The Rituals of the Wheel

The change of seasons affects my personal life. The four seasons provide me with an annual cycle of continuous personal renewal. Each month takes on its own character and has different meaning for me. June is my birthday month, October is Halloween and December is Christmas. Each month has its own character and its own story. For that reason, I celebrate the arrival of each new month.

I enjoy all types of weather, so with the four seasons I get to see nature in all its forms. I also enjoy seeing the flora and fauna of nature, as it changes forms. Mother Nature has a large and varied wardrobe and she is always changing her outfits. Sometimes she tries to appear sexy, other times majestic. How she appears dictates how we relate to her. For example, in spring we all feel joyful and exuberant, delighting in the enticing beauty of nature.

I often base my activities on what season it is. In fact, holidays and observances also follow the four seasons, so they are great ways of celebrating the "Wheel of the Year." Such holidays and observances often have their roots in the Pagan celebrations of ancient time that were based on the nature-based religions that predated Wicca and other forms of modern paganism. We thus perform our rituals to celebrate the arrival of new seasons and phases of natural growth.

Spring especially serves as a time of renewal and rebirth for me. Spring is short; it is basically comprised of just April and May. I am happy in the spring that I can venture outdoors again, for activities other than walking to the bus, or from the coffee shop to the library. The increased sunlight also gives me energy. At this time, I often feel like starting new things and recommitting myself to ongoing endeavors.

The main part of spring lasts from April Fools' Day to Memorial Day. It includes Easter, Income Tax Day, 4/20, Mayday and Mothers' Day. The growth of spring also advances throughout the season, changing from week to week. For example, when April begins, spring finally shows itself through green grass and trees and bushes that have significant budding going on. At this time, the weather is cool and rainy, with frequent heavy rainstorms that sometimes result in flooding. This is when people make good use of their sump pumps!

As April progresses, the grass starts growing faster, buds begin opening up and people start working on their lawns. By this time, everyone is out taking part in outdoor activities, venturing out to area coffee shops, parks and nature trails. The weather is showery, but on sunny days nature is green and beautiful; Mother Nature wears a seemless emerald garment. The new growth and feeling of invigoration also spreads romantic feelings among many people. This is often when people change relationships or embark on new ones. It is also the time when women whip out their beautiful spring clothing.

May is "High Springtime," Nature in full flower, both figuratively and literally. There are large green leaves on the trees (especially on the Norway maples); the lack of freezing nights enables people to plant their shrubs, bushes and flowers; and the roses bloom. Spring is literally busting out all over and everyone is out to enjoy it! They want to enjoy being outside before the heat of summer. Summer is often enjoyable as well, but some years can be particulary brutal when it comes to heat, humidity and drought.

This year I especially look forward to making the most of spring. I want to involve myself in urban exploring, hanging out in local parks and hiking trails, exploring new coffee shops and spending valuable time with friends. I plan to restart my lawn care business, cutting lawns, trimming shrubs, and weeding. I also want to use this time to make great new friends and establish valuable social connections. I will journal my Spring 2017 experiences on my blog. I can't wait to share my new stories!