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Esbat (Neopagan custom)


  • Here are entered works on covens' ritual observance of the full moon, and sometimes also the dark moon and/or first and last quarters. Works on the neopagan religious festivals that commemorate the phases of the changing seasons are entered under [Sabbat.]
  • URI(s)

  • Broader Terms

  • Closely Matching Concepts from Other Schemes

  • Sources

    • found: Work cat: Bonnabel, Katherine. Aquarian Tabernacle Church collection, 1985-2017:(name not given)
    • found: GVaS files(digital files provided by Kathi Bonnabel include: Sabbats, Esbats, and rehearsal notes for the Eleusinian mysteries held at the two festivals)
    • found: Buckland, Raymond. The Witch book, [2002]page 159 (Esbat: a regular Wiccan meeting, as opposed to the sabbats, which are held at fixed dates throughout the year ... held as often as the coven deems necessary or preferable; esbat meeting is a time to discuss problems, plan events, train Witches for advancement, do initiations, work magic, and perform divination consecrations, and healing. They can be called for at anytime); page 92 (Circle: Since Wiccan rituals are held inside a circle, the term "circle" is also a synonym for a meeting ... "having a weekly circle" " planning a healing circle")
    • found: Encyclopedia of occultism & parapsychology, [2001]:volume 1, page 515 (Within modern Neo-Paganism, particularly among Wicca (or Witchcraft) ... the real work of a coven is done at the esbats ... full moon esbats [for] developing their psychic powers, learns to do magic, and focuses [on their] spiritual life ... new moon rituals for personal growth, healing, the initiation of new adventures)
    • found: Witchcraft WWW site, Dec. 4, 2018:Witchcraft terms and tools--Esbat (within Wicca and other Wiccan-influenced forms of Neopaganism; a ritual observance of the full moon by members of a coven; sometimes extended by some groups to include the dark moon, or even the first and last quarters; the main "magical work" is done at the Esbats, along with any administrative and business discussions and the initiation of new members)
    • found: The Llewellyn journal WWW site, Dec. 4, 2018:What witches do--the esbats (The second wheel of the year is made up of thirteen lunar cycles occurring within the solar year--called "esbats" by Pagans; covens usually meet either on the full or the new moon and a few manage both)
  • General Notes

    • Here are entered works on covens' ritual observance of the full moon, and sometimes also the dark moon and/or first and last quarters. Works on the neopagan religious festivals that commemorate the phases of the changing seasons are entered under [Sabbat.]
  • Example Notes

    • Note under [Sabbat]
  • Instance Of

  • Scheme Membership(s)

  • Collection Membership(s)

  • Change Notes

    • 2018-10-14: new
    • 2019-01-24: revised
  • Alternate Formats