16 minute read
The Wheel of the Year
Wheel of the Year
By Freya Savitri Sampson - Custodian Eartheart
In ancient times religion did not exist. Their customs were fluid within everyday life; their rituals, beliefs, and traditions were an oral tradition, passed down experientially, rather than rote-learned.
In ancient Celtic culture, time was cyclical/circular, not linear/rigid. It was as much a part of the nature as forests, mountains, rivers and sky. It is thought ancient Celts observed four seasonal festivals evenly spaced throughout the year – Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. These are called ‘Cross Quarter Days’, and are approximately midway between each of the equinoxes and solstices.
Equinoxes and solstices make up the other four celebrations; Yule, Ostara, Litha, and Mabon called ‘Quarter Days’. The timing is based on the Sun’s transition, therefore are solar festivals.
It’s generally thought that pre-Christian people didn’t celebrate the eight festivals. Later, these yearly festivals/ sabbats, became the current Wheel of the Year, popularised through 1950s Pagan and Wiccan religious movements. Wiccan celebrations may also include full and dark moons as events.
Countless pictorial versions of the Wheel exist, with festival positions varying. Roots in several cultures mean a plethora of names and spellings used; pre-Christian, Christian and contemporary, Wicca and modern Paganism; where no universal tradition is observed across the board.
Festival
Lughnasadh Mabon Autumn Equinox Samhain Yule Winter Solstice Imbolc Ostara Spring Equinox Beltane Litha Summer Solstice
2022 Southern Hemisphere Dates Traditional Date Astrological Date
1 February 4 February
20-21 March 21 March
30 April
20-22 June 5 May
21 June
1 August 7 August
22-23 September 23 September
31 October 7 November
21-22 December 22 December
Sun Position
15° of Aquarius
0° of Aries
15° of Taurus
0° of Cancer
15° of Leo
0° of Libra
15° of Scorpio
0° of Capricorn
The eight festivals are designed to bring attention to one’s gains and losses throughout the yearly cycle; a miniature of our entire life. Many ancient civilisations, including the Celts believed that ingratitude was an attitude which would lead a person into darkness; pride, resentment, bitterness and self-piteousness. Reflection and giving thanks for all (gains and losses), keeps a healthy balance.
Originating in Northern Hemisphere (NH), these dates are advanced by six months to align with the seasons as they occur in the Southern Hemisphere (SH).
Please see 2022 Southern Hemisphere Dates table above
Solar Festivals (Quarter Days/Lesser Sabbats)
Mabon, Yule, Ostara and Litha are solar festivals, as they measure the Earth’s position in relation to the Sun. They are also known as sun-sabbats. Dates for the equinoxes and solstices vary slightly from year-to-year, occurring at differing local times, so a date range is usually included. The solstices and equinoxes occur when the Sun reaches 0° of the four cardinal signs of the tropical zodiac – Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. These festivals form the cross spokes of the Wheel.
Lughnasadh, Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane festivals are midway between the two solstices and two equinoxes.
These festivals are measured as midpoints between solstices and equinoxes in degrees along the ecliptic, the astrological dates are around the 4th to the 8th of the month.
Some also celebrate at the full or dark Moon nearest these dates and these are referred to as moon-sabbats.
Unlike astronomical calendars that define the start of a season on a solstice or equinox, the Celts perceived solstices and equinoxes as events occurring mid-season, with the seasons actually beginning and ending on the cross quarters.
The Birth of the Sun
The basic archetypal premise of the Wheel of the Year is the relationship between the God and Goddess, whilst specific nuances vary between traditions. Wicca is viewed as a Duo-theistic Pagan Religion; the belief in the existence of two supreme deities. Together they represent the duality of the Divine; their aspects are a symbolic, and reflect the balance expressed of the passing of time, in the natural the world. God symbolising
the life force of the Sun and the Goddess of the Earth. This Wheel describes the cycle of the Sun, accompanying the Earth’s changing seasons.
The Goddess gives birth to her son, The God, at Yule. At Imbolc, The Goddess begins her transformation, through renewal becomes the maiden. In spring, The God is an adolescent; The Goddess appears to him as a youthful woman. Falling pregnant to him at Beltane, embodying the gift of new life. At Litha, The God’s power zeniths (like nature). The light begins to wane. The God ages, his selflessness visible during the harvests at Lughnasadh and Mabon. The Goddess transforms into the wise crone at Samhain, as The God surrenders his life to the land. He returns to the womb of the Goddess, restoring, preparing for rebirth at the winter solstice. At this darkest time (Winter), the Goddess gives birth to her son, The God. Once more becoming lovers in the spring, perpetuating and sustaining the cycle of birth/renewal.
The Holly King & The Oak King
The Holly and Oak Kings in some traditions are two rulers, each reigning over six months, changing at Yule and Litha, symbolising the changing strength of the Sun as the seasons change.
The Oak King takes over at the winter solstice, while the Holly King ascends at the summer solstice. The Kings are polar reflections of The God, constantly fighting for the affections of the Goddess: light/ dark, waxing/waning, death/ rebirth. Their origins are Celtic: trees were sacred, especially the Oak. Oaks go into a dormant state during winter, whilst Hollys are evergreen. When the Oaks lost their leaves, the Hollys, no longer hidden ruled the land.
Lughnasadh
15° of Aquarius - 4 February 2022
Traditional Date: 1 February (Old Irish pronounced loo-nusuh - oo as in moon) Key Attributes: Abundance, fecundity, harvest of grains
In the SH after the summer solstice, with each day that passes, the days grow shorter and the bounty at its zenith, the crops are harvested. As with the Sun, the God’s power begins to diminish. In ancient times, in the NH people wouldn’t have had fresh grains and fruits in months. Traditional celebration included the ritual cutting and offering of the first grain, and storing of seeds for the following spring and afterward marriages occurred through pagan hand fasting rituals.
In the SH, during Lughnasadh, the constellation of Leo can be seen rising from low in the north-eastern sky at around 10pm. The constellation appears upside down, Regulus the brightest star is the bottom representing in dot the question mark and also the lion’s heart. It is also known as ‘The Sickle’ because it looks like the agricultural reaping hook which was originally used for harvesting or cutting grain crops.
Celebrating Lughnasadh in Australia:
Research and learn about the Aboriginal traditions at this time Find and enjoy native bush foods in your local area Observe nature and identify Make herbed damper Share or trade produce Visit local growers gardens Enjoy viewing the prominent constellations of Orion and Leo
Mabon
Autumn Equinox 0° of Aries - 21 March 2022 (WA 20 March)
(pronounced mah-bon or maybon) Key Attributes: Harvest of fruits, gratitude, balance, temporality
This celebration aligns with the autumn equinox, around 2021 March in the SH. The Sun is perfectly above the equator. Globally, with the exception of the North and South Poles, the equinoxes are the only times that the Sun rises due east and sets due west.
Mabon celebrates the end of harvest. The cornucopia is representative of this time. A time of gratitude for Earth’s fecundity, and a time for appreciating balance, as the hours of daylight and darkness are equal. Up until now, the
days were longer than the nights, from now on the nights grow in length.
As Winter Solstice approaches, preparations for the colder months become paramount. It is at this time in The Wheel that we are pause for reflection upon the temporal nature of everything, that not dark or light can rule the other for long, and that no season of the year, or life lasts forever.
Celebrating Mabon in Australia:
Research and learn about the Aboriginal traditions at this time Find and enjoy native bush foods in your local area Make a plan for winter preparation Make a plan for activities during winter Pause to reflect - take stock of changes you’d like to make in life Make pickles and preserves Honour your elders - ask them about their lives and learning’s
Samhain
15° of Taurus - 5 May 2022
Traditional Date: 30 April (pronounced sou-in, sou as in ‘south’) Key Attributes: Ancestors, taking stock, go-within
The third harvest festival: ‘Blood Harvest’. In ancient times it was a time to take stock of food supplies and herds; cattle and sheep would be moved from outer to closer pastures, where more secure and managed with less energy. Earlier harvest dependent, those unable to be fed through freezing winter were slaughtered, then smoked/cured to feed people over the coming months.
In pagan tradition, Samhain is the festival of the dead, though there is no clear historical understanding of the origins of this. The myth goes; it is believed to be the night in which the thinnest veil exists between the living and the dead. Some stories say at one time a gap opened in the earth and passed over people from this invisible world made their presence known in this one. Henceforth it became customary for people to celebrate, remember and honour ancestors.
Apparently, the Celts would dress as ghosts, painting their faces white, they’d leave sweets and hollowed out root vegetables with lit candles inside to attract their past loved ones and repel negativity from the home, whilst fire, the sounding of drums and bells were used to ward off malicious spirits.
Celebrating Samhain in Australia:
Research and learn about the Aboriginal traditions at this time Visit ancestors grave sites Share ancestral wisdoms Make relishes/pickles Observe the Southern Cross constellation Feast around a fire pit with friends/family on seasonal root vegetables Enjoy mulled wine Finish projects and reflect on that which you’d like to rebirth at Yule
Yule
Winter Solstice 0° of Cancer - 21 June 2022
(pronounced yool - as in you’ll) Key Attributes: Masculine, rebirth, Suns cycle
Celebrated on the winter solstice 20-22 June in the SH. It’s the longest night and the Sun travels the shortest path through the sky, and that day therefore is the shortest day. This is seen as the symbolic rebirth of the Sun. It marks the astrological start of the year and for many the mythological start of the year also. The Sun hovers then moves south to taking a six month journey to its zenith at Summer Solstice over which, there is an incremental lengthening of days and shortening of nights.
This festival is centred around the masculine in life – the God, reborn on this day, beginning his mythical cycle.
Today Yule and Christmas are generally interchangeable. It is considered that Christmas is derived from Yule, as with Christmas’s customs. In the west, Christmas celebrations amalgamate many traditions symbols. These days Yule is celebrated by burning a Yule
log giving strength to the Sun. A piece of the current year’s log is kept to start the following year’s fire. Also by decorating a tree signifying the coming springs growth, and hanging a wreath as a symbol of the Wheel of the Year and the Sun’s apparent passage through the sky.
Celebrating Yule in Australia:
Create a wreath of natives for the front door Decorate with flora, celebrate with loved ones, gather seasonal foods, repast, toast the Sun. Follow the suns sky journey, notice the light
Imbolc
15° of Leo - 7 August 2022
Traditional Date: 1 August (pronounced eem-bol-ug, ee as in ‘wheel’) Key Attributes: Milk, hope, awakening life
From the Celtic Oimel, meaning milk, begins the lactating time of cattle. The ancients celebrated on the first day of their lactation, in preparation for their spring babies. The milk sustained the people through the last a cold days.
It was ritually customary to pour milk/cream onto the earth as thanksgiving to assist the return of fertility and generosity as the life-giving Suns strength increased, with winter passing the mantle to spring. Being one of the four fire festivals, a fire is central, representing the Sun and new hope. Days lengthen, light increases and the first signs of new life start appearing. Also known as the festival of lights, it was traditional to burn candles in every window from sundown to sunup to honour and welcome the Sun. The Goddess awakening from her slumber, the earth awakens too showing signs of new life.
Celebrating Imbolk in Australia:
Observe changing light Make cheeses/yoghurt Light candles Honour Triple Goddess Brigit - poetry/craft projects Reawaken things/projects in life
Ostara
Spring Equinox 0° of Libra - 23 September 2022
(pronounced oh-star-ah) Key Attributes: Balance, Innocence, Emergence
Spring equinox is a symbol of new life and new beginnings. Day and night are almost equal in length and much more growth is appearing across the landscape as summer draws near.
In the procession of the Wheel, increasing daylight is The God growing into maturity. In tandem, the Earth becomes warmer, more fertile. The Goddess’s power of her life-giving maiden aspect matures into the beauty of a youthful woman.
More fecund times, becoming evident as plants shoot from the earth and buds and blossoms emerge and the bees begin the pollination cycle. Eggs have also long been a symbol of new life and of spring. Now returns innocence and wonder, the desire to begin exploring outdoors beckons once more. Here, the harmonies and balance of equinox is enjoyed again, before the heat and urgency in Summer.
Celebrating Ostara in Australia:
Visit national park wildflower shows Watch birds prepare their nests Collect flowers, make a garland and gift it Buy seeds and plant them Spring clean/de-clutter Watch the sunrise due east
Beltane
15° of Scorpio - 7 November 2022
Traditional Date: 31 October (pronounced bal-tin-uh) Key Attributes: protection, fertility, union
Gaelic, meaning May (the month), its preface bel means bright/lucky.
Ritually on Beltane eve, a fire was lit and cattle were walked through the smoke to purify and protect them against
natural and supernatural powers, as they were loosed into their wider Summer pastures. It was believed that evil forces were particularly active at this time of year.
It was also considered good fortune would follow those who jumped over the Beltane bonfire, removing barrenness, inspiring fertility, conception and successful pregnancy. Modern perception associates feasting, dancing and sexual freedoms at this festival, with marriage and/or sexual union catalysing fertility and growth, although there is no historical evidence of this being true.
May Day merry-making customs associated with Beltane in the NH date back to 1240AD. Evolutions include, Maypole dancing, representing The Gods phallus, topped by a flowered wreath to symbolise The Goddess’s womb.
Beltane marks the physical union of the God and Goddess, now at full maturity, their coupling ensures the continuation of life. The God will then be reborn of the Goddess, after he dies in late autumn.
Celebrating Beltane in Australia:
Spend time in nature, appreciate the new growth Shop for produce at the now abundant farmers markets Enjoy the warmer ocean waters Enjoy a sensual night with your lover
Summer Solstice 0° of Capricorn - 22 December 2022
(pronounced lith-a or lee-tha) Key Attributes: Growth, maturity, full power
Being the longest day of the year, and the apex of the Wheel, it marks the height of the Sun’s strength to empower the growth. From this point the Sun sets a little earlier each night until Yule. In ancient times, it was the very-much welcomed time of rest between labour intensive planting and harvest. In modern days, it’s the time of summer-holidays, the break between Gregorian calendar years.
The earliest recording in 4CAD describes French pagans celebrating their midsummer festival, by rolling a flaming wheel downhill to a river. Later folklore describes hilltop bonfires or nearby springs, evoking the strength and virility of the season for protection of The Sun on his descending journey, and warding off evil spirits believed to attend the darkening days.
In the SH, the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky at the summer solstice. The God, in full power, The Goddess a mother - life is plentiful across the earth. The earth basks in sunlight, crops reach their full maturity, and bush/forests burst with growth.
Celebrating Litha in Australia:
Gather berries/stone fruit - make jam Compare durations - longest/ shortest days of the year Donate to charities Make ornaments from oranges Observe the arrival of migratory birds
The Wheel is ever present, be it in a day, a moonth, a year or an entire life, the cycle is represented in the macrocosm and the microcosm. It is the natural way of things, it is one with nature and, whilst we may forget at times... so are we humans. Finding ways to align with the cycle, daily, moonthly and yearly, helps one to flow through the seasons of one’s life cycle with grace and inner-peace.
Freya is available for Crystal Dreaming, The Liquid Crystals and a range of holistic services.
Image Credit: Freya Sampson, Pexels, Pixabay
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