Esbat

An esbat /ˈɛsbæt/ is a coven meeting at a time other than one of the Sabbats[1] within Wicca and other Wiccan-influenced forms of contemporary Paganism. Janet and Stewart Farrar describe esbats as an opportunity for a "love feast, healing work, psychic training and all."[2]

Etymology

The term esbat is derived from Old French s'esbattre (Modern French ébat), meaning to frolic and amuse oneself, diversion.[3][4] It was a borrowing by 20th century anthropologist Margaret Murray's use of French witch trial sources on supposed Witches' Sabbaths in her attempts to "reconstruct" a Witch Cult in Western Europe.

Observance

An esbat is commonly understood to be a ritual observance on the night of a full moon.[5] However, the late high priestess Doreen Valiente distinguished between "full moon Esbat[s]" and other esbatic occasions.[6]

The term esbat in this sense was described by Margaret Murray.[7][8]

The Esbat differed from the Sabbat by being primarily for business. ... very often the Esbat was for sheer enjoyment only

Murray, 1921

See also

Notes

  1. Farrar, Janet and Stewart (1984). The Witches' Way: Principles, Rituals and Beliefs of Modern Witchcraft. p. 320. ISBN 0-919345-71-9.
  2. Farrar, 1984, p. 178.
  3. "Esbat". Dictionary.com. Random House, Inc. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  4. Murphy Pizza; James R. Lewis (2009). "The Modern Magical Revival: Nevill Drury". Handbook of Contemporary Paganism. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill Publishers. p. 64. ISBN 978-90-04-16373-7.
  5. Wigington, Patti. "Esbat". Paganism / Wicca. About.com Guide. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  6. Valiente, Doreen (1989), The Rebirth of Witchcraft, p. 123
  7. Murray, Margaret (2003) [1921], Witch Cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology, Sampson Law, Marston & Co., Ltd., pp. 112–123, ISBN 978-0-7661-4455-2
  8. Murray, Margaret (1933), The God of the Witches, Sampson Law, Marston & Co., Ltd.


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