Any Witches Here? Part 21

[speakout]

Just settling into the new place, plumping the cushions and opening the windows. Welcome to n everyone, newcomers, old friends, the curious.
Wiccans. or Pagans? Or anyone who is interested in a magical path or feels some magical stirrings.
A place for support, learning, swapping ideas and magical inspiration..

Happy Solstice everyone. A beautiful pearl dawn this morning, but lashing down and foggy now, so,we won't see the sun again today. Put up the tree and decorations, lots of twinkly lights to celebrate the turn of the darkness to light.

We played the Northern Shaman last night!

We incorporate it into our rite most years, ever since it appeared on YouTube.
I first heard it on the radio years and years ago, wonderful, never forgotten.
How I would love a CD of it, I must ask the Beeb.

We use a version of it that was developed into a full guided meditation. It's part of the annual Yule ritual here too.

I would love to share my extended version here but it's not mine to share unfortunately.

That Youtube channel has some great craft videos doesn't it?

Happy Winter Solstice all!
Well I had a very interesting night last night. After burning a list of things I banish and then things Id like to attract in the coming year, I allowed it to burn itself out which took over half an hour (see pic). Then when I was in bed I was having the strangest of dreams and I kept waking up, which is very unlike me! A very turbulent night, and then I spent the day today ferrying hedgehogs around to wildlife rescues!

Warm winter solstice wishes!

Merry Yule/solstice to everyone.
CailleachGhlas I can see a young woman in that flame- anyone close?

I am so enjoying having time off work, I am even enjoying housework as I have time. I can incorporate magical practices in my day, I am making myself some candles just for me, time to groom cats, make smoothies, meditation and yoga.
OH is working right up until 5pm on christmas eve, usually he saves a week of annual leave running up to christmas, and tat has been helpful, but truthfully I am looking forward to few slower days.

I know this can be a hard time, those with young children, those on a tight budget- those bearing loss.
I have had all those situations in life, and I know situations can be nuanced and complex. But I alsoknow that as humans we are capable of feeling many things at the same time. We can hold fear and hope, sadness and joy, that's what it means to be human. The return of the light reminds us that even in the darkest day, the deepest sorrow that peace and joy will sustain.

Apologies if I already mentioned, but I watched a beautiful Norwegian ( in English) movie on Netflix called Snow Sister. It's a christmas movie and easy watching, but deals with loss and hope. Bit of a tear jerker, but was a big hit in Norway last year and such a refreshing change from all the cheesy Hallmark christmas films. The music is beautiful- the theme song is by a Norwegian singer called Delara, also topped music charts in Norway and I am a little obsessed!

Happy Yule/Christmas to everyone!

Merry christmas wise sisters. I know many of us celebrate despite having a variety of beliefs or none.
It is good to see so many pagan symbols and traditions still endure.
We are having an easy pace today, I have to sort out some green beans and make some ganache for the chocolate cake I have made.

We had a quietish day (I don't miss managing SEN child and mass catering), saw DD2 at her Residential Placement in the afternoon and Christmas dinner from the organic butcher and m&s.

Today, I've been for a long walk down by the Cathedral Close and river - lots of swans among the weeping willows and there's a sculpture trail in the cloisters, which was lovely. As a non-Christian, I can still appreciate the beautiful building and peace - I was pretty much the only person in the cloisters.

I also enjoy the pagan symbols of Christmas, the midwinter aspect of it. I added more ivy and fairy lights to my mantlepiece on Christmas Eve. I love bringing the outside in.

Your mantel is gorgeous @quirkychick

I've been doing the 12 nights of Christmas, has anyone else? You write down 13 wishes for the new year and fold them up, you choose one at random per day and release it into the ether to be taken care of, and the 13th one you open and it is your responsibility to make that wish happen. I've been putting mine in the soil of my houseplants and outside pots.

I'd love to join this thread. I've been reading passed threads and really enjoying all the nature love. I always seem drawn to the pagan elements at Christmas time and would like to expand on this side of me.

@quirkychick I adore your mantlepiece, so beautiful.
@CailleachGhlas that ssounds like a lovely practice.

This is my first attempt at a smudge stick, currently hanging up to dry.
I must confess I didn't read too much about how to do it and just jumped straight in. Can refine next time unless anyone has any tips. This has been made with sage and rosemary from the garden. My sage plant is rampant so can certainly make more.
Hoping it will be ready for the next full moon which is at the start of January.

Hi, I’d love to join please if that’s ok? I’m very new to this, well not new but I’m acknowledging my stirrings and listening to my calling.

@CailleachGhlas I have also set 13 intentions for the 12 nights of Christmas. I also found some lovely reflections from The Dark Irish Witch.

I love your smudge stick GreenSageBlueTopaz- and made with instinct and intention. I make my own smudge sticks too, mainly from things grown in my garden.

A warm welcome Happyinheels, so glad you have joined us. Grab a cosy spot by the fire- always fresh tea in the pot. Such a good idea for 12 days of christmas.
My christmas tree is down. and slowly gathering the christmas things and decorations to be carefully packed up and put back in the loft soon. My DD has gone back to her place, my mother gone home, and OH back to work tomorrow.
I love the quiet time after christmas and the run up to Imbolc. Still winter cosy, but the energy is soft and slow. unhurried, sky colours subtle in their display.
I was given a lot of bird food and equipment for christmas, and I was planning to set up new winter feeding stations but there are several bird flu outbreaks near me and public advice regarding feeding of wild birds seems contradictory.
So a slow clean up day, at home, work is now active but not too busy.
I have candles lit, a fresh ginger and orange juice on the go and calm music playing.

Back to work here too. I have 4 pewter goddess amulets to cast for a commission. I need to make a mould for the casting but it's sooooo cold in my studio that I'm delaying as long as I can as the silicon won't cure well until I can get the ambient temperature up a bit.

My house is still full of food I don't eat. I've asked DH to hide the jelly beans, the unopened bags of sweets will go to a local charity that dispenses food to the homeless. They will enjoy all the chocolate covered toffees and Quality St more than I would. Not sure what to do with the half eaten box of Thorntons though. May just go in the bin although I hate food waste.
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My tree will stay up until after the NY but we don't put it up until the day before the Solstice so I'm not bored with it yet and it still has all the needles.

I treated myself to the new Phil Rickman "Merrily" book this week. It is obviously the last and tbh I was a little disappointed, however it has added a couple of "must visit" destinations for a field trip so not a complete loss.

Thank you, hope it dries out as it's quite thick. Plenty more sage in the garden to try again if not. I do like how it looks hanging in the house though and the slight scent.

I love to feed the birds in my garden. There was a recent bird flu outbreak where I live but everything I read suggested it wouldn't be a problem for the small garden birds so I carried on feeding them with no issues.

I've done a lot of work in the garden yesterday clearing out dead leaves and branches and trimming and weeding, very satisfying.

Just sharing some photos.
A Reed diffuser from Tesco which looked witchy. I don't tend to use artificial scents in general but loved the look of the bottle.
Some confused daffodils.
Unusual flower from a nearby walk, smelled coconutty.
Beautiful winter sun.
And a green concoction, my son is growing some crystals from a set he got for Christmas.

@GreenSageBlueTopaz

That's a winter heliotrope you found there.

Thank you @thewytch Much appreciated.
I had used an app which wrongly identified it as a butterbur and I hadn't double checked.
Though I did like the name butterbur.

Can anyone help. I was reading one of the old threads and someone posted a YouTube video they said they watched every Christmas. It seemed to be about a woman living as though in the 17th century, it was half an hour long and I had just started it but now it's not in my history and I can't find the post but would love to watch it if anyone knows what the video is.

Many thanks

Beautiful pictures @GreenSageBlueTopaz
I'll add some of mine from the last few weeks. Our hedgehogs seem to have been fighting over the feeding station, so we've added another. Hopefully they'll find it and it'll help with the squabbles! Territorial little whatsits!
I'm keeping the tree up for another day or so, maybe until new year, but I will do some decluttering in the meantime

That video doens't ring a bell GreenSageBlueTopaz, but if you find it I'd love to watch.Some beautiful photos too.
I awoke this morning to frost, it's so beautiful too. I live in a bit of a Dingly Dell, a dip in the land, surrounded by trees, so acts as a frost pocket. Always colder than the neighbouring village.
The time between christmas and new year is an odd one. Even walking around the local supermarket, piles of reduced mince pies and crackers. Shelves now piled with booze and sparkles.
It feels so odd to have two celebrations so close together, meanings are so muddled.
I have never been a fan of New Year, of course here in Scotland it has a big tradition. Used no doubt as a winter celebration due to christmas being banned by the church for 300 years. In 1640 Yule celebrations became illegal Scots shifted their winter celebrations to Hogmanay to celebrate the New Year, with traditions like first-footing and fire rituals. People were arrested for dancing and feasting at Yule. Christmas day only became a bank holiday in 1958. So New Year retains a special significance for many. I am still in christmas clear up mode, DD has yet to pick up a ton of stuff- including her cat and I am slowiy finding homes for all the displaced items.

I am about to clear out my tea cupboard, consolidate empty boxes, clean up spillages.

Does anyone have tea recipes- magical or otherwise ? I have tried to make tea this year without much success. Also does anyone use tea in divination? Or indeed coffee? I'd love to hear.

Beautiful photos @CailleachGhlas I love the dark green glass.

I woke up this morning coughing, so made some elderberry syrup and started on the oregano capsules. Feeling fine now, but I'll carry on taking them to fend off anything - it was very cold this morning, so could just be affecting my asthma.

I feel really ready to go back to simpler, nutritious meals. We don't massively overindulge, but had friends over Sunday, so was lots of cheese, party food and a few drinks. I also am very keen to get back to walking in nature, even if it's a cut through the park to the shops. I don't have much work this week, out of the few lessons, a few have cancelled due to illness.

I've enjoyed listening to the After Dark podcast on BBC Sounds. I've been working my way through the folklore ones. I'm also reading The Virago Book of Witches, and realise I know quite a few of the stories!

Greetings sisters,as we approach the dawn of a new calendar year. I received an excellent book.for Christmas to add to my collection. Plants of Power by Stacey Demarco and Miranda Mueller. Highly recommend to those with Green Witch tendencies. I am itching to get into the garden and get all my herbs underway but for now I am.leaving it untouched in all its leaf litter mess. The small creatures are asleep under the fallen leaves and dead stems so I will let them rest awhile.

@speakout I did find the videos. It's actually a BBC series that I never came across. Tales of the Green Valley. There are 12 episodes one for each month. I'm just watching December now.

GreenSageBlueTopaz thanks for that, and for the other recommendations too. These folk tales are so rich in meaning and wisdom.
I may settle down to watch or listen to one this evening. I love this dark time of the year- and yes I leave my leaf pile too for the small ones.