Traditionally, the Wheel of the Year is marked by the Sabbats, from Yule through to Samhain, cycling through the seasons of life, death, and rebirth. However, I have long been calling for an evolution to this system, and to necessary changes and adaptations to account for the nuances that are missing from it’s simplicity. There often are elements of profound importance lost at the expense of the simplicity of the way the Wheel has been conceptualized and explained up to this point.
One of the adaptations or expansions that I’ve been calling for and that I personally practice and teach, is for there to be a discussion of the critical space that often goes unacknowledged in this framework—a space that holds immense potential for personal and spiritual transformation. That is the Season of the Witch, a liminal period between Samhain (October 31st) and Yule (Winter Solstice), stretching from November 1st to December 20th.
The Necessity of the Season of the Witch
The Season of the Witch isn’t just a pause between cycles; it is a vital time for review, reflection, release, and transformation. Without this space, the transition from Samhain’s ending to Yule’s rebirth feels abrupt, like moving from one chapter to another without time to digest the lessons of the past year. By honoring the Season of the Witch, we allow ourselves to process, recalibrate, and grow.
This period invites us to engage with the energies of release, shadow work, and introspection in a way that isn’t fully embraced by the traditional Sabbat cycle. It serves as a bridge—a necessary liminal space that honors both the endings and the beginnings. During this season, we have the opportunity to dive deep into our inner world, shedding old patterns, beliefs, and energies that no longer serve us.
Liminal Space and the Power of Reflection
Liminal spaces are inherently magical. They exist in the in-between, where transformation happens quietly, like seeds beneath the soil in winter. The Season of the Witch is one such liminal space, where the veils between worlds begins as thin, making it a potent time for connection with ancestors, deep reflection, and shadow work.
Reflection during this time isn’t passive; it’s a process of active engagement with the lessons and experiences of the past year. This reflection is crucial because it allows us to revise our understanding, integrate new wisdom, and reimagine our path forward. By taking time to truly sit in this space, we prepare for the upcoming Yule season and the rebirth of light. This isn’t simply a metaphor for the seasons—it’s a practice for our inner growth.
Amplified Growth Between Years
The Season of the Witch offers an unparalleled opportunity for amplified growth between the years. Without this period, we might carry unresolved energies, patterns, and lessons into the new year. By embracing this time of introspection, we can fully release what no longer serves us, creating fertile ground for transformation.
This period of intentional rest and recalibration enhances the effectiveness of the following year’s growth cycle. Rather than rushing from one energy to another, this space creates greater alignment, clarity, and focus, ensuring that the seeds we plant at Yule will take root more deeply and grow more fully in the seasons ahead.
This reflection is not only about looking backward. It is about preparing ourselves to step into the new year with a clearer sense of purpose, having learned from the past while being unburdened by it. This kind of thoughtful, measured transition creates more meaningful, lasting transformation and ensures that the growth we experience from one year to the next is not just cyclical, but evolutionary.
Supporting Spiritual and Life Evolution
Incorporating the Season of the Witch into the Wheel of the Year acknowledges the necessity of rest, introspection, and shedding for both spiritual and life evolution. This period enhances the overall framework by allowing for deeper personal evolution within the cycles of the year. Just as the Earth needs autumn to release, and winter to rest before spring, so too do we need this time to pause and assess our inner landscapes.
The practice of shadow work, or facing the hidden parts of ourselves, is especially potent during this time. It supports us in confronting unresolved emotions, fears, and aspects of ourselves that we may avoid during the busyness of the rest of the year. This kind of work is essential for long-term growth and spiritual evolution, as it clears the way for new growth, much like pruning dead branches to make way for fresh ones.
By embracing this liminal time, we align more closely with our natural rhythms and with the rhythms of the Earth. This allows us to live in a way that is more conscious, intentional, and in harmony with both our spiritual and life goals.
Conclusion: Embracing the Spiral of Transformation
The Season of the Witch provides a much-needed expansion of the traditional Wheel of the Year, offering a deeper, more reflective space that bridges the ending of one cycle and the beginning of another. By allowing time for review, reflection, revision, and transformation, we amplify our potential for growth not only from year to year but across a lifetime.
This is a time to slow down, listen to your inner voice, and prepare for the rebirth that comes with Yule. It’s a time of profound magic and potential, where the seeds of your next chapter are planted in the fertile soil of self-awareness and release. Embracing the Season of the Witch isn’t just about honoring tradition—it’s about evolving beyond it, stepping into a more connected, conscious, and empowered life.