Yearworms

Yearworms are a fictional concept, often appearing in speculative fiction and folklore. They are generally depicted as serpentine or worm-like creatures whose existence is intrinsically tied to the passage of a year. While their specific characteristics vary greatly depending on the narrative, common themes include a connection to seasonal change, agricultural cycles, or prophetic abilities tied to the unfolding of time. Some stories portray yearworms as benign entities, perhaps responsible for the turning of the seasons or the fertility of the land. Others depict them as more ominous, their appearance or actions signaling an impending doom or a significant shift in the natural order. The concept itself taps into ancient human fascination with the cyclical nature of time and the mysteries of the natural world. The name "yearworm" suggests a creature that embodies or influences the progression of a full twelve-month period. There is no scientific basis for the existence of yearworms; they remain purely within the realm of imagination and storytelling. Their presence in a narrative often serves to add an element of the fantastical, the magical, or the deeply symbolic to the world being created.