Esbats By SkyeFyr Nightsong

Every month, most pagans will celebrate something called the Esbat. This is another term for the full moon. Below are some traditions and their "names" for each of the moons.

The moon actually goes through four stages each month. It starts with waxing (when it gets larger), to full (when it's a complete circle in the sky), to waning (as it gets smaller), to new (when there's nothing there). Actually, my daughter taught me an interesting trick. If you draw a line that starts above the moon and ends at the bottom corner it will either make a b or a d. If it's a "b" it's the beginning, or waxing moon. If it's a "d" it's the dying, or waning moon.

As you know, in some years there is a 13th moon. Whenever a month has a second full moon in it, this moon is called the blue moon. I have not found information that gives it another name in any tradition I have researched. However, if I should, I will set up another chart specifically for the "13th" moon.

(Please note, I have used the most commonly known moons for each group. Some traditions/nations may vary in their associations.)