Journal of the Seasons: Eight Celebrations for the Year

J o u r n a l   of  the 
  S e a s o n s

Lifelong, our deepest understanding of nature comes from daily experiencing the seasons of the year. Yet most people get little exposure to the unaltered outdoors: face in the wind, rain on the skin, the smell of fire's smoke, hands in cool soil. We watch about wilderness on the Discovery Channel, we fantasize about moving from city to the land, or we escape to the trees during weekends. Sometimes the difference between a good job and a better job is the incredible fortune to have a patch of sky we can view from our workplaces.
Our ancestors expressed their connection to the earth by honoring nature's changes in a way unseparate from their labor, their community and their everyday lives. They did not have a choice; they had to work intimately with wilderness to survive. But rather than worshipping objects outside themselves, they understood that the circular process of the seasons--and the emotions, symbols and doors to growth that they engender--reflected the journey of their own lives.
We have a choice. We can create the lives of which we dream. We can do it by living it, now, and passing it on to the children, to friends, for generations. One way to welcome the outdoors inside is by gathering together and celebrating nature's holidays. We can encourage a soulful culture for children by recreating for them traditions which honor the Earth, integrating the wildness within us all. We can plant seeds of beauty which affirm a greater human purpose and meaning in life. We can hope for a harvest of memories which sustain and sweeten our experience.
Here is a diary in which to discover the stories and myths of the ancient holidays; including activities to share with young ones. Here is the story of a garden journal whose symbols reintroduce archetypes of oneness as well as observations of nature, festive foods and crafts to create by hand, ideas for home-learning guided by the natural elements; and poems, writings and reflections on history and heritage.

Mabon

Autumn Equinox, equal amounts of night and day, near September 20th every year.

Halloween

The beginning of the traditional new year! Here is where the journal begins,
at the transition from Autumn to Winter, October 31st.

Yule

Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, near December 20th.

Imbolc

Transition from Winter to Spring, February 2nd.

Ostara

Spring Equinox, equal amounts of day and night, near March 20th every year.

Beltane

Transition from Spring to Summer, May 1st.

Litha

...Summer Solstice, longest day of the year, near June 20th.

Visit the Journal again to view the rest of the year.
My apologies to those who have waited patiently for Lammas. Real life had gotten in the way of my finishing and maintaining the Journal. I intend to get back to work in order to get the Lammas page up and out there!

Lammas

...Transition from Summer to Autumn, August 2nd.

Excellent Links

The Science Explorer
A kid's page by San Francisco's renowned Exploratorium museum, featuring cool science experiments using household materials. What happens and why is very well explained!: Teel Family Web Site
Wonderful homeschooling family's site, including lesson plans, science projects and crafts.: Aunt Annie's Craft Page
What a lot of ideas for making crafts throughout the year! Materials and directions clearly stated. Many, many great ideas.: Tales of Wonder
Excellent collection of world-wide children's fairy tales.

Begin your tour at

Mabon, the Autumn harvest holiday.

Thanks to Steven Craig Hickman at Earthwisdom for this beautiful award for the week of March 21st, 1997, awarded for our "informing and empowering vision of the Old Religion." We are honored!

Woman's face by the moon is an original illustration by Angela Barrett.
Thanks to Randy D. Ralph for the use of many great icons.

J o u r n a l of the S e a s o n s