The Wheel of the Year in Australia

by Sapphire Jade

The following traditional story of the Goddess and God has been adapted from the book “Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia” By Lynne Hume Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1997.

In November the Goddess leads the young God into sexual initiation. The young God then grows and becomes the scorching heat of December. In a powerful rite they are transformed; the God self- immolates but His ashes fall onto the ground, creating bushfires. He is the flame and the ash and she as Earth becomes scorched and parched and takes on the Crone aspect.

In January the Goddess is the Dark Goddess and the God is the Lord of Shadows. She is the death bringer through heat. In February, flash floods are added to the violent of the drought. The God grows while waiting for the rain. In March, the Goddess reaches a transition and looks at new beginnings. The Maiden emerges from the shadow of the Crone, bringing healing rains which nurture the Earth and engender potential for life. Seeds Germinate. She flirts with the life spirit who is the God locked in the Underworld. He captures her and takes her into His realm of dreams. This Lord of Shadows initiates her into the Mysteries and in May she begins to learn the power of self- knowledge.

In May until June She becomes the Queen of the Underworld and they are in balance and harmony and release creative energy into the world. Unfurling leaves of new plants are enriched by the now fertile Earth.

In July and August she teaches the young God the mysteries of the world and in September they play in the green woods. She assumes the cloak of Mother Earth and He is the young Forest Lord. In October, spring is in full bloom and they explore their sexuality. In November they come together in the Great Rite (sexual union) and the circle continues.

This traditional story puts into perspective the role of the Goddess and God within the continent of Australia. It is a country plagued with bushfires, floods, drought and cyclones. Many bushfires in Australia are the effect of lightening and other natural events. However bushfires are an important part of the ecology of Australia as they encourage new growth of native plants. The effects of bushfire can be devastating resulting in the loss of property, life, livestock, crops and native animals. It is estimated that between 20 – 50% of bushfires are the result of accidental or deliberate acts. The simple act of throw a cigarette butt out the window can lead to disastrous effects for the community. The Aboriginal people understood the importance of bushfires to their native land. It is only due to European settlement that the full impact of Bushfires is felt. Before European settlement there were not any crops or livestock or buildings and towns for a bushfire to destroy. It is important to understand the importance of bushfires and a flood when following the Pagan path in Australia, without an understanding of there places in the natural ecology it is easy to get caught up in the “how the goddess could let this happen” frame of mind. There are enough incidences that happen in the world through the actions of man kind that are more frightening then any bushfire.

On the surface the Wheel of the Year is similar in both southern and northern hemispheres. The sabbats celebrate the cycles of sowing and reaping, the pass from winter to spring, then from summer to autumn. There is however a six month difference in the seasons between the two hemispheres. While the Southern hemisphere is celebrating summer the northern hemisphere is celebrating winter. To some people it seems ludicrous to celebrate Imbolc in the middle of summer. It is up to the individual person to decide what is right for them. The choices are simple

1) Follow the traditional dates of the Northern Hemisphere
2) Follow the Solstice and Equinox festivals seasonally, but the 4 Greater Sabbats as they do in the northern hemisphere
3) Follow the 8 sabbats of the ancient festivals in accordance to the seasons in the Southern hemisphere
4) Abandon the traditional dates altogether and observe the seasons accordingly to that of the indigenous people.

I personally have chosen the 3rd option and this choice has lead to a greater need to become in tune with the environment around me, seek more native items for my altar and open my eyes to the beauty that is around me. When preparing for the sabbats I take the time to explore nature, take walks along the beach and walks in the native scrub that surrounds the city. Stop and appreciate the natural wonders around me. Observe the beauty of the sun rising in the east and setting in the west and the rare mornings the sun and the moon are both visible in the sky.

Celebrating Sabbats in Australia

2006 Equinox, Solstice & Cross-Quarter Moments

Source: http://www.archaeoastronomy.com/2006.shtml

Although there is very little written about how to celebrate the Sabbats within the Southern Hemisphere, it is greatly accepted that the meanings and traditions behind these sabbats are the same as what is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere. This is greatly because it is within the Northern Hemisphere that the traditions historically begun. When the first convicts migrated to Australia they also brought their beliefs and value structures. Australia is still a member of the Commonwealth and although there has been a push for Australia to become a Republic, we still celebrate the official birthday of the Queen. It is because of our British lineage that many Australians still practise paganism as they do in the Northern Hemisphere. Our ancestry has British and European lineage and our celebration of the Sabbats pays tribute to that lineage.

The celebration of the Sabbats is a personal experience and we all celebrate them in different ways. How the sabbats are celebrated in Australia is in some ways no different then the Northern Hemisphere. The principles are the same, but each celebration is adapted to the personal needs of the person(s) participating in the ritual.

Scott Cunningham in his publication “Living Wicca; A further guide for the solitary practitioner” sets out a plan to create your own tradition’s Sabbats Rituals. I suggest this is a good guideline to developing your own traditions in whichever path you choose.

Sources and recommended reading
“Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia” By Lynne Hume Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1997.
“Practising the Witch’s Craft; Real Magic under a Southern Sky” By Douglas Ezzy: Griffin Press, Australia, 2003

Internet references:
Temple of the Dark Moon http://www.ace.net.au/darkmoon/index1.htm
Pagan Awareness Network http://www.paganawareness.net.au/fullmoon.html
(A note on the above internet references, they haven’t been updated for over a year but still are good resources for information on Paganism in Australia.)