I know, it seems like I just "told the wheel" for Samhain, but it's the Solstice tomorrow and I'm gonna post it again, so there :-P (also, I have reached the maximum blogs allowed on the site, so I've deleted the Samhain one for this one) - Anyone who wants to join in my tradition of reading this cycle each station of the year, go for it! That's why I compiled it in the first place. (of course it's the Summer Sostice "down under", if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, just start and finish at that station)
It is the Winter Solstice...
The Lady is alone, hear the cold winds howl outside, the world is wrapped in ice, and life and light have retreated into the other world.
She is with child, the Son who is born at midnight this night is the hope, the light, and the life of the year to come, when he arrives, all those who maintain the ancient ways will gather together in celebration, and lend their wit and will to the return of the light.
The Lord of the past cycle is also abroad this night in many guises, bringing to the world gifts of love and joy. The Father who is to be the Son, joyfully returning to his Lady.
Through the next few months, the days will begin to lengthen, as the young Lord grows, and the ice begins to thaw in the returning light, and the Lady is wistfully happy, remembering the past year.
The First of February the young Lord awakes at dawn to find his Mother gone. He searches for her, calling to her in all her names, but she is nowhere to be seen.
That night is the feast of Imbolc...
At sundown, all those who would help the turning of the wheel, light lamps and also call to the Lady to return, keeping the light alive through the night to bring her back.
There is an expectancy in the world now, as though a shining surprise is behind every hedgerow. Life springs forth from the earth, reaching towards the sun. There is rumour of a maiden, more lovely than anything yet seen, perhaps created by the blooms of spring as all of Life unites to return the Lady to the light of this world.
The Lord seeks this maiden, but she is elusive. He calls out in despair, and, hearing his voice, she is captured by her own heart, and goes to him. In their meeting is the deep mystery experienced by those who have fallen in Love, for although they have just met, they have been always together, and Creation is renewed.
It is the Vernal Equinox...
Those who follow the old ways gather together and celebrate Light and Life, as the Lord again begins to court his Lady for the first time.
Their Love and Dance in these months echoes through the world, and is felt by all persons. Many romances occur now, everywhere in life there are couples sharing in the Courtship.
They are hesitant, for the memories of the myriad cycles of the past are daunting. The joy of Love is weighed against the pain of Loss, and the joy is greater.
He asks her to marry him, to complete the union, She looks into his eyes, knowing full well the consequences of this step of the cycle, and can only answer yes.
Beltane...
There are ceremonies held on this first day of May to mirror the wedding of Heaven and Earth, of Light and Life, of the Lord and Lady.
This season is that of consummation of the union, The young that are born in this time, and the new growth of the fields are in response to the Lady's knowledge that she is bearing the child which is the Lord to be.
The Light is waxing towards it's peak, and Life follows in the dance. Heaven on Earth shows itself in this abundance, providing a glimpse of the world beyond earthly existence, called the Summerland.
The Summer Solstice has come...
At mid-day the Sun is said to stand still in the sky, and with it's descent, the Lord's attention begins to slowly turn from this world to the other.
The Light is still strong, and Life is waxing to full in these months, across the face of the land, the blessing of the Summerland is coming to its fruition. The wonder of love fulfilled is evident everywhere.
As the season draws to its end, Life is everywhere, and the Light is noticeably withdrawn to the other world. The Lady feels the stirring of the Child within, and holds tightly to her Lord, knowing too well that the cycle will continue as it always has.
Lughnassadh...
Harvest begins even as Life is at its peak in the world. The mystery of the ceremonies of this turning point of the wheel is that Life is not something which can exist if clutched tightly. It is a force which flows from one being to another, best when cherished and lovingly passed along. Keeping this knowledge within is the sanctification of the harvesters as they gather and hunt in the months to come, respecting that which is given by the Earth to their Folk.
Now is the time of balance and maturity. The Lord and Lady are most easily seen as Father and Mother in these times, as wise and protective providers to those who follow the Old Ways. The flow of Life is very evident, from the earth to the plants to the animals and folk, then back to the land.
Toward the end of the season, the days and nights approach equal length, showing the Lord’s attention to be nearly evenly balanced between this world and the next. Life has begun to follow in the cycle, and those who are Wise know that soon will be the time to start the final harvest.
It is the Autumnal Equinox...
The flow of life from the Land to the Folk continues as the Harvest peaks. The Lord sees the afterlife filling with spirits that have passed on their life-force and begins to spend more time with them, the Light passing into the underworld more each day.
We enter a time of the realization of mortality, that even though we are still vital, the dance continues. The time will come someday for us to return our lives to the world. The Lord showed us the way in this past season, the grandeur of autumn's glow an example to everyone of the way to walk the path all must take.
The Lady is carrying the future, their child carried soft and secure within. She knows what must happen, that the old must make way for the new... Throughout the season there is a bittersweet combination of expectation and remembrances as Life follows Her lead in watching Light’s glorious displays of love."
Samhain...
The opposite side of the wheel from Beltane, a time of partings and fellowship... The Lord passes into the underworld and the Lady descends also, to spend their last night of the cycle together.
The wake is quite a party. Light takes on masks of Darkness and Life plays at being Death, all things are jumbled, and the gates between the worlds of flesh and spirit are opened for the night so the Lady may pass and return... It is the time to prepare places for the spirits of those who have gone before to return and visit.
The season that followed was the waning of Life's cycle. The Lady dwells on the child to come, and Life follows her lead, seeming to withdraw as its energy is focused into seeds, roots, dens, and homes to nurture the new lives dwelling within.
It is the Winter Solstice...