Turning with the Seasons: The Wheel of the Year and Yogic Wisdom
Throughout time, humans have looked to nature as both teacher and mirror. The ancient Pagan Wheel of the Year honours this connection, marking eight seasonal festivals that trace the turning of the Earth and the rhythm of life itself. Within this cycle, four key points - the Winter and Summer Solstices, and the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes - hold deep symbolic and energetic meaning.
At Infinite Harmony, we find a beautiful resonance between this ancient wheel and the cyclical wisdom of yoga. Both invite us to live in tune with the flow of life, honouring rest and renewal, activity and stillness, growth and release.
The Wheel of the Year: Nature’s Mandala
The Pagan Wheel of the Year divides the solar cycle into eight festivals:
- Yule (Winter Solstice) – The longest night, celebrating the rebirth of the sun.
- Imbolc – The first stirrings of spring.
- Ostara (Spring Equinox) – A moment of perfect balance between light and dark.
- Beltane – The height of fertility and creation.
- Litha (Summer Solstice) – The zenith of the sun’s power.
- Lammas / Lughnasadh – Gratitude for the first harvest.
- Mabon (Autumn Equinox) – Another point of balance, as the days begin to shorten.
- Samhain – The gateway into winter, a time of reflection and remembrance.
Each season reflects an aspect of our inner landscape - inviting us to move, rest, and grow in rhythm with the Earth’s breath.
Solstices: Light and Shadow in Yoga and Nature
At the Solstices, the sun reaches its furthest points north and south - moments of extreme light and darkness.
- Winter Solstice (Yule) calls us inward. In yoga, this corresponds to the pratyahara (withdrawal) and nidra (rest) stages - drawing energy within to restore balance. It’s a time for reflection, stillness, and quiet growth beneath the surface.
- Summer Solstice (Litha) is the peak of outward expression - mirroring rajas, the active guna in yoga philosophy. Here we celebrate abundance, vitality, and gratitude, yet we also remember that every peak gently turns toward rest.
The solstices remind us of yoga’s teaching on balance and impermanence - that light and dark, action and rest, are both essential to wholeness.
Equinoxes: The Art of Balance
At the Spring (Ostara) and Autumn (Mabon) Equinoxes, day and night are equal. This is the Earth’s natural expression of sattva - clarity, balance, and harmony.
In yoga, we strive for the same equilibrium through breath and posture - hatha itself meaning the union of “ha” (sun) and “tha” (moon). These equinox points remind us that inner balance isn’t static; it’s a living dance between energy and ease.
Spring invites expansion - movement, new beginnings, the energy of inhalation.
Autumn guides us toward release - the exhalation, letting go of what no longer serves.
The Yogic Mirror: Moving with the Seasons
Just as nature transitions through cycles, so too do our bodies, minds, and emotions. Yoga and seasonal awareness offer us a language of self-regulation and connection.
Through asana (posture), pranayama (breath), meditation, and yoga nidra, we align our internal rhythms with the outer world - supporting wellbeing, presence, and self-understanding.
At Infinite Harmony, we honour these cycles through our seasonal yoga classes, yoga therapy sessions, and yoga nidra evenings. By weaving ancient wisdom with therapeutic yoga practice, we invite each person to find harmony between inner and outer worlds.
Why It Matters for Infinite Harmony
The philosophy behind Infinite Harmony is one of integration - of science and spirit, rest and growth, body and mind. The Wheel of the Year reminds us that wellbeing is cyclical, not linear. There is no endless summer, no eternal winter; healing and vitality flow through constant change.
By recognising these natural rhythms, we cultivate a deep sense of belonging - to the Earth, to ourselves, and to each other. Through yoga and mindful living, we learn to move with the turning of the wheel rather than against it, finding Infinite Harmony in every season.
