Sabbat Dates

[mattolsen]

I know the general dates of the Sabbats and I can look up on a calendar but I wasn wondering how exactly I can figure out when the Sabbats land. I know that some of the dates have a range that they land on. If anyone could point me to more information as to how these dates are actually chosen I would appreciate it.

Note: I do know that the solstice's are determined by the longest/shortest days of the year although I wondered if there was some way to determine that beyond looking it up.

[Seren_]

I know the general dates of the Sabbats and I can look up on a calendar but I wasn wondering how exactly I can figure out when the Sabbats land. I know that some of the dates have a range that they land on. If anyone could point me to more information as to how these dates are actually chosen I would appreciate it.

Note: I do know that the solstice's are determined by the longest/shortest days of the year although I wondered if there was some way to determine that beyond looking it up.

The one's that have a range on when they land are determined by the movements Sun. As the solstices are the shortest/longset days of the year, the equinoxes in March and September are when the day and night are of equal length. So they can all shift a day, or two or three each year...it depends on the Sun. I'm sure there's some mathematical formula you can use to work it out, but the easiest way is to look it up. Here's one. (http://www.stonesofwonder.com/stones7.htm)

To make things simple, some people celebrate on either the 21st of the month (since this is the average for solstices/equinoxes), or the nearest, most convenient time - ie the nearest weekend, or for Wiccans, the nearest Esbat, say.

[KEishin]

The exact figuring for a sabbat date is done astrologically. The sun is in the following signs/degrees for each:

Samhain: 15 degrees Scorpio
Yule: 0 degrees Capricorn
Candlemas: 15 degrees Aquarius
Spring: 0 degrees Aries
Beltane: 15 degrees Taurus
Summer:0 degrees Cancer
Lammas: 15 degrees Leo
Fall: 0 degrees Libra

You will notice all the solstices/equinoxes are at 0 degrees, while the cross-quarters are halfway through a sign. That's why they can vary so much - figuring has to be done account for the variable speed of the sun around the earth. Basically every six - eight weeks there is a sabbat (You can find the exact astrological dates on the web for each particular year.)

Sometimes the astrological date can vary by as much as 7 days from the calendar date, which is why some people celebrate Samhain on 10/31 and others may wait until 11/5. It all depends on your practice.

Hope that helps!
Keishin

[mattolsen]

I would really like either a site which provides an XML feed or text feed or a formula I can use to calculate the dates. But thank you for the link you provided that is very helpful.

[mattolsen]

The exact figuring for a sabbat date is done astrologically. The sun is in the following signs/degrees for each:

Samhain: 15 degrees Scorpio
Yule: 0 degrees Capricorn
Candlemas: 15 degrees Aquarius
Spring: 0 degrees Aries
Beltane: 15 degrees Taurus
Summer:0 degrees Cancer
Lammas: 15 degrees Leo
Fall: 0 degrees Libra

You will notice all the solstices/equinoxes are at 0 degrees, while the cross-quarters are halfway through a sign. That's why they can vary so much - figuring has to be done account for the variable speed of the sun around the earth. Basically every six - eight weeks there is a sabbat (You can find the exact astrological dates on the web for each particular year.)

Sometimes the astrological date can vary by as much as 7 days from the calendar date, which is why some people celebrate Samhain on 10/31 and others may wait until 11/5. It all depends on your practice.

Hope that helps!
Keishin


I'm not sure I understand what degrees you are talking about, also the signs you list after each sabbat, what is that for?

[~Elise~]

When the Sun is in the degrees that she listed is the ACTUAL date of the Sabbats. You can use the Farmer's Almanac or use the Witches Almanac, if you prefer.

Celebrating the Sabbats ON the date is something I do with my group...part of what brings us together is sitting down and figuring these things out for ourselves. You might find the same sense of accomplishment if you take the time to do it yourself.

JMO and YMMV

Elise

[*Rain*]

Try this Sabbat clock - works for both northern and southern hemisphere

http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/countdowns.shtml

[~Elise~]

now THAT is cool--

[KEishin]

That is cool. I'llbe bookmarking THAT link.

[MorningDove030202]

Oh, I have 170 something days to get ready for my second annual Summer Solstice BBQ and Ritual! LOL

Dove

[Romani Vixen]

oh... now BBQ sounds good....

[KEishin]

Can I come? I'm already sick of snow

[RubyRose]

Try this Sabbat clock - works for both northern and southern hemisphere

http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/countdowns.shtml

Thanks for the link.

[Nord Witch]

I would recomend getting an almanac...there are such things as pagan/wiccan almanacs that you can find at your local new age store. they typically list the sabaats and solstices and whatnot and what days they land on and usually some sort of suggestion for a ritual or celebration. I bought one for 2005 rather than relying on the usual calendar I buy at the store 2 days before new years.