December is upon us, friends! Yule and Christmas are around the corner and the spirit of the season is everywhere, despite the current collective grief that many of us in the United States have been feeling since the presidential election. For us, the winter solstice truly couldn’t be more aptly timed.
Yule, or the winter solstice, is the astronomical onset of winter. It is the shortest day of the year. Often recognized as the longest, darkest night of the year, it’s no wonder that bonfires, lanterns and candles are so widely associated with the Yule season. Throughout the bitter cold night, they remind us of the return of the light, and that the nights will begin to grow shorter each day thereafter. Initially, the days lengthen by only seconds, but as we reach the spring equinox it will be closer to 3 minutes more of light per day. It’s a slow progression and often feels darker, even after the solstice, but the light does indeed return each year. There is hope in the light, and it can strengthen our resolve to find peace and joy and rest in this dark, cold, and sometimes lonely season. The more we gather and dance and laugh and hold on to our joy, the better we will carry one another through this dark season of life. The stronger we will be rooted in our commitment to serving our communities through shared kindnesses such as mutual aid and emotional support.
The winter solstice is recognized across the globe as the return of the sun, with many variations of light festivals and celebrations. However, some cultures mark this time instead with harvest celebrations, and of course, many different regional solstice traditions have now been integrated with Christmas. Yule, specifically, signals the return of light and the rebirth of the sun. It is a time for transformation, the energies of life and death and celebration with friends and (chosen) family.
My kids and I started observing the winter solstice several years ago as part of our homeschooling science studies. It started with the science of the seasons and ended with some foraged pine needle tea after a short nature walk. Since then, (as I’ve gone down the herbalism to witchy living pipeline and learned more about the Wheel of the Year) I’ve started to experiment with new traditions to mark the day and the season. This year I have a batch of white pine oil steeping for making salve and small vials of protection oil to gift or sell. The kids and I will bake, read solstice stories and make suet-bird seed cakes to put in the bird feeders as a nature offering. Then in the evening we will drive over to celebrate the return of the light over a bonfire and some food with our little village. Other ways we celebrate throughout the season is to drive through our neighborhood looking at the lights on Christmas Eve, make or thrift gifts for our loved ones, take plenty of nature walks to connect to winter flora and fauna, and of course, do some kitchen witchery through baking and making a variety of mulled ciders!
This year I decided it was time to finally craft some witches balls for protection. Originally from England starting in the 17th and 18th centuries, they were crafted for use as home wards. They were thought to protect from hexes and other negativities such as illness and malevolent energies. The idea is that these negative spirits or energies will be attracted to-and trapped inside of-the ball. Hang in an East facing window or near a door.
If you aren’t witchy you can still make this fun little craft as a pretty nature inspired yule ornament to gift or hang somewhere that will make you smile.
Witches balls
Clear (or iridescent) glass ornaments
crystal chips or small crystal points/tumbled shapes
dried flowers
herbs and/or spices (cinnamon stick, clove, bay leaf, fried orange peel, etc)
twine or other string/ribbon
foraged items such a birch bark, small pine cones and moss
charms such a small pentacle, or triple moon goddess
Gather your ingredients and get ready to begin at a comfortable workspace. If you choose to ground down into the Earth or cast a circle, now is the time to do so. Cleanse your ingredients with smoke or with a bell. Then remove the ornament top and begin to add each ingredient one at a time, charging with you intention and thanking it for its work in your spell crafting. When your ornament is ready, replace the top and hot glue down twine or ribbon along with any hanging charms around it.
As with most wards, they should be refreshed periodically to remove negative energy. When it appears cloudy or dull it is full of negative energy, remove any plant material and burn or bury away from your home. Cleanse charms, crystal or any other reusable items and save for another ball or spell jar.
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You are a really great writer! I love when you describe your rituals and can tell you are such an amazing mama. Sending lots of love to you and your family this holiday season ❤️🙏🏻✨