It is a Pagan celebration, in my mind like the other side of Sabbats (note the similar name). An Esbat is a full moon celebration, therefore occuring monthly.
Each month's moon has a name that one may call it by; I imagine this is to distinguish between each one, emphasising the importance of each.
- MONTH ------- ANCIENT NAME ------- CELTIC NAME
- January --------- Wolf Moon ----------------- Alder Moon
- February -------- Ice / Storm Moon ---------Willow Moon
- March ----------- Chaste Moon -------------- Ash Moon
- April ------------- Seed / Growing Moon --- Hawthorn Moon
- May -------------- Hare Moon ---------------- Oak Moon
- June -------------- Mead Moon --------------- Holly Moon
- July -------------- Hay Moon ----------------- Hazel Moon
- August ---------- Corn Moon ---------------- Vine Moon
- September ------ Harvest Moon ------------- Ivy Moon
- October --------- Blood Moon --------------- Reed Moon
- November ------ Snow Moon --------------- Birch Moon
- December------- Oak / Cold Moon --------- Rowan Moon
First, you should know that the moon "lights up" from right to left in the southern hemisphere, and from left to right in the northern.
- New
No visible moon. - Waxing Cresent
"Waxing" = light getting bigger. - First Quarter
The right half of the moon lit up. - Waxing Gibbous
"Waxing" = light getting bigger. "Gibbous" = more than half full. - Full
All the moon is visible (perfect circle). - Waning Gibbous
"Waning" = light getting smaller. "Gibbous" = more than half full. - Last Quarter
The left half of the moon lit up. - Waning Cresent
"Waning" = light getting smaller.
Do you have any info/suggestions on new/full moon magick? I'm a new pagan and don't know a whole lot yet. Also I have been loving your blog! So much great information that's to the point
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Chelsea