The Wheel of the Year
By watching the Wheel of the Year we are acknowledging the ever changing seasons, with all the gifts they offer, and also a rhythm known through time by our ancestors and also those still to come. It is both logic and magic. It gives us time and balance. And connections …
I’m Alison & this is why I use the Wheel of the Year
December 2019 and we moved to a place that had been on the cards for us for many years. The actual house move had been fraught and filled with all of the twists and turns of a great thriller, and our move took place over three days, however the joy of realising those dreams was huge.
And I realised that, amongst many astrological aspects at the time, transiting Mercury was opposite my natal mid-heaven and inspirations and insights ensued!
And so we celebrated Winter Solstice, and the sun rising into Capricorn, in a new land and yet one that we recognised on a deep level.
Sun-rise on the morning of the Solstice.
The key to working with the Wheel of the Year is to fully appreciate the turning of that wheel. That every moment of every season has joyous intent for life moving forwards. Every festival honouring the turn of the seasons holds within it an appreciation of agriculture and of the stars. And also holds within it sustenance on every level – physical, emotional, spiritual and connections with others.
I invite you to watch the wheel of the Year as it turns and turns about.
This is written in the Northern Hemisphere and all is opposite for the Southern hemisphere … absolute balance of our planet!
Winter Solstice – around the 21st of December
The shortest day of the year and the longest night. A time for the earth to begin to waken. And yet it is the darkest and coldest time. Families indoors making do with whatever they stowed away before the weather turned.
This is a festival of the light with candles & fires burning to encourage the Sun to return. And a festival of love as those inside took care of each other and the animals.
Re-birth of the Sun as, astrologically, the Sun moves into Capricorn.
New.
Imbolc – Beginning of February
The Sun is in Aquarius.
Snowdrop festival. The first lambs are born and the first spring growth appears.
A strong agricultural festival as our ancestors celebrate the return of crops growing and light returning – what a special time this is!
Hope.
Spring Equinox – around the 21st of March
The Sun moves into Aries and the green year shows us Spring in all of her natural glory. Abundance begins.
Day and night are equal and light balanced. Equinox is balance.
Growing.
Beltane – Beginning of May
The Sun is in Taurus and we celebrate the first day of Summer usually on May 1st. Flowers of different colours are picked and ribbons attached to trees ready for dancing.
Bees are occupied with spreading pollen and making honey.
Friends & Family.
Connections.
Summer Solstice – around the 21st of June
The longest day of the year and the shortest night. The Sun moves into the sign of Cancer and the Sun is high in the sky.
This is another festival of the light with candles & fires burning to honour the Sun as it will begin to draw back in light.
A joy-full time of warmth and unity.
Love.
Lammas – Beginning of August
The Sun is in Leo and it is time to start properly the Harvest. Children are out of school to help and the weather is still warm and usually dry.
The first bread and cakes are baked using newly harvested crops and the celebrations take place often on the first of August.
Bounty.
Autumn Equinox – around the 21st of September
A time of equal night and day in perfect balance. The Sun moves into Libra and nature begins to withdraw back into the earth.
Harvest is at highpoint as the crops need to be brought in safely before the weather turns and stored.
This is the time to honour and celebrate our gifts both actual and symbolically.
Prepare.
Samhain – usually celebrated on October 31st
The Sun is in Scorpio and these will be the last days when travel is easy. Families gather together.
October 31st and the veil between worlds is at the thinnest. A custom is to set an extra place for evening meal and this may be for someone who has passed or for a late-comer to the table.
Ancestors & families gather.
Honour.
And then a new Winter Solstice …
The ever turning Wheel of the Year.
A rhythm for us to know and to remember that we are a part of nature and have a part to play in the dance of the seasons.
As always, with love, from Alison
