Major and Minor Rituals

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The Witches year is broken up by 8 major Rituals that recognise the passing of the year. Hence the confusion of when the Sabbats and Esbats are celebrated. Your best guide is to follow the seasons in your hemisphere.

To quote Raymond Buckland in his "Complete Book of Witchcraft" (or the big blue book as it is affectionately known) - "The regular meetings of Witches are called Esbats. It is at these that any work is done...In addition to the Esbats there are the festivals known as Sabbats...There are eight of these, spaced...throughout the year."

Lunar rituals are called Esbats. Seasonal rituals are called Sabbats, Quater festivals or cross-quater days.

Wheel of the Year

The Sabbats

Samhain
Yule
Imbolc
Oestara
Beltane
Litha
Lughnasadh
Mabon

Other Rituals

Moon Rites
Handfasting
Naming Ceremony

A Basic Ritual

So what do all these terms mean? How do I cast a circle? How do I call the corners? If I'm casting a circle where are the corners?

Well 1 step at a time
- A circle is a protected, sacred space. Casting the circle sets a boundary that only that which you invite in can cross.
It protects you from the thngs you don't want near you.
We cast the circle clockwise and dispell it anti-clockwise. For a more indepth look at the go to the Protection Spells page.

Each element rules a point of the compass, these are the corners that everyone talks about. So until you know exactly where the corners are in your circle you might want to think about including a small compass in your ritual kit. There is much debate over which element rules which corner. My view is East = Water, South = Air, West = Fire and North = earth. you will no doubt find other variations and if one of those clicks with you then go with it.

So calling the corners is where we ask elements to join us and watch over us while we do our workings. This is also why we have physical items representing the elements, they are a form of offerings and also a way for them to manifest.

Major and Minor Rituals

A Basic Ritual

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