Originally a #Babylonian word, #Sabbat designated the quarter-days of the lunar cycle (Full, New, First & Last Quarter) thus occurring about every 7 days.

Minor Sabbats (or quarter days) are the 2 #solstices & 2 #equinoxes since they quarter the year.

Major Sabbats (or cross-quarter days) bisect the 4 quarters of the solstices & equinoxes. This makes them power-days due to the climax of nature's energy before its decline, similar to peaks & wanes of full moon energy

https://www.stellaseaspirit.co.za/cross-quarter-days-beltane-samhain/

But, as we now know, the #JulianCalendar's mean year is about 11 minutes 15 seconds longer than the #TropicalYear, and by the 4th century AD, the dates of the #solstices and #equinoxes had drifted from their official dates by several days.

In the 16th century, #Pope Gregory XIII used his authority as #PontifexMaximus to reform the calendar again, because that is something #popes can do.

Sorry for the radio silence, but I’ve been traveling with my family for the holidays. Current status, in rural western #Tennessee: big fat snowflakes all morning, tapering off now. Just enough #snow to make things really pretty, but also probably to make the roads hazardous again. We’ve had some cold-related adventures, but my dad’s house is snug and warm and has running water, all of which I appreciate much more than I did a week ago! Happy #solstices and merry #2023! #photo #video #nature

@Gila I've a similar attitude to all #holidays that are #culturally or #socially sanctioned.

#Solstices and #Equinoxes I give a hoot about: they are definitive physical manifestations of our little blue and green ball flying round the fireball sun.

They mark the seasons; planting, growing, harvesting, hibernating.

Random picture:

#bonàsavoir : généralement on dit que le #Soleil se lève à l’est et se couche à l’ouest. C’est en moyenne vrai mais en réalité cela n’arrive que durant les #équinoxes. L’hiver les levers et couchers ont lieu plus au sud et en été plus au nord. Ces décalages sont importants : en France métropolitaine lors des #solstices il atteint 35° ! 🌞 #astronomie

#bonàsavoir : généralement on dit que le #Soleil se lève à l’est et se couche à l’ouest. C’est en moyenne vrai mais en réalité cela n’arrive que durant les #équinoxes. L’hiver les levers et couchers ont lieu plus au sud et en été plus au nord. Ces décalages sont importants : en France métropolitaine lors des #solstices il atteint 35° ! 🌞 #astronomie