Phenology - The Study of Seasonal Changes
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Hello Friends. I recently discovered how to make a Phenology Wheel and thought this is something that many of you would also enjoy. If you aren’t familiar with phenology, it is the study of seasonal changes in plants, animals, and weather patterns. You may have done some version of a phenology wheel in elementary school. Studying when flowers bloom, birds migrate, or when the first frost arrives, is an easy way to connect with nature and the season at hand. It is also a good way to quiet your mind and be in the present moment.
I was not able to find any open source photos of a completed phenology wheel and I didn’t want to wait until I had completed one. So, I put together some examples over on Pinterest instead. Just remember, this isn’t an exercise only for people who are considered artistic. Like journaling or keeping a grimoire, taking the time each day to work on a phenology wheel is it is another way for you to connect with your inner spirit and the world around you.
If you need a visual before you get to the how-to, check out the examples on Pinterest and then be sure to come back and grab your free template at the bottom of this post.
What Is Phenology?
Phenology is the science of tracking the timing of natural events. It focuses on phenomena like:
The first appearance of migratory birds in spring.
The budding and flowering of plants.
The changing colors of leaves in autumn.
Seasonal weather patterns, like the first snowfall or the warmest day of summer.
I was introduced to this concept quite by accident. I just happened to watch this video from a YouTube channel called Marion’s World. She uses watercolors and pen to create absolutely gorgeous phenology wheels.
A Phenology Wheel is a circular chart divided into segments—typically days, weeks, or months—where you record your observations of seasonal changes. This tool provides:
A Visual Calendar: See how nature’s patterns evolve over the year.
Mindful Practice: Spending a few moments each day observing your environment connects you deeply with the present moment.
Seasonal Insight: Align your rituals, goals, and practices with nature’s actual rhythms, enhancing the meaning behind each Wheel of the Year festival.
A Creative Outlet: Designing and filling in a Phenology Wheel is an artistic and meditative process.
How to Use a Phenology Wheel
Start Small: Use a single month or season to familiarize yourself with tracking natural events.
Observe Daily: Spend time outside and note changes in your environment. What do you see, hear, or feel?
Record Your Observations: Jot down details like blooming flowers, animal activity, or temperature changes in each segment.
Reflect and Connect: Compare your notes to the corresponding festival on the Wheel of the Year. For example, are there signs of new life during Imbolc, or is the harvest abundant near Lughnasadh?
Download Your Free Phenology Wheel Template
To help you get started, I’ve created a free Phenology Wheel template for you to print and use. This wheel is divided into 32 sections, perfect for tracking daily observations over one month.
Click here to download your free printable Phenology Wheel template.
Disclaimer - this template is designed for standard US letter size, making it kind of small. If you really want to add lots of detail or have plenty of room to work, you could create your own phenology wheel on bigger art paper.
Here is a list of supplies that would be helpful to make your own phenology wheel:
Oversized artist pad with watercolor paper (good for painting, drawing and writing)
Compass - According to my high school geometry teacher it is physically impossible to draw a perfect circle by hand. If, like me, you struggle with geometry and attention to detail, a compass and ruler will be your best friend for this project. A phrenology wheel is 360 degrees with 32 wedges, each of which should be 11.25 degrees apart.
Let me know if you decide to try making your own phenology wheel. I’d love to see what you are studying in your corner of the world.
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The content provided above was developed in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI language model by OpenAI. The initial ideas and concepts for the piece were provided by me, and ChatGPT assisted in organizing, formatting, and refining these ideas into the final written post. While the AI contributed to the structure and clarity of the content, the core ideas and creative direction remain my own.