RITUAL OBSERVANCES

THE EIGHT SOLAR SABBATHS

The sun begins its precession back to the southern hemisphere. This is the time of maximum darkness. From this point forward the days become longer as the sun returns to its place of strength. This Solstice represents the dark womb of the Great Mother, the Ain Soph. It is where and when we plant the seed of our desires to begin their growth in the coming year. It is the final death of the present year which is also the new beginning. Here the wheel of the year meets in the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The theme for ritual observance is planting seeds of desire in darkness.

Quarter Point - February 1

Halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, the February 1 Quarter Point represents the entry of the Divine Spark of light, Chokmah, entering into the dark womb. The seeds therein undergo an initiation into life. This is the quickening which takes place unseen, underground, in the realm of darkness. It is the traditional time for initiation, dedication, and taking of vows. The theme for ritual observance is initiation of ourselves and our seeds of desire.

The Spring Equinox is a time of perfect balance between light and dark, the day and night are equal. It is when we see the first growth, the seedling, that has come from the seeds we planted in the dark of the year. It is a time of birth, new growth, hope, and celebration of our progress. The theme for ritual observance is celebration and blessings of the new growth and birth of our desires.

Quarter Point - May 1

As the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, the May 1 Quarter Point marks the maturing and fertilization. It is a celebration of the union of male and female forces, propagating, and thereby beginning the manifestation of the fruits which will be harvested in the fall.  The theme for ritual observance is union of male and female, fertilization of the new growth.

The Summer Solstice marks the precession of the sun back to the northern hemisphere. This is the time of maximum light. From this point forward, the days become shorter as the dark of the year comes back into its time of power. This solstice represents the Light of the Great Father. By now we have seen the flowering of our desires and the beginning of their fruits. In order to reap the full harvest, we pause to invoke the force of Light into our manifestations by consecrating them - dedicating and returning them to their true creator, the One. The theme for ritual observance is consecration.

Quarter Point - August 1

This is the halfway point between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. It is the first harvest, when we first experience tangible manifestations from the seeds we planted at the Winter Solstice. It is the time when the energies are definitely turning back to darkness. The metaphorical garden is heavy with plants as well as weeds. It is a time to cleanse and remove those things which stand in the way of the full harvest to come. When we remove these impurities through banishment, we must fill that space with a rededication to our goals. The theme for ritual observance is cleansing and purification followed by re-dedication.

This is the second time the light and dark are equally balanced. The day and night are of equal length. It is the time of the full harvest when we see the results and manifestation of our work throughout the year. Some things may have fully blossomed while others only began, and there may seem to be no growth at all from some of our seeds. Fruition of our desires depends upon our intentions and projects and upon the Will of the One. Our degree of alignment with that Will determines the time of fulfillment of our desires. Yet, we should see some definite development, the fruits of our seeds. The Fall Equinox is a time to celebrate all the good things we have received through the year and, if we are especially blessed, a time to feast upon the perfect manifestation of our innermost desires. If we have worked on something that has not yet fully blossomed, we can rest assured that it will continue to evolve throughout the next cycle of the wheel of the year. The theme for ritual observance is celebration and giving thanks for the harvest.

Quarter Point - November 1

This is halfway between the Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice. It is they dying of the year. As we move fully into the deep darkness, we contemplate the year past and seek connection with our deepest self. This connection brings guidance and insight for where we are to go next. We formulate our seeds again in the deep darkness within. We travel down into the depths, releasing the past and allowing the Great Dark Mother to re-absorb those imperfect, incomplete seed ideas. We acknowledge death as a part of life and celebrate the return of old form into the abyss where it is disassembled and assimilated.  The theme for ritual observance is death of the year, crossing the veil into darkness.