What an experience! Thank you for inviting us into that with you. I am captivated by your nature journaling. Such a beautiful combination of words and illustrations. I need to consider how I might incorporate even a version of that into my contemplative practices. I find myself stuck in what feels like a lack of time. But perhaps some path will reveal itself. Gratefully...
Dec 14, 2023·edited Dec 14, 2023Liked by Jan Blencowe
I just learned about The Wheel of the Year this week. So, this is very new to me. It sounds intriguing. Do you know where I could get started? Do you have any resources?
As someone who has mystical experiences in my life, I would love to feel more connection. I didn't realize that it was outside my door. Thank you for sharing your writing and photos with us.
Hello Chanel, Welcome to Hedge Mystic, I'm so glad you;re here. Basically there are two streams of Wheel of the Year that you can choose from. If you wold like to stay within the traditional Western Christian Tradition I can recommend The Celtic Wheel of the Year by Tess Ward or The Celtic Wheel of the Year compiled by Meg Llewellyn. Then there's the more pagan focused stream and for that as a beginner there's The Wheel of the Year, an illustrated guide to nature's rhythms by Fiona Cook and Jessica Roux, which does have lovely illustrations. There's also Llewellyn Publishing Company who puts out a book for each season and you can get them separately or as a boxed set. You can also click this link https://janblencowe.substack.com/t/wheel-of-the-year and go back in the Hedge Mystic archives to read everything I've written here about the Wheel of the Year. Have fun exploring and learning!
The Wheel of the Year is very important in my practice. It has taken quite a few years of walking the wheel and observing the changes in the land and my inner landscape through each turn to create the type of relationship you've described. It takes time but is so worth it. I couldn't put words to the feeling better if I tried. Thank you for such a beautifully written article. Blessings of the season to you!
HI Melissa thanks so much for reading and commenting. Yes indeed, forming this kind of relationship with Nature takes time but is so worth it. Each season, each ecosystem and habitat, each tree, wildflower, insect and animal is a teacher of great wisdom.
Hi Melissa, I’m so happy that this resonates with you and brought you warmth on a chilly day. Tree Swallows are the migrating birds I miss the most. They live here in large numbers and by observing their behavior through the seasons you can know exactly where we are in the Wheel of the Year. In early August after nesting season and fledging their young you can observe the very first signs of them congregating to form their large flocks. At first it is just two or three flying together and circling each other. When I see that I know the season is changing. Their entire communal life is a kind of Wheel of the Year. So much to learn from Nature.
This particular Substack speaks to me in such a deep and honoring way. Every word and meaning you provide have warmed me on this chilly day. Thank you so much, Jan.
"I walk/hike slowly and contemplatively. I notice the night sky, the moon's lunation, and weather patterns; the Old Farmer's Almanac is perfect for both. I also look for the migration patterns of animals in my area. I bring things from outdoors indoors, stones, branches, flowers, shells, etc., and I often make those the subject of prayer and meditation. They frequently are part of my sacred altar."
What an experience! Thank you for inviting us into that with you. I am captivated by your nature journaling. Such a beautiful combination of words and illustrations. I need to consider how I might incorporate even a version of that into my contemplative practices. I find myself stuck in what feels like a lack of time. But perhaps some path will reveal itself. Gratefully...
I just learned about The Wheel of the Year this week. So, this is very new to me. It sounds intriguing. Do you know where I could get started? Do you have any resources?
As someone who has mystical experiences in my life, I would love to feel more connection. I didn't realize that it was outside my door. Thank you for sharing your writing and photos with us.
Hello Chanel, Welcome to Hedge Mystic, I'm so glad you;re here. Basically there are two streams of Wheel of the Year that you can choose from. If you wold like to stay within the traditional Western Christian Tradition I can recommend The Celtic Wheel of the Year by Tess Ward or The Celtic Wheel of the Year compiled by Meg Llewellyn. Then there's the more pagan focused stream and for that as a beginner there's The Wheel of the Year, an illustrated guide to nature's rhythms by Fiona Cook and Jessica Roux, which does have lovely illustrations. There's also Llewellyn Publishing Company who puts out a book for each season and you can get them separately or as a boxed set. You can also click this link https://janblencowe.substack.com/t/wheel-of-the-year and go back in the Hedge Mystic archives to read everything I've written here about the Wheel of the Year. Have fun exploring and learning!
Thank you so much, this is so helpful for me.
The Wheel of the Year is very important in my practice. It has taken quite a few years of walking the wheel and observing the changes in the land and my inner landscape through each turn to create the type of relationship you've described. It takes time but is so worth it. I couldn't put words to the feeling better if I tried. Thank you for such a beautifully written article. Blessings of the season to you!
HI Melissa thanks so much for reading and commenting. Yes indeed, forming this kind of relationship with Nature takes time but is so worth it. Each season, each ecosystem and habitat, each tree, wildflower, insect and animal is a teacher of great wisdom.
Hi Melissa, I’m so happy that this resonates with you and brought you warmth on a chilly day. Tree Swallows are the migrating birds I miss the most. They live here in large numbers and by observing their behavior through the seasons you can know exactly where we are in the Wheel of the Year. In early August after nesting season and fledging their young you can observe the very first signs of them congregating to form their large flocks. At first it is just two or three flying together and circling each other. When I see that I know the season is changing. Their entire communal life is a kind of Wheel of the Year. So much to learn from Nature.
This particular Substack speaks to me in such a deep and honoring way. Every word and meaning you provide have warmed me on this chilly day. Thank you so much, Jan.
"I walk/hike slowly and contemplatively. I notice the night sky, the moon's lunation, and weather patterns; the Old Farmer's Almanac is perfect for both. I also look for the migration patterns of animals in my area. I bring things from outdoors indoors, stones, branches, flowers, shells, etc., and I often make those the subject of prayer and meditation. They frequently are part of my sacred altar."
Hi Tina, sometimes we do come into this world primed for this kind of life!