Carolina Dean
A Modern Witch's Book of Shadows
What Are Esbats?
As Sabbats are held as celebrations, with revelry and fun, the Esbats are the magickal working days. These special times are when energies are raised and sent out for special purpose, such as healing, success, for a positive project, personal growth, or banishment of negativity (such as a bad habit).
Most often, the magickal work is done during a Full Moon, however work can be done on the new and dark moons as well. Traditionally, if you are trying to bring something towards you, you work your magick when the moon is Waxing, or growing, from New to Full. If you are attempting to move something away from you, you work your magick when the moon is Waning, or decreasing, from Full to New. However, the three days before and the three days after the Full Moon can be used for any purpose. For more information regarding the timing of your spells and rituals, refer to Astrological Correspondences in the section on Spell and Magick.
On occasion, an Esbat will fall on the same day as a Sabbat. When this occurs the Esbat (work) is first obeserved, and then the Sabbat is celebrated.
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Full Moon Names
The Full Moon of each month has a special name, which may vary from tradition to tradition and culture to culture. Although the God and Goddess are present in both the Sabbats and Esbats, it is generally felt that the Sabbats are held in honor of the God and the course of the Sun, while the Esbats are held in honor of the Goddess and the Phases of the Moon.
January: Ice Moon. The surface of the earth is frozen and barren. Food is scarce, and many of the people are starving. It is the leanest time of the year. Candle colour for this moon is deep purple, symbolic of the harsh, bitter cold of winter.February: Storm Moon. The last of winter's harsh storms pass. Nature begins to stir and awaken from the long sleep. Hope and promise arise as the sun rises earlier and longer. Candle colour for this moon is blue, symbolic of the warming of the ice, yet still very cold.
March: Chaste Moon. The herald of the return of light and life, youth and spring. The earth is cleansed with the rains of spring. The wandering herds return. Candle colour for this moon is white, symbolic of purity, and cleansing.
April: Seed Moon. The time to start planting. Buds appear with the promise of a green earth. Winter coats of animals are shed with the arrival of warm weather. Candle colour for this moon is pale green, symbolic of the new shoots and buds of spring.
May: Hare Moon. Mating season has arrived. Animals and people enjoy the warm freedom. Flowers are abundant. People gather their strength from the hardship of winter. Candle colour for this moon is pink, symbolic of the emotion of love and lust, instinctive of all animals, including humans.
June: Dyad Moon. All is now in balance. Traditionally this is a time for handfastings and weddings. It is a time to enjoy life and be at peace. Candle colour for this moon is orange, symbolic of the peak of the sun's power at this time.
July: Mead Moon. Crops are now close to their first harvest. Honey is abundant, and people make mead. A time of plenty and thanks. The power of the sun begins to decline. Candle colour for this moon is golden yellow, symbolic of the declining sun.
August: Wort Moon. Time to gather the first harvest of food and healing herbs. A time for major healing works. Candle colour for this moon is dark green, symbolic of the plants and energies of healing
September: Barley Moon. The last harvest time. Time to begin preparations for the coming cold weather. The earth prepares itself for the long sleep. Candle colour for this moon is brown, symbolic of the fertile earth, which has provided food.
October: Blood Moon. Returns to hunting wild game for food, as the fields now lie bare. The cold weather returns. Herds are culled for winter slaughter. Candle colour for this moon is deep red, symbolic of the colour of shed blood from the herds, and of the game.
November: Snow Moon. The first of winter's snow has arrived. Nature now sleeps deep within the earth. Herald to the death of the year. Candle colour for this moon is grey; symbolic of the cloud filled skies of winter storms.
December: Oak Moon. This is the darkest time of the year. A promise of the return of the sun's light. Ice and snow have now set in. Colour for this moon is black, symbolic of the darkest time of year.
Thirteenth Moon: Blue Moon. When a single month has two full moons, the second full moon is called a Blue Moon. Another definition of the blue moon is the third full moon that occurs in a season of the year which has four full moons (usually each season has only three full moons.)
The New Moon Esbat
Note: A New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon occupy the same degree of the same astrological sign. Symbolically, the God and Goddess are making love and through the sexual act, power is transferred from the Sun God to the Moon Goddess. The Moon will grow fuller each night and then her power will be drawn down and used by witches and pagans the world over.
1. At or near Dawn (A New Moon rises with the Sun) create Sacred Space & Cast Circle.
2. Call the Quarters and Invoke the Horned God:
"I call upon him of hoof & horn,
who dies only to be reborn;
strong & powerful, safe place about
a sacred space now circle out!"
3. The Esbat
- Using a keyword, inscribe your magickal goal for the month on a red, orange, or yellow candle, and anoint it with oil, saying:
"O Mighty One,
take this symbol of my need,
& plant in it your holy seed;
that my goal this month shall be,
conceived & born into reality"
- Meditate on your goal and let the candle burn itself out.
4. Ceremony of Cakes and Juice.
5. Release the Quarters and Open the Circle.
The Full Moon Esbat
Workbook of Shadows
- Research at least three different cultures other than your own and record one myth, belief, or sacred story concerning the moon. Be sure to cite your sources.
- Draw a new moon in your journal and begin compiling a list of correspondences associated with the new moon. For example:
a) Deities
b) Sacred Stories
c) Activities
d) Time of Day
- Draw a full moon in your journal and begin compiling a list of correspondences associated with the full moon.
- Purchase a calender and indicate the dates for the New Moon and Full Moon for an entire year.
- Research at least three different New Moon Rituals from various traditions and record them in your journal.
- Over a period of three months, perform each of the three New Moon rituals and record your experience in your journal.
- Write your own New Moon Ritual and record it in your journal. Leave room for additional details to be filled in later.
- Perform your New Moon ritual for three months in a row and record your experience in your journal.
- Research at least three different Full Moon Rituals from various traditions and record them in your journal.
- Over a period of three months, perform each of the three Full Moon rituals and record your experience in your journal.
- Write your own Full Moon Ritual and record it in your journal. Leave room for additional details to be filled in later.
- Perform your Full Moon ritual for three months in a row and record your experience in your journal.
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