The Dance of the Wheel of the Year

by Selena Mara

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about

This circular song brings to life the Celtic or Pagan Wheel of the Year with its 8 seasonal festivals. The Solstices, Equinoxes, and Cross Quarter holidays: Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain.

There is a verse for each festival which is evoked through a particular Goddess and images and sensations of the meaning of that festival. I wrote it in 1997 after I had spent several years walking the Westcountry of England with a group called the Dongas Tribe, and celebrating these festivals at different magical places with acoustic music, circle dancing, fire, feasting and friends gathered.

The full lyrics of this song are presented on a poster that I designed which you can buy by contacting me. It is an eternal calendar and shows how the 8 celtic festivals fit into the cycle of the seasons, nature and the phases of the Goddess.

lyrics

Here is a clip of the lyrics, the full lyrics are available on the poster as shown on the track cover.

First verse:

Now Midwinter Solstice is Hecate's night
In the heart of darkness is the seed of light
We push the wheel round, then rise with the dawn
From under the world the Year is reborn

Chorus:

(Midwinter) we dance, we dance round the fire,
Rejoicing the turning, the turning of year

Pre-second-verse:

'Twixt Solstice and Imbolc the seed starts to grow
The root pushes down and the shoot starts to show

Second verse:

Young Bride loves Imbolc, 'tis her favourite feast
Though of all the year, are stores at their least
Time to light a candle make a doll of corn
Bless the Bringer of Spring lest she leaves us forlorn

etc

credits

released December 17, 2018
I sing and play mandolin and recorder on this track.

To get more regular updates and inspiration from me, see videos and hear my livestreams, please visit my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SelenaMaraSongstress

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about

Selena Mara Totnes, UK

Enchanting Singer-Songwriter Selena Mara creates a magical vibe with her sparkling Celtic Indie Folk songs.

Selena captivates audiences with her rich and uplifting voice and accompanying mandolin.

From earthy and enchanting, to stomping, fun and funky, Selena’s varied songs emerge from and help grow the worldwide, empowered, eco-conscious movement of activists and community-builders. ... more

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