So, Honorable Shamans and Fellow Pagans, the Wheel of the Year is turning as we speak, and Fire Season is almost here in Southwest Florida. We are winding down the rainiest Dry Season I’ve ever seen. In the Earthways Shamanic Path, we observe the Seasons right where we live and honor the turning of the wheel of the year, with ceremonies for them. I use Southwest Florida in most of my examples because that is where I live.
You may recall that in Southwest Florida, the spiritual aspect of Dry Season is a time of respite after Hurricane Season, a time to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather before the bulk of the Tourists arrive. This year has been unusual, in that we have had 11 inches of rain in January. The average is just under 2 inches in January.
One of the physical markers of Fire Season, which starts February 15th is that the temperatures have been dropping. People turn on their heaters, or start their fireplaces: the smell of smoke wafts through the air. We get skies with just a bit of haze in them from the fires. One of the big thing that happens in Southwest Florida (from October to April) is the burning of the Sugar Cane fields prior to harvesting it. You can read more about sugar cane harvesting . Fire Season runs till about mid-June. At the tail end of Fire Season, the thunder cloudes start forming and we start getting a lot of heat and lightning, and eventually, forest fires. To prepare for forest fire season, this is the time of year when foresters do “prescribed burns.” This clears the underbrush to minimize the risk of fires later in the year. Sometimes, these perscribed burns get out of control because of unexpected winds.
The final physical marker of Fire Season in Southwest Florida is that we are teeming with visitors: Every street and highway is full. Doctors’ offices are full. Churches are full. The list of festivals to attend each weekend, is staggering: it isn’t possible to attend every festival that you want to.
We will be having a Fire Season Celebration on Wednesday, February 10th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. (UUCFM). Come about 6PM for the Community Dinner. Then, we will gather — probably starting in Room 4, and have a ceremony to honor the end of Dry Season, and the beginning of Fire Season.
And, Share Your Peace with Our Earth.
~Whale Maiden~
~~~ ♡ ~~~
Although the Earthways Shamanic Path is based in Florida, it can be celebrated anywhere. You just need to explore the magic of your land. What is it saying to you? What are the seasons, where you live? What do they mean to you? How are they celebrated?
Join Whale Maiden in the discussion at the Earthways Shamanic Path – Facebook Group
(c) 2000 to present, Whale Maiden. All Rights Reserved
Share this:
Whale Maiden-Suburban Shaman 