For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of life as a modern Witch has been learning to go with the flow of the natural world. Don’t get me wrong—I always loved nature. It was one of the things that led me to where I am. Even as a child I was drawn to the ocean and the forest, and enjoyed working in the garden with my mother in the side yard of our suburban house. When I finally realized that I was a Witch, that part of me said, “Oh, of course!”
But loving nature and recognizing the power of its patterns, their ebb and flow, and how they can influence all the aspects of our lives … those are two very different things.
I can give you a simple example. I have always lived in upstate New York. It is a beautiful place and there are many facets of existence here that I love. Winter isn’t one of them. It is long, sometimes starting with snow on Halloween and snowing on and off through the end of April, and cold. Last winter we had three weeks of minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Cold, cold. If you enjoy outdoor sports like skiing and snowboarding, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. My idea of a winter sport, however, usually involves a book, hot chocolate, and at least one cat curled up with me on the couch. So winter was never my favorite time of year.
For much of my earlier life, I spent the winter struggling with depression. When I discovered Wicca in my late thirties, my then High Priestess introduced me to the idea of the Wheel of the Year. I’ll talk about it in more detail in a minute, but essentially it lays out the year through holidays that celebrate the seasons and recognizes the ebb and flow of the natural world.
In our contemporary culture, for the most part far removed from life on the land, it is easy to lose touch with these natural patterns. Before the advent of technology, people by necessity followed the ups and downs of nature. In the spring, you planted. In the summer you tended the crops and hunted, staying up later to take advantage of the longer days and the increased light. In the fall, you harvested the crops, gathered nuts and berries, and slaughtered the animals you needed to get you through the times when food was scarce.
There were no grocery stores. No electric lights. No jobs that required you to work nine to five no matter what time of year it was. No television or computers to lure you into staying up late. Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t a better time. I have two words for you: flush toilets. But it was a time when people were more in touch with the natural flow.
In the winter, there was less light. In many places it was cold. There were no plants to tend. The sun set early and rose later. People slept more, sat by the fire and worked on weaving or carving or told stories. They hoarded both food and energy until the spring came around again, and the world was reborn.
The Wheel of the Year was a revelation to me. The reason I had such a tough time with winter was because I was trying to live my life at the same pace as I did the rest of the year. And of course, I failed, because my energy was lower. I wanted to curl up with a book and a cat because all my instincts were telling me it was the quiet time, time for my focus to be internal instead of external. Once I stopped fighting the natural ebb and flow of energy that comes with the seasons, I stopped being depressed. It was incredibly freeing.
I confess, I still don’t always love winter. The cold gets to me, and it isn’t much fun to slog through the snow. But I can admire the beauty of the red cardinal against the white background and enjoy my hot chocolate, secure in the knowledge that the cycle will continue on and spring will return, bringing with it plenty of things to do out in the garden. Winter is, in some ways, a relief. Nature gives me permission to slow down for a while. Read a little longer. Write more. Go to bed a little earlier. Reach deeper inside to discover magic I might miss during the noisier, busier months.
I’m not saying you should spend the winter sitting on your couch instead of getting outside (although I do give you permission to read and drink cocoa). What I am saying is that there is wisdom to be had from following the flow of the natural cycles of life, instead of wasting precious energy fighting them.
So in this chapter, we’re going to explore those cycles from the Pagan and magical viewpoint. Maybe you too will find that going with the flow makes your life easier and less stressful.
The Wheel of the Year follows the seasons through their transitions, at the same time symbolizing the cycle all life follows: birth, growth, death, and rebirth. (Most Witches believe in reincarnation, so that one applies to us humans as well.)
It consists of eight holidays or Sabbats. There are two equinoxes, two solstices, and four of what we call quarter-cross days which fall equidistant between the others. It is worth noting that all of these holidays were celebrated in multiple cultures across the world.
Archeologists have found proof that many ancient peoples followed the solstices and equinoxes, often building structures that were used to mark the exact moments the sun rose and set on those days. It is quite remarkable, when you think about it. Although our modern interpretations of these holidays may differ from the originals, their roots run deep into the history of those who came before us, and through these celebrations we can connect back through time with our early Pagan ancestors.
As always in the magical world, different Witchcraft paths observe these Sabbats in different ways. My practice is based primarily on the Wiccan traditions taught by the High Priestess I studied with and the manner with which our particular group celebrated. But there are lots of other options, so it is worth exploring the alternatives if you interested in other approaches.
You will notice that many of these holidays were eventually co-opted and adapted by Christianity, in part in an effort to persuade the Pagans of the time to follow this new religion. Often, they kept many of the symbols (the Yule tree became a Christmas tree, for instance, and the rabbits and eggs that represented spring fertility became associated with Easter) so you may find them strangely familiar. If you share your life with non-Witches, you may be able to find ways to draw on both aspects of the holiday and integrate the Pagan celebration with whatever everyone else is doing.
As important as the Sabbats are to the practice of Witchcraft, there are plenty of Witches who either don’t observe them, don’t do anything major, or celebrate some but not others. Esbats, on the other hand, are intrinsic to the very essence of the Witch, and as far as we can tell, always have been.
Esbats, which are another term for the Full Moons, are the times when even Witches who don’t do much else in their practice often pause to at least light a candle and greet the goddess. Goddess worship has always been linked to the moon, and the lunar cycles are seen as a reflection of the changing nature of the goddess, the physical lives of the women who worship her, and the ways in which we practice our magic.
Many goddesses are specifically associated with the moon, notably Artemis, Cerridwen, Diana, Inanna, Isis, Luna, Rhiannon, and Selene. Most of these goddesses are primarily worshipped at the time of the Full Moon, although Hecate is specifically called upon during the Dark Moon (the night when the moon is completely invisible). But you can invoke any goddess during lunar observances, even if the one you follow isn’t specifically a moon goddess.
While there are a few moon gods, in general the gods have been more likely to be linked with the sun, and the goddesses with the moon. That may be because of the changing nature of the moon, which can be said to follow the phases of the triple goddess: maiden, mother, and crone. The moon starts out small, grows in size from a crescent to the round abundance of full, and eventually shrinks again. The moon’s changes are also linked to the changes in women’s bodies; some women even tend to menstruate with the advent of the Full Moon.
Just as the changing phases of the moon affect the tides and our moods, they also affect how we practice our magic. While it is always true that you can do whatever magical work you need at any time of the month, many Witches believe that different phases of the moon have different energies. If you can tap into the power that is most prevalent on that particular day, it may make it easier to achieve your goal.
The Dark Moon, also sometimes called the New Moon, is when the moon can’t be seen (technically, this one day is the Dark Moon), or seen only as a tiny crescent (the New Moon). Some Witches treat these as the same thing, others differentiate between the two. There are some who think that this time should not be used for magic at all, but rather as a time to rest. Others find it useful for doing banishing work that needs some extra oomph, divination, or inner travel. It can also be used for meditation or spiritual cleansing.
The Dark Moon is followed by the waxing stage, during which the moon grows larger every night. Because of that growth, this time is usually used for any magical work that calls for increase. Prosperity, healing, spells to call in love or a great new job—anything that is asking for more or to bring something into your life would be done during these two weeks.
The moon continues to grow until it is finally full. Most Witches also consider the day before and the day after a Full Moon to contain that same Full Moon energy. (I was taught that the two days prior to and after both Sabbats and Esbats still have the energy of those days, and frankly, sometimes you have to wait until the weekend to do a ritual, especially if you are gathering with others. Don’t worry about it too much if you are busy on the night of the Full Moon.) This is the most powerful time for magical work, so Witches often save their most vital work for these days if they can. Some have an actual Esbat ritual, especially if they belong to a group, or use this night specifically for goddess worship. There is a ritual known as “Drawing Down the Moon” that is used to channel the energy of the goddess. It is also a good time to work on improving your Witchcraft skills, intuition, or simply to open yourself to the energy of the lunar cycle.
After the Full Moon, we enter the waning phase, when the moon grows smaller with every passing night. This time is generally used for decrease, or any magical work where you are trying to get rid of something. For instance, banishing bad habits or negative people, reducing stress, or getting rid of illness or debt.
It can be relatively simple to adjust your magical work to the phase of the moon. For instance, if you are dealing with a physical issue, you can do spells to increase health during the waxing moon, and then to decrease illness or pain during the waning moon. If you need to work on financial issues, do spells for prosperity during the waxing moon, then spells to banish debt during the waning moon. You see the point. It’s all in how you look at the problem. Call in love, or banish loneliness. And of course, you can save the Full Moon for your most important issues, or to simply talk to the goddess of your choice.
If you have an altar, it is nice to light a candle there on the Full Moon, and if you can find a few minutes to get outside and stand under the glowing light of the moon and feel that energy coursing through you, even better. (Although I confess, when there is two feet of snow on the ground and the temperatures are below zero, I sometimes content myself with gazing out the window!)
The Full Moon is also the perfect time to connect with the goddess, either using the suggestions in Chapter Two or in whatever way appeals to you most. Some Witches never do anything formal, but instead just have a “chat” with whichever goddess they are most comfortable with—speaking from the heart and then being silent to see if there is an answer.
This rarely comes in the form of dramatic visitations. It is much more likely to be subtle signs in the hours and days that follow, or perhaps a small, quiet voice at the back of your mind. Some of the most important work of the Witch is to pay attention, so those messages get through. You will find, however, that the more you practice, the easier it gets to pick up on these gifts of wisdom and guidance. This is one of the most positive aspects of a Witchcraft practice, at least for me.
For a simple Full Moon ritual, find a quiet place where you can set up a small table, or stand in front of your altar if you have one. Place a goddess statue or something else to represent either the goddess in general or one goddess in particular on the table, along with a white candle, a small bowl of water, and a sage smudge stick. (Sage is used for spiritual cleansing, and helps to clear away the stress and worries of our everyday lives so we can focus better.) You can add any other decorations you like—flowers as an offering for the goddess, a quartz crystal or moonstone, additional small tea lights—but these are the basics.
If you can, spend a few minutes gazing at the Full Moon before you start. If you can’t see it from where you are, or if the weather isn’t cooperating, don’t worry. It’s still up there, and if you concentrate, you will still be able to feel its energy. If you can see it from where your altar is set up, that’s great.
Light the sage wand and waft the smoke from your head to your feet, visualizing it clearing and cleansing any negativity you’ve picked up along the way. Then you can either set the sage down in a fire-safe container to smolder gently, or put it out. Dip your fingers in the water and say, “Like the light of the moon, this water is clear and cleansing. May it wash away all those things that no longer work for me.” Lightly touch your wet fingers to the middle of your forehead, your lips, your heart, and your belly (your center or core). Visualize those places beginning to glow.
Light the candle and lift your hands in the air, palms up to show your openness and receptivity. Say, “Great goddess” (or the name of whichever specific goddess you are invoking) “I call you on this, your night of the Full Moon. I, your daughter, ask you to come to me and bless me with your light. Bring me the gift of your wisdom, the flame of your creative fire, the gentleness of your love. Fill me with the energy of your magic, that I might carry it with me in the days and nights to come. I come to you with open heart, open hands, and an open mind, and ask you for your blessings.” Sit or stand silently for as long as feels comfortable, then say “I thank you for your gifts, and send you my love in return,” and snuff out the candle.
The practice of Witchcraft is by no means limited to women. Plenty of men are Witches, too. But for women, there is a particular connection between the patterns of the changing seasons and the cycles of the moon that they can relate to in a way men cannot.
This does not mean that women’s practice of Witchcraft or any form of Pagan spirituality is somehow superior or more “right” than men’s. It just means that we come at it from a slightly different perspective, much as we come at the rest of life from a slightly different perspective.
With the exception of those with certain medical conditions, or trans/genderfluid persons who identify as female but may not be subject to the same physical experience, women spend much of their lives deeply entrenched in natural cycles as powerful and immutable as the seasons and the moon. We have our own monthly cycles, which stay with us until the seismic shifts that come with menopause. In between, some women also experience the growth and change that comes with pregnancy.
Like the seasons, these patterns are largely out of our control and are experienced differently by all of us. Like the changeable moon, we each go through cycles of waxing, waning, and fullness. If you think about it, all women contain the seasonal and lunar cycles within their bodies. How could we not, then, connect with these things on a deeply personal and intimate level?
Having a female deity gives us back the power to embrace these patterns in a positive way. And by embracing the feminine divine, we can hopefully learn to embrace our own bodies, with all their occasionally awkward and painful changes and phases. Instead of fighting them, or cursing them, or feeling as though these natural patterns are somehow unnatural or a burden, we can look in the mirror and see the goddess reflected back.
And if you see imperfections in that mirror, know that the goddess loves us all just the way we are. Remember that plenty of goddesses are depicted with round bellies and drooping breasts. There are young goddesses and crone goddesses and everything in between. You are the divine feminine.
So, the next time you stand out under the Full Moon, give yourself a big hug, as if you were channeling the affection the goddess feels for us all. If there are parts of your body or psyche you aren’t happy with, open yourself to Her acceptance of you, just the way you are. And if you are ready to make changes, lift up your arms and take in the energy of the moon in all its glory, and carry it with you through the days ahead to fuel your resolve. Feel free to howl, if you want to!
One of the benefits of a Witchcraft path is a renewed connection with the natural world, something that is easy to lose track of when you are surrounded by technology and leading your life according to an artificial, man-made schedule. But it doesn’t just happen—you have to make an effort to establish and embrace that connection.
This doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Let’s be realistic; most of us are already overwhelmed by the demands on our time and attention, and the thought of adding one more thing may seem impossible. But doing something for yourself, something that feeds your soul and refills your creative or energetic well, is worth taking a few minutes to fit into your schedule. Depending on how you go about it, it may be as simple as paying more attention while going about your regular day, or integrating magical work with your everyday activities like cooking or cleaning. You might be surprised by how empowering these small moments can be, giving you more energy instead of less.
You can start small by doing a brief ritual for each of the Sabbats and Esbats. These can be as involved or as simple as you choose. For instance, you can go through an entire formal ritual, calling in the four quarters (north, east, south, and west, representing the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water), invoking the goddess (with or without the god), casting a circle, and so on.3 Or you can do whatever feels like a way to celebrate the Sabbat, whether that is doing a craft using seasonal items, cooking a special meal, or taking a trip to someplace nearby that embodies the natural world for you.
Spending time outside in a natural environment is a simple way to get back in touch with the natural world, but depending on where you live, that isn’t always easy. If you live in a more urban setting, try looking for a nearby park, or a botanical garden, or some other place that is set aside for plants and other living things. (Even a nice, quiet cemetery.)
Take a walk and pay attention to the birds, the flowers, and the trees. And don’t forget about the element of Water. The ocean is my happy place, and I try to get there once a year even if just for a day or two. But I don’t live anywhere near the shore, so I bought a house across from a creek and put a small pond in the middle of my garden. I even have a solar fountain in my front yard, and I can listen to it when the window is open in the summer. If you can’t get to nature, you can re-create it for yourself in a multitude of different ways.
Whether you live in the country, the city, or somewhere in between, nature is all around us. We just have to become more aware and more appreciative. Rain and storms, even snow. Sunrises and sunsets. Stars and rainbows and the sounds of the birds singing. Take a few moments to turn off the television and the phone, and just be. Let yourself be filled with gratitude for the gifts the universe gives us.
Plant something. If you have the space, put in a garden—vegetables or flowers, it is up to you. Even if you don’t have a yard, you can plant a window box or grow a few herbs in pots. (If you have pets, make sure anything you have inside is nontoxic.) The important thing is to put your fingers into the dirt and watch something sprout up and grow because you nurtured it. Of course, if you grow herbs, you can also use them in both culinary and magical tasks, so that’s a bonus!
If you can’t grow anything yourself, try contributing to an organization like the Arbor Foundation, which will plant a tree in your name. Mother Earth will thank you.
Whether you stroll through the woods, walk on the beach, or feed the birds, the important thing is that you make an effort to reconnect with the natural world. We are a part of it, after all, and we are stronger and healthier human beings when we embrace that part of our essential selves.