[Avodah] time as a spiral

[Sholom Simon via Avodah]

An Aish article notes:

>The Jewish model of time is a spiral. While time is certainly moving 
>forward, it progresses ahead specifically through a seasonal cycle. 
>Each year we pass through the same seasonal coordinates that are 
>imbued with whatever spiritual potentials were initially established 
>within them.

There are lots of examples of this (Lot served matza, Rashi says it 
was Pesach, etc.).  Moed meets "meeting" -- where we meet H', 
etc.  The 10th of Tishrei has "forgiveness" somehow embedded in that 
time (which is why H' forgave us on that day), etc.

I've also been told: there's no source for this notion in Chazal.

Thoughts?  (And, if not from Chazal -- then where/when does it first 
appear in Jewish thought?)

-- Sholom