Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice typically happens on December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and symbolizes the beginning of the Solar year. An astrological alignment, the Earth's axis it tilted furthest away from the sun resulting in the longest night of the year. After that point we begin to return from darkness back into the light. The word Solstice translates to 'sun stands still'-and it is a time to pause, reflect, celebrate and explore. Although winter seems cold, dark and bleak it is actually a time to celebrate hope and light. I've collected some traditional tools, elements and rituals to help honor the seasons and honor ourselves. Enjoy!
Herbs, Trees & Flowers of the Season-use these to adorn your Altar & home this season
Cardamom-clears the mind, relaxes the body, connect with intuition. Water element.
Clove-love, protection, money. clearing negative forces. Fire element.
Cinnamon-money draw, protection, power, healing, success.
Mistletoe-healing, peace, rest; hang all year for prosperity and luck
Nutmeg-knowledge, inspiration, understanding
Peppermint-protection, healing, happiness, cleansing, release, rest. Air element.
Rosemary-memory, learning, protection, wards off bad dreams, cleansing, purification. Sun and fire element.
Sage-cleansing, healing, prosperity, used to 'smudge' and cleanse/purify spaces of negative energy. Air element.
Saffron-prosperity, passion
Trees-These trees of the season help to signify strength, widsom, rebirth, endurance & purification:
Christmas Rose-strength and protection
Stones of the Season
Blood Stone-healing, intuiton, creativity, grounding, protection, revitalization, courage, being present.
Citrine-energizing, Chakra cleanser, activate Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra, intuition, abundance, happiness, prosperity.
Garnet-stabilize internal or external chaos, regeneration, Muladhara (Root) Chakra, manifestation.
Onyx-strength & support in difficult situations, higher guidance.
Quartz-most powerful healing stone, absorbs, unblocks & regulates energy, cleansing, works on all levels of being
Tanzanite-offers mental clarity, eliminates negative energy.
Topaz-empathetic stone, soothes, heals, recharges, remotivates, trust in the Universe, joy, abundance, good health.
Turquoise-strong healing stone, soothes the spirit, protection, purification, used in specific Chakra work.
Zircon-spiritual stone of healing, enhances calm spirit, grounding stone to get organized.
Cardamom-clears the mind, relaxes the body, connect with intuition. Water element.
Clove-love, protection, money. clearing negative forces. Fire element.
Cinnamon-money draw, protection, power, healing, success.
Mistletoe-healing, peace, rest; hang all year for prosperity and luck
Nutmeg-knowledge, inspiration, understanding
Peppermint-protection, healing, happiness, cleansing, release, rest. Air element.
Rosemary-memory, learning, protection, wards off bad dreams, cleansing, purification. Sun and fire element.
Sage-cleansing, healing, prosperity, used to 'smudge' and cleanse/purify spaces of negative energy. Air element.
Saffron-prosperity, passion
Trees-These trees of the season help to signify strength, widsom, rebirth, endurance & purification:
- Evergreen, Ivy, Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Fir & Holly
Christmas Rose-strength and protection
Stones of the Season
Blood Stone-healing, intuiton, creativity, grounding, protection, revitalization, courage, being present.
Citrine-energizing, Chakra cleanser, activate Sahasrara (Crown) Chakra, intuition, abundance, happiness, prosperity.
Garnet-stabilize internal or external chaos, regeneration, Muladhara (Root) Chakra, manifestation.
Onyx-strength & support in difficult situations, higher guidance.
Quartz-most powerful healing stone, absorbs, unblocks & regulates energy, cleansing, works on all levels of being
Tanzanite-offers mental clarity, eliminates negative energy.
Topaz-empathetic stone, soothes, heals, recharges, remotivates, trust in the Universe, joy, abundance, good health.
Turquoise-strong healing stone, soothes the spirit, protection, purification, used in specific Chakra work.
Zircon-spiritual stone of healing, enhances calm spirit, grounding stone to get organized.
Animal Totem-A bear is a wonder way to signify winter. A time of hiberbation, reflection. When the bear awakens in the spring it returns with the dormant Earth back into rebirth and growth. Use images of bears on your altar to reflect.
"In the depth of winter I finally learned that in me was an invincible summer." Albert Camus.
Winter House Cleansing & Blessing-
Winter is a lovely time of the year to cleanse your space. During the holiday season we tend to have a lot going on, sometimes a lot of company and energy moves in and out of our home. Anytime is a good time to cleanse-before, during or after the holiday as needed to clear and sweep out negative or crowded energy. You can choose your medium to smudge; choices can include Palo Santo, sage bundle, sweet grass or cedar. When cleansing your home it's good to get the corners and entryways of your space to ensure no negative 'ickies' get stuck!
I like to add other elements to my home as well during this time. Candles and the element of fire represent transformation as well as the hearth of the home and warmth of the season. Salt can be placed throughout the home to absorb negative energy as well as select crystals such as clear quartz. These and other earth elements can help to also keep you grounded during the season. Animal elements, such as the bear totem or other animals that resonate with your for the season can be a reminder of your strength and determination to bring about what you want in the new year. The element of air is connected to wisdom, clarity and intellect, use the smoke of your smudging element or incense to bring about a freshness into the air. And finally the element of water helps to soothe your emotions, a special chalice or bowl of perhaps moon-charged water can be a nice addition to your space, reminding of the cycles of the season and this dark, introspective and reflective time.
While cleansing your space you may want to repeat a blessing of your choosing, an example may be:
"I cleanse this space, I cleanse myself.
Allow any stagnant or negative energy to be given back,
and allow for a renewed sense of energy to flow into being.
May I be protected in this space and only
allow for peace, love health and happiness into my home."
Winter is a lovely time of the year to cleanse your space. During the holiday season we tend to have a lot going on, sometimes a lot of company and energy moves in and out of our home. Anytime is a good time to cleanse-before, during or after the holiday as needed to clear and sweep out negative or crowded energy. You can choose your medium to smudge; choices can include Palo Santo, sage bundle, sweet grass or cedar. When cleansing your home it's good to get the corners and entryways of your space to ensure no negative 'ickies' get stuck!
I like to add other elements to my home as well during this time. Candles and the element of fire represent transformation as well as the hearth of the home and warmth of the season. Salt can be placed throughout the home to absorb negative energy as well as select crystals such as clear quartz. These and other earth elements can help to also keep you grounded during the season. Animal elements, such as the bear totem or other animals that resonate with your for the season can be a reminder of your strength and determination to bring about what you want in the new year. The element of air is connected to wisdom, clarity and intellect, use the smoke of your smudging element or incense to bring about a freshness into the air. And finally the element of water helps to soothe your emotions, a special chalice or bowl of perhaps moon-charged water can be a nice addition to your space, reminding of the cycles of the season and this dark, introspective and reflective time.
While cleansing your space you may want to repeat a blessing of your choosing, an example may be:
"I cleanse this space, I cleanse myself.
Allow any stagnant or negative energy to be given back,
and allow for a renewed sense of energy to flow into being.
May I be protected in this space and only
allow for peace, love health and happiness into my home."
Hygge-The Art of Sanctuary
A way to make the most of the cold, dark nights, this tradition embodies warmth and light. Known as the art of building sanctuary, hygge makes the most of the little things and calls to gather what fills your heart with love and comfort. See how to get your hygge on here... 
Bell & Fire Ritual You can do this ritual alone or with friends or family. Using an indoor fireplace, outdoor firepit or even specialty wish paper make to light indoors, use the element of fire (safely!) for transformation. Reflect on the year, what has worked, what hasn't. Write down on slips of paper what no longer serves you and you wish to release. Hold the paper in your hand, with each exhale out release this old, un-needed energy (some even blow the energy out into the hands). Bells have long been used to 'ring out the old' & 'ring in the new'. As you stand before the fire ring the bell to release the old and toss the paper into the fire, letting it consume what no longer serves and return it to the air as ash; to be regenerated, recreated. Ring the bell a second time to welcome in the new and offer a blessing to yourself or everyone. |
Fabulous Feasts
Winter is often a time of gathering with friends and family and enjoying warm, cozy meals together. You can incorporate food & libations of the season including squash soup, root vegetables, nuts, apples dried fruits, roasted meats, butter rum & Wassail, a traditional Yule beverage. I've included my own recipe for Honey-Moroccan carrots and find a good basic Wassail recipe from this link at www.thoughtco.com.....enjoy! 
Honey-Moroccan Carrots
Ingredients: 1 bunch of organic whole carrots with stems 2 Tbs evoo 1 Tbs honey 1 tsp Ras El Hanout Moroccan seasoning (can be found in organic grocery stores-a blend of cardamom, sea salt, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg) *Additional seasoning to taste, I use Trader Joes ‘everything but the bagel blend’. *Rise and peel carrots, cut off greenery but leave a bit at the top. Mix evoo, honey and Moroccan seasoning, brush onto carrots Place carrots on greased baking sheet and bake at 400 for 20 minutes *Place on serving dish, garnish with Greek yogurt and additional seasoning. Serve with other roasted root veggies like beets, potatoes and parsnips. Enjoy! |
Candle Work
Use candles in your ritual work, and dress the candles essential oils to boost effectiveness of your intention:
Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint (see above)
Frakinscense-success, cleansing, purification, emotional support, healing, activate Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra.
Myrrh-spiritual opening, peace, healing. Water element.
Use candles in your ritual work, and dress the candles essential oils to boost effectiveness of your intention:
Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, Peppermint (see above)
Frakinscense-success, cleansing, purification, emotional support, healing, activate Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra.
Myrrh-spiritual opening, peace, healing. Water element.
