Category: The Sabbats

Yule Log – It’s a Cake That Doubles as a Stunning Centerpiece

Chocolate Yule Log Recipe

Yields: 12 serving(s)
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours

The yule log is a classic Christmas dessert that not only looks pretty, it’s darn delicious, too. I remember seeing this traditional treat in the pages of cooking magazine for years, but it took years for me to try it myself. It turns out, it’s really not hard to make. If you doubt your ability to make one, just give it a shot. I promise you can do it. Just bake a cake, fill it with a sweet filling, roll it up, frost it, and ta da! It looks like a gorgeous woodland log straight out of a fairy tale.

What’s the tradition behind a yule log cake?

Over the history of Christmas, yule logs date back to the 1600s when families would burn the real log on Christmas Eve to symbolize the coming of the new year and good luck. Then, they were popularized in French bakeries during the 19th century where they get their other common name, Bûche de Noël. Many of these lovely cakes are garnished with elaborate meringue mushrooms or other edible woodland creatures, but you’ll love the simplicity of this one.

What’s the difference between a Swiss roll and a yule log?

While both desserts feature a thin layer of cake and fluffy filling rolled into a log, the difference between a yule log and a Swiss roll is how the two are decorated. Swiss rolls are typically kept plain while yule logs are cut, frosted, and adorned to look like, well, logs! Some versions are artfully topped with meringue mushrooms and other intricate things, but simple garnishes like pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary work perfectly.

How do you roll a yule log without it breaking?

The key is to roll the cake, unfilled, fresh out of the oven. Cake is much more pliable when it’s hot, which means you can easily roll it up and shape it into a log without fear of it cracking and breaking. Once the cake has completely cooled, you’ll carefully unroll it, fill it, and roll it up again! If you do end up with any cracks, don’t worry—the frosting will cover them!

How do you decorate a yule log?

This is the fun part: Once you get the log in place, slather the whole thing in the chocolate frosting. Then run the tines of a fork over the frosting to create a bark-like appearance. Stick a few sprigs of rosemary around the log and top with pomegranate seeds. If you don’t want to use pomegranates, sugared cranberries look pretty! A sprinkle of powdered sugar is great, too.

How do you store a yule log?

Wrap it tightly in plastic and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Wait to add the pomegranate seeds and rosemary until just before serving.

Ingredients

Cake

4 Tbsp. salted butter, melted, plus more for the pan

6 large eggs, separated

1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 c. strong brewed coffee, at room temperature

1/4 c. powdered sugar

Filling

4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 c. powdered sugar, sifted

1 c. heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting

12 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped

3/4 c. heavy cream

1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

Rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds, for garnish

See Nutritional Information

Directions

    1. To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 12-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides. Butter the parchment.
    2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until frothy. Add 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and beat on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 2 minutes.
    3. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. In a separate large bowl, combine the egg yolks, the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and the vanilla. Beat on high speed until thick and creamy, 3 to 4 minutes. Beat in the melted butter and coffee until combined.
    4. Add the flour mixture to the yolk mixture and beat on low speed until well combined. Fold a spoonful of the beaten egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites until combined.
    5. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, gently nudging the batter so it fills the corners. Give the pan a little shimmy to even it out. Bake until the top just starts to spring back when gently pressed, 10 to 12 minutes (the top might still feel a little tacky). Do not over-bake or the cake will crack.
    6. Place a clean dish towel on a large wire rack. Dust the cake with 2 tablespoons of the powdered sugar. While the cake is still hot, loosen the edges from the pan, then turn out the cake onto the towel; carefully remove the parchment. Dust the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.
    7. Starting at one of the long sides, use the towel to tightly roll up the cake with the towel inside. Position the cake seam-side down and let cool about 1 hour.
    8. To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on low speed until just smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in the heavy cream 1/4 cup at a time, making sure the mixture is smooth before adding more cream. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until stiff peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat for a few more seconds, just to combine.
    9. Carefully unroll the cooled cake and spread evenly with the filling, leaving a 1/4- to 1/2-inch border on all sides. Re-roll the cake, using the towel to help you. Cover the cake roll with parchment paper and then tightly wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours.
    10. Meanwhile, for the frosting: To a medium bowl, add the chocolate. In a saucepan, bring the heavy cream and corn syrup to a simmer, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let thicken at room temperature until spreadable, about 2 hours.
    11. Unwrap the cake on a cutting board. Cut off one-fourth of the cake on a sharp diagonal for the branch. Position the branch against the remaining cake roll on a platter. Cover the cake with the frosting using an offset spatula, then drag a fork through the frosting to create a bark-like texture. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds.

Let’s Have Some Fun – 9 Summer Solstice Crafts & Recipes for a Magical Litha

Source: moodymoons.com

Foraged Fairy Ladder/Trellis

It’s the season of fairies, and nothing delights the inner child more than playing with the woodland spirits.

This one is so easy, it’s almost self-explanatory.

Literally:  Glue some sticks together.  Yup.  That’s it.  I used hot glue for the one above.

If you want to get fancy, add little bits of (affiliate link —–>) sheet moss to get that aged-in-the-garden feel.

You can even train roses or herbs to grow on it.

Contents

Foraged Fairy Ladder/Trellis

Honey Cakes

Fairy Door

Mermaid Oil/Ocean Potion

Beehive Garden Decoration

Midsummer Altar

Wishing Spell Candle Float

Herb Infused Honey Potions

Drunken Green Witch Potions

Litha – Midsummer Holiday

Midsummer, a holiday celebrating the traditional midpoint of the harvest season and the summer solstice (June 20 or 21), the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Midsummer is celebrated in many countries but is synonymous with Scandinavia, where it is observed as a national holiday in Sweden and Finland. In Sweden it is celebrated on a Friday between June 19th and 25th, while in Finland it is always observed on a Saturday between June 20th and 26th. In Scandinavia and elsewhere, many Midsummer celebrations are held over several days and often occur in tandem with St. John’s Eve festivities, which usher in the feast day of St. John the Baptist (June 24).

The holiday originated as a pagan celebration to welcome the summer season and ensure a successful harvest. It may have been associated with local gods, such as Ukko, the Finnish god of thunder who controlled the rain and thus the fertility of the land. Festivities included dancing, singing, drinking, cleaning house, lighting bonfires, and collecting flowers.

Many of these rituals arose from the belief that Midsummer was a magical time of good fortune and healing. Bonfires were lit and loud behavior was encouraged to drive away evil spirits. Perhaps due to the time of year’s connection with fertility, love spells were often cast at Midsummer, such as placing seven flowers beneath one’s pillow on Midsummer’s Eve to conjure dreams of one’s future partner. One could also see the face of one’s future bride or groom by looking into a well at midnight. Bathing in natural springs and decorating houses with flowers and plants brought good health, as water and greenery were believed … Click here to read the rest of this article Source: britannica.com

Yule Festival

Yule, festival observed historically by Germanic peoples and in modern times primarily by Neo-Pagans, coinciding with the winter solstice (December 21–22 in the Northern Hemisphere; June 20–21 in the Southern Hemisphere). The pre-Christian festival originated in Scandinavia and was later subsumed, along with other pagan celebrations, into the Christian holiday of Christmas. Some modern celebrations of Yule attempt to re-create ancient traditions, while others have been adapted or reimagined to suit contemporary personal and religious practices.

Yule is one of the oldest winter solstice festivals, with origins among the ancient Norse thousands of years ago. Its roots are complicated and difficult to trace, although there are several theories about how and why the festival was celebrated. It is generally agreed that Yule celebrations began as a Norse festival called jol, although assessments of the purpose and traditions vary. Like most winter solstice festivals, themes of light, fire, and feasting are common threads. Some historians think that sacrifices were an important part of the observance, either to the gods and other supernatural beings (such as elves) or to the dead or both. In the harsh climate of northern Europe, most cattle were slaughtered because they could not be fed during the winter. Meat, therefore, was plentiful for a midwinter feast or to leave out as an offering. Some contend that the original festival was a sort of Norse Day of the Dead, with the god Odin as a major player; among Odin’s many names was Jolnir, and among his many duties was acting as a god of the dead. However, this has been disputed in recent years, at least one historian positing that jol was a new year festival intended to set the tone for the months ahead.

One of the earliest known references to Yule is from English monk and historian Bede, who wrote in the early 8th century about “giuli,” a period in the old pagan calendar used by Germanic groups such as the Norse and … Click here to read the rest of this article Source: britannica.com

The Magical History Of Yule, The Pagan Winter Solstice Celebration

On December 21 (or 22nd some years) we encounter the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year. After that, the days grow longer until the Summer solstice. In various spiritual and pagan traditions, this seasonal cross-quarter is also known as Yule and is celebrated as a holiday.

In modern times, we typically celebrate Christmas, but long, long ago, Yule was celebrated by the Ancient Celts and various other Pagan religions. Perhaps one of the oldest winter celebrations in the entire world, ancient hunters and gatherers would mark their years based on the different seasons. And each seasonal cross-quarter, including the equinoxes and solstices, was thought to have spiritual significance.

According to Almanac.com, Yule comes from the old English word ‘Geol’ which is the equivalent of the old Norse word, jol. Both of which referred to the winter festivals that took place in celebration of the halfway point of winter.

Long before Christianity, the Ancient Celts and ancient British pagans would celebrate Yule, but when Christianity and…

Click here to read the rest of this article

Magickal Goody of the Day – Make A Stone Sun Dial for Litha

Make a Stone Circle Sundial

Placing the Stones

Stonehenge is one of the world’s best known stone circles, and many researchers have noted that the structure functions as a giant astronomical calendar and sundial. Most people can’t build a Stonehenge replica in their back yard, but what you can do is create a sundial of your own using stones you’ve found. If you have children, this is a great science project to do, but even if you don’t have kids, it’s fascinating to create your own sundial.

If you can do this around Litha, at Midsummer, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to recognize the powerful energy of the sun!

You’ll need the following items:

  • A pole or straight stick
  • Several large stones
  • A clock or watch to calibrate your sundial

Making Your Sundial

Find a place in your yard that gets sun for most of the day. Although it’s ideal to do this in the grass of even a patch of dirt, if all you have is a sidewalk or driveway, then that’s fine too. Mount the pole by sticking it into the dirt. If you’re making your sundial on a hard surface like concrete, then use a block of clay or a bucket of soil to secure the pole.

Keep an eye on your clock. At each hour, take note of where the pole’s shadow falls, and mark the spot with a stone.

If you start this project in the morning, you’ll be able to mark most of the daytime spots – if you start later in the day, you may have to come back the next morning to figure out where your morning hours are.

To tell the time with your sundial, look for the pole’s shadow. Where it falls between the stones will give you the time.

Source: Article found on & owned by About.com

Litha’s Herbs c.2015

Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal purpose until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.

Yuletide Herb – Mistletoe c.2012

Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal purpose until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.

Mistletoe

Botanical: Viscum album (LINN.)

Family: N.O. Loranthaceae

—Synonyms—Birdlime Mistletoe. Herbe de la Croix. Mystyldene. Lignum Crucis.

—Parts Used—Leaves and young twigs, berries.

The well-known Mistletoe is an evergreen parasitic plant, growing on the branches of trees, where it forms pendent bushes, 2 to 5 feet in diameter. It will grow and has been found on almost any deciduous tree, preferring those with soft bark, and being, perhaps, commonest on old Apple trees, though it is frequently found on the Ash, Hawthorn, Lime and other trees. On the Oak, it grows very seldom. It has been found on the Cedar of Lebanon and on the Larch, but very rarely on the Pear tree.

When one of the familiar sticky berries of the Mistletoe comes into contact with the bark of a tree – generally through the agency of birds – after a few days it sends forth a thread-like root, flattened at the extremity like the proboscis of a fly. This finally pierces the bark and roots itself firmly in the growing wood, from which it has the power of selecting and appropriating to its own use, such juices as are fitted for its sustenance: the wood of Mistletoe has been found to contain twice as much potash, and five times as much phosphoric acid as the wood of the foster tree. Mistletoe is a true parasite, for at no period does it derive nourishment from the soil, or from decayed bark, like some of the fungi do – all its nourishment is obtained from its host. The root becomes woody and thick.

—Description—The stem is yellowish and smooth, freely forked, separating when dead into bone-like joints. The leaves are tongue-shaped, broader towards the end, 1 to 3 inches long, very thick and leathery, of a dull yellow-green colour, arranged in pairs, with very short footstalks. The flowers, small and inconspicuous, are arranged in threes, in close short spikes or clusters in the forks of the branches, and are of two varieties, the male and female occurring on different plants. Neither male nor female flowers have a corolla, the parts of the fructification springing from the yellowish calyx. They open in May. The fruit is a globular, smooth, white berry, ripening in December.

Mistletoe is found throughout Europe, and in this country is particularly common in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. In Scotland it is almost unknown.

The genus Viscum has thirty or more species. In South Africa there are several, one with very minute leaves, a feature common to many herbs growing in that excessively dry climate; one in Australia is densely woolly, from a similar cause. Several members of the family are not parasitic at all,being shrubs and trees, showing that the parasitic habit is an acquired one, and now, of course, hereditary.

Mistletoe is always produced by seed and cannot be cultivated in the earth like other plants, hence the ancients considered it to be an excrescence of the tree. By rubbing the berries on the smooth bark of the underside of the branches of trees till they adhere, or inserting them in clefts made for the purpose, it is possible to grow Mistletoe quite successfully, if desired.

The thrush is the great disseminator of the Mistletoe, devouring the berries eagerly, from which the Missel Thrush is said by some to derive its name. The stems and foliage have been given to sheep in winter, when fodder was scarce, and they are said to eat it with relish.

In Brittany, where the Mistletoe grows so abundantly, the plant is called Herbe de la Croix, because, according to an old legend, the Cross was made from its wood, on account of which it was degraded to be a parasite.

The English name is said to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon Misteltan, tan signifying twig, and mistel from mist, which in old Dutch meant birdlime; thus, according to Professor Skeat, Mistletoe means ‘birdlime twig,’ a reference to the fact that the berries have been used for making birdlime.  Dr. Prior, however derives the word from tan, a twig, and mistl, meaning different, from its being unlike the tree it grows on. In the fourteenth century it was termed ‘Mystyldene‘ and also Lignum crucis, an allusion to the legend just mentioned. The Latin name of the genus, Viscum, signifying sticky, was assigned to it from the glutinous juice of its berries.

 

—History—Mistletoe was held in great reverence by the Druids. They went forth clad in white robes to search for the sacred plant, and when it was discovered, one of the Druids ascended the tree and gathered it with great ceremony, separating it from the Oak with a golden knife. The Mistletoe was always cut at a particular age of the moon, at the beginning of the year, and it was only sought for when the Druids declared they had visions directing them to seek it. When a great length of time elapsed without this happening, or if the Mistletoe chanced to fall to the ground, it was considered as an omen that some misfortune would befall the nation. The Druids held that the Mistletoe protected its possessor from all evil, and that the oaks on which it was seen growing were to be respected because of the wonderful cures which the priests were able to effect with it. They sent round their attendant youth with branches of the Mistletoe to announce the entrance of the new year. It is probable that the custom of including it in the decoration of our homes at Christmas, giving it a special place of honour, is a survival of this old custom.

           The curious basket of garland with which ‘Jack-in-the-Green’ is even now occasionally invested on May-day is said to be a relic of a similar garb assumed by the Druids for the ceremony of the Mistletoe. When they had found it they danced round the oak to the tune of ‘Hey derry down, down, down derry!’ which literally signified, ‘In a circle move we round the oak. ‘ Some oakwoods in Herefordshire are still called ‘the derry‘; and the following line from Ovid refers to the Druids’ songs beneath the oak:
        ‘—Ad viscum Druidce cantare solebant—.’
     Shakespeare calls it ‘the baleful Mistletoe,’ an allusion to the Scandinavian legend that Balder, the god of Peace, was slain with an arrow made of Mistletoe. He was restored to life at the request of the other gods and goddesses, and Mistletoe was afterwards given into the keeping of the goddess of Love, and it was ordained that everyone who passed under it should receive a kiss, to show that the branch had become an emblem of love, and not of hate.

 

—Parts Used Medicinally—The leaves and young twigs, collected just before the berries form, and dried in the same manner as described for Holly.

—Constituents—Mistletoe contains mucilage, sugar, a fixed oil, resin, an odorous principle, some tannin and various salts. The active part of the plant is the resin, Viscin, which by fermentation becomes a yellowish, sticky, resinous mass, which can be used with success as a birdlime.

The preparations ordinarily used are a fluid extract and the powdered leaves. A homoeopathic tincture is prepared with spirit from equal quantities of the leaves and ripe berries, but is difficult of manufacture, owing to the viscidity of the sap.

—Medicinal Action and Uses—Nervine, antispasmodic, tonic and narcotic. Has a greatreputation for curing the ‘falling sickness’ epilepsy – and other convulsive nervous disorders. It has also been employed in checking internal haemorrhage.

The physiological effect of the plant is to lessen and temporarily benumb such nervous action as is reflected to distant organs of the body from some central organ which is the actual seat of trouble. In this way the spasms of epilepsy and of other convulsive distempers are allayed. Large doses of the plant, or of its berries, would, on the contrary, aggravate these convulsive disorders. Young children have been attacked with convulsions after eating freely of the berries.

In a French work on domestic remedies, 1682, Mistletoe (gui de chêne) was considered of great curative power in epilepsy. Sir John Colbatch published in 1720 a pamphlet on The Treatment of Epilepsy by Mistletoe, regarding it as a specific for this disease. He procured the parasite from the Lime trees at Hampton Court, and recommended the powdered leaves, as much as would lie on a sixpence, to be given in Black Cherry water every morning. He was followed in this treatment by others who have testified to its efficacy as a tonic in nervous disorders, considering it the specific herb for St. Vitus’s Dance. It has been employed in convulsions delirium, hysteria, neuralgia, nervous debility, urinary disorders, heart disease, and many other complaints arising from a weakened and disordered state of the nervous system.

Ray also greatly extolled Mistletoe as a specific in epilepsy, and useful in apoplexy and giddiness. The older writers recommended it for sterility.

The tincture has been recommended as a heart tonic in typhoid fever in place of Foxglove. It lessens reflex irritability and strengthens the heart’s beat, whilst raising the frequency of a slow pulse.

Besides the dried leaves being given powdered, or as an infusion, or made into a tincture with spirits of wine, a decoction may be made by boiling 2 OZ. of the bruised green plant with 1/2 pint of water, giving 1 tablespoonful for a dose several times a day. Ten to 60 grains of the powder may be taken as a dose, and homoeopathists give 5 to 10 drops of the tincture, with 1 or 2 tablespoonsful of cold water. Mistletoe is also given, combined with Valerian Root and Vervain, for all kinds of nervous complaints, cayenne pods being added in cases of debility of the digestive organs.

Fluid extract: dose, 1/4 to 1 drachm.

Country people use the berries to cure severe stitches in the side. The birdlime of the berries is also employed by them as an application to ulcers and sores.

It is stated that in Sweden, persons afflicted with epilepsy carry about with them a knife having a handle of Oak Mistletoe to ward off attacks.

For Your Listening Pleasure – Litha

Wiccan Music for Litha

From Your Listening Pleasurer – Yule

Pagan Yule Carols (Wiccan Holiday Music)

Time to Celebrate with Your Inner Child and the Children in Your Life Litha and Yule Coloring Pages – Printable

Celebrating Litha, the Summer Solstice The Midsummer Sabbat: Celebrate the Power of the Sun!

Source: learnreligions.com By Patti Wigington 

The gardens are blooming, and summer is in full swing. Fire up the barbeque, turn on the sprinkler, and enjoy the celebrations of Midsummer! Also called Litha, this summer solstice Sabbat honors the longest day of the year. Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight and spend as much time as you can outdoors!

Depending on your individual spiritual path, there are many different ways you can celebrate Litha, but the focus is nearly always on celebrating the power of the sun. It’s the time of year when the crops are growing heartily and the earth has warmed up. We can spend long sunny afternoons enjoying the outdoors, and getting back to nature under the long daylight hours.

Hold a Midsummer Night’s Fire Ritual, and celebrate the season with a big bonfire. Prefer to spend some time alone at the summer solstice? Not a problem! Add these simple Litha prayers into your summer solstice rituals this year.

Are you headed to the beach this summer? Take advantage of all of the magic it has to offer, with Seven Ways to Use Beach Magic. If you have little Pagans in your family, you can get them involved in the festivities too, with these 5 Fun Ways to Celebrate Litha with Kids. Finally, if you’re not sure how to get started celebrating Litha, try these Ten Great Ways to Celebrate Litha.

Traditions, Folklore and Customs

Interested in learning about some of the history behind Litha? Here’s some background on Midsummer celebrations—learn who the gods and goddesses of summer are, how they’ve been honored throughout the centuries, and about the magic of stone circles! Let’s start with a quick look at the history behind the celebrations of the summer solstice, as well as some of the customs and traditions of Litha.

There’s a ton of solar magic and myths and legends out there, and many cultures have worshiped the sun as part of religious practice throughout time. In Native American spirituality, the Sun Dance is an important part of ritual.

The summer solstice is also associated with festivals such as the Vestalia, in ancient Rome, and with ancient structures like the stone circles found all over the world.

Handfasting Season is Here

June is a traditional time for weddings, but if you’re Pagan or Wiccan, a Handfasting ceremony may be more appropriate. Find out the origins of this custom, how you can have a fantastic ceremony, selecting a cake, and some great ideas on gifts for your guests!

In a historical context, handfasting is an old tradition that has seen a resurgence in popularity lately. There are plenty of ways to have a magical ceremony that celebrates your spirituality as part of your special day. You may even want to invite some of the deities of love and marriage to be part of your ceremony!

If you’re not sure about how to have a handfasting, make sure you’ve got someone who is legally able to perform it, especially if you’re looking for a state-licensed marriage. You can use a basic handfasting ceremony template as a structure for your ceremony, and you might want to consider a Pagan-friendly custom like broom-jumping as part of your celebration.

Don’t forget, you’ll need a cake! Keep a few simple tips in mind when you’re selecting your handfasting cake.

Crafts and Creations

As Litha approaches, you can decorate your home (and keep your kids entertained) with a number of easy craft projects. Celebrate the sun’s energy with an elemental garden, a fiery incense blend, and a magic staff to use in ritual! You can make magical items as well, like a set of Ogham staves for some summer divination. Want to keep your home decor simple? Whip up a Litha blessing besom to hang on your door as a welcome to your summer guests.

Feasting and Food

No Pagan celebration is complete without a meal to go along with it. For Litha, celebrate with foods that honor the fire and energy of the sun, and a tasty batch of Midsummer mead.

Winter Solstice Rituals for Witches: Honor the Darkness and Embrace the Light – Article by Guest Author – Patti Negri, the “Good Witch”

As the frost settles and the days grow shorter, the veil between worlds starts to thin, inviting witches to honor the celestial dance of the Winter Solstice. This sacred juncture marks the longest night, inviting us to embrace the darkness and await the return of the sun’s warmth.

In witchcraft, the Winter Solstice holds profound significance. It’s a time of reflection, transformation and potent magic. During this period, rituals and traditions intertwine with the rhythms of nature, guiding practitioners to create sacred spaces adorned with symbols that resonate with the season’s energy.

Witches may also use candle magic to illuminate the shadows, offering a beacon of hope in the night. Additionally, they may use herbal enchantments to weave their potent spells with seasonal botanicals.

In this article, we’ll explore the depths of Winter Solstice practices. From crafting altars imbued with ancient symbolism to embracing the transition from darkness to light through intention-setting rituals, we’ll delve into the timeless traditions that honor the solstice, bridging the realms of the mystical and the mundane.

The Significance of the Winter Solstice in Witchcraft

The Winter Solstice holds pivotal significance in witchcraft, marking the year’s longest night and the rebirth of the sun. It symbolizes the eternal dance between light and darkness, mirroring life’s cyclical nature.

If you’re a practicing crystal witch, this celestial event is a time of introspection, honoring the unseen and embracing the shadows within. It’s a moment to honor your ancestors, reflect on the past year’s lessons, and set intentions for the coming cycle.

By aligning with nature’s rhythms, you can harness this potent energy, weaving spells that invite transformation and renewal. The solstice embodies the essence of transition, and it can guide you toward cosmic alignment and personal growth.

Creating a Sacred Space

Crafting a sacred space for the Winter Solstice means arranging altars adorned with potent symbols resonant with the season’s essence. You can use elements like evergreens to signify resilience, and crystals like quartz and obsidian to channel transformative energies.

Candles can help evoke warmth amid darkness, representing the returning sun’s light. Seasonal items like pinecones, mistletoe or holly can also infuse rituals with nature’s vitality. This is where placement and arrangement are important; you have to align the elements with cardinal directions or personal intention.

These altars will become portals where you commune with cosmic energies, facilitating connection and manifestation. Each symbol chosen has a deeper meaning, creating a sanctuary where your intentions will converge with elemental forces during this sacred celestial juncture.

Candle Magic for Illumination

Candle magic during the Winter Solstice serves as a beacon, illuminating the darkness of the longest night. Lit candles symbolize hope, inviting the returning sun’s warmth and guiding lost spirits towards renewal.

Moreover, colors like gold and silver embody the sun’s vitality, while blues and purples evoke tranquility and introspection. As flames flicker, you can infuse your intentions into the wax, manifesting your desires and dispelling negativity.

This ritual involves consecration, visualization and focused intent, harnessing the elemental power of fire. Through this ancient practice, you’ll embrace the transformative potential within the solstice’s shadows, kindling your inner light.

Herbal Enchantments

As a witch, the Winter Solstice is the ideal time to harness the enchanting power of seasonal botanicals in spellwork and rituals. For instance, sacred herbs like cinnamon, juniper and mistletoe infuse ceremonies with their potent energies, invoking protection, renewal and abundance.

By crafting herbal sachets, teas or incense blends, you can honor nature’s dormant yet vibrant essence, inviting its transformative forces. Each botanical holds unique properties—pine for purification, chamomile for inner peace—aligning intentions with nature’s wisdom.

Through these herbal enchantments, you can embrace the solstice’s essence. This will help you commune with the earth’s dormant energies to facilitate personal and cosmic metamorphosis.

Reflection and Intention

During the Winter Solstice, reflection and intention is a sacred ritual that facilitates the transition from darkness to light. As a practitioner, you can engage in introspective ceremonies, honoring lessons learned amid the year’s shadows.

Through meditation and journaling, you can reflect on personal growth and release that which no longer serves you. You can meticulously craft intentions, infusing them with newfound wisdom and aspirations for the returning light.

These rituals may involve symbolic actions like burning written reflections or lighting candles to signify newfound clarity. This marks a pivotal moment, guiding you from the depths of introspection into the dawning promise of renewal and illumination as the sun’s rebirth draws near.

To Wrap Up

By engaging in these profound rituals during the mystical Winter Solstice, you can honor the dance between darkness and light. This is the time to weave spells, kindle inner flames, and commune with nature’s wisdom.

The solstice reminds us of life’s cyclical nature—of endings that birth beginnings. As you step forward, carrying the solstice’s transformative energy within, may your intentions continue to blossom.

May you navigate the year ahead with the resilience of evergreens, the clarity of candlelight, and the wisdom gleaned from this sacred journey from darkness to light. May you continue to be connected to the celestial rhythms of our world.

15 Herbs Of Yule And The Holiday Season

Disclaimer: No herb should be used for medicinal purpose until you have checked with your health care professional to ask if it is safe for you to use it for any reason. The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. WitchesofTheCraft.com, any staff member of WitchesofTheCraft.com and/or Lady Carla Beltane are not responsible for any type of negative reaction when using this herb for any reason.

Herbs Of Yule:

It’s almost Christmas and we’re already thinking about gifts, parties, and holiday cheer. But before you go shopping for presents, why not make sure you’ve got everything magical and witchy covered with these 15 herbs of yule?

It’s not too early to start planning for the holidays. In fact, you should already be thinking about how to make your holiday season extra special.

Herbs can be used in cooking (kitchen witchcraft), incense and spells (green witchcraft) and in your decor for general manifestation purposes. They are also great for cleansing and purification rituals.

Here are some of my favorite herbs that I use during the holiday season.

 Bayberry

Blessed Thistle

 Evergreen

Cinnamon

Holly

Laurel

Mistletoe

Oak

Pine

Yellow Cedar

Rosemary

Nutmeg

Ginger

Spruce

Frankincense

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: eclecticwitchcraft.com

A History of Litha and Midsummer

Litha, also known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice, is an ancient festival celebrated by various cultures around the world. Litha has its roots in ancient agricultural societies that heavily relied on the sun for their livelihoods. The festival marks the peak of the sun’s power and the longest day of the year. Celtic mythology associates Litha with the Oak King, representing the waxing power of the sun. Bonfires were lit during Litha to honor the sun’s strength and ensure abundant harvests. In Norse traditions, the solstice was celebrated with bonfires, feasts, and ceremonies dedicated to Freyr, the fertility god.

Where does the name Litha Come from?

The name “Litha” is derived from Old English and has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon calendar. The term “Litha” is believed to be related to the word “liþa,” which translates to “gentle” or “calm” in Old English. It refers to the period of the summer solstice when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and the day is at its longest. The term gained popularity among modern pagan and Wiccan communities as they sought to reclaim and revive ancient traditions and festivals. Today, Litha is widely recognized and celebrated as the name for the festival that marks the summer solstice.

Litha and the Wheel of the Year

Litha is part of the Wheel of the Year, a cycle of seasonal celebrations observed by modern pagan and Wiccan communities. It represents the changing seasons and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Litha stands opposite to Yule, the winter solstice, symbolizing the balance between light and darkness. It is a time to celebrate the fullness of life and embrace the energy of the sun.

Throughout history, Litha has been accompanied by various customs and rituals. Gathering medicinal herbs and plants believed to be more potent during this time is a common practice. These herbs are used in rituals and potions for health and protection. Another tradition is the construction of sunwheels, which are wheels adorned with flowers and set on fire. Rolling the wheel down a hill signifies the descent of the sun and the turning of the wheel of life.

Litha and Midsummer

Additionally, Litha is often associated with Midsummer, a celebration that extends beyond the pagan and Wiccan traditions. Midsummer festivities are observed in many cultures around the world, including Scandinavian countries where it holds a prominent place in their cultural heritage. Midsummer dances, bonfires, and feasts are integral parts of these celebrations, often accompanied by folklore and traditional rituals that honor the sun’s energy and the abundance of nature during this time.

In modern times, Litha is celebrated by pagans, Wiccans, and nature-based spiritual communities. Many gather at ancient sacred sites, such as Stonehenge, to witness the sunrise and … Click here to read the rest of this article Source: mabonhouse.co

Ancient Celebrations for Today LITHA

A lesser known Wheel of the Year celebration, Litha occurs during the Summer Solstice between June 19 -22.  More commonly referred to as Midsummer’s Night, Litha is believed to be a time when faerie folk pass into the human world at Twilight and offer blessings.  Litha is a time to celebrate the abundance and beauty of Mother Earth. Flowers are in bloom and gardens are producing fresh vegetables and fruits. Gather family and friends to celebrate the longest day of the year and coming harvest season.

History of Litha

Midsummer Night is the longest day of the year and has been celebrated in some fashion since ancient times.  In Pagan tradition, Litha marked the end of the Oak King’s reign and the rise of the Holly King, who oversees the world as the days gradually get shorter as the world descends into the cold dark of winter.

Like Beltane, fire is an element of Litha. Bonfires were lit to assist the sun as it journeyed across the sky, changing course and shortening the days.  It was believed that the faerie realm was the most accessible during Midsummer Night.

Litha was also a celebration of the Celctic goddess Danu (Anu) who represents earth and fruitfulness.  According to Irish mythology Danu was the Universal Mother of Tuatha De Danaan – a tribe of ancient people in Ireland believed to have invaded Ireland and ruled until being defeated in war on midsummer’s day, after which they retreated to the hills and eventually became the Faerie folk.

As Christianity swept across Europe in the early middle ages, Litha / Midsummer Night was adopted by the Catholic church as St. John’s Day, celebrating John the Baptist.

Setting Intentions at Litha

Symbols of Litha

Ways to Celebrate Litha

Click here to read the rest of this article Source: mabonhouse.co

What Is Yule? What Is a Yule Log?

The Story Behind Yule and the Yuletide Season

By Catherine Boeckmann

Are you familiar with the tradition of the Yule log? Or perhaps you like to “troll the ancient yuletide carols”? Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world—celebrated on the solstice. Learn more about this centuries-old festival and its traditions (including the Yule log cake!).

What Is Yule?

Today, “Yule” and “Yuletide” are largely synonymous with “Christmas” and “Christmastide,” but the meaning behind them is quite different from that of the Christian holiday.

“Yule” comes from Old English geol, which shares a history with the equivalent word from Old Norse jól. Both these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice, which traditionally marked the halfway point of the winter season. After the solstice—the shortest day of the year—the days again begin to grow longer, so it’s thought that Yule was a celebration of the reappearance of the Sun and the fertile land’s rebirth.

The celebration of Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a significant part in their lives. The customs and traditions associated with it vary widely. Most commonly, the celebration consisted of a hearty feast and general revelry, which included wassailing (caroling), drinking, and dancing.

Later, when Christianity came to the British Isles, Christians adopted aspects of the pagan festival into a celebration of the birth of Christ. As Christianity began to spread in the 4th century, the Christmas feast day was set on December 25 by Pope Julius I to align with the Roman pagan holiday Dies natalis solis invicti, “the birthday of … Click here to read the rest of this article Source: almanac.com

Esbats and Sabbats – The Holy Days of Witchcraft c.2013

Esbats and Sabbats – The Holy Days of Witchcraft

By

Every religion has its own days of power, reverence and  celebration. Wicca is no different in this regard. The holidays that Wiccans  celebrate are referred to as Sabbats, or the Eight High Holy days. They occur  approximately every six weeks, and denote the changing of the seasons. The sun,  as a representation of the God, is revered during a sabbat, and the ceremony for  a particular holiday is often performed at high noon. The other type of holy day  that is more familiar to most people is the Esbat. The Esbat is a monthly  occurrence that generally coincides with the moon being full. It is the night  when witches gather to perform ritual and magickal workings for the coming  month.

This article will detail all of these holy days and  hopefully shed a little light on what witches do throughout the year to honor  their Deities.

The Esbat
As stated  above, the Esbat is a ceremony that coincides with the cycles of the moon.  Generally, the day that it is done occurs when the moon is full, though this is  not necessary. The full moon is significant because witches firmly believe that  the power of magickal workings wax and wane with the phases of the moon. When  the moon is waxing, or becoming fuller, it is good to perform rites that are  drawing things to you or increasing positive influences in general. When the  moon is waning, or diminishing, it is good for banishing influences that are no  longer wanted, or getting rid of negativity. Yet when the moon is full, the  magickal workings are at their peak, and it is good for nearly any rite that a  witch may wish to perform. The new moon, or dark moon, occurs when the moon is  not visible at all. During this time, the rites that are performed are either  for extreme protection rites or negative magicks.

On whatever day the esbat is performed, it is done in the  evening or at night. The reason behind this is that these rites are meant to be  working with the Goddess, who represented by the moon.

The actual process of performing the esbat can be summed  up very concisely. The witch or coven will gather at a designated ritual space.  There, they will cast a circle, and perform rites that will raise their magickal  and psychic power, and then direct that power at their desired goal. Since there  are so many variables as to what a witch or group of witches may wish to direct  their energy, it is difficult to offer up an example of what these rites may  entail.

However, one of the things that is a common theme among  esbats is that it is a time for connecting and communing with Deity. This is  often done by the reciting of The Wiccan Rede and The Charge of the Goddess  while in circle. Afterwards, time may be spent in either meditation or  performing acts of divination with tarot cards, runes or other means. This is  followed by a communion of cakes and wine, where the gathered witches will  celebrate their coming together and catch up on the previous month and make  plans for the coming one. Then the ritual circle is opened, the leftover cakes  and wine are offered up to Nature, and the witches will go their separate  ways.

The Eight High Holy Days
There are eight major holidays that Wiccans celebrate:
– Samhain (pronounce saw-vin or sow-en)  – Yule – Candlemas – Ostara – Beltane – Midsummer –  Lammas – and Mabon

Each of the Holy Days represents a different turning of  the seasons, and a different phase of life. The common representation of these  phases is the God, though many practitioners incorporate an aspect of the  Goddess in some fashion as well. They are primarily Sun festivals, and, unlike  esbats, the rituals are often performed when the sun is at its highest in the  sky.

Sabbats are usually large gatherings where entire families  will come together and celebrate with food and drink in addition to the  religious rites.

Samhain
Samhain is  probably the most recognizable of all of the Wiccan Sabbats. It falls on October  31st and signifies the ending of one cycle of the year. While many view it as  the beginning of the next yearly cycle, that does not actually occur until Yule  in December.

The main symbolism behind this holiday is death and  honoring loved ones that have passed on. It is commonly thought that on this  night, the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, and witches take  advantage of this opportunity to communicate with their family and friends who  have passed on.

Samhain is also the last harvest festival of the year, and  the last opportunity for the coven and their families to come together to share  their resources before digging in for the winter. The period of time between  Samhain and Yule is spent contemplating plans for the coming year and  remembering the year that has passed.

Yule
Yule is  generally thought to coincide with the Christian holiday of Christmas. This is  not precisely so. Yule actually falls on the day of the winter solstice, which  generally falls on or around December 21st.

The significance of this holiday is that of rebirth. This  is the day where the days begin to grow longer, and the sun is making a  comeback. The general representation of this is of Holly King, a Dark God,  passing and being replaced by the Oak King, or Sun God. Though the sabbat that  signifies the beginning of the year may vary from tradition to tradition, this  is the one that is most popular in signifying the beginning of the year.

All of the sabbats represent a phase of life, and Yule  falls into the fertility category. This is a time of conception, where the  beginnings of life begin to stir. When covens and families come together on this  holiday, plans begin to be made for the coming year, as well as preparations for  the coming spring.

Candlemas
Candlemas  is also known by the name of Imbolc. It is well and truly the first fertility  festival of springtime. The specific date that this day falls on varies from  tradition to tradition, but it can be anywhere from January 31st to February  2nd. At this time, we are beginning to see the very first signs of spring, and  the renewal of life.

The festivities for Candlemas all center on clearing out  the old and making way for the new. The Maiden aspect of the Goddess is honored  at this time, as are any Gods and Goddesses that relate to love and fertility.  This holiday is considered an especially auspicious time for a new marriage or  relationship.

One of the traditional symbols of Candlemas is the plough.  They are often decorated and incorporated into the festivities. Another  tradition for the holiday is to create a besom, a simple broom constructed of  twigs or straw, and use it to ritually cleanse the home. It is then placed near  the front, symbolizing sweeping out the old and welcoming the new.

Ostara
Also called  Eostar, this High Holy Day falls on the spring equinox, on or near March 21st.  This is the second of the three fertility festivals. Springtime is coming on  full force at this time, and planting for the year’s crops is well underway. New  spring growth can be seen everywhere, and the Gods are petitioned for luck with  the crops and the home.

Two of the traditional symbols for this holiday are the  egg and the rabbit. The egg is an emblem of new life and new growth, and it is  incorporated into many ritual workings and festivities at this time. The rabbit,  known for its prolific mating habits, is also a symbol of growth and abundance.  Both also symbolize change. The Christian faith has fully adopted both of these  symbols into their celebrations that occur at near the same time.

Beltane
Also know as  May Day, this Holy Day falls on May first. It is the last of the fertility  festivals for the year, and with it comes unabashed sexuality for many  traditions. The May Pole is one symbol of this holiday that is found throughout  many traditions. It is a tall pole set in the ground, symbolizing the Sun God  uniting with Earth. It is decorated with long ribbons and fresh flowers, and, of  course, maidens traditionally dance around the pole.

One of the traditional May Day activities for this holiday  is to secretly leave baskets of flowers and goodies at the doors of your  neighbors.

Generally, this is a holiday that celebrates and revels in  the return of the sun.

Midsummer
This Holy  Day celebrates the God, represented by the sun in all of his glory. It is  celebrated on the summer solstice, when the longest day of the year takes place.  Midsummer is neither a fertility festival nor a harvest festival. In this way,  it is similar to Yule. On this day, rites often center on protection for the  home and family for the coming year, rites of divination, and celebrating the  abundance of The Oak King in his prime of life.

For those who work with faerie energy in their rites,  Midsummer is an ideal time to commune with them. It is a common tradition for  witches to go out in the twilight and look for faerie folk in stands of oak, ash  and thorn trees.

Lammas
Another name  for this holiday is Lughnassadh. It occurs on August 1st, and it is the first of  the three harvest sabbats celebrated by witches. Attention turns now to harvest  the crops and gardens, and preparations begin for the coming winter. The days  are beginning to grow shorter, and the Sun God begins to lose his strength as  the days grow shorter.

As this is the time of year when we first begin to reap  the bounties of harvest, it is often a holiday accompanied with feasting and  celebration. Decorations and dollies are often made from dried ears of corn, and  used in rites and to decorate the home.

Mabon
Mabon is the  primary harvest festival, counterpoint to Ostara, and it occurs on the Autumnal  Equinox. On this day, witches pay homage to retreating daylight, and prepare for  the coming winter. This holiday symbolizes the God in old age and readying for  his impending death and rebirth.

Though this holiday is a little more somber than the rest  of them, it is also one where Wiccans are sure to give thanks for what they have  received throughout the past year. It is a popular time of year for witches and  pagans to give back to their communities, and generally share their bountiful  harvests.

With so many holidays to celebrate, Wiccans always have  something to look forward to in their faith. As the seasons come and go, witches  around the world celebrate the wheel of the year. Though traditions and names  may be a little different from place to place, they are all basically the same  at heart.  Thanks for reading, and, as  always: Blessed Be!!