More about... Sacred Seasons!

We are delighted to be offering a series of individual seasonal workshops this year, led by Studio Owner Karine - “Sacred Seasons.”

These will follow the Wheel of the Year, and the eight Sabbats (celebrations / festivals) - more about this below.

Join for individual workshops, or purchase the Sacred Seasons Course, where you will save £40 (1 workshop free), and plenty of support in creating a yearly Sacred Seasons journal / grimoire / book of shadows!

The first of 8 workshops honours Imbolc, is on Saturday 8th February and there are just 2 in studio space remaining.

Click here to find out more information, and grab one of the last spots!

If there is enough interest, this workshop will also run again at the end of Feb. Click here for booking.

Our Studio Owners are passionate about seasonal living, and as well as our workshops reflecting this, our schedule is also tweaked seasonally to reflect the changing seasons.

Spring will see us add some new classes to the schedule as the natural world, and we, start to reawaken.

Now, more about Sacred Seasons!

What is the Wheel of the Year?

The Wheel of the Year represents the cyclical nature of the seasons and their associated spiritual significance. It consists of eight festivals/ celebrations or sabbats, which mark the changes in seasons and /or solar events. These festivals celebrate the Earth’s natural cycles and are rooted in ancient European pagan traditions.

What are the Sabbats?

Solar Festivals (based on solstices and equinoxes):

• Yule (Winter Solstice)

• Ostara (Spring Equinox)

• Litha (Summer Solstice)

• Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

Fire Festivals (cross-quarter days, roughly midway between the solstices and equinoxes):

• Imbolc (beginning of spring)

• Beltane (start of summer)

• Lughnasadh or Lammas (first harvest)

• Samhain (end of harvest, beginning of winter)

Where Does the Wheel of the Year Come From?

The Wheel of the Year draws from pre-Christian European traditions, particularly Celtic and Germanic festivals, as well as Norse mythology, and popularized in modern times by the Wiccan movement in the mid-20th century. The Wheel of the Year could be seen as a spiritual framework that honours the cycles of nature.

Over the past year it has become even more popular, which is wonderful to see, if those who teach about it are also honouring it as a part of their lifestyle.

As with everything, it is important to do your own research, take what resonates with you, and be discerning in regard to teachers and guides.

Who Celebrates the Sabbats?

The Sabbats are celebrated in modern paganism, particularly Wiccans and Druids. However, people from different spiritual backgrounds, including those interested in nature-based spirituality, often observe these festivals as well. You do not have to have any particular belief system to learn more about seasonal and cyclical living.

How Can We Celebrate Each Sabbat?

• Yule (Winter Solstice)

Light candles to honor the return of the sun.

Decorate with evergreens, holly, and mistletoe.

Exchange gifts or feast with family.

• Imbolc

Light candles or fires to honor the growing light.

Cleanse and bless your home for the coming spring.

Celebrate creativity or honour Goddess Brigid.

• Ostara (Spring Equinox)

Decorate eggs as symbols of fertility and renewal.

Plant seeds to honour new growth.

Celebrate balance, as day and night are equal.

• Beltane

Dance around a Maypole to honor fertility and abundance.

Light bonfires to celebrate life and passion.

Decorate with flowers and greenery.

• Litha (Summer Solstice)

Celebrate the longest day of the year with outdoor gatherings.

Light candles or a fire to honour the sun's power.

Create flower crowns or sun-inspired crafts.

• Lughnasadh (Lammas)

Bake bread or other foods from the first harvest.

Host a feast to celebrate abundance.

Offer gratitude for the Earth’s bounty.

• Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

Celebrate balance as day and night are equal.

Decorate with autumn colors and seasonal produce.

Reflect on gratitude and give thanks for the harvest.

• Samhain

Honour ancestors and loved ones who have passed.

Light candles or carve pumpkins to guide spirits.

Reflect on endings and prepare for the winter ahead.

Hopefully this gave you some useful information about the Wheel of the Year and seasonal living.

Of course, each sabbat can be personalized based on individual traditions, creativity, and connection to nature. Enjoy!

Workshop Dates

Interested in learning more, combined with Yoga and Holistic wellbeing?

Join us for a Sacred Seasons Workshop or the Seasonal Living Course.

The workshops can also be joined online, but the creative activities will require you to purchase your own equipment.

Imbolc 8th and 22nd February

Ostara 22nd March

Beltane 3rd May

Litha 28th June

Lughnasadh 2nd August

Mabon 20th September

Samhain 1st November

Yule 20th December

Sacred Seasons: Seasonal Living Course details here.

More about... Winter Solstice & Yuletide

What is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Although it marks the official start of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs when the Earth's tilt is farthest from the sun, it is in contrast a day that reminds us Spring is lingering in the distance.

It is a time of renewal and reflection, symbolizing the return of light as days begin to grow longer after the Winter Solstice.

When is the Winter Solstice?

The Winter Solstice typically occurs between December 20 and 23, depending on the Earth's orbit.

In 2024, it will occur on December 21.

The energy of the solstice will be palpable however, before and after this date. Yuletide or Yule (more about this below), is a celebration which spans 12 days.

Why is it also called Yule?

Yule originates from ancient Norse and Germanic pagan traditions.

It was celebrated as a festival honouring the rebirth of the sun and light during the darkest part of the year. Many Yule traditions, such as the burning of the Yule log, were incorporated into modern winter holidays like Christmas.

Goddesses of Winter Solstice

In many pagan traditions, the Winter Solstice honors goddesses associated with light, rebirth, and transformation. For example:

• Freyja (Norse goddess of love and renewal).

• Demeter (Greek goddess of agriculture, symbolizing the return of life after winter).

• The Great Mother or Earth Goddess, embodying the cycle of death and rebirth.#

The Winter Solstice represents:

Rebirth - The return of the sun and longer days.

Inner Reflection - A time to pause, reflect on the past year, and set intentions for renewal.

Hope and Resilience - A reminder that even in darkness, light will return.

Spiritual Connection - Deepening your relationship with nature and the cycles of life.

Yule emphasizes:

Connection to Nature - Honoring the Earth’s cycles.

Celebration of Light - Welcoming back the sun’s strength and vitality.

Rituals for Winter Solstice and Yule

• Burning a Yule Log

Choose a log, decorate it with greenery, and burn it in a fireplace or outdoor fire. Write down wishes or intentions and toss them into the fire.

• Candle Ritual

Light candles to represent the return of the sun and invite light into your life. Use white, red, and green candles for Yule symbolism.

• Meditation and Reflection

Reflect on the year’s lessons and set intentions for the future. Journaling during this time can be especially powerful.

• Decorate with Nature

Use evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pinecones to symbolize life, fertility, and renewal.

• Feast and Gratitude

Share a meal with loved ones and express gratitude for the blessings of the year.

• Create a Winter Altar

Include symbols of the sun (gold ornaments, candles), evergreen plants, and crystals like citrine or garnet.

• Walk in Nature

Take a quiet walk in the woods or a nearby park to connect with the stillness and beauty of winter.

Words and Affirmations for Winter Solstice and Yule

"I honour the darkness and welcome the light."

"With every new dawn, I grow stronger and brighter."

"I release the past and embrace new beginnings."

"I am grounded in nature’s cycles of renewal and transformation."

"The light within me shines brightly, even in the darkest of times."

Meditation for Winter Solstice

Head over to Yoga Borne YouTube for a FREE Winter Solstice Meditation - click here.

Sacred Seasons: Seasonal Living Course

Interested in seasonal living living, sacred cycles, the Wheel of the Year?

Take a look at our Sacred Seasons Course for 2025.

Each seasonal Sabbat (celebration) will see us join for a workshop including Yoga, holistic wellbeing, information about the Sabbat, and crafting / creating something to take home.

Each workshop can be purchased individually, or purchase the whole course and create your own Grimoire / Book of Shadows for the year, that you can continue to add to.

Purchasing the whole course will also save you £40, and encourage you to commit to this self care nd nourishing time for yourself each month.

More information about the Sacred Seasons Course - click here.

Each workshop is also available to purchase individually via the YB online shop - click here.

Welcoming the Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox occurs between September 21st and 24th, depending on the year. In 2024, it is today - Sunday September 22nd.

It marks the point when the sun is directly above the equator, leading to nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness. We say nearly, as although the day itself is often said to be equal day and night that’s not 100% true. (Keep reading to find out more).

What is the Autumn Equinox?

The Autumn Equinox is one of two times each year (the other being the Spring Equinox), when the Earth’s tilt is such that the sun is positioned directly above the equator. This results in nearly equal hours of daylight and night, which signals the change and transformation from summer to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

It is also considered a time of transition, marking the shift from the vitality and Yang (active) energy of summer to the harvest season, Yin (passive) energy, and the eventual death or dormancy of the winter season.

Symbolically, it represents the importance of balance in life, both in the natural world and in human life itself.

Other names for the Autumn Equinox include:

Mabon (in Pagan and Wiccan traditions), Second Harvest (following Lammas, the first harvest), and Alban Elfed (in Druidic tradition).

Are night and day actually equal length?

Although the equinox is said to be a time of equal day and night, daylight is actually still slightly longer than night. This is due to factors such as the atmosphere refracting sunlight (sounds very scientific), and the way we measure sunrise and sunset from the first and last rays of the sun, not the centre.

The Equilux (equal day and night), occurs a few days before or after the equinox, and this is the point when day and night are truly equal in length.

Who celebrates?

• Pagans and Wiccans: Celebrate it as Mabon, a harvest festival.

• Druids: Honor it as Alban Elfed, marking the harvest and balance in nature.

• Many Indigenous Cultures: Have fall harvest festivals aligned with this time.

• Cultural Celebrations: For example, in China and Vietnam, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates harvest and family reunions, often around this time.

How to celebrate?

• Harvest Festivals: Many cultures celebrate by giving thanks for the bounty of the earth.

• Feasts: Foods associated with the season, like apples, pumpkins, and grains, are often part of celebrations.

• Balance Rituals: Symbolizing the balance of light and dark, many people perform meditations, rituals, or set intentions.

• Offerings and Gratitude: Some honour deities or spirits associated with harvest and fertility.

Rituals for Autumn Equinox.

• Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for the harvest, both literally and metaphorically (life’s abundance).

• Balance: To align with the equinox's theme of balance, rituals often involve reflection on areas of life that need harmony.

• Altar: Altars decorated with autumnal colours (orange, red, gold) and symbols of the harvest, such as corn, apples, and wheat.

• Fire: Lighting a fire to honour the sun’s diminishing light and the warmth it provided through summer.

• Connect with Nature: Spend time outside to appreciate the changing seasons.

• Set Intentions: Reflect on areas of your life that need more balance or gratitude.

• Harvest Offerings: Gather fruits, vegetables, or herbs to create an offering or meal in celebration of the earth’s bounty.

• Decluttering: As nature prepares to shed leaves and prepare for winter, many honour the equinox by simplifying their homes and lives.

Yoga Poses for the Autumn Equinox.

Yoga for the Autumn Equinox focuses on grounding and balance, aligning with the themes of the equinox. Here are some poses:

• Tree Pose (Vrksasana): Helps with physical and mental balance.

• Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III): A balancing pose that promotes strength and stability.

• Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Grounding and stabilizing, perfect for connecting to the earth.

• Corpse Pose (Savasana): A restorative pose to reflect on balance and transition.

Summary

The Autumn Equinox, usually occurring on or around September 22nd, represents a time of balance, as day and night are nearly equal.

Also known as Mabon or Alban Elfed, it marks the beginning of fall and a time of harvest, reflection, and preparation for the darker half of the year.

Although equinox is often thought of as the day when daylight and night are equal, the true equilux occurs when the lengths of day and night are exactly the same, which happens a few days before or after the equinox.

Various cultures and spiritual traditions, such as Pagans, Druids, and indigenous people, celebrate this time with rituals involving gratitude, balance, and reflection.

Celebrating the Autumn Equinox can involve harvest feasts, meditations, and grounding rituals. To honour the equinox through Yoga, focus on poses that promote balance and grounding, such as Tree Pose and Mountain Pose.

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with Yoga Borne!

I have been guiding seasonal based and Wheel of the Year workshops for many years.

Autumn Equinox is one of the sabbats (celebrations), on the Wheel of the Year, and probably my favourite!

This year, we will once again be holding a Yoga workshop, and if you join us in the studio this will include a fire release ceremony.

Click here to find out more.

The studio is currently fully booked, but you can add yourself to the waitlist on the Glofox app, or join us LIVE online via Zoom. Click here to book!

Free Yoga Nidra!

Autumn symbolises a downward and inward movement of energy, and practices like Yoga Nidra are perfect for for the colder and darker seasons.

And what’s even better? You can snuggle up at home for a FREE LIVE online via Zoom Yoga Nidra practice to honour Autumn Equinox!

There are 17 of you booked so far, and we cannot wait to welcome you. If you would like one of the last 3 spaces just click here.

Wishing you an abundance of health, wealth and happiness this coming season!