Wonderfully Wiccan with Derrick Land: November 2025: The Fallow Times of Year

Life is hectic. Times have changed and it feels like the world has gotten much busier than I remember. Perhaps that’s just me entering my 40’s, pining for simpler times (I really miss the 90’s). While I’m sure that is part of it, I think the internet and social media are the major culprits, having quickened the pace of the world quite a bit in the past 25 years or so. People aren’t sitting on their porches with a tall glass of sweet tea as much anymore, enjoying the moment. They aren’t gathering with friends to just hang out, talking all night until the sun comes up about anything and everything. Everyone is multitasking and seems to have a smartphone addiction – they just can’t seem to put it down! That’s even more reason to force yourself to put it down.

It’s easier said than done, especially when the universe seems to be piling on more servings on your plate when you haven’t even had a chance to taste what’s already there. I know that all too well. As a chronic people-pleaser, I’m prone to taking on more than I can feasibly handle, leaving me scrambling to meet all my deadlines. While I can appreciate the sentiment behind the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”, that kind of mentality is not healthy – physically, mentally and especially spiritually. After all, body, mind and spirit are connected, so fatigue in one will affect the others. Through shadow work, I’ve learned where that complex originates from for me personally, and have learned that it’s okay to say no, it’s okay to set healthy boundaries, and most importantly – that it’s okay to rest.

Personal Fallow Times
In farming, fallowing is when a piece of arable land is left unplanted for a period so that the soil can replenish its nutrients and recover from past harvests. Otherwise, the depleted soil will gradually increase the risk of pests and diseases, yield smaller harvests, and ultimately become not arable all together. The soil needs to rest, just as we need to rest. A fallow time or fallow period in the context of people then, is a time when someone isn’t being productive or working but resting and recharging. Our minds and bodies will tell us when they need rest, so make sure to listen! Taking a vacation, a sabbatical or even just a mental health day or two are all examples of fallow times. I know I know, easier said than done, right? But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Prioritizing yourself in this way is not a crime. It does not make you a bad person. You aren’t being lazy. You aren’t slacking off. You are healing. You are recharging. You are replenishing.

Before, I mentioned listening to your mind and body, but I didn’t mention your spirit. That’s because the spirit demands its own address. Spiritual practice is not immune to the effects of burnout. It’s going to ebb and flow like anything else. Some days you just aren’t going to be feeling it. And that’s okay. One of the guidelines in my coven is that if someone isn’t feeling energetically up to coming to Sabbat/Esbat, that it’s okay to not come. I’d rather them stay at home and rest their spirit than come to the ritual and try and force their way through it. That energy would just be amplified in Circle and end up affecting other participants. My only request is that they still do something at home to honor the time of year – even if it’s just lighting a candle and saying a devotional prayer to the Goddess and God. If it starts to become a trend, however, you’ll want to dive deeper to try and find where the disconnect is. In some cases, taking a spiritual sabbatical may be needed for you to be able to reconnect.

Universal Fallow Times

Up until now I’ve talked about fallow times on a personal level, but there are also regular energetic fallow times throughout the year, if you know where to look! As above, so below, as within, so without, am I right? Learning to work with these three key cycles, resting when the universe is resting, has helped me maintain consistency while avoiding full burnout.

Astrological Fallows
These are related to astrological events, such as when a planet is in retrograde. Given that there is always something going on in the heavens, you’ll want to pick your battles. Mercury Retrograde happens a few times a year and is a common time used for introspection and review rather than starting something new.

Lunar Fallows
The Dark of the Moon or Balsamic Moon occurs during the last three nights of the waning crescent, just before the New Moon. It is a time of reflection, introspection and rest. On a smaller but more frequent scale, the moon visits a different zodiac sign every 2-3 days, taking anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to get from one sign to the next. During that transitional time the moon is said to be void of course, and these times are like mini-fallow periods.

Solar Fallow
Samhain marks the final harvest of the year and when the winter months begin. Many see this as the solar equivalent to the lunar Dark of the Moon. The Earth goes dormant; it’s a time to honor our ancestors and prepare ourselves spiritually for the year to come. In my coven, we see it ending at Winter Solstice, the birth of the new solar year. However, different groups might observe this period differently, ending at Imbolc for example, or not at all. Your mileage may vary.

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

One of my favorite poems is “Don’t Quit” by John Greenleaf Whittier. It’s an eloquent reminder that resting is fine as needed, but that it’s only meant to be temporary. Once you’re replenished, it’s time to get back in the saddle. There is still work to be done, sights to see, goals to strive towards and life to live. Even in times of great strife and sorrow, you can find a sliver of optimism. Of hope. Take the time you need in the darkness, in the fallow time, to rest and recharge. But then rediscover your spark. All it takes is one spark to make a flame. A flame that can illuminate and serve as a beacon through the darkness. Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Until next time!

Blessed Be,
Derrick Land