Reflections on my journey with Mama Earth and Grandmother Moon
Throughout the 12 Days of Solstice (a Fire celebration), I feel a profound connection not just to the Fire and Light of Father Sun but to all the Elements — Earth, Fire, Air and Water — and I use these in one final ritual for my 12 Days of Solstice, both a release and a… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Working with the Elements
Wassailing the Apple Trees, by Pauline Baynes Wassailing Traditions My first awareness of wassailing — from the old Anglo-Saxon phrase Wæs þu hæl meaning “Drink and be healthy” — was as an alternative name for door-to-door carolling at Christmas. In exchange for a song, one was given some grog (essentially a mulled wine or cider)… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Wassailing
As I was writing the previous post about the Wisdom of the Crone and the Winter goddess An Cailleach, I came across this beautiful poem by Joyce Rudd on what is for me the true essence of Winter Solstice . . . the deep reflection of Winter, our connection to its stillness, the solace and rest… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Winter Wisdom
It is said that the final three days of the #12DaysOfSolstice, in Celtic traditions, are dedicated to The Crone aspect of a woman’s life and to The Crone goddesses such as An Cailleach. This is the Winter goddess with whom I connect most strongly. The Crone represents so many aspects of our life, including our… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Crone Wisdom
A few years ago, I started to observe not just the 12 Days of Solstice (and/or Christmas) but also a lovely ritual and divination process for the new calendar year known as 12 Omens, a traditional Celtic practice from the people of Wales and Brittany (yes, a Celtic culture!), and other cultures. Who doesn't love… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: 12 Omens and the Wisdom of the North
In many cultures, Winter Solstice has been associated with the birth/rebirth of the gods of the Sun and Light, such as Mithras, the Oak King, Lugh, Frey, Heracles, Osiris. And even before the Divine Masculine association, goddesses such as the Roman goddess Anastasia were celebrated (the alleged origins of Mother Night, aka Matrum Noctem in… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: the Divine Union between the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine
Blessings on St Stephens Day aka Lá Fhéile Stiofáin (Irish) or Lá an Dreoilín, meaning the Wren Day, aka Gŵyl San Steffan (Welsh). This holiday is celebrated in many cultures and countries (St Stephen for instance, is the patron saint of Serbia). This festival seems to syncretize its Pagan and Christian roots. St Stephen was… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Lá an Dreoilín aka Wren Day
We are midway through the 12 Days of Solstice aka 12 Days of Yule. Numbering the days can become confusing as it varies by tradition: some number from Mother’s Night (the day before Solstice) whilst other number from Solstice itself... and, of course, in some cultures the day begins at sunset the day before. So,… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Honouring the Great Mother
Yesterday we explored Ivy, the Solstice green associated with the Divine Feminine. And today, Holly, for the Divine Masculine. Together they represent our Divine Whole Self. The elements of Holly and Ivy are symbiotic, as the Ivy very often grows within the Holly Bush. Holly and the Ivy together are a powerful team, representing the… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Holly and the Divine Masculine
There are very many ways to celebrate the 12 Days of Solstice. In my own personal practice, I choose an eclectic mix borrowing from Druidic, Celtic and Norse traditions . . . and even some of those now associated with Christmas. In one Celtic tradition (source: The Pagan’s Path), the twelve nights honour the Triple… Continue reading 12 Days of Solstice: Ivy and the Mother Goddesses
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