Wheel of the Year
The Wheel of the Year, a cyclical map of nature’s rhythms, offers a profound connection to the earth and ourselves. For centuries, these ancient traditions, often associated with those labelled ‘witches,’ have been obscured by misunderstanding and fear. Yet, at its heart, the Wheel is a celebration of life’s inherent cycles – birth, death, and renewal. By understanding its eight solar holidays, we can rediscover a sense of belonging within the natural world and reclaim a wisdom long suppressed.
The True Nature of the Witch: Healing, Heritage, and Harmony
For centuries, the word ‘witch’ has carried a negative connotation. Historically, many of those labelled as witches were healers who explored elemental and alternative healing methods. Paganism and Wicca trace their roots to the Druids and ancient mysteries of those who worship the earth in all its seasons.
The burning, hanging, and drowning of witches was a massacre on men, women, and children for exploring alternative methods other than the church. The word witch is another term for more modern titles such as healer, shaman, priest/priestess, and medicine carrier. Most of these people were forced into hiding with the rise of the Church and state. We are in a society now where the word “witch” is still widely misinterpreted but more accepted than a century ago.
Hollywood’s portrayal of witches with stereotypical horrifying features, broomsticks, and evil intentions is far removed from the true practices of ancient traditions. This community of people honours earth, wind, water, fire, and spirit, echoing our hunter-gatherer ancestors who recognized that our bodies are in sync with nature’s ebb and flow.
The Wheel’s Reach: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Calendars
Mayan and Egyptian cultures honoured nature, sun and the moon, and the changing of seasons much like the Pagans and Druids. The honouring of oneself comes from following the Wheel of the Year. The wheel is an ancient practice observed by many cultures predominantly Pagans with eight solar holidays. Much like Mother Nature the wheel honours the cycles of death, rebirth, light and dark. Most holidays are derived from the pagan traditions and wheel.
Our new year in Roman terms starts in January. The astrological new year starts in March when spring is in bloom and the body is coming out of its slumber. The animals are out of hibernation and the plants are growing. As a society we are forced to create New Year resolutions when the body and mind should be resting in winter months going within.
The question we must ask ourselves is why are we so disconnected from each other and our being? And what is truly missing?
We are governed by fast paced instant gratification, screens, and validation. Our bodies are made to receive sunlight and food from the Earth. The over stimulation we all experience from society is so far removed from the old ways. If we slow down and flow with the seasons and come back to nature we will always find our true essence.
A Seasonal Journey Through Ancient Traditions
The Wheel of the Year starts with Yule (winter solstice) and is celebrated on December 21 the shortest day of the year. This is a time where the body and soul are preparing for darker days to rest and go within. Many Yule traditions have evolved over the years with present day Christmas. This is the time the Sun child will defeat the darkness in the arrival of Spring.
Imbolc follows as the first day of February celebrating Springs return. This sabbat is driven from the the old Irish word meaning in the belly or womb. The signs of Spring and the incoming of light brings promise for what will grow in the coming year. In the old ways Imbolc marked a productive time for growth in regards to productive farming. It is the signs of the harvest dedicated to goddess Brigid, goddess of healing and renewal.
Ostara is spring equinox with equal amount of sunlight and darkness marking the first sights of Spring. This symbolizes new life and the time to wake up from our winter slumber to embrace the new beginnings ahead. It is the mating season for many animals, plants and trees growing, and the harvest of crops.
Beltane means the month of May. It is one of the greater sabbats where one decorates their home in flowers representing fertility. The celebration with a maypole is for the God and Goddess as the God is showing his devotion from animal lust to love and devotion. This represents the spiral of life and the beginnings of summer.
Midsummer or Litha is summer solstice falling on June 21 marking the strength and power of the sun over the summer months. Stonehenge and Glastonbury are modern spots for practicing pagans and druids to channel the sun and celebrate this festival.
Lughnasadh is at the beginning of August which is in opposition on the wheel to Imbolc. This is when the God sacrifices himself to the Goddess promising fertility as the darker months approach. Bread and other baked goods are made to show the abundance of the year.
Mabon or the autumn equinox celebrates a successful harvest and is associated with fall months as the days get darker and we must focus ourselves in ward after the vibrant summer season. The autumn equinox is a magical one where the spring equinox is sexual representing fertility.
Samhain is most commonly known as Halloween. It is celebrated the night of October 31 meaning summers end and the new year for pagans. It marks the return of winter and the thinning between the veils.
The Wheel Of The Year: Reconnecting with Nature’s Rhythms
For centuries these traditions were followed with most holidays mainly regarding Christianity placing holidays around the Wheel of the Year. What we can learn from the wheel and these traditions is that much like our ancestors our bodies flow with the seasons of nature. In society wee have shut ourselves on from community, connection, and oneself. The wheel is a glimpse into the power we can harness if we just stop and listen. The sun, moon, oceans, and animals listen to their inner knowing and nature.
Being a witch is not merely burning sage and lighting candles. It is a deep calling and inner knowing of the old ways bringing you back home to yourself in all of your entirety communing with nature and the cycles of the seasons. Anyone can hear this calling and find themselves over and over again through the Wheel of the Year.
What is it to be Psychic?
What is it to be Psychic? This is the 100 dollar question and one that has, through time, continued to divide people. There are believers and there are non believers as each viewpoint is argued over and over!
The Psychic Throughout History: Mystics, Frauds, and the Enduring Belief
A psychic is a person who claims to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws, such as psychokinesis or teleportation. Although many people believe in psychic abilities, the scientific consensus is that there is no proof of the existence of such powers, and describes the practice as pseudoscience. Some attribute being psychic to a” sixth sense”or a” gut feeling “ that is hard to describe but is a kind of “ knowing” :Very hard to prove scientifically .
Throughout history the psychic has been seen as a mysterious person , a seer, a witch, a medicine man. And negatively as a fraudster, a conman even.
Whatever your viewpoint is – and perhaps you are one of the many with an open mind but needing some kind of “proof” – there is no denying that there is an enormous open door of curiosity when it comes to such esoteric beliefs.
This will all be explored in future blogs but just question, not make judgement and open your own doors of perception – however small – just to allow the possibility of …what if?
Robert temple is a scientist who has written a book “ A New Science of Heaven”. This is one of the few books which show some tangible proof of the possibility of something unknown existing. There is a great interview with him here :
The Modern Psychics offer purely psychic mediumship readings with Natalie Reyes . These sessions , not only can bring through people that are now in the spirit world, Natalie also has the physic ability to “ feel “ and “read” her clients – sometimes offering profound insights.
Welcome to the Modern Psychics
The Modern Psychics offer a fresh and new outlook on the spiritual realms which is so often pigeon-holed as something strange and a bit off the wall.
We aim to spotlight a contemporary perspective to this other world – one that’s been so often viewed as something esoteric, and perhaps strange and intimidating – and embrace a more scientific and practical approach to the hidden phenomena that is the Psychic World.
We welcome the new zeitgeist of self-discovery through the psychic world. Our quest is to explore the powerful “ something else” exists that runs parallel to our own reality.
Our Practitioners: The Modern Psychics’ Expert Team
Every one of The Modern Psychics’ practitioners is hand-picked by a team of experts, including highly experienced mediums, psychics, and other spiritual practitioners. The common thread of our team is that each person has a modern and clear outlook on the psychic phenomena and has also trained with the most exceptional visionaries in the field.
Our practitioners are deeply committed to giving readings that will prove insightful, informative and helpful in this fast moving world and, we hope, offer grounding on different levels, especially in challenging times. None of our team promises solutions or to give specific “must do” guidance. What you will gain from a reading is the opening of a door to another enlightened and expansive world where perceptions are changed, and insightful interpretation is offered. We are dedicated to offering our clientele perspective, meaning, and increased understanding of their lives.
Our band new website showcases a diverse collective of practitioners who offer a number of different services: tarot, Lenormand card readings, archetype and shadow card readings, wicca healing, wicca spells, psychic reading online, shamanic clearing, pure mediumship, runes readings and animal communication. We also offer short email readings and a weekly “drop box” email reading.
Our online blog will feature more in depth analysis of the psychic world and you can also sign up for these directly through our mailing list, which will sometimes feature special offers.
Please take a look at our instagram and Facebook pages too and if you have any questions, please email hello@themodernpsychics.com