The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals that was developed over the centuries and originated in ancient Europe across different pagan peoples. Among the British Isles, seasonal changes and festivities were celebrated and loved by Insular Celtic peoples, who observed specific rituals.
The Celtic year was divided into two halves: the light half (spring and summer) and the dark half (autumn and winter), each one beginning with a festival.
The Wheel Of The Year, image from F. Cook's book "The Wheel Of The Year", 2023
The four most important festivals were called 'fire festivals'.
IMBOLC
The first fire festival of the year was Imbolc, which marked the beginning of spring.
This festival was dedicated to Brigid, the goddess of fertility. In ancient times people lit fires on this day to encourage the sun to get brighter and warmer. They also made a small bed for Brigid so that she could rest and give them energy for the coming year. Today, people still celebrate this festival in Ireland and Scotland, but it is now called St Brigid's Day and takes place on 1 February.
Brigid and Spring time
BELTANE
Beltane, the second fire festival, was held on 1 May. It celebrated the beginning of summer and was dedicated to the god Belenus. People built huge bonfires and jumped over them to bring good luck. They also danced around the bonfires and made music. Farmers took their cattle to the fields to graze for the first time after the long winter. In some parts of Scotland and Ireland, people still light bonfires on Beltane, but it is not as popular as it used to be. Another popular tradition was to write wishes on ribbons and tie them to a tree's branches.
Belenus, marking the beginning of summer
LUGHNASADH (LAMMAS)
Lughnasadh, the third fire festival, was held on 1 August. It marked the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. This festival was dedicated to Lugh, the god of the harvest. People thanked Lugh for the food they had grown and asked him for a good harvest next year. They also played games and told stories about Lugh. In Ireland, the Puck Fair is still held every year in Killorglin, County Kerry, during the second week of August. The fair celebrates Lughnasadh and lasts for three days.
The beginning of autumn
SAMHAIN (Halloween)
The last fire festival of the year was Samhain, which was held on 1 November and marked the beginning of winter. This festival was dedicated to the dead. People believed that on this day, the spirits of their ancestors visited them, so they left food and drink outside their homes for the spirits. They also lit fires to keep away evil spirits. In ancient times, people wore costumes and masks during Samhain to frighten away evil spirits. Today, we still celebrate this festival, but it is now called Halloween.
Samhain, the beginning of winter
QUARTER DAYS
The other four festivals were known as 'quarter days' because they divided the year into four parts.
The first quarter day was Alban Eilir (the spring equinox), which took place around 21 March. On this day, the hours of daylight and darkness were equal.
The second quarter day was Alban Hefin (the summer solstice), which happened around 21 June. On this day, there was more light than any other day of the year.
The third quarter day was Alban Elued (the autumn equinox), which occurred around 21 September. On this day, the hours of daylight and darkness were equal again.
The fourth quarter day was Alban Arthan (the winter solstice), which took place around 21 December. On this day, there was less light than any other day of the year.
The most important of these festivals was Alban Arthan, which celebrated the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of the light half. It was also known as Yule and was dedicated to the god Mabon. People lit fires, decorated their homes with evergreen plants, such as holly and ivy, and exchanged gifts. They also made a special cake and put a lighted candle in the middle of it to represent the sun. This is the origin of the Christmas cake.
Yule celebrations included having bonfires such as the Yule Log and decorating trees
Today, these eight festivals are still celebrated by some people who follow Celtic traditions, such as Wiccans and Druids.
Some Christians also celebrate them, although the dates and names of the festivals have changed. For example, Beltane is now called May Day and is celebrated on 1 May. Samhain is now called Halloween and is celebrated on 31 October. Some of the customs of these festivals have also survived.
For example, we still light bonfires on Bonfire Night on 5 November.
We also decorate our homes with evergreen plants, such as holly and ivy, at Christmas time. The custom of making a special cake and putting a lighted candle in the middle of it has also survived.
However, today we make this cake for birthdays, not for Alban Arthan.
The modern-day Wheel of The Year was first created and suggested by scholar J. Grimm in his 1835 book "Teutonic Mythology".
His work has inspired many wiccan and pagan movements and artists who have further developed the concept of paganism and traditional Celtic festivities, linking them to a more modern approach to magical living, a concept which is, nowadays, often perceived as a way to living life in a more aligned, frugal and spiritual way. From tarots reading, to journalling, meditation, vegan recipes, daily rituals to reconnect with nature and the world, the modern Wheel of The Year has changed the way we perceive the passing of time and seasons.
HOW TO CELEBRATE THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR
There are numerous ways to celebrate The Wheel of The Year, from traditional festivities to modern-life adaptations and small rituals we can include in our daily life to reconnect with nature and ourselves.
Personally, I am vegan and have been practising yoga all my life, not only on the mat, but also thorough meditation, breathing practices, everyday study and such.
So, if you are anything like me or have your routine, I understand that adapting and changing our mindset to something different can be challenging.
However, and in recent years, I have re-discovered the beauty of nature and slowly started to appreciate it more and in different ways, not only through veganism and living a more sustainable life, but also with the help of The Wheel of The Year.
Some simple activities I love to practise include:
journalling
using essential oils
celebrating my day with morning and evening rituals such as simple meditations, moon observations or making home-made herbal teas
forest bathing
tarot reading
decorating the house with flowers, according to the time of the year
You can do all these things and more to find balance, rediscover a sense of belonging, and, ultimately, as a way to approach English learning in a more authentic way: through ancient words, sounds, the way these words and meanings created our contemporary society, acts of cultural awareness such as celebrating the various festivities with your friends, alone or with your students.
Learning a language is something that goes beyond literature and movies and The Wheel of The Year, thanks to its relevance and teachings can help us to understand British English and become more fluent.
If you want to know more about how to use The Wheel of The Year to improve your English, check my Instagram page (@the_language_bee) and don't miss my upcoming themed activity booklet for British English students!
Sarah Catherine
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