Embracing the seasons: An introduction to the Wheel of the Year
That urge to hunker down into semi-hibernation in winter — wrapping up in blankets, lighting candles, and losing yourself in a book? Or that sudden surge of energy in spring, when everything feels possible? That’s nature gently shaping our moods, energy — even our productivity.
While we no longer rely on the natural world for survival as our ancestors once did, its rhythms still shape us. Yet, in our fast-paced, infinite-scrolling world, it’s easy to lose touch with that natural flow.
In this post, I’ll be introducing the Wheel of the Year — a framework for reconnecting with the seasons, not just as moments to celebrate, but as a way to move through the year with greater intention.
What is the Wheel of the Year?
Rooted in ancient traditions, the Wheel of the Year is built around eight key points: the solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them. Each turning point marks a change in light, energy, and nature’s rhythm — offering us a way to align our work, creativity, and rest with the world around us.
Rather than following rigid quarterly schedules or pushing for constant progress, the Wheel offers a more intuitive, sustainable approach — one that flows with the natural cycles of energy throughout the year.
This simple framework gave me a way to check in regularly, make adjustments, and grow at a steady, natural pace — all in tune with the seasons.
Working with the seasons
After trying endless planning and goal-setting methods that never quite stuck, something had to change. Even with plans in place, I’d hit overwhelm, and everything would fall apart pretty quickly. So I scrapped everything and started paying attention to my own energy and motivation instead.
That worked much better — but I still needed a little structure to plan around. And that’s when I discovered the Wheel of the Year.
This simple framework gave me a way to check in regularly, make adjustments, and grow at a steady, natural pace — all in tune with the seasons. Applying these seasonal cues to my business, as I already did in my personal life, just made sense. More importantly? It made everything feel more manageable and sustainable.
How the Wheel can work for your business
One of the benefits of working this way is the natural timing of the seasons. The eight points of the Wheel are spaced roughly six weeks apart, making them ideal for goal-setting and project planning. These 6-12 week cycles are long enough to make meaningful progress but short enough to stay flexible.
Rather than setting distant, overwhelming goals, this approach keeps you engaged, allowing you to set intentions, track progress, and adjust as needed — without the pressure of perfection.
Here’s how each season can shape your year:
Spring – A time for fresh starts, setting new goals, and sparking creativity while energy is rising.
Summer – Ideal for launching projects or services, making the most of high energy and visibility.
Autumn – A season for reflection, adjusting plans, and preparing for the slower months ahead.
Winter – A time to slow down, plan ahead, and embrace rest before the cycle begins again.
By working with these natural shifts, rather than against them, you can create a rhythm that feels more intuitive and sustainable, allowing for both progress and rest.
By honouring these celebrations, we create a sense of balance between action and rest, work and reflection.
Celebrating the Wheel of the Year
The eight key phases of the Wheel of the Year are marked by festivals, also known as Sabbats. These dates offer a handy guide for planning, but more than that, they help us tune into the natural cycles of the Earth, allowing us to align our energy with the shifting rhythms of nature. By honouring these celebrations, we create a sense of balance between action and rest, work and reflection. Here’s a brief overview of each one and how they can guide us through the year:
Samhain, October 31st – November 1st
Traditionally considered the first celebration of the Wheel of the Year, Samhain (pronounced ‘Sah-win’) marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker winter months. It’s believed that this is when the veil between the seen and unseen worlds is thinnest, making it a powerful time for remembrance and honouring those who have come before us. After the energy of summer, Samhain invites us to slow down, reflect, and release what no longer serves us, allowing us to prepare for the quiet rest of winter.
Yule, Winter Solstice, around December 21st
The Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year and celebrates the slow return of the Sun, making it a perfect time for cosy gatherings with family and friends. Yule invites us to embrace the stillness of winter, offering a space for hope and renewal. It’s a time to gather our strength, reflect on the year that has passed, and engage in deep rest and inner work — laying the foundation for the new growth to come. It's a celebration of rebirth, reminding us that after the darkest moments, brighter days are always on the way.
Imbolc, February 1st – 2nd
Falling halfway between the stillness of the winter solstice and the energy of the spring equinox, Imbolc (pronounced ‘Im-bolk’) marks a quiet turning point, signalling the first stirrings of spring. As the days begin to lengthen, our energy starts to build, and the earth begins to awaken from its winter slumber. Imbolc invites us to set intentions, and reflect on what we want to manifest as the light returns. It’s a perfect time for cleaning, clearing, and preparing for the growth and change that will come with the arrival of spring.
Ostara, Spring Equinox, around March 20th
Ostara, the Spring Equinox, sees the return of light and energy — winter is over and the brighter half of the year has arrived. As the beginning of spring, it’s a time of balance, renewal, and growth, inviting us to move forward and embrace creativity. This is the perfect opportunity to nurture the thoughts and ideas that emerged through the stillness of winter, planting seeds — both literally in the garden and figuratively in your life and work — that will flourish over the coming months.
Beltane, April 30th – May 1st
Falling halfway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, Beltane marks the height of spring and celebrates the earth, nature, and the fertility of the land. As energy rises, it’s a time to focus on creativity, passion, and prosperity. This is a season of action and growth — a time to take bold steps forward and embrace new possibilities. If Ostara was about planting seeds, Beltane is the celebration of those seeds taking root, and the promise of the summer abundance ahead.
Litha, Summer Solstice, around June 21st
Litha, the Summer Solstice (or Midsummer), marks the peak of the sun’s power and the longest day of the year. Traditionally, it signifies a turning point as the balance of light and dark begins to shift, with the days gradually growing shorter. This is a time of abundance — a moment to celebrate the growth we’ve nurtured so far. With seasonal energy at its peak, Litha is the perfect time to reflect on our progress and expand our ideas, goals, and desires.
Lughnasadh / Lammas, August 1st - 2nd
Lughnasadh (pronounced ‘Loo-nah-sah’) marks the beginning of the harvest season and traditionally honours Lugh, the god of light. This is the time to enjoy the fruits of our labour as we reap what was sown earlier in the year. It’s an opportunity to take stock of our progress and prepare for the coming autumn. Lughnasadh is a moment to share gratitude for abundance — gathering with others, celebrating what we’ve created, and savouring the fullness of the season before the longer, darker months ahead.
Mabon, Autumn Equinox, around September 22nd
Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, marks the return of balance between day and night, and invites us into a time of reflection and thanksgiving. As the energy of summer begins to wane and we prepare for the quieter, more reflective months ahead, Mabon encourages us to pause and take stock of all we've achieved. It's a time to connect deeply with the cycles of nature, giving thanks for the fruits of our efforts, acknowledging our successes, and releasing any disappointments or failures.
Working with the Wheel of the Year isn’t about rigidly following tradition — it’s about creating a seasonal rhythm that works for you.
Finding your own seasonal rhythm
Working with the Wheel of the Year isn’t about rigidly following tradition — it’s about creating a seasonal rhythm that works for you. By tuning into the natural cycles of life, you can bring flow, balance, and intention to your work and everyday life. Whether you’re seeking to overcome overwhelm, avoid burnout, or simply find a planning method that truly resonates with you, this seasonal approach offers a grounded, cyclical way to live and work.
If this seasonal approach resonates with you, I’ve put together a Spring Planning Guide to help you gently map out your next steps — complete with prompts and space to reflect. Download your guide here.
If you’d like to receive regular seasonal notes from the studio, complete with gentle prompts and tips for working in tune with nature, you can sign up for my newsletter.
