The Wheel of the Year…..
There was three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.
They took a plough and plough’d him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.
But the cheerful Spring came kindly on’
And show’rs began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surpris’d them all.
… Robert Burns …
What is the Wheel of the Year?
The Wheel of the Year is a reflection of the recurring cycles of the Natural world. Traditionally, these celebrations were very closely tied to the cycles of the agrarian culture of Western Europe and were marked by those specific seasonal rites of celebration. There are eight festivals or celebrations that mark the turning of the Wheel, the never-ending movement of time and the changing of the seasons and tides of nature.
The Cycles of the Wheel
The cycles represent birth, death and eventual rebirth and are symbolized through the continuum of life held within the mythos of the God and Goddess. The cycle of the God is one of sacrifice, moving from his birth at the Winter Solstice in the form of the return of the light (Sun) to his claiming of manhood and fecundity at Beltane to the sacrificial God of the Harvests at Lammas. The Goddess moves through her forms of triplicity- Maiden – Mother and Crone and remains as the undying one.
The Sabbats
Four of the Sabbats are known as the “cross-quarter” or Greater Sabbat celebrations, and include Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain. The remaining four, or Lesser Sabbats mark specific astronomical positions of the sun. These are the Winter and Summer Solstices and the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes.
Reading and Resources:
This month we have a couple new book offerings that will offer ideas about how to create your own celebrations of the Wheel, give more information about the origins and cultural associations with the Sabbats and how to incorporate the energy of the Witch’s Wheel into your practice.
Life and its cycles are all around us.
Open your heart to the experience,
open your mind to the collective wisdom
and come dance the circle of the Wheel….
Blessings Bright on Your Journey..
What is the Wheel of the Year
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About themagickalpen
Robin Fennelly is a Third Degree Initiate within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.
Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and theWestern Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice. A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.
Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd and finally 3rd degrees within the Assembly Tradition.
As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she has used Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.
Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally. She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented. She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival this Summer. Her most recent project is hosting an online blogging community entitled The Pagan Experience.
Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 43-year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education. Robin's esoteric writings can be found on her blogs.
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