Celebrating The Eight Seasons

It's inarguable that modern life affords us with many wonderful Conveniences the ancients never had, like electricity, telephones, and heating. With the planet Uranus, the computer genius, now in Aquarius, there's a lot More to come. Unfortunately, although these advances in communication and Technology have pulled us closer together intellectually, they've drawn us farther Away from our spiritual selves, and we've lost a great deal of the connection The ancients had with our mother, the Earth. One of the most important traditions we've lost is the concept of the Eight seasons. Yes, eight. Ancient peoples realized that the earth was Alive, and therefore in a constant state of change.

They knew that those Changes occurred far more often then four times a year, and that, in fact, The Earth made a transition that was quite noticeable about eight times a year, Or every forty-five days. It makes sense, too, if you think about it. Take summer, for example. The Sun is at its brightest and hottest in The Northern Hemisphere during this season, but the Earth doesn't stay The same for all ninety days. Summer has a beginning, a peak, and a waning. So although the beginning of each of the four seasons--the Equinoxes and Solstices--were times of celebrations, the peaks of these three-month Periods were, too. In short, the ancients renewed their relationship with Our Earth Mother every forty-five days.

No matter how technologically advanced we become, we're still guests On this planet--and the least we can do to thank the Earth for her Hospitality is to honor her on each of her eight seasons. There are all kinds of books that outline the beliefs and customs of The wise folks who came centuries before us. Two of the best I've found Are "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner," by the late, great Scott Cunningham, and "The Wheel of the Year" by Pauline & Dan Campanelli. For those Of you who can't wait to get started on your path toward bonding with the Earth, here's a nutshell listing of each season, its meaning, and some Simple celebrations to help you begin.
 
February 2 Imbolc/Candlemas Even as winter peaks, the days grow gradually longer, and it seems That spring may come after all. In warmer climates, bulbs begin to peep Up through the warming earth. This is the feast of the waxing light, as The Sun God grows and strengthens. It is called Candlemas (and corresponds With our modern Groundhog Day) because the ancients traditionally lit candles just after sunset throughout their homes, sometimes in the shape of a Star, to welcome the Son of the Goddess--the Star Child.

It is a time of Inspiration to prepare for spring. Celebrate by creating a Corn Bride from grain or corn. Dress her in a white dress, and set her in her bride's bed--a Basket. Imbolc also means first milk, and was named as such to celebrate the Return of milk to the homes of those who kept animals. Have a cup of warm milk or a glass of spring water during the evenings, light white candles and Invite the Earth Mother to wake gradually and peacefully from her slumber.

March 21 Ostara/Spring Equinox This is one of the seasons that reminds us that we're mammals like Our animal brothers and sisters. We share the joy of the Earth in spring as we Tilt back our heads, sniff the air, and notice that everything smells New. We feel the life force stirring beneath our feet. In ancient times, This day when light and darkness were equal was called Eostar or Ostara. This Season of rebirth was the predecessor of the Christian holy day Easter, Which children now celebrate by decorating eggs. Back then, these eggs Were eaten to promote prosperity and fertility. Celebrate spring by venturing Out for a walk and saying good morning to the Earth as she awakens from her Long winter nap. Decorate your home with fresh spring flowers, and shake off the Winter blues. Daylight is overtaking darkness, and life is returning.

May 1 Beltane/May Day Spring is at her peak now. That good green smell is everywhere. Waterfalls burst over familiar paths, and the Earth is wet and fertile. Flowers Of every color fill the meadows, and the promise of new life made to us At Ostara is fulfilled. Just as the passions of the Earth Mother are Obvious now, so too are our own. Traditionally, this was the time of year When the ancients danced and wove ribbons around the Maypole, made love in the Cornfields, and leaped the bonfires. Do homage to the Earth at this Time by sipping a cup of wine or spreading out a blanket and enjoying a Picnic beneath a special tree with a lover. Creating a May bowl is another way to connect with the season. Fill a bowl with fruits and wine, and float white flowers and green leaves on top. Rejoice in the warmth of spring at her fullest.

June 21 Midsummer/Litha/Summer Solstice The first day of summer is also the longest day of light in the Northern Hemisphere. The breeze is balmy and pleasant, and flowers are in full bloom. The ancients celebrated Midsummer because the fruits (literally) of their hard work were now obvious in their gardens and fields, and even in the fruit-laden trees. They also considered this the most potent time of year to work magic of any kind, and the best month to be married. Decorate your home with roses and other summer flowers. Gather herbs and look for feathers on the ground to weave into magical charms and talismans. The Earth Mother welcomes us outdoors to share her wonders in warmth and comfort. Celebrate summer by walking barefoot whenever you can.

August 1 Lammas/Lughnassad As summer peaked, it was time for the ancients to take in their first harvests. This was a time of both joy and sadness, for although the light was waning and the growing season was winding down, the cupboards were full of the products of their hard labor. Corn dollies that symbolized the goddess of grain were created by weaving wheat stalks, and corn breads in the shape of the god of grain were baked in honor of his sacrifice. Celebrate this time of first harvest by baking corn bread, visiting wineries, and sprouting seeds to symbolize the resurrection of the Corn King. Decorate with sheaf's of wheat and grain, and spend the warmest of evenings on a porch swing.

September 21 Mabon/Fall Equinox Once again, day and night are in perfect balance. The ancients thought of this month's Full Moon as the Wine Moon (now our Harvest Moon), and they celebrated accordingly. The second harvest was taken in, and it was time to take stock of how well they had prepared for the coming winter. In European countries, fruits for wine are still harvested at this time. Celebrate this time of balance and preparation by taking stock of yourself. What can you harvest now? Which of your labors has yielded fruit? What's unfinished that must still be done? Gather seeds of knowledge by taking classes. Hang Indian corn on your door, decorate with gourds, pumpkins, and cornstalks, and gather dried plants and roots for medicines.

October 31 Samhain/Halloween As autumn peaks and the Earth Mother draws in her resources to prepare for the coming cold of winter, we think fondly of those living creatures, both human and animal, who have left us over the year. In many ways, the harvest is over, and it's time to accept what's gone. Samhain, or Halloween, was a time to celebrate those passages--even the passage of the living to the Underworld. One of the most charming traditions involved burying an apple at the foot of your favorite tree at midnight as food for the dead on their journey to the Underworld, and leaving a candle lit in the window to guide them along their way. This is also a time of recognition, and as such, it is thought that if you look into a mirror by candlelight at midnight, you'll see the face of your true love. The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest now, as any good magic book will tell you, so it's a wonderful time to use your predictive tools (tarot cards, pendulums, runes, or crystal balls) to see the future. Celebrate the season by filling a clay pot with autumn flowers. Drink warm cider, and gather in foodstuffs for the winter.

December 21 Yule/Winter Solstice On the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, the Sun God symbolically begins his journey back to the light. It's a time of silence and rest for all of us--another season when we realize how much like the animals we really are. We turn in earlier and seem to have less energy during the dark evenings as the Earth Mother rests, gathering her strength for the coming spring. Celebrate this season by decorating with holly, mistletoe, and evergreen boughs. If you celebrate Christmas, buy a "living tree," or Norfolk Island Pine to keep the spirit of the season alive all year in your tree, rather than destroying one needlessly. Burn wood from a felled oak in your fireplace--the roots, if you can find them. Decorate a Yule log (also of oak) with greens and a red bow or ribbon--a symbol of the Sun God who is symbolically born at this time. Kiss someone you love under the mistletoe (an old Druid custom).

By Kim Rogers-Gallagher
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