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The Wheel of the Year |
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I am often asked what someone can do to feel more connected, not just connected to spirit but to themselves and how they can feel more centered and grounded. What I have found for myself is that when I connect to the cycles and rhythms of the Earth, when I slow down enough to notice the beauty and sacredness all around me in nature and all her wonders, it is in those moments that I am deeply connected to all that is. When I connect to the magic and awe of Mother Earth it is then that I feel grounded and centered in my body; then spirit can reach me.
One of the ways to connect to the Earth is to follow the Wheel of the Year. The Wheel has eight spokes, four of which are solar events marking the quarters. The cross-quarters are agricultural holidays that our ancestors celebrated to honor the cycles of birth, death and rebirth as they are manifested in the seasons. These ancient holidays can be just as potent and magical today as they were for our ancestors. It's very important to myself and to our community that we create ceremonies for these occasions which are relevant to our time and to our culture, allowing these auspicious days to have deep meaning in our lives and in our connection to the Earth.
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Autumnal Equinox - September 21
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Lammas ~ August 1
We turn the Wheel of Year now to celebrate the gifts of our first harvest from the seeds sown in the spring. It is Lammas, or Lugnasadh, celebrated on or around August 1, the first of the three harvest festivals.
The fruits trees and berry bushes are ready for picking, and our gardens are overflowing with tomatoes and all sorts of yummy fresh vegetables. At this time we give thanks for the bounty that the Goddess has bestowed upon us in many ways.
The Native American people celebrate with Corn Dances and Festivals, honoring the Corn Goddess. It’s the perfect time to make corn bread and be sure to add fresh corn to the recipe. Make an offering to the land and share it with your loved ones as you each send out a prayer of gratitude for all your blessings.
It is also the first of the celebrations in the waning portion of the year as the days have now begun to shorten. The Sun now casts a very long shadow as it’s position moves in the sky. It is the sacrifice of the Sun God, Lugh. It’s a time of letting go and death in a much more subtle way than at Samhain in October, but just as important to honor this shifting. As we celebrate with gratitude it is also the time to release into the sacred flames of the bonfire, that which must be sacrificed in our lives in order for us to reach our dreams, those goals that we set forth for ourselves in the spring. We can look at what needs to be released in order for us to grow and be bountiful in our lives.
There are still weeks left of hot and humid days for us to enjoy here in the northeast but there is the underlying knowing that summer dwindling. We feel the pressure to enjoy these last days, get to the beach and have backyard barbeques. The blooming of the Queen Ann’s Lace and the fabulous blue chickory on the side of the road is a gentle reminder too that the summer days are coming to a close and fall is just around the corner.
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Summer Solstice ~ June 21
In 2008 I was part of a group of pilgrims visiting sacred sites of England. During our adventure we had the opportunity to experience the magic of Stonehenge for a sunset ritual. We arrived afterhours when they allow you to walk past the ropes and gather within the stones. As we circled round the stones before entering into this sacred site, my tears of deep reverence had already begun to flow. The tangible energy that we were surrounded by was incredibly moving.
Built between 3100 – 1100 BCE, Stonehenge is a megalithic structure which is aligned with the Summer Solstice sunrise and the Winter Solstice sunset. No one is sure just what went on within this stone circle but there is no doubt when you look upon this massive monument - whatever it was – it was magical.
For all of Earth’s creatures, nothing is as fundamental as the length of daylight. After all, the sun is the ultimate source of all light and warmth here on Earth. In awe of the power of the Sun, humans have honored and celebrated it’s journey across the sky for thousands of years. The Summer Solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is the peak of the sun’s height for the year. Traditionally it was celebrated across Europe, England and Ireland with bonfires, dancing and festivities.
Today, groups of Earth loving folks continue to gather, honoring the amazing power of our Sun. There are festivals around the country where sacred fires burn into the night as dancers and drummers stay up all night to welcome the dawn. Many more people come together and hold smaller ceremonies in open space, everywhere from their gardens to woodland areas.
My spirit family comes together to celebrate Mid Summer usually in my backyard. It’s a day of picnicking, children running through the sprinkler, lying on blankets, enjoying each others company and basking in the warmth of the sun. We then gather in a circle as the sun sets, sharing poetry, song and other creative tributes to the Sun. |
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Brew yourself some Sun Tea. Fill a mason jar with spring water and put three of your favorite tea bags into it. Cover the jar and leave it in the sun for a few hours. Pour over ice and honor it’s life giving energy.
This is a time to celebrate growth and life and as we become more deeply aware of the ongoing shifting of the seasons it is also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter. So treasure this time of warmth and light. And be sure to look at your noontime shadow. Around the time of the solstice, it’s your shortest noontime shadow of the year.
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| Beltaine, May Day ~ May 1st
May Day, or Beltaine as it is called by most pagans today, is a cross-quarter that is celebrated on the first of May. This is a wonderfully festive event celebrating the beauty of spring and the rebirth of the Earth. The birds and the animals are mating. The tree buds are bursting, the flowers are blooming all around and the returning warmth of the sun is here. Gardens are being tilled as the seedlings we’ve been nurturing are now ready for outdoor planting. It’s a celebration of the fertility of the Earth. Community festivals are held with Maypole dancing, games and music. Many of the rituals are full of symbolic representations of the sacred union of the God and Goddess, of Father Sky and Mother Earth. Great bonfires were lit and the herds passed between them for blessings and sent out to the summer fields. Bonfires are still lit across Europe and Britain on May Eve, just as they have been for hundreds of years.
If you have a partner in your life to share this journey with you, this is an evening to spend time truly appreciating each other, to make a bed beneath the stars, to take a bath together… If you are single treat yourself to a massage, a pedicure, or a sweet cream and honey bath. Check out our bath recipes on the Aromatherapy page.
Honey is part of the traditional feasting, as bees are symbolic of spring and fertility. Mead, a wine made from honey, is the traditional libation of the day. You might know someone who is brewing their own and willing to share, but if not it can be found in most liquor stores these days. Raise your glass in celebration of the seeds sprouting in your own life, and be sure to share your libation with Mother Earth in gratitude for all her gifts. |
This magical picture was taken during the
Bringing in the May ceremony at High Valley.
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Spring cleaning is a wonderful way to honor the change of seasons. Clear away the winter debris and clutter. Rake away the old leaves; finding the seedlings that have begun to grow beneath them is magical. Open your windows. Get outside. Go for a walk. Listen to the birds, the wind, and the rain. Spend some time appreciating the new green life the Earth is pushing forth.
There is just as much of fairy lore associated with Beltaine as with Midsummer so be sure to leave out a dish of milk, a dab of honey and a cookie to please them.
Here in the Hudson Valley there are a few places to dance around a Maypole, wear a circlet of flowers in your hair and enjoy a wonderful bonfire after the sun sets. Check out these websites if you’re interested in celebrating with a community:
High Valley: http://highvalley.org
Brid’s Closet: http://bridscloset.com
Center for Symbolic Studies: http://www.symbolicstudies.org
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| Vernal Equinox ~ March 21
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Eggs on end 2010
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I'm sorry that this is an incomplete listing of the holidays. Please check back and I will continue to add to this page as the wheel turns. |
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