Esbaths
In addition to the eight Sabbats, the Esbats are also celebrated, that is, the thirteen full moons throughout the solar year.
The full moon has been worshiped for millennia by groups of men and women, gathered in the woods, on the mountains or at the water's edge, as the visible manifestation of the feminine cosmic principle, in the form of the lunar goddesses or Grandmother Moon.
The word Esbat derives from the verb esbattre, in Old French, meaning "to rejoice", as these celebrations were not as solemn as the Sabbats, providing, in addition to the magical works, a jovial atmosphere.
During the Esbats, the creative, generative and sustaining life force of the universe is revered, manifested as the Great Mother. magic works. Altars are used - simple or elaborate - with the symbols of the Goddess and the specific elements of the lunation are added. In addition to the rituals, there are songs, dances, stories and meditations. At the end, it is celebrated by sharing bread or cake and drinking wine, juice or tea, toasting the Moon and offering a little to nature as a sign of gratitude to Mother Earth. Bread has always symbolized food taken from the earth, while wine favored the atmosphere of joy and relaxation.
The Goddess is increasingly present in women's lives and souls, the moon's silvery rays highlighting her multiple faces.
In the Old Tradition, in meetings practiced by "covens" or individually, the epitome of Esbat is the ritual of "Pulling the Moon", ie, magnetizing a priestess or woman with the energy of the Goddess. The purpose of this ritual is threefold: first, union with the Goddess is sought to better understand her mysteries; second, it seeks to magnetize the sacred space with the magical energy of the Goddess and, third, it seeks to balance the lunar rhythms of women and increase fertility, both physical and mental. To attract the energy of the Moon, a ritualistic dagger ("athame") or a consecrated staff is used, directing it into a cup of water.
The Goddess is invoked and its request is exposed or, simply, it is contacted with its essence, letting it penetrate in all its being. Merging with the Goddess energy is an act of spiritual realization and should never be used for selfish purposes, forging messages or warnings "received" during ritual. When the purpose is sincere and the heart pure, the experience is sublime and moving. After a time of interiorization and contemplation, they take a few sips of the "lunarized" water and pour the rest onto the earth to "fertilize". As in other rituals, the Esbats must be done after summoning the Guardians of the directions and the corresponding elements, creating the magic circle.
In addition to this traditional and formal ritual, the full moon can be celebrated in a more complex and creative way, using astrological knowledge of the Sun-Moon polarity. During the full moon, the Moon is in the opposite sign to the Sun, thus establishing an axis of complementation. In certain mixed groups, the Sun-Moon polarity is worked out, revering the divine couple, represented by solar gods and lunar goddesses, chosen according to the astrological and spiritual characteristics of the month.