Have you ever wondered why there are  certain times of the year when your moods or the moods of those around you seem to shift?  Perhaps there is a season you seem to welcome with open arms.  What about the role the sun plays in our every day lives?  How about asking someone that works in law enforcement or a hospital what happens during a full moon?  All of these "un-scientific" yet commonly accepted truth that we are affected by the universe around us actually derive from the energies that comprise the wheel of the year.  Even Judeo-Christian holidays have been worked around the ancient and sometimes categorized "pagan" belief system.  The wheel of the year is a common and integrated calendar used by modern Wiccans and Neo-Pagans, but really, it is a system that has been integrated into almost all spiritual practices world wide that is basically about acknowledging the role that the Sun and Moon play in our lives.

We all have adopted some form of Sun or Moon worship and are probably not even aware of it.  Lets take North America for example; Why do we plant in the spring and harvest in the fall?  It might seem like a silly question to some, because well, here in Canada, unless you are practicing some really neat magick, our food can't grow in -20 degree temperature.  But if we were to go back just a generation or two, when people actually knew where there food came from, they would also probably understand the cycles of death and re-birth a little more then some of us might today. There is even a whole way of gardening around the phases of the moon called Biodynamic Gardening.  How about Yule, you know, yule log at Christmas? Yule is actually one of the names given to the winter equinox, which is usually only about 4 days before December 25th.  Those are just a couple of the many examples that permeate our culture today.

The dance of creation is found over and over not only in Nature, but also within our lives.  Take for example the waxing and waning of the moon, also reflected in a woman's cycle.  The rising and setting of the sun, ask a shift worker what they feel like having to go against this natural rhythm of the Earth.  We can find countless parallels; the beginning and ending of any endeavor, the journey from birth to death to rebirth.  This is LIFE!  When we become a little more aware of the shifts that the sun and moon bring with them, we are lending our energies to create and preserve much more harmony and balance in our lives as well as the environment that surrounds us.

One of the many traditions that I have studied and still take part in is a Wiccan coven that is of a Celtic lineage. As an initiated High Priestess, I have become aware of of the cyclical energies through this tradition.  At the end of the article, I will provide a very brief description of how the Wiccan way integrates the Sun and moon into there beliefs. The eight solar celebrations representing the position of the sun in this death and re-birth cycle for the year.  While the moon phases represent these eight positions but during the month.  Please understand that there are countless ways to bring this understanding into your life. I encourage you to explore other sources & traditions regarding these sacred earth cycles and celebrations.

When we truly start to integrate the belief that everything and everyone is energy, then we cannot deny the effects our physical surroundings have on us.  I hope this serves you well as a introductory way of starting to view how we can learn to master our lives by simply observing the many gifts our planet offers us daily. 

Solstice:  Longest Day or Night of the year
Equinox: 12 hours of Day & 12 Hours of Night
New Moon:  The Earth, the Sun & Moon are in alignment.  The moon is not visible in the sky, good time to start endeavors.
Waxing Moon:  The sunlit portion is growing and the moon is visible.  Keep working on those new endeavors.
Full Moon: Maximum Illumination of the Moon. From here on in it starts diminishing, until the new Moon again.  Don't do much, just observe the effects around you.  Good example of where the word Lunacy came from.
Waning Moon:  The sunlit portion is diminishing and the moon is getting smaller, good time to let things go.


Yule (Winter Solstice): (re)birth
Imbolc (Candlemass): quickening
Ostara (Spring Equinox): emergence
Beltane (May Day): growth
Midsummer (Summer Solstice): fruition
Lughnasadh (Lammas): releasing
Mabon  (Autumnal Equinox): harvest
Samhain (Halloween): death

A Soothing stone for the emotional body, it can help those that are sensitive or empathic relax as they are protected from the bombardment of others energies.  Calcite cocoons you and creates a gentle barrier allowing you to still connect with others while not feeling overwhelmed.  Also good for dreaming & Astral Travel, it stimulates ones access to inspiration.  Aids in removing blockages from 3rd eye.  As well, it helps one take responsibility for ones own actions. On the physical level it aids in clearing congestion from the lungs and respiratory system.  And teaches decrement and creates emotional intelligence.  All you parents this is a great stone for your sensitive Indigo.