As our planet makes its annual journey around the sun, we experience fluctuations in the amount of light we receive, which in turn impacts our weather patterns. The change in weather patterns results in what we call “seasons”. And these seasons correspond to the death and rebirth cycle of our natural world. Engaging in seasonal activities helps us anchor ourselves to the Earth. The seasons can also offer us wisdom on a spiritual level. Establishing a conscious connection to this cycle is a powerful grounding practice that helps us to flow with our natural surroundings.
Astronomically speaking, there are four important points that we recognize as the Earth orbits around the sun:
First, we have the solstices that happen twice a year when the earth is at its maximum tilt toward or away from the sun. The summer solstice is when we receive the peak amount of sunlight, resulting in the longest day of the year. The winter solstice is when we receive the least amount of light, giving us our longest night of the year. Spiritually speaking, the summer solstice represents a point of culmination. It’s a chance to acknowledge and celebrate our work thus far. Whereas the winter solstice is a time of laying things to rest and retreating to a place of quiet and stillness.
And then we have the equinoxes. These occur at the halfway point between the solstices resulting in an equal amount of darkness and light in our day. The spring (or the vernal) and autumn equinox are named for their respective seasons. Spiritually speaking, equinoxes represent a time of balance and harmony. As we progress forward from these days, nature’s energy will begin to wax or wane, depending on the season and also the hemisphere you’re located in. The spring equinox marks a point of acceleration and momentum as we head for the brightest part of the year. The autumn equinox represents a time of deceleration and preparation for rest and renewal during the darker part of the year.
Astronomically speaking, there are four important points that we recognize as the Earth orbits around the sun:
First, we have the solstices that happen twice a year when the earth is at its maximum tilt toward or away from the sun. The summer solstice is when we receive the peak amount of sunlight, resulting in the longest day of the year. The winter solstice is when we receive the least amount of light, giving us our longest night of the year. Spiritually speaking, the summer solstice represents a point of culmination. It’s a chance to acknowledge and celebrate our work thus far. Whereas the winter solstice is a time of laying things to rest and retreating to a place of quiet and stillness.
And then we have the equinoxes. These occur at the halfway point between the solstices resulting in an equal amount of darkness and light in our day. The spring (or the vernal) and autumn equinox are named for their respective seasons. Spiritually speaking, equinoxes represent a time of balance and harmony. As we progress forward from these days, nature’s energy will begin to wax or wane, depending on the season and also the hemisphere you’re located in. The spring equinox marks a point of acceleration and momentum as we head for the brightest part of the year. The autumn equinox represents a time of deceleration and preparation for rest and renewal during the darker part of the year.
Many people, including myself, also celebrate what are called cross-quarter days which are the halfway points between the equinoxes and solstices. These cross-quarter days are: Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh (or Lammas), and Samhain. Many of the traditions associated with these holidays come from a Celtic Pagan calendar called the “Wheel of the Year.” This structure provides a beautiful, cyclical framework for honoring the seasonal shifts we experience during each rotation around the sun and for cultivating a conscious connection with the natural world. Living my life in sync with the rhythms of the natural world reminds me to check in with the things that need structure, things that need tending to, and the things that need to be composted in my life.
Each of those cross-quarter days has a connection to the months ruled by Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius - four zodiac signs that have a fixed modality. Fixed energy asks us to partner with what has already begun, to look and listen to what is happening around and to find ways to sustain or bring that work to completion. To connect with each of these seasons in a kinetic manner - I create and practice movement meditations that I can repeat over and over to really immerse myself in the energy of the moment.
For example:
- Beltane falls in the middle of Taurus season which represents fixed earth energy, so my movement meditation for this season would be connected to the ground, slow, methodical, and sensual
- Lughnasadh falls in the middle of Leo season which represents fixed fire energy, so my movement meditation would be anchored yet expansive, and contain movements that rise up and press outward with strength and passion
- Samhain falls in the middle of Scorpio season which represents fixed water energy, so my movement meditation would be focused on stirring and descending movements initiated by the hips
- Imbolc falls in the middle of Aquarius season which represents fixed air energy, so my movement meditation would be focused on weaving a symmetrical tapestry with my arms and hands in the space around me
In contrast, solstices and equinoxes invite us to take action in a specific area of our lives. To look at the direction our life is moving on a macro level and plan a course of action for moving forward. Each of those four main points on our annual solar calendar corresponds to a zodiac sign with a cardinal modality which are: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. The cardinal modality carries with it a burst of energy and represents an initiation. Cardinal signs inspire us to take action or begin something new. They also usher us into our four seasons Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall.
The Summer Solstice happens at zero degrees of Cancer. Cancer is a cardinal water sign. This season supports our connection to nurture home and family. Cancer season is great for initiating activities that strengthen your bonds with your loved ones and the land you inhabit. To work with this energy in your dance practices, you could perform shapes and sequences that initiate a strong connection to your emotional nature - encircling that which you long to nurture and protect. This might include circular motions that draw well-defined boundaries, shielding movements that pull from the outside in, swirling energy within the chest, and nurturing touch.
The Autumn Equinox happens at zero degrees of Libra. Libra is a cardinal air sign. This season brings a focus to our roles and relationships - but in the context of a seasonal calendar, Libra asks us to think about our relationship with the land we inhabit. Air energy helps us to identify and communicate about areas of imbalance and disharmony, so we can set things right. To work with this energy in your dance practices you could experiment with assertive motions that are directional yet elegant, and explore shapes that embody both power and grace.
The Winter Solstice happens at zero degrees of Capricorn. Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign. This season is great for thinking about what we want to build to support our legacy and how we want to be remembered long after we’ve left this realm. To explore this energy in your body I would begin on the floor or focused on your feet firmly anchored to the ground beneath you. Then I would work with shapes and sequences that are kept close to your body that depicted the building of some sort of structure or container big enough to hold your long-term vision. Understanding that by being deeply rooted in the earth, you can grow steadily toward the sun in a sustainable manner.
The Spring Equinox happens at zero degrees of Aries. Aries is a cardinal fire sign. This season supports your self-expression and self-actualization. To embody this energy, select movements that display strength and courage, and don’t be afraid to take up space. Focus on shapes and sequences that are bold and expansive. Tap into your wild side and get loud if you need to. Let the world see you, like literally if you can. Dance out in the open, or online if need be.
If you want to learn more about embodying the energy of the seasons or working with the eight holidays within the Wheel of the Year, I speak about these things in depth in episode twelve of my Spiritual Dance Podcast titled "Dancing with the Seasons." CLICK HERE to listen or read the transcript.
I also have many blog articles and social media posts that go into detail about each of the celebrations within the Wheel of the Year:
- Imbolc: A Solar Awakening
- Spring Equinox (Ostara)
- Beltane: Come Alive
- Summer Solstice (Litha)
- Lughnasdh/Lammas
- Autumn Equinox (Mabon)
- Winter Solstice (Yule)
