Post by theoccultchrist on Aug 14, 2006 22:19:43 GMT -5
Modern paganism is a rich tapestry of interwoven traditions, ideas, and orientations. The eight Sabbats which are now known to Western pagans were not always the eight Sabbats of a single tradition, nor were they all a part of the popular Norse, Teutonic, or Celtic traditions which adopted them. It is estimated that the Sabbats have been observed in various places and in various forms for at least 12, 000 years. Originally, these fire festivals were agricultural dates, which marked planting, tending, and harvesting times. Today farmers still sow and reap by these dates and carefully consult farmer almanacs, which outline the best times for each of their crops, though they may not be aware, they are following a very ancient tradition.
As civilisations became less nomadic and not solely reliant upon hunting and herding for their sustenance, the Sabbats became religious and celebratory holidays. The Vikings planned their raids and voyages around these dates. They planted just after Ostara, left on raids, returned for the harvest, and went out again only to return for the all-important Yule celebration, when they honoured their reborn God.
Long before the eight great pagan Sabbats met and melded in the well-known traditions of northern and Western Europe, pagans world-over celebrated many of their solar holidays and festivals at times that roughly corresponded to the modern Sabbats.
The eight solar Sabbats represent the turning of the Wheel of the year, and each honours a stage in the eternal life cycle of the Goddess and God. Many pagans see time as one eternal whole, which is forever turning, returning always to beginning and starting anew. The God is born, dies, and is reborn. The eternal Goddess goes from childhood to motherhood to cronehood and back again in an endless cycle of change and renewal.
The Sabbats and their lore as we know it survived thanks to a handful of hearty pagans who refused to turn their backs on their beloved religion.
The Autumn Equinox is the moment when the day (light) is equal to the night (dark) and balanced is created between them. The equinox signals the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere: the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading southward.
Mabon is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats of American Neopaganism. It is celebrated on the autumn equinox, which in the northern hemisphere is circa September 21 and in the southern hemisphere is circa March 21.
Also called Harvest Home, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the Earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.
Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas and followed by Samhain.
The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Herbs of Mabon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passion flower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
I'm Chaired to be a part of the committe for our coven (its a new thing we're trying) one core member and 2-3 other members ..get to research and create and design how the sabbat rituals go.
I'm still learning, but the others in this "commitee" have practiced for along time.
So far they have decided (i'm pretty much just along for the ride) that this sabbat we are going to Honor the Norse.
My Contribution was to go aroud and say what we are thankful for, since this is considered the Pagan form of Thanksgiving. Since this is Norse style..we are going to do that in the form of a bloat...go around the circle, raise a glass, say what we're thankful for, take a drink, and then take libation of the drink.
I know we have a few Heathens lurking around this forum..
The Other Members pretty much know what their doing..as I know at least one is familar with the Norse..and one actually works with them on occassion.
But for my personal knowledge..and also to help with the project..because in the lore we have to write down what this sabbat meant to the norse.
I was wondering if any Heathen could give me Specifics on the Norse take on the sabbats either on this thread or in private message form.
It would be greatly appreciated..even if you just give me a few links.
Thank you.
~Blessings!
-Paul
As civilisations became less nomadic and not solely reliant upon hunting and herding for their sustenance, the Sabbats became religious and celebratory holidays. The Vikings planned their raids and voyages around these dates. They planted just after Ostara, left on raids, returned for the harvest, and went out again only to return for the all-important Yule celebration, when they honoured their reborn God.
Long before the eight great pagan Sabbats met and melded in the well-known traditions of northern and Western Europe, pagans world-over celebrated many of their solar holidays and festivals at times that roughly corresponded to the modern Sabbats.
The eight solar Sabbats represent the turning of the Wheel of the year, and each honours a stage in the eternal life cycle of the Goddess and God. Many pagans see time as one eternal whole, which is forever turning, returning always to beginning and starting anew. The God is born, dies, and is reborn. The eternal Goddess goes from childhood to motherhood to cronehood and back again in an endless cycle of change and renewal.
The Sabbats and their lore as we know it survived thanks to a handful of hearty pagans who refused to turn their backs on their beloved religion.
The Autumn Equinox is the moment when the day (light) is equal to the night (dark) and balanced is created between them. The equinox signals the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere: the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator, heading southward.
Mabon is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats of American Neopaganism. It is celebrated on the autumn equinox, which in the northern hemisphere is circa September 21 and in the southern hemisphere is circa March 21.
Also called Harvest Home, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the Earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.
Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas and followed by Samhain.
The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.
Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.
Other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter's Night, which is the Norse New Year.
Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.
Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.
Herbs of Mabon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passion flower, rose, sage, solomon's seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.
Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.
Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.
Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.
Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods, walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields, offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves, acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.
Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also those of harmony and balance.
I'm Chaired to be a part of the committe for our coven (its a new thing we're trying) one core member and 2-3 other members ..get to research and create and design how the sabbat rituals go.
I'm still learning, but the others in this "commitee" have practiced for along time.
So far they have decided (i'm pretty much just along for the ride) that this sabbat we are going to Honor the Norse.
My Contribution was to go aroud and say what we are thankful for, since this is considered the Pagan form of Thanksgiving. Since this is Norse style..we are going to do that in the form of a bloat...go around the circle, raise a glass, say what we're thankful for, take a drink, and then take libation of the drink.
I know we have a few Heathens lurking around this forum..
The Other Members pretty much know what their doing..as I know at least one is familar with the Norse..and one actually works with them on occassion.
But for my personal knowledge..and also to help with the project..because in the lore we have to write down what this sabbat meant to the norse.
I was wondering if any Heathen could give me Specifics on the Norse take on the sabbats either on this thread or in private message form.
It would be greatly appreciated..even if you just give me a few links.
Thank you.
~Blessings!
-Paul