Up Closefor Training and a Personal Year and with a DaySister in Wicca Dr. Jenna
shedding of the old self, and birth
Witches have different
into a new state of being. One must
specializations, some learn the
go through a period of unlearning
wisdom and magic of herbalism,
and take the time to walk through
others work with gemstones,
the yearly cycle which allows the
weather, animals, shapeshifting,
opportunity for full completion.
journeying, dreamwork, divination, charms, or all of the above. It
In Wicca, the year is divided by
takes time to figure out which
the Wheel of the Year. These are
path is ours to grow into. For the
ancient holidays recognized by
neophyte Witch, each of these can
European Pagans that coincide
only be experienced and known in
with the four quarter days of
their own time to fully grasp their
equinoxes and solstices, as well as
meaning and utilize these energies
cross-quarter days, those which
for health and wellness practices in
fall between, and represent the
life and in community.
coming in of the new natural energy. Beltane for instance is
Additionally, while it is perfectly
celebrated as the coming in of
acceptable and a long-standing
summer and the awakening of
tradition in Wicca, that people may
fertility and life, while Samhain, its’
practice solitary or self-dedicate,
opposite on the wheel, represents
and many choose this route,
the coming in of winter, and
there are benefits to becoming
the honoring of Death and
part of a larger group. Humans
remembrance of ancestors. Each
have a need to belong, and
season also coincides with certain
becoming part of a grove, coven,
activities, rituals, and ceremonies.
or larger community, provides us
There is the season of fertility, a
with learning experiences and
season of harvest, and a fallow
opportunities to develop our gifts
time, each has its energy and
under the guidance of more adept
appropriate time. This is also true
practitioners. We learn f rom one
for the cycles of the Moon, which
another, share stories, songs, and
are an essential part of knowledge
personal and creative journeys.
and practice in Wicca.
We feast together, which is the 36
