The wheel of the year
Gatherings
The year, season by season.
How the Wild Souls year moves
Both paths gather through all four seasons, on private land owned by mentors in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with an occasional day on the water. Fire Keepers meets for four Friday to Sunday immersions and a day gathering in most months between. 13 Moons meets in weekend immersions and day gatherings through thirteen moons. Families gather twice: once to open the year, and once to welcome their young people home.
The wheel of the year
Where the year is today
The marker points to today. Around the edge run the thirteen moons of the 13 Moons year, and inside them sit four fires, one for each Fire Keepers immersion. From autumn 2027, every circle begins in autumn and comes home in summer.
- Autumn
Circles are called in, and families open the year beside their young people.
- Winter
The circles deepen.
- Spring
A season for courage.
- Summer
The return home, with families in the welcoming circle.
The calendar
This year, and the next
Autumn2026
- Early September
- 13 MoonsThe third 13 Moons circle began with its first immersion, Friday to Sunday, September 4 to 6.
- Late November
- Fire KeepersThe third immersion, Friday to Sunday: the descent.
Winter2026 to 2027
- December
- Fire KeepersA day gathering.
- January
- Fire KeepersA day gathering.
- Late February
- Fire KeepersFamiliesThe final immersion, Friday to Sunday, and the welcome home.
Autumn2027
- Autumn
- 13 MoonsFire KeepersFamiliesNew circles of both paths begin, opening with a family gathering. The new Fire Keepers circle is planned to hold up to twelve boys.
Through the year13 Moons
- Every moon
- 13 MoonsWeekend immersions and day gatherings through all four seasons. Exact dates go to each family directly.
Families in a circle receive exact dates and meeting places from their mentors.