In Wicca,
We see the cycles of nature in what is known as the Wheel of the Year.
The wheel is marked by eight different sabbats,
Or seasonal celebrations,
Each of which denotes a distinct turning point in the year.
More simply,
The wheel is also divided into two parts,
The light and dark halves of the year.
Symbolizing these two halves are the Oak King,
Who represents light and summer,
And the Holly King,
Who represents darkness and winter.
These two monarchs are also seen by some as personifications of the dual aspects of the Horned God.
Only one king rules at a time before his throne is overtaken by the other,
In an endless cycle that repeats year after year.
Some recognize this change taking place during the solstices,
While others hold that it occurred at the equinoxes.
Regardless,
The battle between the two kings occurs each year.
The legend surrounding this is the tale of two brothers,
Both of whom sought to rule the land in his preferred way.
The Oak King,
Often depicted wearing a crown of oak leaves,
And the Holly King,
Who wore an evergreen wreath,
Battled endlessly and fiercely.
They could agree on one thing,
However,
Their love for the goddess.
Wishing for there to be a truce between the brothers,
The goddess called for them to divide their reigns equally.
This prompted the kings to fight for dominance even more.
This great battle occurred on the equinox,
When there was equal day and equal night as the Oak King was defeated.
Assuming his brother had been slain in the fight,
The Holly King rose to power.
Shortly thereafter,
The days grew shorter and colder,
And the animals began to hibernate.
Soon,
The Holly King became forlorn at the loss of his brother.
Months later,
He learned that his brother was still very much alive,
And the Oak King returned to claim the throne once again.
When this happened,
The days grew longer,
The animals came forth from their slumber,
And the earth became fertile once again.
From this point forward,
Their dominion remained equally divided.
While this is purely a story,
It accurately describes the changing of the seasons we experience each year.
Although some areas see more warmth than cold each year,
And vice versa,
The transition from one to another often occurs with some sort of clash,
Which is quite notable during periods of violent thunderstorms in the northern American spring.
It also illustrates the unending cycle of birth,
Life,
Death,
And rebirth that is central to Wicca and paganism.
Each year,
We see two periods of extreme,
As well as two times of balance.
We are reminded that one cannot exist without the other,
And that all endings come with new beginnings.
The crow flies from me to thee,
To send the message,
Blessed be.
