Wednesday 16 February 2022

What to do with a witchy slump

 Good day everyone! 

You know, with the last two years I feel like I've been in a witchy slump, it's partly why I haven't been on here fulfilling my content promises ( sorry guys).  So today is a short and sweet what to do with a witchy slump post.

Does the idea of practising your craft make you feel tired emotionally and physically, do you feel your life it too hectic that you can't get anything done, even reading this feels like a rare bit of time to be witchy.

Well firstly, forgive yourself. Witchcraft isn't a lifestyle, it's an element of your life.

 Witchcraft is a craft, it's not going to disappear from you if you can't commit to it. If your spirituality and personal beliefs connect to your craft, do you honestly think you will be forsaken if you don't light incense every day or do elaborate ceremonies, spellwork or cleansing? 

Secondly, have you ever considered that maybe you're in a witchy slump because you are in a rut emotionally yourself. So you should probably check in with yourself and see how you are feeling before you even consider witchcraft- as your emotional wellbeing and general health are all factors in the end result of any witchcraft. So if you're feeling a slump- maybe that is a sign that you need to rest, recuperate and heal. And I don't mean a five-minute nap and a face mask, I mean scheduling a designated time and not allowing plans to cover it and making arrangements so that you can have the appropriate time for peace and quiet- to all the parents out there - this does mean asking someone to babysit for the day if needed.

So how do we start to deslump the witchy slump? Well, I always start off by getting myself psyched up with a good start to the day, a nice fresh breakfast and a stretch is always a good start ( if that feels a little too much how about a glass of fruit juice with breakfast and rolling your shoulders backwards 3 times and then 3 times forwards) . Don't forget to clean your teeth. When I do this I play an empowering song on my phone and dance to this- but if you're not feeling like dancing you can just clean your teeth normally.  You should, if you haven't done so the night before, make sure your body is clean for the day too ( yes a morning shower does really perk you up for the day)
 

I then get dressed in something that I am comfortable in and confident in ( i would avoid loungewear but that's only because I associate joggers and baggy jumpers with the need for a snuggle in bed for a week- which although fun isn't what I aim for when I'm trying to de-slump. You might feel differently so go with what feels right for you) where I make a bit of an effort ( i.e makeup and hair) to get ready ( though the makeup is optional, ensuring your hair is tidy and your face is at least washed is just as good of a start). Then I follow up by tidying or re-organising my craft space so it is clean and as aesthetic as I like.

I know this sounds like self-care, but getting yourself into a refreshed headspace, feeling clean and well presented; can really motivate you for the day, or in this case your witchcraft practices.

So what can I do to start the magic ball rolling?

Here are a few low energy activities you can do when you are trying to de-slump but don't want to spend ages planning, prepping and partaking in.

1. Stir/consume your food/drink with intent- yes you can actually do this. Colour magic and the use of an item's metaphysical properties can be applied to your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether you're preparing it or eating it. Let's take Orange juice as an example. Orange colour is for motivation and energy. Orange as fruit is cleansing, brings good energy and from a vitamin perspective- its vitamin C helps boost immunity. Add a little intention to the mix and your Orange juice has the potential to become a good day elixir or enchanted with a boost for you and other drinkers. Heck draw a couple of sigils onto the carton/bottle in sharpie and you can make the whole thing magical. 

2. Air doodle sigils and protection symbols- pretend your finger, spoon, pencil (whatever you want) is a wand and draw in the air what you want to happen for the day.

3. Say a small encantation under your breath, out loud or in your head. For example, I tend to say/sing out loud on windy days to try and reduce wind ( doesn't always work but the wind is wind and I have to respect its nature ) " wind be gentle, wind be calm, keep me safe now, here from harm, wind be gentle, calm and still; do this now of free will" 

4. Light a candle/ incense just to perk you up. No need for anything dramatic or too intentful, just light it to feel good.

5. Go for a walk and just enjoy the weather, imagine as you walk the negativity is exiting through your feet and that the air brings in something new and positive.

6. Go witchy shopping/searching- Get yourself a few bits to get you in the mood, stock up on supplies, treat yourself; find a fun stick for waving around from outside or collect some flowers.

7. Have a shower/bath with cleansing ingredients and use your intent to ground yourself as you wash

8. Make something- Get crafty in general- I'm currently decorating a glass ornament so it looks like a hobbit house- which I will use as a hanging tealight holder. But a doodle for your altar counts too!

 9. Read a page or two of that book you bought with the intent of reading but haven't yet- We've all done it- in fact, I have a shelf full of witchcraft books I bought with good intentions or was gifted.

10. Just have a dress-up day- sometimes just dressing up a bit more witchy or fancy can empower us and motivate us. So have a bit of fun and see where the day takes you.


Well that was a few tips on how to get out of a witchy slump, if you're reading this, why not comment below with your own tips!?







Thursday 7 October 2021

Coming out of the Broom closet?

 You know , over the last couple of weeks' on various media, I've seen a lot of " How do you come out as a witch?" Type posts. I thought this was a rather interesting topic. Whilst my "Coming out of the cauldron" page explains how my journey to the craft started; I never really wrote how I really publicized my craft to friends, family and work colleagues.  Well today whilst chatting with one such colleague (who's sitting behind me right now (shh don't tell my manager I'm blogging at work 😉) I rather casually mentioned I was a witch and now am wondering how I got to this stage. So I thought I'd write something short and sweet in the next few minutes before my shift ends.

I guess the answer to how to "come out" as a witch is to just start opening up a little bit more. I started by openly collecting crystals and having the occasional book on meditation, candles and having them in view of my peers. I wear witchy jewelry so I started wearing that daily in public eye sight. And if a conversation came up... lets say Halloween, I would chip into facts about my belief's culture like " Did you know Halloween , aka Hallows eve...was originally a part of Samhain celebrations?"  or whilst watching magical films I would point things out like " ah but the they prefer to be called the fair folk or the gentry" little tid-bits like that. I slowly integrated my secret witch life into my 'normal one' until all that left was my life. I guess i basically just made my interests known in a really boring way.

Now I appreciate that some readers are now thinking about " how do I tell someone though" possibly thinking about a family member with specific beliefs against the craft. I want to say this one thing to you now. A lack of education on the topic leads to fear and then hate. And the simple question is, if your asked about your beliefs, feel free to say yours is a bit different, but don't condemn their own by expressing yours as if it's the only way- that's how arguments start. For example I got asked " do you not believe in God?" once. I simply responded with something like " It's not that I don't, I just prefer to believe there is something, some call this god, others give it different names, multiple forms, some believe this is not one individual, or even any sentient force. But it's not my place to give it a label of some kind. So I acknowledge the feminine, neutral and masculine elements of this something; which may or may not be God as written or Gods in the stories we read. It's a very flexible way of seeing things and allows me to understand my peers and their beliefs a lot better. And I'd rather increase my understanding and knowledge, because that will make me a better person."

So if your worried about saying " I'm a witch"  well here's a question for you. Why do you need to use that word? What is it about those words that hold something for you? Because at the end of the day it's just a word.

Let's remove the word and break down witchy stuff so it sounds like a regular hobby. " I have an interest in herbology and how the history of medicinal and cultural practices link to them"  that's literally indicating your use of herbs, rituals and healing you use them for.

" I'm interested in the long tied history of the condemnation of innocent women and men" granted a little vague, but throw in a few historical facts about witchcraft ( there's a lot of persecution across the globe so it doesn't even have to be from your own country)

 " I have an interest in mythology and learning about my peers' cultures and beliefs so that I understand them" Mythology is just religion and stories that the majority of people have put to the side- not forgotten but not wholeheartedly believed in. So if your personal spiritual beliefs would class as mythology to others- claim that term for yourself.

 " I like crystals because they're pretty and they bring me joy; and candles light up the room and make the world feel special"  Ok crystals can be described as an interest in geology, jewelry making or just because it's pretty... and candles can just sort of be signed off by most people as a normal house hold item... but you get the point.

You're not hiding your self by using different ways of description, your not being dishonest by separating the elements of witchcraft into what we would define as "Normal" labelling. Your just providing information in a way that certain types of people will grasp better and accept.   Witchcraft is just a craft and encompasses the mundane... the normal. Magic is in the 'normal' things we do and and ' normal' is in the magic we do- both one and the same and different but not ( sorry if that causes a headache- the two are just two sides of a coin).

There are multiple ways to view something and if someone doesn't like looking through one viewpoint because they're uncomfortable, show them the same thing from a viewpoint of comfort. Yes it would be nice to suddenly go up to a random person and go "I'M A WITCH" and have them shrug their shoulders like it's completely average- and it can feel like an effort. But society associates the word witch with the out of the ordinary, it's unique, different. And acceptance often comes from the boring, the known, the ordinary. With the term Witch, Pagan and many other terms being associated wrongly with negative outcomes and evil, it's up to our community to show the truth in a way which our peers understand.

It doesn't change anything by using the boring, 'normal' terminology - nor does it devalue your practice ( and if your feel it does you should ask yourself why that is). Your still you, you still have your hobbies, your interests and your craft, and your beliefs are still safely within you. And granted your not saying "I'm a witch" but you are showing you are one and sharing yourself with someone. Which promotes their understanding of you, remains honest and allows you to be who you are without hiding.

I have no idea if this is helpful in any shape or form or even if it makes sense. But I hope it has helped promote some deeper thinking on how you can open yourself up to non witches- especially if they're the condemning type.



Tuesday 28 September 2021

Crisp gold twirling leaves..

 ... falling downwards far from me; and into the gust.

This is one of my favourite haiku's I wrote at age 14 (there are three more verses but this is my favourite). Autumn is by far my absolute favourite season. The beauty of the leaves changing colour, the last berries and veg of the season being harvested, the slight chill in the air meaning I can wear a wooly jumper. I'm a big fan of the pinafore dress and turtleneck look. So I've been really excited to see how this autumn goes.

But lets talk about something fun! Autumn Altar décor This is by far my favorite and I can't wait to get started.

You can use pretty much anything you want to decorate an altar all year round, as long as you keep it tidy and clean, anything is a go. This year for autumn I have opted for my home made pentagram star and orange candles as my base, and quartz as my crystal of choice. Buttttt .....it needs that little pinch of pumpkin spice and autumnal flare... so I'm planning on going foraging for some decor! and yes i mean some decor from the outside! Leaves that have fallen to the ground and changed colour can be a fantastic altar addition, as can feathers, flowers and wild herbs ( as long as you know they're safe for you to touch and you vocalize your gratitude for using them)

Wild berries such as wild blackberries and mushrooms (I can not stress the need to be careful for wild mushrooms and berries- if you don't know what is safe, avoid picking anything!). Make great altar offerings and decor. Horse chestnuts and acorns are also easy to find at this time of year! ( Bonus: Horse chestnuts can help ward off spiders!) As are seasonal vegetables like gourds ( Pumpkins, Marrow, Courgettes etc.)

I'm quite fortunate that my family and my grandfather both have allotments (small pieces of farm land that is rented to the general public to grow fruit and veg on) which means seasonal fruit, veg and even wild flowers ( and on the rare occasion eggs) can be found quite well. I've actually managed to claim some pumpkins already from the allotments ready for October so will attempt to make a spiced pumpkin soup! Anyway back to the subject at hand... Autumnal Altars can include just about anything, some people even like to add bones, twigs, shells and other things they've found. Personally I'm not keen on animal altar items but as long as your finding these items, not hurting an animal to create these items, feel free to use these in a respectful manner.

I've created ,as a loose guide, a list of what you can include in your own altar. This is available to download from here Autumn Altar Ideas for free!

Until next time, blessed be



Wednesday 22 September 2021

Why the long silence

 Hello everyone, 

Firstly happy Mabon (Autumn Equinox)! Hope you all have a fantabulous day.

It's been a very long time since I've updated on here- and I know I'm not the most regular person when it comes to blogging. I'm really sorry. I could list a number of reasons to you as to why I haven't written everything but to put it quite simple. I'm not doing so great in terms of my health, the old mental health and anxiety department and I've been dealing with quite a heavy workload whilst studying my apprenticeship at my local county council. SOooo this means I've have had very little time and energy to post anything.  There's a lot of pressure on me financially at the moment as I'm trying to save for a house, whilst paying rent, various loan repayments ... and it's just a bit stressful. I'm also playing the role of confidant and stress reliever to my friends as they are all going through something important so my time has just been filled with taking care of them. 

I've found that this all can sometimes be a bit too much for me mentally though, so I've been studying up a little on self care over the last few months; and am trying to ensure that I don't take on other's problems as if they are my own. As an empath this is very difficult to do as I'm pretty much a sponge absorbing any energy around me. However I have recently been releasing this energy and reclaiming my own. I've found just saying allowed " I release all energy that is not my own, especially that which is negative . And I reclaim what has been taken from me without my permission"  I've found that saying this allowed has just given me a bit of a breather- though I'm not sure if this is because it could be considered an incantation, because it's fueled with intention... or if it's simply because it's allowing me to release a deep breath as I say it.

So... on to something a bit more positive what have I been up to that's witchy.

Well I've been making Mabon/Samhain decorations. I've painted a ceramic pumpkin for Mabon and have nearly finished a skeleton themed bit of art for Samhain, I've also created a couple of new candle holders, created herb mixes for my witchy friend, completes a couple of spells to bring good luck and health... and as always have spent wayyy to much money on crystals. I quite easily am in the mid 200's for crystals now... oops.

Things I have done that's not so witchy?

I've started going to the gym 2-3 times a week after work, granted I've had to put it on pause due to some awful blister from my work shoes ( my pinky toes were the size of massive grapes-ewwww) 

I've , with the help of my dad, repaired , stained and reupholstered some free chairs we found in a skip.  All about the whole re-use and revamp nowadays and i can't let good things go to waste. 


What about you all, what are you up to?


Monday 5 July 2021

Motivation

 Today  i wanted to do a brief post about motivation. Motivation for anyone, including witches can be what makes or breaks a person in their practices and routines. If you feel unmotivated in your practice it can make you feel less of a person. Well i've got news for you!

PRACTISING LESS DOES NOT MAKE YOU LESS OF A WITCH. 

It is more than ok to only practice when your motivated to do so. Your energy plays into your practice and if you do not have the energy, practising the craft will only draw on what you have left. This is why self care is super important in witchcraft. However if your looking at ways to increase your motivation in general i have a couple of tips.

First off Self Care. This includes 4 areas.

1. Eat/Drink well
and healthy. Vitamin A, The B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate), Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin E and Omega 3 all effect your mental and physical health- especially Vitamin B and D. Remember to also stay hydrated and keep a low level of caffeine in you. (caffeine can increase anxiety, heart rate and effect sleep)

2. Ensure your getting enough exercise. Half an hour of moderate exercise is all you need ( you don't have to be sprinting but a good walk, gym session or dance party goes a long way.) Currently as an experiment i have not exercised purposefully in a few months- everything now hurts and i feel uncomfortable from not moving as much.

3. Check in with your feelings. By this i mean keep an eye on how you feel, why you feel this way and what you can do to improve your mental health. I myself have been a long term sufferer of anxiety and have only just (after 9 years of trying) started to see how i can combat my negative thoughts and feelings. The answer for me was talk back at it and question every negative thought as if it were a person. It's a technique i learnt from " Badass ways to end anxiety and stop panic attacks" by Geert Verschaeve

4. Take a break and slow down. The real world is more flexible then you think and you have every right to take the time you need- this applies to your craft also. Sometimes we sacrifice our mental health to achieve a set goal. However you do need to sometimes put the goals to the side and take yourself out of the picture to recuperate. And to have a bit of fun. I couldn't understand why i was so drained at work until my manager pointed out i hadn't had a day off in 4 months. No i schedule in at least 1 day a month- mid working week for me to have off as a holiday day ( i appreciate not everyone has the capacity to do this but allocating a regular slot of time off from any work or home responsibility is important) 

Next is metaphysical items to help with increasing motivation

Crystals: I wear on my least motivated days- two rings. Moldavite and Opal. Moldavite is a trans-formative crystal known for either sending it's wearer hyperactive like a child on sugar.. or into an anxious or crying mess on the floor. Depending on the day it effects me differently. But i have found when worn with Opal it increases my energy and motivates me to work hard. Monday morning blues become more motivating for me. Now i appreciate that Moldavite is incredibly expensive. But there are certainly other crystals that can be used. These are:

Citrine: Joy, wonder, enthusiasm

Yellow Calcite: Clearing old energy, personal motivation, 

Tigers Eye: Mental focus, protection against fear and anxiety

Red Tigers eye: Motivation to the unmotivated, reduces lethargy, increases confidence

Opal: Encourages freedom, independance, soothes anxiety

Sun stone:
Removes fear, alleviates stress, increases vitality, encourages independence and originality

Carnelian: restores vitality and motivation, stimulates creativity. Gives courage, promotes positive life choices, dispels apathy and motivates for success

Garnet:  Cleanses and re-energises the chakras, revitalises, purifies and balances energy ( especially sexual), brings serenity or passion as appropriate. Inspires love and devotion.

Adventurine: Prosperity, diffusing negative emotions, reinforcing leadership, promoting compassion and encouraging perseverance. 

and naturally you can use clear Quartz also.

Lighting a candle and playing music is good for motivation too

I've found lighting an orange or yellow candle  and playing some upbeat music is the perfect way to energise me- especially when i'm doing  something tedious.

A Citrus simmer pot

A simmer pot is where a pan or cauldron of water is heated with items that have a specific metaphysical property. My personal favourite for motivation includes adding citrus ( Apples, Lemons, Limes, Oranges) and cinnamon with a dash of lavender and rosemary or a bit of sage.

Finally we have Witchy fun

Within your craft, sometimes you may find yourself doing something a bit repetitive or something you just don't feel enthused about. This is why getting creative and doing the occasional witchy fun can help boost your craft as a whole. I personally find the task of changing my altar decorations for the season, a little bit tedious. So every now and then i will take some time to create something new to add. For example i recently up cycled two candle jars to with some artwork i found via google . I also every now and then like to watch a magic themed film ( I rather enjoy Sword in the stone by Disney) or like to do some metaphysical baking by making some herb infused cake of some kind.





Now you know a few things that can help with motivation and witch craft. 



Wednesday 9 June 2021

Witch-Tea recipe: Chamomile Milk

 Today i'd like to share my recipe that i use on those days where i need a bit of a cleanse mentally. Some times i do this on a new moon, as an offering on my altar or when i just have the need for it. This is a great drink for cleansing bath-time and before bed to help relax and soothe. It's also a nice offering for the Fair folk or deities with a sweet tooth. I recommend this recipe to be drank cold,  but will need to be prepped hot ( and can be drank warm also) in order to get the best flavour. It works well with Boba (Tapioca pearls) too!

What you will need to make this


Chamomile tea bags x 2

Milk ( Vegan or Dairy)

Saucepan and Stove ( or a microwaveable glass jug and microwave)

Vessel to drink from

Something to sweeten-Optional: A little white chocolate/honey ( or vegan alternative)

Step 1: Heat your milk slowly on a low heat ( in a microwave i recommend using half the milk you intend to drink/use and just top it up with cold milk after) with your teabags inside the milk. If on a stove i like to do this for about 5-10 minutes ( depending how strong you like your tea or how long it takes for the milk to simmer- stirring regularly to ensure the milk/teabags do not burn.

Step 2: Add what you wish to sweeten your milk. Personally i like a little honey or a tiny bit of white chocolate. Stir until everything is well mixed, turn off the heat and remove your tea bags if you like a mild chamomile flavour- if you like a stronger flavour leave the teabags in for a little longer.

Step 3: If you'd like to drink this hot add to a cup- be careful not to burn yourself. If you'd like to drink this cold, remove and place in a glass jug/cup with clingfilm/saran wrap on top ( this will prevent any flavours and scent from loose food in your fridge melding with the milk) and place in the fridge to cool and chill.

If placing on an alter as an offering, please remember this is still milk and will go sour. So please do not leave for more then 36 hours on your Altar ( Especially if you live somewhere hot- in fact if you live somewhere hot- no more than 12 hours). And please do not drink it. Instead you can pour it outside by a tree or in some soil, just remember it is food and may attract animals like ants. You can also get rid of it normally via a sink.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, i certainly do. Feel free to adapt it or use it as an ingredient for other recipes like cakes and biscuits.

Wednesday 17 February 2021

New Beginnings 2021

 Good day to you! 

I just wanted to come on here and say thank you to anyone who's taken the time to read these posts, pages and interact with me on my social media. 

Whilst my posts have always been sparse on this blog compared to its pages and other blogs. I've always found them to at least provide you with enough of the basics to spark interest for you to learn more. They will however be getting a little sparser. This is due to my current job which i started in January, and my university work, which i was hoping to have completed last year ( Pandemic fun times).  I wanted to be honest with you guys who have been reading along and learning with me. Hopefully you'll stick by me and this blog will grow even more.

I will soon be putting up some more information pages up for you. Spell Jars seem ever popular at the moment so perhaps some guidance on that? Maybe i shall even put up a page on burnables (resin, incense, wax melts) I'm also planning to prepare a metaphysical property week where every day will contain the metaphysical properties of herbs, crystals etc.
I'd also like to put together a shopping page of recommended websites and places that can help you get kitted out. 
But please, if your reading this, leave me a comment on what you'd like to see and learn on here. I'm more then happy to provide and if i don't know, i'll research it for you and create a post or page about it.


Thanks for reading guys.


Saturday 30 January 2021

2020

 Well, it looks like my Sabbath posts have gone full circle and we are fastly approaching Imbolc again. This year my Altar is decorated with a green cloth, candle and last years Brigid doll, cross as well as a few things I received on the 27th for my Birthday. Yes, I am now 23! And I was impressed to find the majority of gifts I received were witchcraft-related. I've been gifted crystals, altar ware and a rather fetching spirit board themed lunch box. I also started my new job so have splurged my first paycheck on an olive green backpack with my initial and a triquetra embossed on!!!  So I am more than happy and enjoying being a little more materialistic at the moment.

How are you all doing? I know this blog doesn't reach many people but if you are reading drop a comment on how your doing :D

Monday 28 December 2020

Yule

 

Decorated Yule Log
Yule

Yule is the winter solstice celebration of the welcoming of the sun and light back to the world by Pagans. The winter solstice itself is on the 21st of December this year. Now I know this post is long past the solstice, but it is still Yuletide which ends on the 1st of January next year.

 There are many different beliefs that coincide with the winter solstice. For the Norse, Odin is said to ride his eight-legged horse across the sky- Perhaps this is where Father Christmas/Frost/Noel and Santa Claus with his reindeer is derived from. 

Some look to the battle between the Holly and Oak kings being just one story for Yule or Befana who rides a broom giving gifts to children.. or even the Krampus, a demonlike creature who takes naughty children away.  There are also many other cultures across the world that celebrate the same topic with different names. Saturnalia being the Roman equivalent and Hanukka the Jewish. But the main contender that many argue holds similar traditions to Yule is Christmas, the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth which over the many years it has been around; has incorporated Pagan traditions and symbols into its own practices in order to promote conversion to Christianity. If you interested in the specific celebrations or the history I've mentioned so far, feel free to expand your knowledge and get googling. Learnreligions.com is a very useful website for this. So I hope you will utilise that blog as much as this one.

What traditions of Yule can I Practice?


Pretty much anything goes at this time of year! Just remember to be kind, grateful, giving, respectful and to have fun. You may choose to do a ritual for the new year or to give thanks for all the hard work the universe has provided, definitely decorate your Altar and house and give offerings if you can on your Altars as with other Pagan Solstices and Equinoxs'. As this is a personal choice I'll leave what you do to yourself. Though just remember the consider your surroundings and if it will affect anyone or anything negatively. ( I say this because within the last week someone nailed 12 bits of chicken wings to a tree, carved a rune into it and decorated the tree with a red bow- not very considerate of wildlife and plant life- nor of if it would upset anyone who saw it). I always try to consider if it will hurt the earth, an animal/person, anger any spiritual force/ being (Sidhe may not approve) or someone's psyche before coming up with a plan for a ritual. I also nearly set fire to my house the other day with a candle too close to my prosperity for new year simmer pot spell. SAFETY NOTE: SMOTHER A FIRE IN A CANDLE NOT WATER IT

Wassailing 

Wassailing, commonly known as carolling, is the act of singing to the neighbours and rich and the receiving of treats in return. Figgy pudding is a traditional treat given to Wassailers and is even mentioned in the Christmas carol " We wish you a Merry Christmas" Wassail is also a mulled cider beverage served to wassailers via a communal bowl. This cidre was very much like Mulled wine, spiced with cinnamon and cloves but topped with toast as an interesting treat.

Beverages

Mulled Wine, Wassail, and Eggnog are all spiced drinks served during wintertime. Personally, I like a good clove and apple tea or I will even heat up store-bought ice tea and sip that. I've been drinking warm tea at wintertime for as long as I can remember and can remember my mother bringing it out to me as a made a snowman with my sister and we stood in the crisp air cold, warming our hands and sipping lemon tea looking at the silver sky happily. That memory I must have been 4 years old easily.  Hot chocolate is also a family favourite which I like to make as close to the original way as possible- with a chunk of dark chocolate melted in warm milk- so bad for you but so good. I like to sweeten it with cream, caramel or condensed milk. I know very naughty.

Trees 

There are many traditions that are universal this time of year- Tree decorating is a family favourite in my house. Every year we get a new bauble for the tree. The Romans would decorate a small tree with tin decorations for Saturnalia, those in Europe would decorate outdoor spruces with garlands and decorations from what they had (dried fruit, pine cones, wood, candles/lanterns as well as metalwork)... Even in Bodhi the Buddhist faith, a fig tree is used - though you will have to research if it's decorated or not. Later tinsel, made of silver, was invented in Germany as well as glass Baubles. One tradition in Germany is to hang a pickle in the tree to find. Nowadays you can buy or rent a fresh tree or use an artificial one, others choose to decorate their outside foliage too. There is no wrong way to decorate a tree so do what you like. Stars for the top of a tree are believed to have pagan roots to the Pentagram and pentacle, but in Christianity, it symbolises the Star that the 3 Magi (Wisemen, Kings) Melkior, Balthazar and Kaspar followed to Bethlehem. We opt for what can only be described as colour and chaos- we literally throw every shade, shape and style of the bauble, random coloured tinsel and rainbow colour changing lights on it- it takes hours to decorate! but with some festive music, something to nibble on it comes together quite quickly and whilst it may be a nightmare for some. We're perfectly happy with it.

Yule Log

A Yule log is a piece of wood, usually a log, that is lit and burnt for twelve days during the winter solstice/ yuletide period as a protective ritual of the hearth (home) from illness, the cold, evil and bad luck. Nowadays the Yule log has become more of a decorative piece and in some cases, a chocolate cake alternative is eaten, but it is still decorated and burnt by many practising Pagans.


Wreathes 



Wreaths were originally hung on the outside of a house as a form of protection, usually containing dried fruit/veg (Citrus, Juniper, Apples), cinnamon, herbs (cloves, nutmeg, and star anise), flowers (poinsettia, winter roses) and foliage like holly, mistletoe and pine (Pinecones are especially protective). You can make your own fairly cheap via kits or drying your own items, or you could buy a ready-made one. I keep a wreathe of Lavender and dried flowers in my bedroom also- all year round as not only are they good for protecting your home but make wonderful room decor. What you use to make a wreath, combined with your intentions will create a wreathe with a specific use. So make sure you do your research before you make one.

Candles

As the winter solstice is about the return of light and the sun, it would make sense to use candles as part of your yuletide practice. The Jewish light a Menorah for Hanukka and Christians also use candles at this time of year. White, Red, Green, Brown, Silver and Gold Candles are all a fantastic start for colour choices. When in doubt though go for white! White can be programmed with any intent after all and is a protective colour.  Many opt for pillar or taper candles at this time of year but I prefer to use what I have which a jar candles, at least I can decorate the bottom of them with a bit of tinsel! You can carve sigils and runes into your candles too which is a great idea for ritual work.

 A kiss under the mistletoe

Traditionally mistletoe is protective and considered a fertility aid, usually hung outside an entrance to the home, ceilings, beds and windows. The acts of kissing under the mistletoe actually come from something a bit saucier- making babies under the mistletoe which was believed to help with conception and a stronger pregnancy. The family-friendly version is, of course, a kiss that's seen as sweet and romantics.  It's also a symbol of internal life, prosperity and used to ensure a good harvest.
Returning to it's usual believed effect... the belief of a strong pregnancy may hold some backing to ensuring pregnancy goes well- but not due to the mistletoe itself but the act of baby-making during wintertime. Conception in winter means that as spring and summer come   ( when the baby is developing in the womb rapidly and the mother requires more energy), so does an increase of food, energy and nutrients that are available to a pregnant woman to consume.


Holly

Holly is the evergreen twin to Mistletoe and shares the same metaphysical properties- it's used as a symbolism for the sun and for the Holly king as well as eternity (according to Druid beliefs). In Christianity, it is used to represent Christ's thorny crown and the blood he bled as he was walking with his crucifixion cross to his death.

Holly has also been used as a medicinal aid for whooping cough and as a pain killer for broken bones ( though it's not safe for children and not fabulous for adults either). Now don't go brewing up some form of holly juice- and definitely don't eat mistletoe. Both are toxic. But if you take into account what it is used for as well as it's metaphysical properties, it stands to reason that Holly was used to warding off colds and warding from other illnesses during winter.

Flowers

Like all holidays it's nice to decorate the house with flowers. My mother is a huge fan of brightly coloured Lillies this time of year, my Grandmother is traditional with Poinsettias and I myself love a good red rose bouquet with baby's breath and white carnations. Traditional colours of this time of year are Red, white and green so incorporating that into your flowers and decorations is always a win!


Feasting

Like most holidays across all cultures. Feasting is a big part of Winter celebrations. It's a time to use up your preserved food and cook and eat the last bits of seasonal food you have available.  Now naturally this will be personal for everyone. For me, it's pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon)  with mash potatoes and gravy, with a chocolate cake with custard for pudding.  For my mum it's a turkey roast dinner one day followed by a turkey salad, then my dad's turkey curries the next few days after until we have eaten all our winter food.
Tonight is one of the curry nights and tomorrow I will be making pancakes with lemon syrup and fresh oranges. We also have fruit cake which my mother drizzles rum into for months before we eat it. I'm not keen on fruit cake but i absolutely love decorating the cake with fondant- word of advice get yourself a holly shaped cookie cutter if you want to decorate a winter-themed cake as I spent 2 hours trying to make leaves by hand. Some things it's ok to cheat with

Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold

These items are traditionally known as the gifts given to Jesus Christ by the 3 Magi, but did you know that they are also used in Yule practices as ways to bring good luck and aid in spiritual work by Witches?  Myrrh and Frankincense usually come in a resin format and burnt on a charcoal disk; however, oils and incense can be bought if you wanted to do some spiritual cleansing or use them in rituals

Fun fact!

It is believed the 3 Magi were also spiritualists and magicians. For a bit of fun why not watch Los Reyes Magos by Antonio Navarro. It is supposed to be a Christian children's film at first but unlike most biblical stories- this focusses on the journey and the magic used by the 3 Magi in order to receive their gifts for Christ. But of course, any festive movie you like is perfect to snuggle up to.

Gifting 

Traditionally Oranges with cloves stabbed into it (Called Pomanders), citrus and other small protective or edible items like Apples were gifted during wintertime. Handmade gifts also were popular and often gifts were given throughout Yuletide- especially towards the end.  This gets me in a bit of trouble with my parents as gifts  I will open throughout Yuletide, but my parents believe it should be on Christmas day- The joys of a mixed belief household. I do however reserve family gifts for the 25th and only open gifts from friends before then. Just remember when you're getting or making your gifts, it's not about the size, it's not about how expensive it is or about extravagance. A gift should come from the heart with a warm kind intent and never expect anything in return.  Yule is also about family and friends so hold them close- providing its covid safe to do so.


I think I will leave it here for now. As always this blog is to inspire further research, not give you all the answers. But I hope you all had a wonderful Winter Solstice and enjoying the Yuletide celebrations. As all ways Stay safe and have a Happy New Year!


Wednesday 16 December 2020

Coming soon!

 Hi Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm really sorry for not having any posts up since Samhain! Time has just gone too quick. I've finished my last bit of Uni work, resigned my old job for something new and exciting, we've had another death in the family and I've been playing supportive witchy mom friend to a few close friends during this time. What about you guys? Comment below what you've been up to!

I'm currently procrastinating the Yule information post, there are so many things to go through as it's such a complex holiday, there's no single origin for a tradition or single focus in terms of the folklore. But don't worry there will be some traditions and things to do during yule showing up mid-Yuletide. I'm even thinking of another DIY! how fun will that be!

Anyway like always, stay safe, stay smiley and I wish you all a blessed day!

Check out my other pages!