10
Esbats
The talk they had with the Shining Ones
was about the glory of the place;
who told them that the beauty
and glory of it was inexpressible.
was about the glory of the place;
who told them that the beauty
and glory of it was inexpressible.
—John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
Esbat is the name given to the regular working of a Witch, as opposed to the big seasonal celebrations known as Sabbats. The word Esbat comes from the French s’esbattre, meaning “to amuse oneself.” However, the Esbat is a serious occasion for it involves worship of the God and the Goddess, though that worship is joyous. You should have an Esbat at least once a month, at the full moon. You can certainly have one more often than that—on a regular weekly or bi-weekly basis, or as the need/desire arises—but it shouldn’t be less than once a month.
Format
The format of the Esbat is to start, as with all Wicca rituals, with the Opening of the Circle. This establishes your sacred space for the Esbat. At this, as you’ve seen, the gods are invited to attend and witness the rites. Once the circle has been cast and the gods invited in, then it is customary to give a prayer of thanks for the blessings you have and to ask for what aid you feel you need. This can be done silently or out loud. If it is a full or new moon, then that rite is now performed (see “Full Moon” section). It is followed by the Cakes and Wine ceremony (see description that follows), which is a thanking of the gods for the necessities of life. If you then want to do any magic, divination, or healing, this is the time to do it. (During the Cakes and Wine, which is a relaxing time, you can run through, in your mind, exactly what you plan to do.) When you have done the magic, then relax for a moment before closing the circle. I’ll here give a suggested Esbat ritual, and mark the separate parts where necessary. Feel free to change this to suit yourself.
Esbat Rite
The circle has been cast and you are back at the altar. You may continue standing, may kneel, or even sit if you prefer. With wand raised, say:
“Lord and Lady; God and Goddess; Herne and Epona. I am here to share my love and my thoughts, thanks, and desires with you. I am here to reaffirm my feelings for the gods and for the Craft. Be with me always, in everything I do, both in and out of this Sacred Circle.”
Lower the wand and spend a few minutes silently (or out loud, in your own words) thanking the gods for all that they have done for you. This is a very real “count your blessings” time and don’t hesitate to give thanks, knowing that there are many people who are far worse off than you are. At the very least, thank the gods for bringing you to the Craft and for making you one of the family of Witchcraft. When you have spent some time giving thanks, ring the bell three times and say:
“‘An it harm none, do what thou wilt.’ Thus runs the Witch’s Rede. May I always remember that whatever I would do, and whatever I would ask of the gods, let it be done with harm to no one, not even myself.”
Now is the time to ask for favors that you feel you need. Always keep in mind that the gods help those who help themselves. This being the case, don’t ask the gods for some miracle and expect to have it happen right away! Ask for what you want and then continue to work toward that goal yourself. You will probably find that the goal is achieved very much more easily than you might have hoped. But, as with magic, there will be no flash and bang as you wave your magic wand. Ring the bell three times. If this is a full moon, or a new moon, then do that rite here (see “Full Moon” section). If it is not a special moon, then go straight into the Cakes and Wine rite that follows.
Cakes and Wine
Also known as “Cakes and Ale,” this is the thanksgiving part of every Wicca ritual. Make sure that there is wine (or ale or juice) in the goblet. On the altar, or on the ground beside it, there should be a small plate with a cake or cakes on it (cookies will do just as well). Many Witches make their own, often in the shapes of moons, stars, cats, and so on, sometimes utilizing Hallowe’en cookie cutters. I give a special Wicca cake recipe in the sidebar, if you want to try making your own. Raise your wand in salute and say:
“May I ever be aware of all that I owe to the gods. Now is the time for me to give thanks for all they provide that sustains me.”
Take up the plate of cakes and lay it in the center of the altar, beside the goblet. Slowly dip the tip of your wand into the goblet, touching the surface of the wine. As you do so, say:
“In just such a fashion as this does male join with female, for the happiness of both. Let the fruits of union promote life. Let all be fruitful and let wealth be spread amongst all. As the wand is the male, so the cup is the female. Conjoined they bring blessedness.”
Touch the wine-dipped tip of the wand to the cake(s) and say:
“Here is the food of the gods, which sustains all life. May it be blessed. May all people be able to partake of it freely. Let there be enough for all, and let those who have plenty share with those who have little. So Mote It Be.”
Lay aside the wand. Take up the goblet, pour a libation to the gods [Remember to say “To the gods”], then drink from the goblet. Put it down and take up a cake. Break off a small piece and drop it [“To the gods”] in the libation dish, in the wine. Then eat some of the cake. Say:
“May I hold the gods in my mind and see their acts in all things. May I always share and give thanks. May I never forget that without the gods I would have nothing. So Be It.”
You can now relax and enjoy wine and cake. If you are planning on doing some magic, divination, or any other circle-based activity, then now is a good time to go over your plans. Review any key words or chants (chapter 13, Magic (General)). Make sure you have all the ingredients you need. When you have done your work, or if there is no work to be done, then you may relax with some music, songs, or dancing until you are ready to close the circle. That closing will be done as has been described previously.
Full Moon
Do your utmost to perform this ritual either on the night of the full moon, or at the least on one of the three nights leading up to it. This rite is also known as “Drawing Down the Moon,” since you are invoking the Goddess and asking her to descend into you. Incidentally, it doesn’t matter whether you are female or male, you can still draw down the Goddess into you.
The cakes we use we make ourselves from scratch. They are oat cakes and we start by grinding oat groats to make into flour. This we do in a stone-wheel hand grinder, though it can be done in a small electric coffee grinder. For about half a dozen people we would use 4 ounces of flour. To this add ½ teaspoon of baking powder, ⅓ teaspoon of salt, 1 egg, and about a teaspoon of butter or oil. Mix and add water until it is a smooth texture, not too watery. If you want sweetened cakes then also add sweetener to taste, and you can also add small pieces of fruit such as diced apple, if you wish. Preheat a cast iron pan—you can use cast iron muffin tins if you like—lightly greased. Preheat the oven to 410°F. Pour the batter into the pan and place in the oven for 30 minutes. Good served hot or cold.
—Ray and Tara Buckland
As stated earlier, the Opening of the Circle is done, then thanks are given and prayers offered to ask for what is needed. Then, if it’s the appropriate time of the month, the Full Moon rite is done.
The bell is rung seven times. Stand at the altar with your feet together and your arms crossed on your chest. Say:
“Goddess of the Moon; my Lady Epona! You have been known by many different names in many different lands and times, yet do you remain constant. You give your light at the darkest of times, smiling down upon us and watching over us. I ask you now, as Queen of all Witchcrafts, to come down and join with me, blending your voice with mine, as I say:
[Stand with your legs roughly shoulder-width apart, and raise your arms upward and outward, to welcome the Goddess energy. You should learn the following to say at this time. But don’t be surprised if the Goddess herself manifests here and takes over your voice. You may suddenly find yourself saying words you hadn’t even thought about. Don’t be alarmed. This is the Goddess herself making her presence felt. Try to remember what it is that she says through you. If she does not come into you (it won’t always happen and for some people it never happens), simply say these written words and feel yourself blending with the Lady and speaking for her.]
“I am she who watches over all, whether they be awake or asleep. I am the Mother of all Life. It gives me great pleasure that you should pay me homage at the full of the moon. Let my worship always be within your heart. Behold! All acts of love and pleasure are my rituals, therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. If you seek me, know that your seeking and yearning avail you not unless you know the mystery—that if you cannot find what you seek within you, you will never find it without. For behold! I have been with you from the beginning and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
“Know that, together with my Lord, I weave the web of life for everyone. I am at the beginning and at the end of life and of time. I am Maiden; Mother; Crone. Wherever you may be, if you need me then call upon me and I will be there. I live deep within you; I am Life and I am Love. Be true to me and I will always be true to you. Harm none and love all life. So Mote It Be.”
Lower your arms and spend a few moments digesting what has been said. When you are ready, ring the bell three times and proceed with the Cakes and Wine rite (see previous section).
Dark Moon or New Moon
As with the Full Moon rite, do your utmost to perform this ritual either on the very night of the new moon, or at the least on one of the three nights leading up to it. As stated above, the Opening of the Circle is done, then thanks are given and prayers offered to ask for what is needed. Then, if it’s the appropriate time of the month, the Dark Moon rite is done.
The bell is rung seven times. Stand at the altar with your feet together, your arms crossed on your chest, and your head bowed. Say:
“At the darkest time of night there is a turning point. From darkness to light; from death to life; a journey completed; a new journey begun.”
Slowly raise your head, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and slowly raise your arms up and outward. Say:
“Behold! The Lady of Darkness; mother; grandmother. Hail to the Crone! Old yet young. Mother darksome and divine.”
Pause and be prepared for the Goddess to speak through you, as at the Full Moon rite. But if she does not, then say:
“As the wheel turns, we see birth, death, and rebirth. Know, from this, that every end is a beginning. Maiden; Mother; Crone . . . I am all these and more. Whenever you have need of anything, call upon me and I will be there. I abide within you, even at the darkest of times. When there seems no single spark to warm you or to light the darkness, when all seems blackest of all, then know that I am here, watching and waiting to grow with you in love and in strength. I am she who is at the beginning and at the end of time. Harm none and love all life. So Mote It Be.”
Lower your arms and spend a few moments digesting what has been said. When you are ready, ring the bell three times and proceed with the Cakes and Wine rite. 