The Wheel of the Year turns to its next station and again we tell the story. As there is no beginning or end, we start so that the story ends now.
**Remember The Summer Solstice...
At mid-day the Sun was said to stand still in the sky, and with it's
descent, the Lord's attention began to slowly turn from this world to
the other.
The Light was still strong, and Life waxing to full in these months
across the face of the land, the blessing of the Summerland was coming
to its fruition. The wonder of love fulfilled was evident everywhere.
As the season drew to its end, Life was everywhere, and the Light was
noticeably withdrawn to the other world. The Lady felt the stirring
of the Child within, and held tightly to her Lord, knowing too well
that the cycle will continue as it always has.
**Then Lughnassadh...
Harvest began 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.
It was 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 was 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 approached equal
length, showing the Lord's attention to be nearly evenly balanced
between this world and the next. Life had begun to follow in the
cycle, and those who are Wise knew that soon would be the time to
start the final harvest.
**Then came the Autumnal Equinox...
The flow of life from the Land to the Folk continued as the Harvest
peaked. The Lord saw the afterlife filling with spirits that had
passed on their life-force and began to spend more time with them,
the Light beginning to pass into the underworld more each day.
We entered the time of 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 was a bittersweet combination of
expectation and remembrances as Life followed Her lead in watching
Light's glorious displays of love."
**Samhain was come...
The opposite side of the wheel from Beltane, a time of partings and
fellowship... The Lord passed into the underworld and the Lady
descended also, to spend their last night of the cycle together.
The wake was quite a party. Light took on masks of Darkness and Life
played at being Death, all things were jumbled, and the gates between
the worlds of flesh and spirit were opened for the night so the Lady
might pass and return... It was 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
dwelled on the child to come, and Life followed her lead, seeming to
withdraw as its energy was focused into seeds, roots, dens, and homes
to nurture the new lives dwelling within.
**Then it was the Winter Solstice...
The Lady was alone, the cold winds howled outside, the world was
wrapped in ice, and life and light had retreated into the other
world.
Her son, who was born at midnight this night was the hope, the light,
and the life of the year to come, when he arrived, all those who
maintained the ancient ways gathered together in celebration, and
lent their wit and will to the return of the light.
The Lord of the past cycle was also abroad this night in many guises,
bringing to the world gifts of love and joy. The Father who was to be
the Son, joyfully returning to his Lady.
Through the next few months, the days lengthened, as the
young Lord grew, and the ice began to thaw in the returning light,
and the Lady was wistfully happy, remembering the past year.
The First of February the young Lord woke at dawn to find his Mother
gone. He searched for her, calling to her in all her names, but she
was nowhere to be seen.
**That night was the feast of Imbolc...
At sundown, all those who would help the turning of the wheel, lit
lamps and also called to the Lady to return, keeping the light alive
through the night to bring her back.
There was an expectancy in the world now, as though a shining surprise
lay behind every hedgerow. Life sprung forth from the earth, reaching
towards the sun. There was rumour of a maiden, more lovely than
anything yet seen, perhaps created from the blooms of spring by the
old God in the underworld and raised by him to return the Lady to the
light of the world.
The Lord searched for this maiden, but she was elusive. He called out
in despair, and, hearing his voice, she was captured by her own
heart, and went to him. In their meeting was the deep mystery
experienced by those who have fallen in Love, for although they had
just met, they have been always together, and thus is Creation always
renewed.
**Then came the Vernal Equinox...
Those who follow the old ways gathered together and celebrated Light
and Life, as the Lord again began again to court his Lady for the
first time.
Their Love and Dance in these months echoed through the world, and was
felt by all persons. Many romances occured, everywhere in life there
were couples sharing in the Courtship.
They were hesitant, for the memories of the myriad cycles of the past
are daunting. The joy of Love was weighed against the pain of Loss,
and the joy is greater.
He asked her to marry him, to complete the union, She looked into his
eyes, knowing full well the consequences of this step of the cycle,
and could only answer yes.
** Now it is Beltane...
The Balance to Samhain. 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.