What???!!! Huh???!!! That’s not a word Heather.  You’re making stuff up.  LOL. Nope.  Esbats, the ritual used to celebrate the Full and New Moons each month. For the longest time at Sacred Mists I got to write them and then hold the rituals.  I loved that.  I still get to do the solitary rituals, as we post those on months where there are Sabbats (major Pagan holidays). I don’t write and hold the Esbats anymore because now I facilitate the program and help others grow by writing their own and hosting the rituals.  Growth is a necessity.

So what is an Esbat?  Well it is a celebration ritual that is held on the New Moon or on the Full Moon.  The ritual is different depending on the time of month.  A New Moon is a cleansing, new beginning ritual and the Full Moon is a completion, thankful ritual. Often the ceremonies will be tied together based on the Magick of the Month.

Each month has a particularly named Moon Cycle:

These names all come from the Native American Tradition and follow the Moon and Seasons.  In addition, there are Gods and Goddesses associated with each Moon Cycle as well as other correspondences.  If there is a particular month you would like more information on, please just leave me a message here and I will get you all the information you need for the Moon Cycle you are asking about.

While Full Moons are amazing to look at and it is a perfect time to bathe your crystals and Draw Down the Moon, I love New Moons.  The new beginning that happens every month, the ability to cleanse and start again, no matter what else is going on, appeals to me at a very basic level.  Not everyone agrees, as it is a dark night to start on, but the shadow side of me likes being out and loves being refreshed.

So tell me, do you celebrate the New Moon or the Full Moon? Did you know that these were celebrated regularly by Pagans and Wiccans?  Which moon is your favorite?