Tag: Chants

Winter Solstice Traditions: How to Celebrate This Holiday Season

For those who are spiritual but not so religious, you may choose to celebrate the December holiday season differently. The winter solstice is a wonderful way to honor your ancestors, the earth and its creatures, and the birth of a new sun during this special time of year.

So what exactly is this ancient holiday, and how do you celebrate the winter solstice? Spoonful of Comfort answers these questions and offers some new-to-you winter solstice traditions that you and your loved ones can embrace.

What Is the Winter Solstice Holiday?

Earth experiences the winter solstice when the shortest and darkest day of the year passes and a new, longer day begins. In 2021, for the Northern Hemisphere, the exact time for this change is December 21 at 10:59 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Why Is the Winter Solstice Celebrated?…

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Litha History – Celebrating the Summer Solstice

An Ancient Solar Celebration

Nearly every agricultural society has marked the high point of summer in some way, shape or form. On this date–usually around June 21 or 22 (or December 21/22 in the southern hemisphere)–the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and the point at which the sun seems to just hang there without moving – in fact, the word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.” The travels of the sun were marked and recorded. Stone circles such as Stonehenge were oriented to highlight the rising of the sun on the day of the summer solstice.

Did You Know?

  • Early European traditions celebrated midsummer by setting large wheels on fire and then rolling them down a hill into a body of water.
  • The Romans honored this time as sacred to Juno, the wife of Jupiter and goddess of women and childbirth; her name gives us the month of June.
  • The word “solstice” is from the Latin word solstitium, which literally translates to “sun stands still.”

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Full Moon Release Spell

Simple Full Moon Ritual for Release, Energy, and Cleansing

In this post I’m going to reveal my full moon ritual for manifestation that’s designed to release negative energy and cleanse your soul.

Over the years I have experimented with many different rituals and am excited to share what I’ve learned with you.

A few benefits of performing a full moon ceremony include:

  • Release negativity
  • Increase energy
  • Spiritual cleansing
  • Set intentions that materialize
  • Manifest abundance, love, or money
  • Make your wishes come true

Ready to learn more?

Let’s get started!

What is a Full Moon Ritual?

A full moon ritual is a spiritual ceremony performed on the night of a full moon to release negativity and practice gratitude. The ritual does not need to be completed at the exact moment of a full moon, but should be performed within 48 hours before or after for best results.

When the Moon is completely illuminated by the Sun this is called a full moon. This happens about once per

For more information about full Moon rituals by Ryan Hart

19 December Daily Correspondence Digest for the Southern Hemisphere’s Moon Phase and Planetary Positions

You can use this link to go forward or backward in time for Moon phase information. If you are curious you can even find out what phase the Moon was in when you or anyone else, you know was on the date the person was born.

From Moongiant.com

Today and tonight the Moon will be in a Full Moon phase. During a Full Moon the moon is 100% illuminated as seen from Earth and is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. The Moon will be visible throughout the night sky rising at sunset in the east and setting with the sunrise the next morning. The point at which a Full Moon occurs can be measured down to a fraction of a second. The time it takes between full moons is known as a Synodic month and is 29.530587981 days long. Keep track of all the Full Moons throughout the year on the Full Moon Calendar >

Visit the December 2021 Moon Phases Calendar to see all the daily moon phase for this month.

Today’s Full Moon Phase

The Full Moon on December 19 has an illumination of 100%. This is the percentage of the Moon illuminated by the Sun. The illumination is constantly changing and can vary up to 10% a day. On December 19 the Moon is 15.04 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last New Moon. It takes 29.53 days for the Moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all 8 Moon phases.

The 8 Lunar Phases

There are 8 lunar phases the Moon goes through in its 29.53 days lunar cycle. The 4 major Moon phases are Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter and Last Quarter. Between these major phases, there are 4 minor ones: the Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous and Waning Crescent. For more info on the Moon Cycle and on each phase check out Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.

Phase Details For – December 19

Phase: Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
Moon Age: 15.04 days
Moon Angle: 0.49
Moon Distance: 404,809.44 km
Sun Angle: 0.54
Sun Distance: 147,177,418.30 km

Useful Moon Resources

Check the weather before a night of Moon gazing at weather.com

For a list of all the current meteor showers visit American Meteor Society

If you need to calculate the planetary positions for a specific use and time, click on this link

Currentplanetarypositions.com

To figure out GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) to your local time use this link

For Your Local Time and Date

Southeastern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

19 December 2021
06:00 am GMT 5:00 PM AEDT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:27 Sagittarius 32
Moon:28 Gemini 11
Mercury:08 Capricorn 40
Venus:26 Capricorn 29
Mars:04 Sagittarius 05
Jupiter:28 Aquarius 12
Saturn:10 Aquarius 35
Uranus:11 Taurus 12 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 30
Pluto:25 Capricorn 32
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 39 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:00 Gemini 12 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):17 Gemini 03
Chiron:08 Aries 26 Rx
Ceres:00 Gemini 22 Rx
Pallas:13 Pisces 34
Juno:12 Capricorn 29
Vesta:17 Sagittarius 39
Eris:23 Aries 44 Rx
Fire:5
Earth:5
Air:7
Water:2
Cardinal:6
Fixed:3
Mutable:10

Southwestern Hemisphere

The time for the Custom Planetary Positions is from the local time in Sao Paulo, Brazil, South America

19 December 2021
08:00 pm GMT 5:00 PM BRT
Zodiac: Tropical (Standard Western)

Sun:28 Sagittarius 08
Moon:05 Cancer 06
Mercury:09 Capricorn 35
Venus:26 Capricorn 29 Rx
Mars:04 Sagittarius 30
Jupiter:28 Aquarius 18
Saturn:10 Aquarius 39
Uranus:11 Taurus 12 Rx
Neptune:20 Pisces 30
Pluto:25 Capricorn 33
True Lunar Node:01 Gemini 37 Rx
Mean Lunar Node:00 Gemini 10 Rx
Lilith (Black Moon):17 Gemini 07
Chiron:08 Aries 26
Ceres:00 Gemini 16 Rx
Pallas:13 Pisces 41
Juno:12 Capricorn 42
Vesta:17 Sagittarius 58
Eris:23 Aries 44 Rx
Fire:5
Earth:5
Air:6
Water:3
Cardinal:7
Fixed:3
Mutable:9

For Your Listening Pleasure – Summer Solstice Song

~Litha~Summer Solstice Song~Lisa Thiel~

For Your Listening Pleasure – Winter Solstice Song

Wyrd Sisters – Solstice Carole

For Your Viewing Pleasure – Winter Solstice

What happens during the winter solstice?

Let’s Have Some Fun – Northern Hemisphere Yule/Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice Ritual Potpourri

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

20 drops musk oil

25 drops pine oil

1 cup oak moss

2 cups dried mistletoe

1 cup dried poinsettia flowers

1 cup dried bayberries

1/2 cup dried rosemary

1/2 cup dried holly leaves and berries

3 crushed pinecones

Mix the musk and pine oils with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(The above recipe for “Yule Ritual Potpourri” is quoted directly from Gerina Dunwich’s book “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, page 162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995)

 

Let’s Have Some Fun – Southern Hemisphere Litha/Summer Solstice

Magickal Activity for December 21, The Summer Solstice

Floating Candles

Midsummer is a celebration of light and life, symbolized by the flame of a candle and the movement of water. A large glass bowl filled with an assortment of floating candles makes a wonderful point of focus for ritual. Choose bright yellow sunflowers, white lilies, and red tulip-shaped candles. Have each person participating in the ritual inscribe his or her desire, with a pin, on a candle. Have each person come forward, place his or her candle in the bowl and light it as he makes his wish. Following the ritual, the bowl is placed outdoors, and the candles are left to burn out.

The Sun Wheel

One of the most popular symbols of Midsummer is the Sun Wheel, the turning of which suggests the turning, or progression, of the seasons. The Wheel is decorated with flowers, fresh herbs, and brightly colored ribbons.

The simplest method for making a Sun Wheel is to buy an already-prepared natural-branch wreath from an arts and crafts store. Affix small branches of rowan to form the spokes of the wheel (four spokes to represent the elements and cross-quarter days or eight to symbolize the eight Wiccan Sabbats). Use floral wire to attach fresh flowers and herbs to the wreath. Embellish with brightly colored ribbons. The wheel can be used as the focal point for your Midsummer rites or hung on the front door of your home for decoration.

Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondence Digest for Sunday

From mycrystalaura.com.au

Sun day

Planet: Sun.
Colours: Gold and Orange.
Metal: Gold.
Crystals: Amber, Tigers Eye, Carnelian, Sunstone, Topaz, Diamond.

From Ancient Pathway

Magickal Intentions:
Growth, Advancements, Enlightment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money		 Incense:
Lemon
Frankincense
Planet:
Sun		 Sign:
Leo		 Angel:
Colors:
Gold
Yellow
Orange
White		 Herbs/Plants:
Marigold
Heliotrope
Sunflower
Buttercup
Cedar
Beech
Oak		 Stones:
Carnelian
Citrine
Tiger’s Eye
Amber
Quartz Crystal
Red Agate

From Spell 8

Magick Candle

Light a yellow candle to promote mental clarity and knowledge. Meditating with a yellow candle promotes creativity, imagination, communication, mental strength and intellect. It is great for requests of creativity, materialization and trust.

Ruling Deities

Wiccan God Apollo Wiccan Goddess Brighid Wiccan God Helios Wiccan God RaApollo, Brighid, Helios and Ra are rulers of Sundays.

Crystals

Amber, Carnelian, Diamond, Tiger’s Eye.

Carrying these gemstones today can bring success and fulfillment of your goals. Wear them as a talisman or simply keep them close to you to harness their energy.

Potion

Drink a cup of Honey and Ginger Tea to fill your Sunday with positive energy. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that ginger restores devastated yang¹. It is a symbol of strength and purity. Ginger even appears in the ancient Hindu text, the Kama Sutra, where its use is entrusted to enhance sexual relationships and help flow the energy of love and sensuality.

From whats-your-sign.com

The archangel Michael is in charge of this day.  In the Hebrew language, Michael’s name means: ‘One who is as God’. Sunday and Michael are both associated with the Sun. This makes a lot of sense.  Consider, Sunday in earlier eras was commonly established as the day of Sabbath, or day of worship.  The symbolic meaning of the Sun is akin to the spirit, the light that shines bright within us, the fire within the soul.  Archangel Michael and the Sun are mighty partners to enhance our virtues, devotionals, prayers and meditations on Sunday.

For Your Listening PLeasure

SONG OF SUMMER SOLSTICE | Kulning & Nyckelharpa

This song is short but sweet.

For Your Listening Pleasure

“Wiccan Wonderland” Yule Carols by Karina Skye (Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland)

To Reverse Awakening Spell

Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Disclaimer: This is not meant to take the place of any medications prescribed by your health care professional. This is for informational use only. Do not start any herbal supplement without first talking to your health care professional.

OTHER NAME(S):

Abelmoschus Cruentus, Agua de Jamaica, Ambashthaki, Bissap, Erragogu, Flor de Jamaica, Florida cranberry, Furcaria Sabdariffa, Gongura, Groseille de Guinée, Guinea Sorrel, Hibisco, Hibiscus Calyx, Hibiscus Cruentus, Hibiscus Fraternus, Hibiscus Palmatilobus, Jamaica Sorrel, Karkade, Karkadé, Kenaf, Lo Shen, Oseille de Guinée, Oseille Rouge, Pulicha Keerai, Red Sorrel, Red Tea, Rosa de Jamaica, Rosella, Roselle, Sabdariffa Rubra Sour Tea, Sudanese Tea, Te de Jamaica, Thé Rose d’Abyssinie, Thé Rouge, Zobo, Zobo Tea

Overview

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a plant considered safe in common food amounts. As a tea, it may be beneficial for high blood pressure.

The fruit acids in Hibiscus sabdariffa might work like a laxative. Other chemicals in Hibiscus sabdariffa might be able to lower blood pressure, reduce levels of sugar and fats in the blood, reduce swelling, and work like antibiotics.

People use Hibiscus sabdariffa for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Next

From webmd.com

For Your Listening Pleasure

Solstice Evergreen

For Your Listening Pleasure

Pagan Jingle Bells

December 2021 Pagan Calendar Information

From TheGyspyThread.org

1st           Neptune Retrograde ends

4th           New Moon (12:44 AM, MST)

5th           Krampusnacht

13th/14th  Geminids Meteor Shower

17th         Roman Holiday of Saturnalia

18th         Full Cold Moon (9:37 PM, MST)

19th        Venus Retrograde begins

21st         Yule

21st         Winter Solstice

21st         Zodiac Period of Sagittarius ends

22nd        Zodiac Period of Capricorn begins

23rd        Celtic Tree Month of Elder ends

24th         Celtic Tree Month of Birch begins

29th         Full Cold Moon (8:30 PM, MST)

 

References to 2021 Calendar Events

The Sacred Tree Calendar of the Celtic People

Walpurgisnacht – The Night of the Witches

Lupercalia – The Deliciously Lustful Origin of Valentine’s Day

Rites & Rituals – Pagan Ceremonies, Rituals, and Full Moon Celebrations

The Asatru Community

Some December 2021 Pagan Calendar Observances

From WiccanFamilyTemple.org

DEC. 1: – Greek / Roman Day of Pallas Athena / Minerva.
– Day for Meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess Red Tara – Protector against evil and harm.

DEC. 3: – Roman Day of Cybele / Rhea – The Great Mother.

DEC. 4: – Feast of Shango – Orisha who defends against evil.

DEC. 6: – Mindfulness Day – Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing and acting with compassion for the poor and oppressed.

DEC. 7: – Haloia of Demeter.

DEC. 7 – 9: Feast of the Immanent Feminine Divine Spirit – Honoring Goddess as Maha Devi Shakti (Hindu), Holy Spirit Wisdom (Christian).

DEC. 8: Rohatsu – Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha’s enlightenment.

DEC. 11: – Sacred to Arianrhod.

DEC. 12: – Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mother of God and Mother of the Oppressed.

DEC. 13: – Feast of the Light-bringer – Honoring Goddess as Juno Lucina (Old Roman).

DEC. 14 – 28: Halcyon Days: time of tranquility.

DEC. 17: – Yoruba / Santeria feast of Orisha Babalu Aye – Healer of deadly diseases.
– Roman/Greek: Saturnalia begins festival to Saturn/Kronos as Harvest and Father Time with His scythe

DEC. 18: – Sacred to Epona.

DEC. 19: – Modresnact: Norse Mothers Night Festival.

DEC. 21: – thru 25 – Old Egyptian festival of Isis, the Magna Mater (Mother of God and Mother of All) giving birth to God Horus.
– YULE SABBAT: Winter Solstice; Return of the Sun God.

DEC. 23: – Sacred to Hathor.

DEC. 24: – Celtic Tree Month – Month of Reed ends, Tree Month of Elder begins.
– Celtic / German Nodlaig Eve/Modresnach: Night of the Great Mother

DEC. 25: – European Feasts of Herne, Frey, Dionysus – Birth of the God, the Light of the World.

DEC. 25: thru Jan 5: Old Norse festival honoring Saturn, Dionysus, Frey and Freya (Deities of Fertility) and the birth of the new-born Baldur (God of Light) with evergreens, fires, and feasting.

DEC. 28: – Sacred to Freya.

DEC. 31: Hogmanay—New Year’s Eve; Crone preparing to depart, winter at its height; Crone, old and withered year changes at midnight into young and fresh New Year. Hag’s Eve.
– Egyptian Lucky Day of Sekmet – Sekmet, the ravaging lioness, with her burning solar eye, is the destroyer/devourer aspect of the goddess.