Cycle of Seasons

The Wheel of the Year spins like the most persistent yoga flow you’ve ever experienced, continually cycling through nature’s seasonal festivals. These events, namely Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon, don’t just mark seasonal transitions—they document the ups and downs of our cultural practices, akin to the challenging poses of an Ashtanga series. Each festival resonates with specific energies and themes, enhancing our connection to Mother Earth and her ceaseless cycle from darkness to brilliant illumination.

Samhain lands on October 31st, closing the chapter on the harvest and ushering in winter. It’s the time to think about your ancestors—you know, those folks who probably rolled their eyes at your yoga obsession. The veil between worlds is thin, so you might as well thank them. Yule, around December 21st during the winter solstice, represents rebirth. Traditions include lighting fires and embracing evergreens to showcase hope. Great time for a winter solstice yoga session, eh?

After Yule, we find ourselves in Imbolc territory on February 1st or 2nd, celebrating light, purification, and Brigid, the fertility goddess. It’s the cue to pull out your yoga mat and salute the impending spring. As the earth warms, Ostara arrives between March 20th and 23rd. It’s the equinox! Time to play the balance game—literally, since it’s all about equilibrium and planting new intentions.

Beltane on May 1st is when community and creativity come alive, punctuated with fire festivals. It’s the season to embrace life with such enthusiasm that even your yoga mat feels the passion. Litha, the summer solstice on June 21st, is the peak of nature’s energy, pushing us to revel in the abundance—perhaps with an extra challenging yoga session, just because.

As the energy gently wanes into the harvest, we hit Lammas on August 1st. Celebrate the first harvests with a sense of gratitude—surely there’s a yoga flow focused on abundance, right? Finally, Mabon on September 21st aligns with the autumn equinox. Time for some introspection, gratitude, and yes, more balance. It’s a careful reminder that the silent winter is lurking just over the calendar’s horizon, waiting to reset the Wheel yet again.

Embracing these festivals can elevate personal growth, navigating our cycles and transitions with the grace of a seasoned Ashtanga practitioner. Attuning yourself to the Earth’s rhythms creates a harmonious dance between you and the planet—a partnership that owns its cyclical mindset. For those craving further insight into these festivals and their deep Ashtanga connections, check out this resource. Considering that much of life spirals around in circles, perhaps embracing this rhythm is exactly how we find balance on and off the mat.