Yule - a God Festival

Yule, or Winter Solstice, is classed as a god festival, as it is the time when the god is reborn. As we know, Christ was not born in December, but rather around October but his birth date was moved forward to cover this pagan festival, a time in which Mithras returns to the world, bringing the light with him. Balder, the Norse God, is also associated with this time of year, and is classed as a Holly God.

This is not to say that the Goddess is ignored - far from it but she does go into recuperation here, to reappear rejuvinated as the maiden at Imbolc.

The festivals at this time celebrated the return of the light, not because, as many patronising scholars believe, that they feared it would not return, but because they celebrated the increasing length of the day, moving out of the long dark nights.

Our ancestors burned the yule log as a form of protection and as a symbol of that light. This log was large, to last as long as possible. Stories were told, food was elaborate and drinking and dancing was a must. Life was short in these times and so much more precious as a result. They did not have our antibiotics, central heating, supermarkets for food whenever they needed it. In this we are very lucky and I find myself shaking my head at people who wish to harken back to 'the old days' - when food was scarce, women were objects and if you were of a different land/colour you were treated poorly.

I am thankful to have been born in these times. while I think too many people still ignore nature, I am thankful that we have advanced medically (although some of those advances have high side effects), academically and liberally.

As you will know, Yule is also the Winter Solstice. This year it is on the 21st of December but that is not always the case, as the position of the sun changes each year. It is always between the 20th and 22nd though.

Wherever you are, whomever you are with I hope you have a wonderful, warm and merry yule.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Storytelling and Creativity

The Winter Solstice is a time for storytelling. Now many people may think that this doesn't apply, as they don't have children. Well you don't need to have children or work with children to do this - you can write stories down. This can be purely for yourself, or as potential books. Storytelling does not have to be children's stories. This is a creative activity that keeps your synapses firing through the winter months. It is an age-old tradition and one that brings creativity into other aspects of your life.

You don't have to limit your storytelling. You can paint a scene, work it into a tapestry/crochet/weaving/stained glass etc.

This is the time of year for doing indoor activities and for tapping into your psyche. This can be carried over into ritual, used to learn more about a god/dess myth/hero legend.

If you are not very good at beginning this kind of activity there are storytelling cards out there. Alternatively, look at your pack of tarot cards and see if one of these has enough on it to get your creative juices flowing - in fact, looking at any kind of painting/picture or listening to music can help in this kind of activity.

Best wishes and BB.

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Yule Approaches

As we approach the dark of the moon, it is a good time, given the time of year, to think about what we have lost, given up, cast aside, or is not currenty working out in our lives. We want to pave the way for a happy and warming Yule, and so doing this now is both beneficial and timely.

Yule is the time of year when we think of family, of feasting and of giving. It is time for gathering round the fire (if you're lucky enough to have one) and of telling stories and eating well.

In these hard times it is a good idea to thnk about money as well. Rather than buying your child those expensive toys/gifts, why not make something for them>? That goes for friends and relatives alike. You don't have to be able to knit/crochet or make jewellery, although all of these are wonderful ideas. All you need is to be able to bake. If your kids don't appreciate home baking them make up a pack of games for them. Cards that have ideas written on them - 'pretend you're lost in a forest - how would you find your way out?' and so on. It stimulated the imagination and can keep them amused for days.

Remember gifts thwt were homemade that you got as a child and enjoyed them - make them for your own children.

Adding the personal touch at Yule can be far more rewarding than spending a fortune. We will be baking most of our gifts this year as finances are very tight.

I wish you, one and all, great blessings this yuletide!


On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

The Goddess

One thing I think many of us find lacking in our lives is finding the time to simply connect with the Goddess. This is so fundamental in pagaism, goddess spirituality and many other traditions/religions, that we almsot overlook it in our daily lives but it is so vital and something that, once youdo try it, is so uplifting, rewarding and empowering that we find ourselves wondering why we haven't done it before/continueddoing it.

The truth is, many of us find we lack the time, or we are feeling out of sorts and therefore in a bad place, not in the mood to do it.

By connecting, we gain new strength, insight, knowledge that we are not alone, love and humour in which we can feel renewed and ready to face anything.

Simple meditation will do this, as will little prayers.

I know, most people think of prayer and think Christianity, Islam and Judaism but prayer has been about for thousands of years, before any of these religions existed. Prayer is transreligious/prereligious and is not exclusive to any one path.

Spiral Goddess website is a wonderful place for such things. The link here is for the prayer and blessing section but please have a good look through this lovely site. Abby Willowroot wrote these lovely words and has copyright for them.

Do you have a partron deity or do you have a group that you like to connect with? As my site suggests, Bride/Brigit is my patron but I also love to visit with other goddesses and often ask help from other relevant deities. Try different pantheons occasionally, ones you would not necessarily noramlly use.

BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

November and Total Solar Eclipse

Firstly, I would like to talk about November. This month has a lot going on, especially this week.

Today is the end of the half month of Nagal, in the runic calendar, and tomorrow is the start of the half month Nyd. In the runic/norse tradition, november is the Fog Moon. I don't know where you live just now but here in Scotland it is misty at the moment and is looking to be misty all week, save Thursday! A aptly named moon, for a change :D

This week also sees the Festival of Feronia, a Roman festival information on this here: Feronia, as well as the birthdays of Israel Regardie (famous Golden Dawn member and writer)on Saturday.
Tomorrow night is also the New Moon, which makes tonight the Dark of the Moon. This i8s a very good time to look at yourself, to look at what you are working on, and for self dedications/self initiation. Hekate is the Goddess of this type of work, as she is the Goddess of initiations, of the dark of the moon and of the winter months which are almost upon us.

We are currently, in Native American tradition, in the Month of the Snake, which ends next week, 22nd. The 23rd will be the Month of the Owl. The Snake is all about wisdom, renewal and transformation.

On a Celtic note, we are in the Month of the Celtic Tree Reed (or Dwarf Elm here in the UK). This also ends next week - 24th - and the Elder takes over on the 25th. The Month of the Reed/Dwarf Elf is about the mysteries of death (again the association with Hekate) and the hidden basis for all life. It is a wonderful time of year to do divination and to use music in your magic, esp flutes/bagpipes/wind instruments. This tree is sacred to Saturn and Odin. This is a very good time to do psychic workings. Elm has great protective qualities 9can be used as protective talisman)and is a feminine tree. Using this tree in spells makes them more stable and more likely to go the way you want them to.

The Total Solar Eclipse takes place on the 13th (14th in Australia) of this month. It will be visible in the S Pacific, N New Zealand, N Australia and the very W parts of South America. Best of luck to anyone able to see it.

Eclipse energy is very special and if possible, should be used. It is the connection of the earth's eergy with that of the moon during the day and should be harnessed. This is earth and lunar magic at it's peak :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Runes and divination

This is the time of year we tend to turn inward and begin looking to our studies in the field of witchcraft, druidry etc. We also look for guidance from divinatory and oracular sources.

Runes have been about for well over a millenia. They were used by Norse, Celtic, Saxon and a whole host of other peoples through time and were both used to divine the future and guidance and for protection/cursing and other forms of ward, amulet and talismen.

Runes are similar to the tarot in that each symbol has a meaning and together they tell a little about a situation or possible outcomes. Unlike the tarot, runes can also be used to protect possessions and homes, cars, people and so on. They draw in the energy that they symbolise.

A good introduction to runes is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Principles-Runes-only-introduction-youll/dp/0722538839/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351002931&sr=1-1
Actually, the principles range is good for many introductions to things - like wicca, paganism etc.

This book offers information on empowering yourself, healing, magic and divination. it's a great read if you can get it.

Runes hae been used in magic for a very long time and are often overshadowed by the tarot because they are seen as less glamorous, are not featured in movies as muchand just don't look as 'cool' as thecardsbut theyare at least as powerful. I strogly recommend dipping into this very useful system and making your own runes will offer far more power than any sop/internet bought set. Use wood, stone or bone.

Best of luck onyour journey :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

The witching month

This is the busiest and most witchy time of the year. Indeed, the Celtic (which also happens to be teh witch as well) New Year takes place on Hallowe'en.

October is the month of divination, crafts and getting out and about while its still warm enough to do that.

At this time of year we tend (for those of us inclined) to get the knitting needles/crochet hooks out, sewing kits, paints or whatever else you like to do that's crafty, to make things for the coming winter. These can be practical, for staying warm, or as gifts for others. This is why it is called witchCraft. We begin baking and really making home homey.

At the same time we want to know a little bit more about ourselves/our futures/ loved ones futures. We look inward for answers.

Divination comes in many forms, These include scrying, tarot, runes, crystal ball, oracles/omens, ogham and many other forms of looking.

We can also better see the skies at this time of year and this month we have 2 separate meteor shower. On the 7th and 8th of October are the Draconids (a good time to use ancestral spells/shamanic ancestor workings, anything to re-connect with family) and on the 21st are the Orionids (very good for astral work, connecting with the akashic records and past life regression works).

Both meteor showers are also a time for working with 2 elements in particular - fire and air.

Working on these nights is almost as powerful as working with storm energy but half as dangerous!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin