Highcross Quarter from Leicester Leicestershire

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 - Sabbat of Imbolc

Imbolc (Highcross Quarter)

Imbolc... for our group here in leicester, leicestershire this highcross quarter is important and well regarded.

Imbolc {im' molc} or {im' bolc} - Categorised as a Highcross Quarter Sabbat
15 Degrees of Aquarius, or Feb 1st

Wiccan Mythology: The Goddess recovers from child birth. Becomes a Maiden.
Imbolc is the start of Spring. The child God continues to develop, as can be witnessed in the lengthening of days, and festivals frequently centre around light and luminescence. The old crone Goddess of Winter gives way to the Maiden, who having recovered from the child birth prepares the earth to start its growth cycle yet again.

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

Symbolism: Historically Imbolc was an gaelic festival dedicated to Brigid or Bride the goddess of healing, creativity, and blacksmithing.

Imbolc in the Tesco Age

In a time when most homes are solidly built, centrally heated and double glazed. When food is easily acquired in good condition and variety.

And when high tech fabrics and footwear keep out the winter chill and damp it is hard to appreciate the pre-occupation of our ancestors even as recently as just 2 generations ago had with the progress of the sun and their watchfulness for the appearance of the first follicles of green growth.

With the larders and storehouses by now significantly depleted and in poor condition for all of nature as well as man the warming of the soil and the lengthening of the days was welcomed with hope and sometimes desperation.

Especially so if the previous seasons harvest were poor or even failed entirely.

It is therefore clear why our ancestors had a much closer regard for nature than what we do in modern times.

Imbolc is a sabbat full of import and meaning to people who still have this respect and regard for the natural order of things especially now in 2010 after such a harsh winter across most of Northern Europe.

Morrigan Wisecraft who does not deny being of advanced years, says "Young people should think about what it would be like without all the modern comforts and conveniences of modern life, think about how you would look at natural things."

She goes on to point out that "if you took away all the modern conveniences, all the "twitter books", electric and supermarkets and had to live purely on what could be produced and preserved from the land, young people would take more care of older people as their wisdom and experience to get them through hard times was valued very highly by the whole community".

"In the' Tesco age' young people should check in on the elderly in their communities still at Imbolc, make sure they are ok for everything and most of all to listen to them."

 
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