Sun Sabbats and Moon Sabbats

Sun sabbats refer to the cross quarter days, which are based on the astronomical position of the sun.

circle of the year.. showing Highcross quarters, cross quarters and corresponding elements of earth, air, fire and water

"Moon sabbats" can be observed on Full Moons, typically the one closest to the traditional cross quarter date or the 2nd full moon after the preceding cross quarter day.

This would place the Moon sabbat anywhere from 29-59 days after the preceding solstice or equinox.

Moon sabbats can also be observed on the nearest Lunar phase to the Cross quarter
day.

Imbolc: New, Crescent
1st Quarter

Beltane: 1st Quarter
gibbous, Full Moon

Lammas: Full, Disseminating
3rd Quarter

Samhain: 3rd Quarter
Balsamic, New

Highcross Quarter - About Us - Our History

History and Precedence

The various Highcross quarters and cross quarters of the wiccan and pagan calendar take their names mainly with a few exceptions from age old pre-Christian Celtic and pre-Christian Germanic semi religious festivals. What is certain is that a great deal of liberty has always been taken with the precise forms and meanings of these festivals.

This is down to the influence of turn of the century romantic notions as well as the elements introduced by Wicca. The similarities between these festivals generally end at the shared names, as Wicca makes no effort to reconstruct or reinterpret these ancient practices.

Not supported by Historical Precedence.

Wiccans observe the festivals of the Highcross quarters and cross quarters together in a form of rite set and observance not corroborated by any historical precedence.

There is that we know of, no place in Europe where all eight Highcross quarters and cross quarters have been observed as a set, and the complete Highcross quarters and cross quarters set was unknown prior to modern Wicca and neo-paganism.

Bards, Druids and Ovate's.

In early forms of Wicca only the cross quarter days were observed. However in 1958 the members of a hertfordshire Coven added the solstices and equinoxes to their original calendar, as they desired more frequent celebrations.

Their High Priest, was away visiting the Isle of Man at the time, but he did not object when he returned, since they were now more in line with druidism and a prominent group of Bards, druids and Ovate's.

“No known pre-Christian people celebrated all the eight festivals of the calendar adopted by Wicca. Around the four genuine Gaelic quarter days are now ranged the Midwinter and September feasts of the Anglo-Saxons, the Midsummer celebrations so prominent in folklore and (for symmetry) the vernal equinox, which does not seem to have been commemorated by any ancient northern Europeans.”1)

Sources:

1) Hutton, Ronald. The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles. Oxford, Blackwell, 337-341. ISBN 0-631-18946-7.

Highcross Quarter
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Highcross Quarter Gallery

"Witchcraft in Art"

Major new slide show entitled "Witchcraft in Art" on this website in March 2009.
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He is right... witchcraft is not a religion but wicca is.
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No Rowling Rhetoric here...

For those of you drawn to Wicca and Witchcraft by hollywoodesque fantasies underpinned by JK Rowling rhetoric I say go read this website here instead as what I am about to tell you will blast the your self adhesive silver stars right off your pointy "made on a damp saturday afternoon" black hat.
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Please check back often for new content. (See "What's New" section in order to keep abreast of changes as they occur.)

Make this site a regular stop on your internet travels to keep track of all the changes here.
What's in a name?

Throughout history various faiths have used astronomy to guide their festivals and occasions in faith.

This is certainly so with pagans and wiccan's throughout the ages who have used markers defined by the pagan Highcross and cross quarter days set within the solstices and Equinoxes.

With our coven, here in Leicester, Leicestershire, England this is the same today. We still use the markers set by Highcross and Cross Quarter days to define our calendar which in turn sets the hour and day for ritual.
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Highcross Quarter Sabbat of Imbolc

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Imbolc is really also a festival of purification rite, stripping away of the aged and the old in expectation of the fresh and new.
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Cross Quarter Sabbat of Eostara

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Can be correctly spelt either as Oestara or Eostara

The earth heals after winter and begins to blossom. Darkness is banished and subdued by light... until Litha days will be longer than the nights.

Yesteryear in the time of our ancestors Eostara was an occasion of sowing and setting seed.
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Highcross Quarter Sabbat of Beltaine

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Beltaine is really regarded as the most important Sabbat after Samhain. The commencement of Summer. It is a sabbat of fertility, but mostly it is a sabbat of joy and quickening. Named from the Celtic god of flame Bel, the igniter of fires is a regular element of Beltaine sabbats. It's association of flame also makes Beltaine a sabbat of purification and cleansing.
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Cross Quarter Sabbat of Cancer

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Sabbat of transition and change, when the God evolves from youthful warrior to aged sage and wise being. Also a time for of great rejoicing, but also of introspection, and analysis in making sure objectives are still on track and addressing the negative attributes in our lives.
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Highcross Quarter Sabbat of Lughnassadh

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It is also viewed as the time to prepare for God's inevitable demise. The Goddess enters her era as Crone. It is a time of showing gratitude for what we have, and all that we will have, and all that others have sacrificed for us.
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Cross Quarter Sabbat of Mabon

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Mabon was the second harvest, and as such becomes another holiday of thanksgiving.

It is also the day when darkness once more overtakes light, and so it is a day of planning, reflection, and the contemplation of mysteries.
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Highcross Quarter Sabbat of Samhain

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It is a time to invoke rites and ritual to rid ourselves of our negative aspects and weak points ready for the new year.
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Cross Quarter Sabbat of Yule

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Yule is primarily a sabbat of life emerging from darkness and is honoured with the exchange of gifts.

The God Birth
Elvaston Castle Country Park - Near Derby - A favorite event we always try to attend. Good fun with old friends.

Elvaston Castle Country Park

Well its time again for an old favourite of ours. Elvaston Country Park, frequently used by us for our Samhain Sabbat.

Those of us who can get to the annual picnic in the park find it a nice change to see the park in daylight. Morrigan and I (Aeshia) always try to get to this event.