My Own Pagan Seasons

Last updated on: September 2, 2011 at 9:44 am by Peter Dybing

My Own Pagan Seasons 2011-09-02T09:44:00-06:00 Peter Dybing

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many of us in the Pagan community seek our relationship with the Divine through a connection with the seasons. Living on Saint Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands this process takes on a unique manifestation. Close to the equator, the generally recognized seasons that mark the turning to the wheel are in many ways absent and as a Witch I needed to develop a calendar to honor all the divine manifestations of the Goddess in this place. As I move on from Saint Croix I have spent many hours contemplating how I have connected with the Divine while calling this place home.

The seasons.

As November creeps to a close each year the “Christmas winds” commence, blowing strong and from the east they harold a time of sailors delight, the coming together of family and preparation for the coming to the tourists who provide the economic activity that drives the island.

As December passes the “dry” season begins on Saint Croix. This is a time of planting for farmers and gardeners. Thoughts of the plantation history of the island always enter my mind. Included in these remembrances are the recognition of the sacrifices and misery caused by slavery on this island. Indeed, I have a special connection to this past as a person of Danish decent. Denmark held these islands in servitude for many years. As the season progresses smoke from brush fires can often be seen in the distance.

As May gives way to June the Hurricane season begins in Saint Croix, but even more significant is the beginning of the “turtle season” Green, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles come ashore to nest. This is a magical time when the timelessness of the island is front and center. Some months later as the possibility of storms increase these turtles hatch in the dark of night in what my partner has termed a “tumble of turtles” This is the most magical of seasons when the power of Gaia is manifest via storms and the cycle of rebirth and renewal represented by the turtles.

As October wanes residents of the island begin to breath a sigh of relief as they give thanks for surviving another hurricane season. This is a time of quite reflection, the storms have gone, the tourists have vanished and the island takes stock in another successful year.

Yes I will miss the seasons of this place; I have become connected to the Goddess through the rhythms of the island. It is time to move on, yet I will always treasure the opportunity I had here to recognize new and different seasons, develop a system for honoring Gaia as the wheel turned and becoming grounded in Saint Croix.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 16, 2011

A Little Known Great Pagan Leader

Next Post

September 10, 2011 The Department of Paranoia - 911 Remembered

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 2016 election Activisim America American Pride Antifa Antifa Fire Chief Black Lives Matter Dallas Violence Democratic left Homeless Denver Homophobia July Fourth Orlando Violence Peter Dybing Social Justice TERF Transgender rights Trauma Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what is written on the thigh of the rider on the white horse?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Faithful and True The Word of God Alpha and Omega King of Kings and Lord of Lords