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labyrinth

Ta’ Pinu Basilica, Gozo, Malta


The Compass Rose and Celtic Wheel:

Tools for the Inward & Outward Journey:


The Celtic people welcomed the contradictions in the outer world. They developed special blessings for times of suffering believing that hardship leads to a special insight or gift of the spirit. The Celtic “Secret of Equilibrium” sees every difficulty as a threshold of possibility.

John O’Donohue, Irish poet and scholar, excerpts from his book, The Inner Landscape.

Every traveler needs a compass to help them find their bearings and guide them in the direction they want to go. The four main cardinal points on a compass β€” North, East, South, and West β€” remind us where we are and where we're going.  

I've chosen a graphic of the Compass Rose for the book's cover design because it also reminds me of the labyrinths I’ve walked worldwide in Ireland, France, Malta, and the United States. Labyrinths often serve as a metaphor to follow our inward path and outward journey. Even though there are numerous twists and turns, what appears to be an endpoint can also become a new beginning.

Similarly, the Celtic Wheel calendar's unique structure, with 13 weeks per season, provides a profound guide.  It reminds us of life's cyclical nature and invites us to notice what is growing and blooming in our life, when it is time to enjoy harvesting the fruits of our labors, and challenges us to be willing to let go and release our attachments to what was. As we celebrate the seasons of the year, they can signify specific stages in life. Sometimes, we also become aware of gaps within our development.

Prior to her death in 2021, I had the joy of meeting and studying with Jean Illsley Clarke, a renowned parenting specialist. I applied her insights while teaching parents of Head Start Children enrolled at the Community Colleges of Spokane. Jean believed that developmental themes often repeat every 13 years throughout life. She encouraged us to remember that it's "never too late to grow up again."

For example, a 3-year-old's task is to begin exploring their independence and the consequences of their choices. If parents and caregivers don't support preschoolers in making age-appropriate decisions and living with their impact, imagine what it will be like when they are 16 years old (13 years later) and driving a car.  What happens when they are 29 or 42 years old (multiples of 13 years) and still haven't learned to become independent and make wise choices? The good news is we can learn new skills at any stage in life. Unfortunately, we can also accumulate "developmental baggage" if we neglect to learn specific skills from life’s earlier stages.

I have divided this travel memoir into four major "seasons" in my life, with 13 different worldwide locations describing an aspect of my development. You can read it chronologically, pick a particular geographic location that interests you, or select a specific quality that appeals to you. For easier reference, I've created several indexes to help guide your reading.

As you review the Celtic Seasonal and Developmental Milestones Chart below,
note which developmental tasks require additional attention.

Celtic Dates, Life's Seasons, and Developmental Tasks in the Northern Hemisphere:


1. Spring: EAST: (Developing Supportive Roots) Birth, Nurturing the Seeds of Childhood

  • Imbolc: (February 1) Listen to what wants to emerge.
  • Spring Equinox (March 20-21) Plant new seeds of possibilities.;

Developmental Tasks:

  • Babies feel welcomed and receive nourishment, acceptance, and love.
  • Infants enjoy having their needs consistently met.
  • Children feel celebrated for who they are and for being themselves.
  • Children grow in autonomy to explore their world with confidence, support, and appropriate boundaries.

2. Summer: SOUTH: (Growing the Garden) Growth, Expanding Skills of Youth and Young Adulthood

  • Beltane: (May 1) Expand potential and strengthen new buds of skills.
  • Summer Solstice (June 20-21) Increase blossoming for a fuller expression of self.

Developmental Tasks

  • Youth and young adults grow in confidence and take initiative to feel capable.
  • Youth and young adults explore and express their authentic sexual identity.
  • Youth and young adults complete their education and begin their career(s), growing in skills and proficiencies.
  • Young adults value intimacy and supportive relationships and avoid being isolated.

3. Fall: WEST: (Harvesting the Fruits) Celebrating the Results of Efforts

  • Lughnasa: (August 1) Gather the fruits of life's labors.
  • Autumn Equinox (September 20-21) Recognize and savor accomplishments, including healthy relationships.

Developmental Tasks

  • Middle adulthood enjoys the positive influence of their unique gifts and accomplishments, avoiding inertia or stagnation.
  • Speaks the truth with clarity and compassion.
  • Makes any necessary amends to heal past or present hurts, including intergenerational pain. Moves forward rather than remain stuck with unresolved pain.

4. Winter: NORTH: (Pruning and Releasing) Letting Go and Protecting the Seeds for the Future

  • Samhain: (October 31) Face any challenges with grace.
  • Winter Solstice: (December 20-21) Accept the ambiguities and mysteries of the Dark Night of the Soul with greater ease.

Developmental Tasks

  • Embraces who and what can't be changed and grieves any losses.
  • Chooses to live with integrity and wholeness instead of despair.
  • Feels at peace with living a life well-lived.
  • Shares a legacy of wisdom and resources to benefit others.

At the beginning of each Life Season, I provide an overview of a specific developmental stage and what I learned from my travels. Consider reviewing the four key questions I offer for your reflection about that particular phase in your life. As you read this travel memoir, may you become more aware of which developmental task(s) need more attention and celebrate the ones you’ve already mastered.