As I write this there is much speculation in the press about the possibility of a General Election. Of course now you’ll know whether or not that’s going to happen and I am certainly not going to lay myself open to ridicule by predicting whether or not such a thing would happen.

Much has been made about the downside of an election being held on dark nights as the weather gets worse. People argue that activists will find it harder to get motivated and people are less likely to open their doors to a stranger in the dark. And it is true that governments tend to do better in spring elections. Presumably in the better weather people feel more content and decide to give the “parcel o’rogues” the benefit of the doubt. Surely people can’t be so shallow? Don’t even think of answering that question, of  course they can. Historically the main reason why people vote the way they do is how their parents voted. How depressing is that?

What all the commentators have missed however is that this is in fact a great time to have an election. For here, we are at the end of the old year and looking forward to a new cycle of seasons. For the Celt the new year starts at Sabhain at the beginning of  November. And, as the new government beds in, we need to remember that this season is not a time for action. It is a time for nights huddled by the fire, of story-telling and day dreaming. And even if the weather is not so bad, our natural instinct is to stay by the hearth and remain warm. So we, like they, need to embrace that. Do not push yourself at this time of the year, conserve your energy and rejoice in candle lit rooms; engrossing novels and comforting food.

The moon moves into the new year on the 11th November with the moon month of the Silver Birch. This is the natural start of the new cycle and while the land beds down for the winter, remember deep underground seeds are germinating and new shoots are beginning their slow journey to the surface. It is a time for us to start preparing and visualising all that we are going to achieve in the year to come. Because of this it is also a time of uncertainty. It is as if there is a yearning within us but a nervousness too that we might not succeed in our ambitions and perhaps even a slight fear that even if we do achieve our dreams they might not be all that we hope for. But that is natural, remember that even on the calmest summer days the small leaves of the silver birch seem to shiver. Some call it the shaking tree because of this.

In December we welcome the moon month of the rowan tree. This is the great protector and reminds us that we need to take care and look after ourselves through the winter. It is also a tree of great magic. It is the sentinel, the guardian who would look out for you and your family. You should always plant one by the door you use the most. The main fire festival for us Celts is the winter solstice. On the 21st of December we celebrate the beginning of the return of the sun. For people living off the land, this was the most important date of the year for it marked the midwinter. Light a great fire, invite your friends around and offer them food and drink for no greater gift can there be but to share what you have in the bleak mid winter. We gather around the fire and sing pagan  Christmas carols which is always fun but also makes the point that this was a religious festival long before Jesus was born.

This is a time to cast off your failings and doubts and to consider what you want to achieve in the year to come. Make a list of all the things you want to leave behind, your annoying habits, your tendency to eat the whole box of chocolates on your own; your ability to ignore your partner’s emotional needs, that sort of thing. Write them all down on a sheet of paper and then burn them in the fire. As the sparks rise imagine that each one is a message to the Gods or God asking for Their assistance as you move forward. Then  cleanse the fire with sage or lavender and then make another list, this time of what you want to achieve in the year to come. To call the sun back burn a candle from before dusk until daylight the following day and then over the next few days try and feel the turning of the great wheel, the move away from darkness and uncertainty towards warmth and the light.

In January the rowan month progresses into the alder month. The alder is a dense dark tree that grows in dank watery places. It has a curious sap that is blood red and so when you strike the tree it is as if it weeps blood. For all these reasons this tree is associated with death and darkness. It is also the tree for screeing because the damp wood gives off a thick pungent smoke. Often we have the worst weather in January and yet this is also the time when we get the first visible signs that spring is almost on us. Try and get out as much as you can to search for snowdrops and crocuses, sure signs that the sun is returning. This then leads onto Brigantia, the fire festival at the beginning of February where we celebrate, among other things, creativity. Now there’s a festival for the politicians, election or not!