Category: Spiritual

Embracing the Longest Night: Celebrating Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere

As the sun dips to its lowest arc in the sky and the night stretches to its fullest length, we in the Southern Hemisphere arrive at Midwinter—the Winter Solstice, typically falling around June 20th to 22nd. This sacred turning point in the Earth’s seasonal cycle marks not just the longest night of the year, but the quiet rebirth of the light.

Celebrated in cultures across the globe, the Winter Solstice is a time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with both inner stillness and ancient rhythms. For those of us in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or South America, honouring this moment invites us to fully embrace the gifts of winter: introspection, rest, resilience, and hope.

In the dark heart of winter, life appears still. Trees stand bare, animals hibernate, and the land sleeps under a cold, quiet sky. But beneath this stillness, a shift begins. The sun’s light returns, ever so slowly, growing stronger with each passing day.

The Solstice reminds us that even in darkness, transformation is stirring. It is a time of renewal, rebirth, and trust in the cycle of life.

While modern life may push us to keep moving, winter asks us to slow down. To rest. To dream. To go inward and reconnect with the soul’s quiet voice.

The Winter Solstice offers a powerful reminder: the dark is not empty—it is sacred. It is the womb of creation, the cave of wisdom, the place where seeds sleep before they rise again.

Trust in the turning. Honor the stillness. Light your inner flame.

Yule Correspondence

Other Names: Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year

Deities: Great Mother, Befana (strega), Holda (teutonic), Isis(egyptian), Triple Goddess, Tonazin(mexican), Lucina(roman), St. Lucy (swedish),Bona Dea (roman), Mother Earth, Eve(Hebrew), Ops(roman Holy Mother), the Snow Queen, Hertha (German), Frey (Norse), Sun Child, Saturn(rome), Cronos (Greek), Horus/Ra(egyptian), Mithras(persian), Balder(Norse), Santa Claus/Odin(teutonic), Holly King, Sol Invicta, Janus(God of Beginnings), Marduk (Babylonian)Old Man Winter

Colours: gold, silver, red, green, white

Symbols: candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells

Foods: nuts, apple, pear, caraway cakes soaked with cider, pork, orange, hibiscus or ginger tea, roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies

Drinks: eggnog, mulled wine

Things to do at Samhain

• Light a Solstice Fire (or Candle). Fire has long symbolized the returning sun. Light a bonfire outdoors if you can, or gather indoors with candles or a hearth fire. As you do, reflect on what you are leaving behind—and what new light you hope to nurture.
• Reflect and Journal. The Winter Solstice is perfect for inner work.
• Prepare a Seasonal Feast. Cook a warming, nourishing meal using winter produce: pumpkins, root vegetables, dark greens, and spices like cinnamon or cloves. Invite loved ones to share in the feast and toast to the return of the light.
• Create a Solstice Ritual. Set aside sacred time. Turn off lights. Sit in darkness and silence for a few minutes, then light a single candle. Speak an intention for the year ahead, or write it down and place it on your altar. You can also honour ancestors or the spirits of the land.
• Stargaze or Welcome the Sunrise. On Solstice Eve, bundle up and spend time under the stars—the veil of night is longest and often clearest. Or rise early the next morning to greet the returning sun, welcoming it with gratitude and hope.
•  Decorate with Natural Symbols. Use evergreen branches, pinecones, winter berries, and candles to bring life and meaning into your home. These symbols of resilience and renewal have been used in Solstice traditions for centuries.

What we’re doing

On Solstice eve our council is holding their second annual Solstice in the Square so we are planning on getting dressed up and spreading some pagan goodness. I’m hoping to have a basket of goodies to give out. I took part in a winter solstice headdress workshop so will be wearing that as well.

The 21st would have been my Mum’s birthday. During the day I’ll be spending time with my craft besties so will be taking Yule biscuits and some cake to share. Afterwards our family will have a special meal to honour Mum and celebrate all she meant to us. Then we’ll light some candles on our Yule log. I’ll do some journaling and depending on the weather may do some stargazing for awhile. If not I’ll sit by the fire and enjoy a warm beverage.

In closing I leave you with a Winter Solstice blessing –

May the long night bring you peace. May your dreams be deep, your rest be full, and your spirit be warmed by the fire within.
Blessed Midwinter. Blessed Solstice. The light will return.

Honouring the Veil: Celebrating Samhain in the Southern Hemisphere

As the days shorten and the air grows crisp in late April and early May, those attuned to the Wheel of the Year in the Southern Hemisphere begin to feel the deep pull of Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. While Northern Hemisphere traditions place Samhain on October 31st, aligning the sabbat with our seasonal cycle means celebrating it around April 30th to May 1st—a time when the land truly begins its descent into darkness.

Samhain (pronounced sow-in) is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals. It marks the final harvest, the end of the light half of the year, and the beginning of the dark half. It is also a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, offering us a powerful opportunity to honour ancestors, spirits, and the mystery of death and rebirth.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Wheel of the Year spins differently. Celebrating Samhain in autumn rather than spring aligns us with the true energetic rhythm of the land. Trees shed their leaves, the nights grow longer, animals begin to retreat, and we are called inward—to reflect, release, and remember.

Aligning the sabbat with the actual seasonal cues around us honours the original purpose of Samhain: to acknowledge the changing of the Earth’s cycle, the wisdom of impermanence, and the beauty of death as part of life.

Samhain Correspondence

Other names: The Great Sabbat, All Hallows Eve, All Saints/All Souls Day(Catholic), Day of the Dead (Mexican), Witches New Year, Celtic/ Druid New Year, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scotttish/Celtic) Lá Samhna (Modern Irish), Festival of the Dead, Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess), Hallowtide (Scottish Gaelis Dictionary), Feast of All Souls, Nos Galen-gae-of Night of the Winter Calends (Welsh), La Houney or Hollantide Day, Sauin or Souney ( Manx), oidhche na h-aimiléise-the night of mischief or confusion(Ireland), Oidhche Shamna (Scotland)

Deities: The Crone, Hecate (Greek), Cerridwen (Welsh-Scottish), Baba Yaga (Russian), Bast (Egyptian), Persephone (Greek), Hel (Norse), Kali (Hindu), all Death & Otherworld Goddesses, Horned Hunter (European), Cernnunos(Greco-Celtic), Osiris (Egyptian), Hades (Greek), Anubis (Egyptian), Coyote Brother (Native American), Loki (Norse), Dis (Roman), Arawn (Welsh), acrificial/Dying/Aging Gods, Death and Otherworld Gods

Colours: Purple, black, orange, silver

Symbols: Pine cones, autumnal flowers, wheat stalks, acornsApples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, colored leaves, crows, death/dying, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, gourds, Indian corn, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon

Foods: Apples, pomegranate, pumpkins, nuts, meat (especially pork), potatoes,

Drinks: Cider, mulled wine

Things to do at Samhain

• Create an Ancestral Altar
• Light a bonfire or a candle
• Cook a feast of remembrance, using seasonal produce
• Reflect and release
• Connect to the spirit – it’s a great time for divination work
• Embrace the darkness – take time for silence, solitude and inner reflection. Journal, meditate or walk at dusk

What we’re doing

I made a couple of batches of soup and this delicious potato and bacon soup was our tea with cheesy toast. I light a candle to remember loved ones who have passed. I’ll also do some journaling. If you’d like to grab the journaling prompts I’m using, you can grab them here.

Celebrating Samhain in the Southern Hemisphere invites us to honour both tradition and place. It is a time to pause, remember, and reconnect with the natural cycle of life and death. As the Earth sleeps, so too can we dream more deeply, tend to our inner world, and prepare for the rebirth that will come again.

May this Samhain bring you peace, clarity, and connection—to your ancestors, your spirit, and the sacred rhythms of the land.

Blessed Samhain.

Resources

• Cassie Uhl
• Pagan Pages

As the world turns, the equinox arrives, marking the perfect moment when day and night are equal in length. While many people associate this time of year with spring in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox in Australia ushers in a different kind of magic. Here, it signifies the shift from the scorching summer heat to the more temperate and mellow days of autumn.

What Is the Autumn Equinox?
The autumn equinox occurs when the Earth’s axis is neither tilted toward nor away from the Sun, causing the Sun to be directly above the Equator. This results in approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. In the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the start of autumn, and for many, it’s a time to reflect, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty that unfolds during this gentle transition.

Autumn in Australia: A Season of Colour and Change
Unlike the usual images of autumn with golden leaves in places like the United States or Europe, Australia’s autumnal colours are unique. In the southern states, especially Tasmania, Victoria, and parts of New South Wales, the trees begin to show off their rich, warm hues—think fiery reds, oranges, and browns. It’s the perfect time to visit national parks or take scenic drives, such as the Great Ocean Road, where autumn leaves create a breathtaking landscape.

In contrast, many parts of northern Australia, including Queensland, have a subtropical climate where the seasonal changes are subtler. While it’s still warm, the temperatures become more bearable, and the humidity starts to drop. The air feels fresher, making it a fantastic time to explore the tropical rainforests or enjoy the beaches with fewer crowds.

Autumn Equinox Correspondents

Names: Autumn Equinox, Mabon

Deities: Demeter, Bacchus

Colours: Maroon, orange, purple, scarlet, deep green, gold, brown

Symbols: Pine cones, autumnal flowers, wheat stalks, acorns

Foods: Apples, grains, nuts, carrots, potatoes, cranberries, pumpkins, pomegranate, breads

Drinks: Wine, cider, Chai

Things to do at Mabon

• Visit your local farmers market and buy in season fruits and vegetables
• Perform a gratitude ritual
• Cooking with in-season foods
• Do a home protection spell
• Go outside and enjoy the autumn sunshine
• Go apple picking then make an apple dessert – apple pie, apple crumble, baked apples
• Meditate to reconnect with Mother Earth
• Make a broom
• Journaling
• Light black or white candles
• Dry leaves
• Declutter your space
• Have a harvest meal with family and friends.
• Donate or volunteer at your local animal shelter
• Have a go at making cider
• Drying herbs

What we’re doing.

A quiet day for us. I worked on decluttering my craft space so I could do some prep for our monthly crafternoon and some monthly memory planner catch up.
I set up a small alter and did a home protection ritual.
We made carrot soup with fresh local carrots, stewed apples and made apple pies and made a small batch of tomato relish.
Wrote a gratitude list for the first quarter of the year.

As we move through this transition, let’s take a moment to celebrate the changing of the seasons, not just in the world around us, but within ourselves. The equinox reminds us of the beauty of balance and the power of nature to renew, refresh, and inspire.

So, on March 20th/21st, why not step outside, take in the changing light, and appreciate the peaceful shift that autumn brings to Australia?

The first seasonal festival we celebrate is Lammas, or Lughnasadh, around the 1st or 2nd of February. It’s the first of three harvest festivals and it is the time to celebrate the bounty of life. Lammas is celebrated at the midpoint between the Summer Solstice (Litha) and the Autumnal Equinox (Mabon)

What is Lammas?

Lammas is a festival dedicated to the first fruits of the harvest. It’s a time for gratitude and reflection on the abundance of the Earth. Historically, it was a time for communities to come together, share food, and give thanks for the grains, fruits, and vegetables that would sustain them through the coming months. It’s a celebration of abundance, community, and the cyclical nature of life.

The name “Lammas” comes from the Old English word “hlaf-mas,” meaning “loaf mass,” which relates to the custom of baking bread from the first grain of the season. In its spiritual context, Lammas also represents the beginning of the transition from the full growth of summer to the quieter, more introspective energies of autumn.

Lammas marks the time when the Sun God’s power begins to decline, the days are slowly getting shorter. The goddess prepares for his passing at the upcoming Samhain.

Lammas Correspondents

Names: Lammas, Lughnasa, Lughnasadh, Bread day, Festival of Bread, Festival of First fruits, First harvest, Hlaef-mass

Deities: All grain and agricultural deities, Mother Goddesess, Father Gods

Colours: Gold, orange, red, yellow, tan

Symbols: Acorns, agricultural tools, all grains, apples, cats, bulls, boars, corn, cornucopia, hay bales, scarecrows, seeds, sun wheels, wheat

Foods: All types of grains, breads, rolls, apples, outdoor cooking, berries, corn, locally ripe produce, pies, jams, toffee

Drinks: Beer, cider

Things to do at Lammas

• Visit your local farmers market and buy in season fruits and vegetables
• Decorate with sun symbols
• Cooking with in-season foods
• Go outside and recharge with the sun’s energy (make sure to wear sunscreen and don’t get burnt!)
• Have a bonfire (if it’s not a total fire ban)
• Go berry picking
• Make jam from your in season fruit or berries
• Floral baths with summer flowers
• Bake bread
• Make a corn doll
• Do a prosperity ritual
• Tend to your garden
• Light brown or yellow candles
• Dry herbs
• Perform a gratitude ritual
• Have a harvest meal with family and friends.
• Donate or volunteer at your local animal shelter
• Have a go at making cider

What we’re doing.

We celebrated Lammas this year with some gardening and planting the plants I bought with some birthday money, bread making, a roast lamb and fresh vegetables for tea and a hearty apple crumble for dessert.

K & I made prosperity jars and added them to our altars.
We had planned a bit of a fire pit in the back ya

As you may or may not know I am Pagan and celebrate the seasonal festivals through the year. During 2025 I thought I’d share our perspective and what we do in our family (my eldest has also been called to the path and I have a feeling my youngest has as well).

To start this series though, I thought I’d share a basic overview of The Wheel of the Year.

For many modern pagans, the Wheel of the Year serves as a deeply symbolic framework for understanding and connecting with the natural world. Rooted in ancient traditions, it reflects the cyclical patterns of nature—marking key points throughout the solar year that honour the rhythms of the Earth. From the growth of plants to the turning of seasons, the Wheel of the Year offers a guide to living in harmony with the environment, celebrating the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

image from https://pagancollective.wordpress.com/menu/calendar-events-groups/wheel-of-the-year/

The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of eight seasonal festivals (known as Sabbats), each corresponding to specific points in the solar year. These festivals are often celebrated in modern Pagan traditions, such as Wicca, Druidry, and various other nature-based spiritual paths. The cycle is based on the Earth’s relationship with the Sun, marking the changing of the seasons and the transitions between them. Each Sabbat is tied to an agricultural or natural theme, such as sowing, harvesting, or honoring the sun’s power.

In the Southern Hemisphere most switch our festival dates to align with our seasons. So instead of celebrating Yule in December like the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate it during the middle of our winter (June).

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The Eight Sabbats

1. Samhain (Northern Hemisphere: October 31 – November 1; Southern Hemisphere: April 30 – May 1)
   Samhain is the Pagan New Year, a time when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is believed to be thinnest. It’s a time for honouring ancestors, reflecting on the past year, and setting intentions for the year ahead. Many Pagans celebrate with rituals, feasts, and offerings to loved ones who have passed. It’s also the origin of Halloween traditions, though Samhain is much more than just a spooky celebration—it’s a deeply sacred and introspective time.
2. Yule/Winter Solstice (NH: around December 21; SH; around June 21)
   Yule celebrates the rebirth of the Sun, the longest night of the year, and the gradual return of light. The Winter Solstice marks the turning point where the days begin to lengthen again. It is a time of renewal, hope, and honouring the Sun’s life-giving energy. Yule celebrations often involve lighting candles, decorating trees, feasting, and exchanging gifts—all symbols of light, warmth, and community during the coldest months.
3. Imbolc (NH: February 1 – 2; SH: August 1-2)
   Imbolc marks the halfway point between winter and spring and is associated with purification and light. It’s a time to honour the goddess Brigid, the patron of healing, fire, poetry, and fertility. Traditionally, Imbolc is a time for spring cleaning, making offerings, and preparing for the coming growth of the Earth. The first signs of spring, such as the blooming of crocuses or the return of migratory birds, are celebrated as symbols of new life.
4. Ostara/Spring Equinox (NH: around March 20, SH: around September 22)
   Ostara celebrates balance and harmony, as day and night are equal in length. This is a festival of fertility, renewal, and growth. Ostara rituals often include planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically, to manifest new beginnings. Eggs, rabbits, and flowers symbolise fertility and abundance, and it’s a time for coming together with others to celebrate the vibrancy of life’s potential.
5. Beltane (NH: April 30 – May 1; SH: October 31)
   Beltane is the height of spring and a time to celebrate life, love, and sensuality. The Earth is fertile, and the blossoms of flowers are in full bloom. Traditionally, people light bonfires and jump over the flames to ensure good health and prosperity. The Maypole dance, a popular Beltane tradition, symbolises the union of the masculine and feminine energies. It’s a celebration of passion, vitality, and creativity.
6. Litha/Summer Solstice/Midsummer (NH: around June 21; SH: around December 21)
   Litha, or Midsummer, celebrates the power of the Sun at its peak. This is the longest day of the year, and the energies of light, warmth, and abundance are at their fullest. Litha is a time for growth, strength, and honouring the Sun’s energy, which is at its height. Rituals often involve fire, flowers, and nature-based activities, symbolising vitality and the fulfilment of life’s potential.
7. Lammas/Lughnasadh (NH: August 1; SH: February 1-2)
   Lammas, or Lughnasadh, marks the first of the three harvest festivals. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the Earth, particularly grains and fruits. Traditionally, this was a time to bake bread and prepare for the coming seasons. Lammas is also associated with sacrifice—understanding that in order for something to grow, something must be given up. It’s a time for reaping the fruits of your labours and honouring the cycles of abundance and scarcity.
8. Mabon/Autumn Equinox (NH: around September 20; SH: around March 22)
   Mabon marks the second harvest and celebrates balance, gratitude, and reflection. Just as Ostara was a time of equal balance between light and dark, Mabon represents a moment of equilibrium in the fall. As the days shorten, Mabon encourages Pagans to pause, look inward, and give thanks for the blessings of the year. Rituals often focus on gratitude for the harvest, both physical and spiritual, and preparing for the quieter, darker months ahead.

Why is the Wheel of the Year Important?

The Wheel of the Year serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all life. It invites practitioners to live in harmony with nature, honouring the rhythms and cycles that govern the Earth. Through seasonal rituals, we are reminded that life is cyclical—growth and decay are inextricably linked, and we are part of a larger, ongoing process.

For many people today, living in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, the Wheel of the Year offers a way to reconnect with the Earth, slow down, and observe the natural patterns that often go unnoticed. It encourages us to take time for introspection, celebration, and gratitude as we move through each season.

The Wheel of the Year is a beautiful, living symbol of nature’s eternal cycles. By embracing the rhythm of the seasons, we can deepen our connection with the Earth and its many gifts. Each Sabbat offers an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and align ourselves with the natural flow of life. Whether you’re deeply involved in Pagan traditions or simply seeking a greater connection to the world around you, the Wheel of the Year offers a timeless and meaningful way to honour the passage of time and the abundance of the Earth.

What’s your favourite Sabbat to celebrate? How do you honour the changing of the seasons in your own life?

Since I’m starting this series in January we’ll be sharing from towards the end of one cycle, with Lammas, and on to the beginning of the next.