The Wheel of the Year.

The lore

The longest night, and the turning back toward light. Heathen Yule (jól) was a midwinter feast of oaths, ale and ancestors; many modern pagans mark the solstice itself.

Altar: Evergreens, oranges studded with cloves, a sunwheel of straw.

Ritual · rune of the season: Sowilo ᛋ

Light a single candle at dusk in a dark room. Draw Sowilo on a slip of paper, hold it near the flame's warmth (not in it) and name one thing you'll carry into the brighter half of the year. Keep the paper until Midsummer.

The lore

A Gaelic festival linked to Brigid and the first ewes' milk, adopted into the modern Wheel. Clean house, kindle a flame, plant intentions.

Altar: Milk and honey, snowdrops, a Brigid's cross of reeds.

Ritual · rune of the season: Berkano ᛒ

Sweep your altar and front step. Scratch Berkano into a white candle and let it burn while you write three small things you want to grow by Beltane.

The lore

Day and night in balance. The name comes from Eostre, a goddess mentioned once by the monk Bede; most of her lore is modern.

Altar: Eggs, seeds, the first green shoots.

Ritual · rune of the season: Dagaz ᛞ

Hold an egg-shaped stone at sunrise. Draw Dagaz on it in chalk and say what you're stepping out of the dark into.

The lore

A Gaelic fire festival of cattle, fertility and summer's start; in Scandinavia, Walpurgis bonfires burn the night before.

Altar: Flowers, ribbons, fresh bread.

Ritual · rune of the season: Ehwaz ᛖ

Light a small, safe fire or a red candle. Draw Ehwaz on two leaves, one for you and one for a partner or project, and lay them side by side.

The lore

Peak sun. Midsummer (Midsommar) is still one of Scandinavia's biggest holidays, with bonfires and flower crowns.

Altar: Sunflowers, a bonfire, strawberries.

Ritual · rune of the season: Sowilo ᛋ

Leave a bowl of water in full sun at noon with Sowilo drawn beneath it. Wash your hands in it before any confidence work this season.

The lore

Loaf-mass in Old English: the first bread from the new grain. Gaelic Lughnasadh honoured the god Lugh with games and fairs.

Altar: Wheat, bread, blackberries, corn dollies.

Ritual · rune of the season: Jera ᛃ

Bake or buy a small loaf. Mark Jera into the crust, share half and leave the rest as thanks.

The lore

Balance again, tipping toward dark. The name Mabon was coined in the 1970s from a Welsh mythic figure; many simply call it the autumn equinox or harvest home.

Altar: Apples, gourds, fallen leaves.

Ritual · rune of the season: Gebo ᚷ

Write two lists on one page: what this year gave you and what you gave. Draw Gebo where they meet. Gratitude in both directions.

The lore

The Gaelic summer's end, when the dead walk close. Heathens hold Winter Nights (Vetrnætr) around the same time, honouring the dísir and elves.

Altar: Turnip or pumpkin lanterns, apples, photos of ancestors.

Ritual · rune of the season: Eihwaz ᛇ

Set a plate with Othala drawn on it, a slice of dark bread and a glass of water. Speak the names of your dead. Draw Eihwaz on a candle for the yew that stands between worlds.