Many Witches use the Wheel of the Year and Sabbats to come into alignment with the cycles of nature. However, I have come cross a phenomena within modern witches, where for them Sabbats are a set day on the calendar (much like holidays are to larger society). While I can understand how this makes sense and how it is an outgrowth of our modern understanding of the world, there is a problem with this. Using a calendar to tell you when to celebrate the changing of the seasons removes nature from the equation.
Earlier this month (September 9th to be exact) within my home town of Colorado Springs we had a snow storm. Starting on August 29th the air took on a crisp undertone (even when it was 80 degrees), the wind blew more, clouds rolled in and rain and snow made an appearance not soon after. This was the true changing of the seasons. Leaves began to turn and fall from branches. We started to see all the classic signs of Autumn’s arrival. Still I heard several of my witch friends say things like “What is going on, the first day of fall isn’t for another 3 weeks!”
No my loves, the first day of Autumn is here. The Sabbats are based on natural phenomena, changes in weather and planting seasons. I don’t believe our ancestors or let alone farmers today plan their tilling, planting and harvesting around a calendar on the wall. Instead they pay attention to the weather patterns, how long the light lasts and what nature is doing around them to decide these things.
Remember, Nature does things in the time that is perfect for it. not according to our dictates and beliefs. This is one thing we need to work on being better at. As witches, it is my opinion, that we need to observe the weather patterns on our local are ( I am a little lucky I have been in this state most of my life and I can “feel” the changes happening) learn the signs of changing seasons and acknowledge them as they happen, instead of waiting for the date a website or book says should be the changing of the season.
The simplest way to begin observing and learning about the weather and the seasons in your location would be to spend time outside daily. Maybe take a walk in your neighborhood, paying attention to how the air feels, what the trees and plants look like, what sounds do you hear? If walking isn’t something you are able to do, then sit outside for a little while and pay attention to the same things.
Begin to pay attention to when the sun comes up and when it sets, the phases of the moon (I tend to make this part of the heading of my journal entries) This helps me in two different ways. 1) I begin to learn the cycles of the location where I am, and 2) I begin to record and document how I feel each day and I may notice that different weather patterns, length of days, or moon phases effect my emotions, my energy level. Not only do I learn about the nature in my area, but I also learn how I relate to those changes and about myself.
After you have gotten familiar with an area, you may begin to notice that you “feel” changes in weather. For instance I smell rain before it even looks like it is going to rain, and I can do the same with snow (and yes it has a different smell than rain does) This talent helps me to be prepared for weather changes. Furthermore, I am more attuned to the changes of the seasons which helps me to adjust my observation of sacred days.
This has led to an evolution within my practice. Keeping with my intention and practice of sinking down into the energy of the physical world and the Earth, I have evolved to celebrate the first signs of autumn arriving, the first snow of winter, the first signs of the spring thaw. This has helped to make my practice more organic and natural. It has led to feeling free from the constraints of the man made construct of time, which has helped me to relax.
There are many benefits that have come to truly aligning with the Nature around me. Readers I encourage you to take some time today and over the next month to spend sometime with the Nature right outside your door. What do you notice? How does spending this time make you feel? Are there things that you never noticed before?
The Frith Wytch 