As a follower of an earth-based religion, I have come to learn that the year is circular with no beginning and no end. I have also come to know that life works the same way. I know this because we can see it in the world around me. Each fall the trees die off only to come back in the spring. Some may argue that they don't really die, so be it. I believe that to every end, there is but another beginning. For everything that dies off, life begins anew, just look at a rotting tree the next time you're in the woods, you'll see what I mean.
There are stages of life and each has it's own, very specific purpose. We move from one to another, not without effort, as the seasons move from one to the next. Below is a listing of the rites of passage.
Birth
Coming of Age
Initiation
Handfasting
Midlife
Priestess & Priesthood
Elderhood>
The Final Passage
