As mentioned previously, within specific earth-centric spiritual practices, the Wheel of the Year offers an unique opportunity for the practitioner to deepen their understanding of what is referred to as the Great Mystery - that is, the eternal cycle of birth-life-death and rebirth.

Within contemporary, or initiatory, witchcraft for example, this Wheel of the Year is divided into eight observances, or festivals, referred to as sabbats, a word thought to have possibly originated during the witch trials from the 14th century referring to secret rendezvous of witches. 

In the modern context, however, the sabbats align with the timing of four agricultural festivals (Gaelic in origin) that marked the beginning of each season, together with the timing of the equinoxes and solstices.  The placement of these eight seasonal observances occurring six weeks apart was constructed by Gerald Gardner and Ross Nichols, two English men who were responsible for the resurgence of earth-centric spiritual practices in the 20th century.

Winter Solstice (also referred to as Yule): Representing the returning sun (son), the God is reborn from the womb of the Great Goddess. His birth shines as a ray of hope amongst the long dark nights as it signifies the return of the light.

Imbolc: Marking the gateway to spring, evidence of the return of the young male child to the surface of the earth can be seen in the early spring flowers also starting to appear again.

Spring Equinox (also referred to as Ostara or Eostre):  The God is now discovering the rising tide of life within himself.  He becomes the young Horned God as nature bursts forth and flourishes at a rapid rate.

Bealtaine: The light half of the year commences as the sacred union between the God and the Great Goddess is celebrated.

Summer Solstice: The power of the God is at its peak as he takes on his mantle as the Sun King. He realises too that from this point onwards his demise will occur – but such is the cycle of life.

Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas): Marking the gateway of autumn, the God prepares for his journey into the Underworld.  Yet there is still much to celebrate in recognition of the energy given freely by the God.

Autumn Equinox: The God makes the ultimate sacrifice for continued life on garth in that his own life is cut down in the form of John Barleycorn. He then journeys into the Underworld, the inner Mysteries start to reveal themselves.

The best way to fully understand the Wheel of the Year is to make observations over a course of at least 12 months, noting animal and insect patterns, plant growth (in particular native if possible), the height and strength of the sun as it makes its daily journey across the sky, as well as the moon.

Note when and what plants/trees blossom, how vocal or busy birds become at the beginning of spring, and what species of birds feed where.

All these observances help you attune to your own natural environment better than simply reading pages from a book whose author probably lives on the other side of the world.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Dancing the Southern Wheel, you can do so here.