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Dancing with the Earth, Sun and Moon
Dancing with the Earth, Sun and Moon

The Wheel of the Year describes the dance between the earth, sun and moon in what is the natural cycle of our world.

Celebrated all around the world by Pagans and Wiccans the Wheel of the Year is fundamental to the whole human race. The Wheel of the Year shows us when to sow seeds and reap the harvest, when we need to conserve our food stocks and rear our animals, when to romance and when to think about those who are no longer with us, when to not get discouraged with the darkness of winter and when spring is on its way.

Wiccans also see this cycle as echoing the life, death and rebirth of the Horned God and the fertility of the Goddess.

With our 24/7 lifestyles some of those things are no longer considered but the turning of the Wheel is still part of our psyche. It is a cycle that is part of many other cycles in our lives: the ebb and flow of tides, waxing and waning of the moon, our waking and sleeping patterns, our hormonal cycle, life and death and our heartbeat. For our cycles are the microcosm where Nature's cycles are the macrocosm. As above, so below we are all part of the whole.

The Wheel of the Year is marked and celebrated eight times in a one year period. These festivals are known to Wiccans as Sabbats'.Four of the festivals are based on the solar cycle and four on the lunar cycle.

Samhain

(pronounced Sowayne) is also known as

Hallowe'en

and usually celebrated on 31st October in the northern hemisphere and 1st May in the southern hemisphere, or the nearest dark moon. It is a time for remembering, respecting and celebrating what has passed away in the preceding year. This could be loved ones, pets, relationships or situations. In some rituals, those who have departed are invited to attend and typically this is a time when the veils are thin' between different realities.

Yule

is also known as

Midwinter

and the shortest day. This is 21st December in the northern hemisphere and 21st June in the southern hemisphere. Now is the time that the sun is reborn, viewed as the God in Wiccan traditions. The days grow longer, life is stirring in the earth and our dwindling supply of food will soon be replenished. There is much to celebrate.

Imbolc

(pronounced Immolc) is also known as

Candlemas

or

Brides Day

and falls around the 1st/2nd February in the northern hemisphere and 1st/2nd August in the southern hemisphere. Spring is starting to be seen and thoughts are on purification (spring cleaning!) and rededication. Traditionally young women would be thinking about finding a husband and many people would be dowsing the future and looking for omens. Wiccans choose this time for initiations.

Spring Equinox

or

Vernal Equinox

is also known as

Ostara

This falls around the 21st March in the northern hemisphere and 21st September in the southern hemisphere. Now night and day are equal the God is strong and the Goddess returns to her maiden status after a period of death during the winter months. Ostara is viewed by some as the source for the Easter Christian festival.

Beltane

or

May Day

occurs on the 1st May in the northern hemisphere and 1st November in the southern hemisphere. We are now into the second half of the year and the festivals represent a reversal of their opposites on the Wheel. Beltane opposes Samhain and celebrates light and fire. It is about fertility and Wiccans recognise it as the union between God and Goddess.

Summer Solstice

or

Midsummer

falls around the 21st June in the northern hemisphere and the 21st December in the southern hemisphere. We have now reached the longest day. The sun and the God are at their zenith. Some traditions believe that evil spirits roam freely at this time so bonfires are lit for protection.

Lammas,

Lughnasadh

(pronounced lunasar) or

Harvest Festival

is celebrated around the 1st/2nd August in the northern hemisphere and 1st/2nd February in the southern hemisphere. This is all about giving thanks for the grain harvest which are the first products to be harvested on the land. A good harvest means an easier winter.

Autumn Equinox

or

Mabon

occurs around the 21st September in the northern hemisphere and the 21st March in the southern hemisphere. Like its opposite on the Wheel it marks equal day and night. It is also another celebration of harvests such as fruit and the vine.

And so we are back at the beginning, except there is no beginning, just a continuation of cycles within cycles. There are many resources available if you want to explore this subject further and there are also many traditions and ways of recognising these festivals. My advice is to do what feels right for you.

Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from The Little Shop of Charms - Resources and information on New Age, Pagan, Wicca, Gothic, Spiritual, Angels, Pyshicsand all things Magical and Mystical.

The Little Shop of Charms also has a wide range ofbooks, charms, CDs and other Pagan supplies.

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