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Esbats Explained

Esbats celebrate the Moon and Her journey through the sky. They differ from the Eight Sabbats in that those mark the change from season to season. Esbats aren't really minor celebrations, even though that's what the word means. They mark the Moon phases - Full, Waning, Dark/New, Waxing. Some Witches celebrate the Full Moons, some celebrate the New. Some celebrate both. It's all a matter of personal choice.
The Full Moon celebrates the fullness, or peak, phase of the Moon. It signifies the culmination of the work done in the past two weeks since the previous New Moon. Anything you've worked toward should be coming to fruition. Or, you can give the request an extra "push" at this time and it will be granted. Witches also only honor the Goddess at this time, since the Moon is ruled by the Feminine. It's not that the God isn't important. It's just that He has His times of the year to shine in; this is the Goddess's.

We have thirteen moons in a lunar year: one each month, and the second occurrence in a month is known as the Blue Moon. There's no forecasting when the Blue Moon will occur each year, as it's sporadic.

Each Moon has a name associated with it.

January is the Wolf Moon, so named because it occurs at the time of year when foraging for food is high, and because wolves live in packs and we humans tend to cocoon at this time of year.

February's Moon is known as the Chaste Moon. It reminds us of when times were simple, the purity and innocence of the snow covering the earth.

March is the Seed Moon. It's the indication that Mother Earth is starting to wake up from Her long hibernation. Trees start to bud, flowers to sprout.

April's Moon is the Hare Moon. This one's pretty self-explanatory. The animals start to rise and shake out their fur, shedding their winter protective layer. The Earth is in full blood, and love is in the air.

May's Moon is known as the Dyad Moon. This Esbat celebrates the union of the Lord and the Lady. Love is in full bloom and that love is mimicked in the Earth. Flowers are at full head, trees are near the height of their perfection, and animals are procreating.

June is the Mead or Honey Moon. Bees, animals and butterflies and all of Nature are giving birth. We're all in a state of transformation.

July is known as the Wort Moon. "Wort" is just another word for herb, so it's an easy transition when you realize that this is when herbs come to their full, and give of themselves for our enjoyment.

August is the Barley Moon, and it signifies the harvest of all things grain. Grains symbolize the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth, and this Esbat celebrates life.

September's Moon is the Wine or Harvest Moon. The grape harvest is ready for gathering at this time so we celebrate the Gift of the Gods: wine.
The Blood Moon is October's Esbat. Hunting season opens everywhere, and those hunters take responsibility for using the entire animal that sacrifices itself so that we may eat.

The Snow Moon is next in November. We celebrate the darkening of the day and the coming of winter and snow. Mother Earth begins to hibernate and we begin to cocoon, too, spending more time indoors. We contemplate our lives during the times past and give thanks.

December is the Oak Moon, so named for The Oak King. He comes into his own at Winter Solstice, bringing the returning Sun's light with Him
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The Thirteenth Moon is the Storm Moon. We honor the winter storms that shake us in their intensity. We know that beneath all that snow and ice, Mother Earth is rejuvenating herself for the upcoming spring.