{"id":269,"date":"2016-06-17T02:09:43","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T16:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/hearthwitchdownunder\/?p=269"},"modified":"2018-01-24T13:33:21","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T03:33:21","slug":"180-degrees-of-separation-the-wheel-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/hearthwitchdownunder\/2016\/06\/180-degrees-of-separation-the-wheel-of-the-year.html","title":{"rendered":"180 Degrees of Separation – The Wheel of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

180 Degrees of Separation is a series I am doing about the differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in Paganism, Witchcraft and related areas. \u00a0I am Australian and like every Aussie Pagan (not a generalisation), I notice that the large majority of 101 resources for Pagans are quite north-centric, which can be a bit of a problem for us in certain cases. \u00a0There are of course many Aussie bloggers who are trying to share how these things are different and what it means \u2013 but in my opinion, the more of us doing this, the easier the knowledge is for others to find. \u00a0So, the more the merrier!<\/p>\n

These posts are not only for us in the south though \u2013 I am sharing information for both hemispheres, about both hemispheres. \u00a0So people in the northern hemisphere will hopefully find value in these posts as well \u2013 keeping mind these are a bit 101 so if you\u2019re an experienced Pagan, you probably already know most of what\u2019s here anyway. \u00a0But you might not know about all the hemisphere differences, so you may still find this series a worthwhile read.<\/p>\n

So far we have looked at The Moon in part 1<\/a> and part 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

This weeks post is all about the Wheel of the Year, the seasons and the festivals. \u00a0Seasonal differences are something those of us in the south are keenly aware of but it takes a bit of prompting and reminding for those in the north to remember that these differences exist. \u00a0I have friends on Facebook, Pagan and not-Pagan, who live in the US or UK and who often comment on photos of my kids in summer with surprise that I would let my kids dress in singlets and shorts in December. \u00a0Some of them have asked if we are having some unnatural heat wave when I inevitably complain of the heat in February, or are we going through some weird extended winter when I complain about the cold in June.<\/p>\n

These aren\u2019t, generally, stupid people. \u00a0Most of them do actually know about the differences, but because this world \u2013 at least the western world \u2013 is north-centric, not just in Paganism but on TV, movies, books, magazines, mythology, lore, stories, fairytales and the list goes on, it can be easy for those in the north to forget that the south is different. \u00a0It\u2019s not like you are inundated with south-centric information to remind you of the differences. \u00a0Whereas we are inundated with north-centric information that reminds us, almost constantly, of those differences. \u00a0It\u2019s not stupidity, it\u2019s not lack of awareness \u2013 it\u2019s simply about what is shoved in your face constantly, and what is in our face is how different we are, what is in your face is normalcy. \u00a0Though sometimes it is lack of awareness \u2013 if no one has told you about the differences, how are you to know about them?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Axial Tilt<\/h2>\n
\"axial
CC0\u00a0public domain from wikimedia commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The above image shows the basic idea of axial tilt and how that changes our seasons. \u00a0Because our planet is on a tilted axis this means that at one part of the year, peaking at\u00a0June, the top part of the planet faces the sun for a longer period during the day \u2013 leading not only to summer for the north but also the most northern parts of the planet getting up to 6 months of constant daylight and no night at all<\/a>. \u00a0At the same time the southern part of the planet gets exposed to less daylight hours, more night time hours \u2013 leading to winter and colder conditions as well as the most southern areas getting up to 6 months of constant darkness and no sun light at all.<\/p>\n

This changes as time goes on until we reach December and it is opposite \u2013 the southern half of the planet is more exposed to the sun, the northern less exposed. \u00a0Without the axial tilt and the angles at which we revolve around the sun, the entire year would be equal for sunlight and night time, and the Gods only what that would mean for the seasons! \u00a0Okay scientists probably know too, but I don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The image below shows us the way it all looks at a specific time during what I assume were the solstices and equinoxes in 2004. \u00a0The two on the left show the equinoxes \u2013 which is almost equal lengths of day and night, for both the south and north. \u00a0But the seasons are still opposite, spring up north is autumn down under, despite equal sunlight. \u00a0They may be equal at these moments, but they are coming from different directions, so to speak. \u00a0For the north, at spring time, you are coming from less sunlight and the days are getting longer, after the equinox day will be longer than night. \u00a0In the south after the same equinox in March, which is autumn for us, we are coming from long daylight hours and slowly getting less.<\/p>\n

\"seasons
CC0\u00a0public domain from wikimedia commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Sabbats<\/h2>\n

So, if our seasons are opposite what does this mean for the Sabbats, the eight Pagan festivals? \u00a0Well this is largely dependent on the individual. \u00a0Here in the south we have many choices of what we can do. \u00a0Most common is to do the 180 switch, Beltane for the north is Samhain for us. \u00a0This is a pretty obvious choice given that our summer solstice happens during the norths winter solstice and the solstices are astronomical events, not something that can be changed by the weather, desire, 101 books or even witchcraft.<\/p>\n

Some Aussies and I assume other people in the southern hemisphere choose to do something else \u2013 they stick with the northern festival dates. \u00a0I kind of understand this \u2013 it is easier to celebrate Yule when everyone around you is celebrating Christmas, Ostara when everyone is celebrating Easter and Samhain when everyone is Halloweening. \u00a0But on the other hand, I just can\u2019t figure it \u2013 I mean I don\u2019t actually observe the Sabbats personally, but I also hate\u00a0Christmas because I cannot stand the winter symbolism in the height of summer!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"sabbats
Festival dates for 2016 using the most common dates for both hemispheres.
Background image CC0 public domain from wikimedia commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

By doing the 180 switch we do face a couple problems though. \u00a0This doesn\u2019t affect every festival, but it has some rather annoying affects on others.<\/p>\n

Summer Solstice is in December for us, near\u00a0Christmas. \u00a0This means we are surrounded by winter symbolism. \u00a0This also means that if we want decorations and such for Yule we have to buy it during summer for the next winter. \u00a0It also means that if we do choose to put up a Yule tree or use Christmas-like decorations for Yule, in June, well we kind of look crazy. \u00a0It\u2019s not Christmas in June.<\/p>\n

Autumn Equinox is in March, when the shops are selling chocolate rabbits and eggs and various spring symbols. \u00a0If you want to buy stuff for Ostara, you need to do it now and hope the chocolate keeps. \u00a0Which is doubtful. \u00a0Chocolate is yummy. \u00a0And again, we look a bit crazy celebrating what may look similar to Easter, in September.<\/p>\n

Samhain is at the end of April or beginning of May, depending on which date you subscribe to. \u00a0There is no merging with Halloween for us, no trick or treating and dressing up will get you some odd looks. \u00a0Not that I care, I once dressed up vampiric for a normal Friday the 13th. \u00a0This one has a slight upside though, if you do want to celebrate Halloween, there is absolutely nothing wrong with dressing up and wandering the streets on Beltane! \u00a0And while I don\u2019t like being whacked over the head with seasonal symbols that don\u2019t match our current season \u2013 Halloween is the one I forgive, because, well, it\u2019s Halloween! \u00a0It can be Halloween all year long and I will be happy.<\/p>\n

So as you can see, this can create a few problems because of commercial festivals. \u00a0At the same time though, it is in a way easier for us in the south \u2013 we can easily separate our festivals from the commercial. There is no mistaking one festival for another. \u00a0You try to celebrate Yule near Christmas, people will think you\u2019re doing Christmas. \u00a0But when we decorate our homes in summer flowers and various summer symbols, no one is mistaking that for Christmas. \u00a0But of course this depends on if you want them to be separated.
\n<\/p>\n

Reconciling the Commercial and the Pagan<\/h2>\n

I have pointed out that it can be difficult for us to celebrate our seasonal festivals because of the commercial festivals shoving the wrong seasons down our throats. \u00a0So how can we overcome this, or even work with it?<\/p>\n

The most obvious answer is to Google everything. \u00a0Just because that blog post about Beltane is from the northern hemisphere and is 3 years old doesn\u2019t make it irrelevant to your Beltane this year in October. \u00a0The general ideas of how to celebrate the Sabbats remain the same world wide \u2013 excepting differences with flora and fauna.<\/p>\n

Christmas is full of winter symbolism, which is annoying, however\u2026 Fairy lights are fun little things, and quite suitable for summer solstice which is not only about summer but also about light! \u00a0Using fairy lights during a light festival is perfectly okay. \u00a0New Years Eve is also coming up for us which provides other options \u2013 glow sticks anyone? \u00a0Sparklers are also summery fun, if you are not in a total fire ban area. \u00a0Tinsel in the right colours \u2013 red and gold especially \u2013 would also be great for creating a summer wreath or other summer decorations. \u00a0Those stars we hang on our trees instead of angels, well, you did know the sun is a star right? \u00a0Also good for the summer solstice.<\/p>\n

Handily, Aussies managed to adapt to a summer Christmas long ago \u2013 BBQs are basically tradition for Christmas, and are just as great for the solstice. \u00a0If you are lucky you may live in an area that sells Aussie-fied Christmas decorations, such as gum leaf or sunflower garlands. \u00a0On a personal note, for the summer solstice I always buy gifts for the kids, just like for Christmas \u2013 but I make them seasonally appropriate. \u00a0A massive trampoline one year, sporting equipment the next, a throw together swimming pool the next \u2013 gifts that are great for outdoor use.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s just one example of how you can use the commercial holidays to your advantage. \u00a0I already mentioned above that getting dressed up and wandering around in the middle of the night is not a problem for Beltane which happens on Halloween. \u00a0Halloween paraphernalia is generally non-perishable so you can definitely stock up \u2013 but I do think using Halloween decorations in April\/May could be problematic, if fun.<\/p>\n

Using Easter to your advantage for the Autumn Equinox is a bit more tricky. \u00a0It\u2019s basically just chocolate eggs and bunnies and hot cross buns, and other than suggesting you buy them after Easter to get good prices, and eat them before the kids do, I honestly have no ideas for this one. \u00a0Those fruit buns aren\u2019t really that bad for autumn though. \u00a0The natural world and DIY crafts are your best bet for this. \u00a0I wouldn\u2019t rely on anything Eastery to help you out really. \u00a0Although, when it comes to real eggs, I can\u2019t deny things like quiche seem like perfectly good autumn foods to me.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Atypical Seasons<\/h2>\n

The world is not the same from one place to the next. \u00a0Our Gregorian calendar and the solstices and equinoxes determine when the four seasons occur \u2013 but the four seasons are actually atypical on the world scale. \u00a0Indeed, on the world scale, there maybe are no typical seasons as such because every country, every region is so vastly different. \u00a0While the four seasons are observed\u00a0in many places, they aren\u2019t really what we think. \u00a0Your particular area may seem to match the four seasons fairly well, but the truth may be a bit more complex than you realise. \u00a0You may actually live in an area that has 3 seasons, or 5 or 6 or 10 seasons \u2013 but because you are taught early on and grow up knowing that there are four seasons, exactly, beginning and ending at specific times, this can make it easy for you to not actually see the other unacknowledged seasons that happen in your area and during your life.<\/p>\n

This is not to say that your area can\u2019t have exactly those four seasons, it\u2019s certainly possible \u2013 it\u2019s just not as typical as people think it is.<\/p>\n

So, it is possible that your country, state or local area may have seasons that are actually different to the accepted four seasons \u2013 whether drastically or subtly. \u00a0What does this mean and what can you do about it? \u00a0Well there are a few things you can do, but, I am going to do a horrible thing and say, I will save it for next weeks post because this one is running over 2000 words already.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, next week will be part 2 of the Wheel of the Year where we will look at how to figure out the real seasons of your region \u2013 assuming they aren\u2019t the accepted four seasons.<\/p>\n

If there is anything specific about the seasons and festivals you want me to have a look at, that fits with the 180 Degrees series, let me know and I will look into it and post about it if I can. \u00a0Also, if there are\u00a0any\u00a0other hemisphere differences\u00a0that you find difficult or interesting and want me to write about, let me know!<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t really have much in the way of sources for this post \u2013 most of my information came from actual Pagans, generally through the Pagan Veil which is now closed down and can\u2019t be linked to. \u00a0But you can read about the seasons on Wiki<\/a> and the Earths orbit, including axial tilt, also on Wiki<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

You can also read a whole heap of great information about seasonal festivals and differences around the world over on Paths Through the Forest<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

All 180 Degrees of Separation Posts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Intro Post<\/a>
\nThe Moon part 1<\/a>
\nThe Moon part 2<\/a>
\nWheel of the Year part 1<\/a>
\nWheel of the Year part 2<\/a>
\nWheel of the Year part 3<\/a>
\nCardinal Elements<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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