cycle. Reversed: The fruit has withered on the vine and winter is fast approaching; seek help from the village and live those rituals which have helped mankind survive since the dawn of time.

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