Sabbats and Esbats 201

Instructor: BlackSerpent Nightshade
Email: blackserpent@sbcglobal.net
blackserpent@thepagancampus.net

Course Description

In this class we will go over the eight “holidays” or Sabbats involved in many traditions of Wicca/Paganism. The class will discuss ways to personalize the Sabbats, whether you are solitary and involved in groups. We will also discuss the Esbats, what they are and what they mean to those who follow this path.

Suggested Texts

You are not required to purchase any books for this class. There are numerous texts out there you can purchase if you wish, as well as hundreds of web sites with information on them. I will have a Bibliography of the sites and books I have used in the creation of this class for you to refer to.

Supplies

--A journal of some kind be it a notebook, hardbound book, computer disk, your hard drive, any way you prefer to journal the information provided for future reference. It is suggestible to label the journal in some orderly manner. My suggestion is one of the following two ways.
1. Label sections into their own Sabbat correspondence—Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, etc.
2. Mark each section according to the information—History & Tradition, Correspondences, etc.
Or you can use both ways, or come up with your own….it is up to you.
http://www.cafepress.com/thepagancampus.28915100 A link to a journal from the campus store.

Class Participation & Attendance

The key for the class will be posted on the private message board about one week prior to the beginning of the class. Once I receive your registration, I will add you to the class and you will be able to see the private message board. If you have any problems, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me.

Use the key to enter the class directly. The key is only needed this one time. Here, the lessons will be opened one per week. You will have one week to complete the assignments.  There are no scheduled chats for this class so attendance will be graded on the assignments you turn in and how often you log into the classroom, which should be at least twice a week (once to pick up the lesson and assignment and again to turn the assignment in). There is a lot of work in this class, be prepared.

If I see that you have not logged in for over two weeks AND have not contacted me with a reason why, you will be removed from the class. If you have been removed and want back in, contact me and we will discuss it and see what we can do. I keep written records at home, so I will know if you have rejoined without contacting me first. Also, your name will be reported to the Dean of Education. I am fairly easy to get along with and understanding, so contact me when any problems arise.

Informal Writing Assignments

Assignments are to be turned in within one week of the lesson opening. The final can only be done if your research project has been turned in prior to the final. ALL LESSONS WILL BE CLOSED THE WEEK OF THE FINAL. If you are behind, and for reference, it is a good idea to have all information copied and saved so you can finish your work. During the final, the other lessons will NOT be reopened for any reason. You have been notified ahead of time so be prepared!

All assignment answers, quiz answers, and final answers are to be taken from the course material only. If you find a different answer somewhere, please post it in the forum on the Moodle class page for everyone to see and list your source.

The homework will have an upload feature to them or be as a journal entry. I prefer that you upload/journal all homework to the course site, but if there is a problem and you cannot do this, you can email them to me.

Research Project

There will be a research project done during this course. Be prepared to do a lot of work here. This will be given out week 6. Here is a link to help show you how to write the bibliography of a research paper. http://courses.thepagancampus.net/mod/resource/view.php?id=5636

Grading

I use a points system. All assignments are assigned a certain amount of points. The number of correct points that you have is divided by the total number of points possible to give you a final grade in percent form.
A 100-94
A- 93-92
B+ 91-89
B 88-85
B- 84-83
C+ 82-80
C 79-76
C- 75-74
D+ 73-71
D 70-67
D- 66-65
F 64-0

Libraries

It may be highly unlikely that your local library carries books on these subjects, but you can try there. Also, the Bibliography is a good place for references to books you can purchase if you wish as well as web sites to find information on.

Tutorial Services

I am available for assistance.

Disabilities

Anyone who has access to a computer, can type or use a voice activated device or has another person who will type for them, and do the assignments is welcome. I DO NOT discriminate in my class and WILL NOT tolerate it either. Do not assume I know you have a disability, TELL ME. This way I know if you need extra time or help with something. I will work with you so you can participate and complete the course.

Outline of the Course

Lesson 1: Introduction

• What are the Sabbats?
• Why are they celebrated?
• General Dates (both Northern and Southern Hemispheres)

Lesson 2: Samhain

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 3: Yule (Winter Solstice)

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 4: Imbolc

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 5: Ostara (Spring Equinox)

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 6: Beltane

• **RESEARCH PAPER**
• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 7: Litha (Summer Solstice)

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 8: Lammas

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 9: Mabon

• History, Traditions, & Lore
• Correspondences
• Crafts & Celebration Ideas
• Recipes
• Rituals & Rites

Lesson 10: The Esbats

• What are they?
• Why celebrate?
• Moons/Phases
• Correspondences
• Rituals & Celebration Ideas
• FINAL EXAM

© July 2005 BlackSerpent Nightshade
Updated February 2006, January 2007