I have always felt the seasons in North America to be unfitting. Imposed by people coming from Europe, I feel the three-month season doesn't really correspond to the true cycles of nature. so here is my attempt at a six-season wheel.
Below, you'll see my attempts at interpreting some of these seasons through moving landscapes. Find my 6-season journal here.
You can also click on the parts of the wheel to see the explanations for each season. The hand shows where we are currently in the year.
BLOOM-SPRING
Start: April 21st
End: June 20th (Long Solstice)
This season reflects the ephemeral blooms of my home area. It starts with the first bloodroots, and ends with the last of the trillium blooms.
SUGAR-SPRING
Start: February 21st
Middle: Spring Equinox
End: April 20th
Here in this part of the year, also called "Maple Season", the sun shines and meltwater abounds. Sap flows alongside the gorged streams.
SNOWDRIFT
Start: December 21st (Short Solstice)
End: February 20th
This is what most people think of as "the true northern winter". While its cold boreal winds can be felt, it is named for its drifts of snow.
RED-FALL
Start: October 21st
End: December 20th (Short Solstice)
This is when the the leaves turn red. The season is marked by migrations, be it from the North or towards the south. Nature braces itself for renewal, as the first snows fall.GOLDEN-FALL
Start: August 21st
Middle: Fall Equinox
End: October 20th
This season shows the first signs of fall. The Aster family is in bloom, and the last insects stock up on nectar for hibernation. The cold shows its face early on in the evenings.
SUNRAY
Start: June 21st (Long Solstice)
End: August 20th
Known for its warm sun-rays, this season can be very humid or very dry, depending on the location. Many plants are growing quickly, yet only a few native species are blooming.
