In this solo episode of Wild & Waking, I’m sharing a beginner-friendly introduction to the Wheel of the Year - a seasonal calendar shaped by the solstices, equinoxes, ancient traditions, and natural rhythms of the Earth. After spending the past year learning about and experiencing each seasonal celebration for myself, I’m walking you through all eight sabbats: Mabon, Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, and Lughnasadh. As a farm wife living in rural Illinois, so much of the Wheel feels deeply familiar: planting, growth, harvest, release, dormancy, and beginning again. It offers a framework for noticing what is happening in nature and considering how those same cycles are unfolding within our motherhood, work, creativity, relationships, identities, and personal evolution. This episode is an invitation into seasonal living, nature-based spirituality, and a more intentional relationship with time without requiring elaborate rituals or any particular spiritual identity. The Wheel of the Year reminds us that nature doesn’t bloom all year, and neither do we. There are seasons for beginning, growing, gathering, releasing, grieving, resting, and waiting for the first spark to return. In this episode, I explore: What the Wheel of the Year is and how its eight seasonal sabbats connect us with the natural rhythms of the EarthThe solstices, equinoxes, and ancient Gaelic festivals that form the modern Pagan calendarA beginner-friendly overview of Mabon, Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, and LughnasadhThe history, folklore, themes, symbols, colors, foods, rituals, and seasonal intentions associated with each sabbatHow modern traditions overlap with ancient seasonal customsWhich familiar Wheel of the Year names, stories, and traditions are ancient, modern, or a blend of bothSimple ways to honor each seasonal threshold without elaborate rituals, expensive supplies, or claiming a particular spiritual identityHow seasonal living and nature-based spirituality can deepen our relationship with the Earth, our intuition, and the passage of timeWhat the cycles of planting, growth, harvest, release, dormancy, and rebirth can teach us about motherhood, creativity, identity, and personal evolutionWhy we were never meant to bloom, produce, expand, or feel the same in every season Be sure to hit subscribe so you never miss the latest episode! Connect with Emily: Website: www.EmilyReuschel.comInstagram: @emilyreuschelFacebook: Emily ReuschelLinkedIn: Emily ReuschelJoin my Book Insiders List: Sign up here! Resources and Links: Learn more and sign up for VeilFallThe Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature’s Rhythms by Fiona Cook and Jessica Roux — A beautifully illustrated, family-friendly introduction to the eight seasonal celebrations, with stories, meditations, scavenger hunts, crafts, recipes, rituals, and simple ways to connect with nature throughout the year.Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials Box Set — A collection of eight books—one for each sabbat—offering a deeper look at the history, lore, rituals, recipes, crafts, correspondences, prayers, and traditions associated with Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, Samhain, Yule, and Imbolc.Your Spacious & Seasonal Year by Ashley Burnett, with contributions from Lela Shields — A beautiful guide and workbook for living more intentionally alongside nature’s rhythms, featuring seasonal rituals, reflections, recipes, and practices designed to bring greater connection, meaning, spaciousness, and joy to everyday life.Demystify Magic Podcast — A grounded, approachable podcast exploring magic and spirituality in ways that feel practical and accessible. Their Wheel of the Year holiday deep dives are especially helpful if you want to learn about each sabbat individually as it arrives.Sign up here to get the inside scoop to my book writing journey!Book me as a speaker for your next event - email inquiries to emilyreuschel@gmail.com or schedule a call hereWild & Waking – Produced by Jill Carr Podcasting | Learn More