Esbats
What are Esbats and why do we observe them in Wicca?
Esbats are the most amazing, fun and simple things in Wicca. They’re Full Moon ceremonies used for creating and working with magic - either on your own or as a group/coven. They’re also used for getting together with your magical family in a less formal way than the observation of the Sabbats. There are 13 Full Moons in a year and this gives you 13 more times to get together and form that bond that is essential when working together. Now is the time to talk, experiment, work magic, have fun and create community.
We observe and celebrate them to mark the constant ebb and flow of the universe and of the Goddess, as Her symbol is the Moon. As She waxes, becomes full and wanes, so Her energy can be used for magic that requires a little extra oomph.
The format of your Esbat may be different depending on the type of magic that you wish to work, the energies you wish to experiment with or it may follow the same format each time - like a familiar wrapper around the different magic you wish to work. Whatever floats your boat.
Basic Esbat Outline
Tidy the space and get your magical working supplies together (Don’t forget the matches!)
Create your sacred space/cast your Circle
Call the Elements and/or other Spirits (if you work with them)
Invite the Goddess and God (your personal Deities or ones that the group works with)
Raise energy to work with (dance, sing, drum, listen to music - anything that gets the heart going!)
Do your magical thing (workings, spells, create tools, make things - fill this time with the work)
Ground yourself/yourselves (eat something, jump up and down, put your feet in bowls of earth… you do you)
Thank the Goddess and God
Thank the Elements/Spirits
Bring in the Circle
If working with others now is a great time to have a Crafty picnic and talk through what you’ve just done, write notes and plan your next meeting.
Esbats are deliberately simple so that you can concentrate on your magic and do the work. If you make it too complex you’ll find you can get sick of doing them very quickly as there are so many of them in a year! Keep it simple and enjoyable. Wicca is about joy, community and connection, after all!
So, go forth and make magic, you glorious witch!