Have you ever wondered why we feel full of energy in the summer but slow down and want to stay-in in the winter? And why does Nature burst with life in the spring yet start to 'go to sleep' in the autumn? It's because we are all responding to the changing energies of the different seasons and our Celtic ancestors were exquisitely aware of this. They followed this seasonal flow of energy around a 'Wheel of the Year', honouring the changes with celebrations that kept them in touch with heaven and earth. There are eight key points in the year - four Quarter days that mark changes in the sky, and four Cross-quarter days that celebrate changes in the land. 
The Wheel of the Year
© Apogee I find it helps to think of the year as a clock face with mid-winter, the first Quarter day, at 12 'o clock.  This is the Winter Solstice (Dec 20th-23rd), which is also known as the shortest day and is the darkest point of the year. The Solstices are when the sun seems to 'stand still' in the sky.
 Opposite this at 6 'o' clock is the Summer Solstice (June 20th-23rd) - the longest day of the year and the point of highest energy.
 At 3 'o clock is the Spring Equinox (March 20th-23rd) and, at 9 'o clock, the Autumn Equinox (Sept 20th-23rd).
 An equinox is when night and day are of equal length.
These are like the edges of winter and often take a hard toll on our bodies. In between these 'sky points' are the Cross-quarter days which mark 'gear shifts' in the energy of the earth. These times are also important agriculturally. Imbolc (Beginning of February) is when the first lambs are born and ewe's milk is available again after the long winter. The year is beginning to stir and wake-up. Beltane (Beginning of May) is the transition from spring to summer when Nature is pumping with life-force and fertility. Lammas (Beginning of August) is the time of ripeness and when the earth starts to give up her harvest. Samhain (Beginning of November) is the end/beginning of the Celtic year. It is a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and it is possible to commune with the ancestors. There is great joy in being aware of the seasons in this way and celebrating them in simple ways. As the year unfolds, we will look in detail at the eight energy-points of the year and the ways in which they affect us. We will also look at how these festivals have been celebrated in Wiltshire, both past and present. The Winter Solstice - click here to learn more.
Imbolc - click here to learn more.
The Spring Equinox - click here to learn more.
Beltane - click here to learn more.
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