Syrene Wheel of the Year

This is the Wheel of the Year as observed in Syrenity. When you say those four words to someone—Wheel of the Year—often their minds will immediately wander to the Wiccan or Druidic Wheel of the Year, popularized by Gerald Gardner and Ross Nichols, respectively. Consequently, some will look at this Wheel, as we have presented it here, and balk immediately. The fact remains, however, that both the cycles of the Sea and the agricultural cycle are precisely that: cyclical. So is the entire concept of time on the whole. Cycles, dear friends, are circles, and guess what? So are wheels! Connla was first given this Wheel of the Year by Freyja back in 2017, while working on Norse Witch: Reclaiming the Heidhrinn Heart, in a dream-vision one night as he slept. He then “fact-checked” everything She had shown him, and quickly found that all of it was supported by concrete historical evidence, drawn not only from Lore, but also the archaeological record, folklore, and ethnographic evidence. A second dreaming-journey was taken by Michelle in the late Summer/early Autumn of 2023, during which she laid the Wheel at the feet of The Shrouded One, The Net Mother, and The Deep Mother and asked for further clarification. The Wheel which you see above is the final product.

The Syrene Wheel of the Year is also a reality map, and, as with any good map, offers many possible roads to take; many different directions in which to journey. We have the freedom to go whichever way we wish, perhaps spending more time on one road than another, or maybe returning to a favorite path again at a later time. The map is a guide only; it may provide us with directions on how to get from “point A” to “point B”, but the directions in which we choose to journey are ultimately up to us. The ultimate purpose of our journey around the Wheel is ultimate reparation with ourselves. Suddenly we find ourselves back at Center with the realization—we hope—that it is not just a place from which to set forth on our journeys, but in fact an intersection: the crux of a crossroads, not only that lead to Otherworlds, but also that lead deeply within.

  • Hunterstide:
    • Last week in October/first week in November
    • October 31st (coincides with Samhain)
    • Kicks off the “Season of the Wild Hunt”
    • High Day of The Hunter and the Net Mother
      • Marks the Descent of the Magus to the Well of Wisdom.
    • Marks the beginning of The Hunter’s Journey around the Wheel.
      • Celebrates The Hunter taking the Magus’ place as ruler of our plane
      • Celebrates the pairing of The Hunter and The Shrouded One
      • Celebrates The Hunter and The Shrouded One as the leaders of the Wild Hunt on land and the Net Mother and Deep Father as leaders of the Wild Hunt at Sea.
    • Themes:
      • Ancestor Veneration (especially the male-identifying Ancestors)
      • The last harvest (meat/fish/flesh)
      • The Wild Hunt
      • The Turning of the Wheel (from Autumn to Winter; from one spiritual year to the next)
      • Zone: Abyssal: To Know
        • Integrity:
          • Honesty
          • Equity
          • Deeds
  • Deeptide:
    • November 2-February 3 (based on sound archaeology supporting ancient Yule observances)
    • Primary celebration on the Solstice, on or around December 21 (corresponds with Yule)
    • Height of the “Season of the Wild Hunt”
    • Primary High Day of the Deep Father and His Allies: The Cold One and The Wayfinder
    • Arrival of the Winter-Child
    • Also celebrates the completed union of The Hunter and The Shrouded One
    • Themes:
      • Continued veneration, with gratitude, of the Ancestors
      • Paying respect to the Invisible Population (Huldufolk, Tomten, Fae, Merfolk, etc.)
      • The Wild Hunt
      • Veneration of The Winter-Child as Student of The Shrouded One
        • Redemption
        • Hope
      • Celebration of Hearth, Home, and Family (Kith, Kin, and Path)
      • Prayers and hopes for a fruitful future (in agriculture and at Sea as well as in all parts of one’s life)
      • Personal Growth
      • Goal-Setting
      • Zone: Abyssal: To Know
        • Integrity:
          • Honesty
          • Equity
          • Deeds
  • Motherstide:
    • February 3 (based on sound archaeological evidence which suggests the traditional end of the Yule Season at this time.)
    • Generally observed for 9 days and 9 nights surrounding February 3
    • Coincides with modern Imbolc
    • High Day of the Deep Mother
    • Themes:
      • Ancestor Veneration (especially the female-identifying Ancestors)
      • The End of the “Season of the Hunt”
      • Personal Sovereignty and Authenticity
      • Environmental Awareness
      • Zone: Twilight: To Dare
        • Honor:
          • Wisdom
          • Courage
          • Justice
  • Springtide:
    • The Beginning of Summer (Spring Equinox)
    • Generally observed for the 9 days and 9 nights surrounding the Spring Equinox (on or around March 21)
    • Coincides roughly with modern Ostara
    • Celebration of Victory (in all aspects of life, especially if gained via sacrifice or hardship)
    • High Day of the Trickster and the Healer; celebration of the Lessons of the Cavern and the First Sacrifice
    • Themes:
      • Personal Sovereignty
      • Personal Victory/Success
      • Endurance
      • Goal-Setting
      • Peace
      • Compassion
      • Social Justice
      • New Beginnings
      • The Return of Spring
      • Zone: Twilight: To Dare
        • Honor:
          • Wisdom
          • Courage
          • Justice
  • Comfortstide:
    • April 29 thru May 2 (based on sound archaeological evidence of ancient Beltane observances)
    • Coincides with modern Beltane
    • Celebration of Hearthcraft; Comfort and Providence 
    • Celebration of the Return of Summer
    • Celebration of Will and Magick-at-Work
    • Themes:
      • Fertility and the Rising Spring
      • Gratitude for life’s bounty
      • Holy Will
      • The Turning of the Wheel (from Winter to Summer)
      • Personal Empowerment
      • Holding Space
      • Celebration of the pairing of the Lover and She Who Blooms
      • Rise of the Magus (disguised as the Lover)
      • Zone: Sunlight: To Love:
        • Hospitality:
          • Love
          • Compassion
          • Blessings
  • Summerstide:
    • Celebrated for 9 days and 9 nights surrounding the Summer Solstice
    • On/around June 21
    • Coincides with modern Midsummer/Litha
    • Celebration of the Lover (as the Green Man) as Consort of The Hunter
    • The Transition of the Magus/Winter-Child from Lover to Green Man
    • Observance of the Solace of the Shrouded One
    • The Gathering
    • Celebration of the Bright Lady
    • Themes:
      • Third-Genderedness and LGBTQ+ Spirituality
      • Birthing and Creating
      • Gaining life from death
      • The Shrouded One as the Compassionate Comforter
      • Magick (especially the practices of the Merrow and the Syren)
      • Balance
      • Unity
      • Inclusiveness
      • Social Justice
      • Zone: Sunlight: To Love
        • Hospitality:
          • Love
          • Compassion
          • Blessings
  • Horsetide:
    • End of Summer
      • Roughly the beginning of August
    • Coincides roughly with Lughnassadh/Lammas
    • Rise of the Smith and the Bearer (otherwise understood as the transition of The Hunter and the Shrouded One into these roles)
    • The First Harvest (Grain)
    • Rise of the Magus
    • Harrowing Ride of the Wild Hunt
    • Smithcraft
    • Themes:
      • Psychopomps and Astral Travel/Journeying/Faring Forth
        • Especially Horses
      • Gratitude and Thanksgiving
        • For the Harvest
        • For Horses
        • For the Otherworlds and their denizens
      • The Advent of the Journey of the Magus towards the Well of Wisdom
      • Holy Will
      • Personal Empowerment
      • Prayers for an easy winter-to-come
      • Social Justice
      • Justice
      • Magick (especially the practices of the Merrow)
      • Zone: Midnight: To Will:
        • Reciprocity:
          • Loyalty
          • Peace
          • Acceptance
  • Wintertide:
    • The Beginning of Winter
    • Generally, a 9 day and 9 night period surrounding the Autumn Equinox: September 21
    • Coincides roughly with Mabon
    • Last Festival before Year-End (at Hunterstide)
    • Rise of the Magus
    • The Second Harvest (vegetables)
    • Themes:
      • Beginning of the Season of “going within”
      • Restoration, regaining, or first-gaining of Sovereignty
      • Journey of the Magus to the Well of Wisdom
      • Plans and prayers for the year-to-come
      • Fall Cleaning
      • High Days of the Storyteller
      • The Wisdom and Peace of the Magus
        • Hospitality
        • Charity
        • Gentleness/Compassion
        • Reciprocity
        • Peace and Good Seasons
        • Richness of life
      • Zone: Midnight: To Will
        • Reciprocity:
          • Loyalty
          • Peace
          • Acceptance
 

All material herein copyright 2023 (and forward) Michelle Iacona, Connla Hundr Lung, and other attributed authors.
Thieves and plagiarists will be thoroughly hexed and then prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!