Follow the Eightfold Wheel of the Year

Contemplate the aspects of the season for your own personal reflection, setting intentions for the year, and planning important activities.

Samhain — Halloween and Day of the Dead (October 30 – November 1)

Acknowledge our destructive side and nature

Last chance to release anything or anyone that is not honoring our growth

Relinquish any idea of control over others

Honoring of our ancestors and communication between the worlds

Trickster energy

Yule — Winter Solstice (December 20 – 23) 

Direction: north  

Element: air

Sound: rattle

Taking a stand, right use of power, showing up

Standing meditation

Ego death, express grief and let go of the past and our attachments

Respect limits and boundaries

Judicious communication, being consistent with words and actions

Responsibility and discipline

Rebel energy

Season of the warrior

*Authority issues, patterns of invisibility, stubborn, fixed position

Imbolc — St. Brigid (January 31 – February 2)

Saint Brigid was the goddess of poets, healers, and midwives

New growth and gestation before birth

To find our authentic truth and give birth to our independent spirit

Observe synchronicity

Eostre — Spring Equinox (March 19 – 21) 

Direction: south 

Element: earth

Sound: drum

Storytelling, balance between giving and receiving, acknowledgment, gratitude

Paying attention to what has heart and meaning, love

Lying meditation

Exploring our potential through planning, research, and study

Season of the healer

*Addictions, drama, the need to know, perfectionism

Beltane — May Day ( April 30 – May 2)

Fertility and celebration of creativity

Sensual pleasure

Community and sharing with loved ones

Investment in growth

Nurture our ideas and relationships

Sharing our gifts with loved ones and greater community

Litha — Summer Solstice ( June 20 – 23)

Direction: east

Element: fire

Sound: bell, singing, chanting

Telling the truth without blame or judgment

Walking meditation

Authenticity and our life dream

Intuition, perception, insight, and vision

Season of the visionary

*Blind spots, projection, self-abandonment, need for approval, acceptance or keeping the peace, indulging in the false self-system

Lughnasadah — Lammas ( July 31 – August 2)

Festival of harvest and gratitude for abundance

Celebrate with a mature attitude

Cooperative effort and sharing of surplus

Generosity to others in service, enjoy the good life

Accepting responsibility and being accountable

Mabon — Autumn Equinox ( September 20 – 23)

Direction: west

Element: water

Sound: sticks and bones

Open to outcome but not attached

Wisdom, clarity, and discernment

Sitting meditation

Silence, trust, comfort with uncertainty

Loss, ancestor spirits and ritual

Release what no longer serves our growth, grieve endings, and reflect

Season of the teacher

*Patterns of judgment and control, confusion, attachments, stubbornness

• Shadow aspects 

Some cultures may refer to different elements and directions from what is noted here.

For further discussion, I recommend The Four-Fold Way by Angeles Arrien, Book of Celtic Symbols by Joules Taylor and Goddess Wisdom Made Easy by Tanishka.

Also see my blog Solstices and Equinoxes.