New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
In many locales there is a definite chill in the air. We crave warmth, color, and brightness, but often we see and feel the opposite. Today is the shortest day of the year. Witches realize the age-old battle between the Oak King and the Holly King is being acted out, ultimately leading to renewal and rebirth. You can savor the stories of olden times, but participating in the drama of the day is even better. Dress your home for Yule! Gather holly, cedar, and pine clippings and set them out in a ...
Can you believe it's almost the Winter Solstice? Also called Yule, Midwinter, and many other names, this is a sacred time for those of us who walk in alignment with the seasons. (For folks in the Southern Hemisphere, it is currently approaching Midsummer.) Because we are soon to formerly welcome back the Holy Sun/Son at this time, let's put a little fire in our step to amp us up in preparation! At nightfall, simply light a candle of any color. (Black, white, and fire colors are ideal.) When ...
Beigiessen (which translates as "lead pouring") is an old German Yuletide tradition where lead in a spoon is heated up over a candle flame and then poured into cool water. The shapes of the lead are then interpreted to see what the new year will bring. Because heating up lead feels both messy and dangerous, in our house we have adapted this tradition using candles. Instead of heating up lead, pillar candles are lit and the wax is allowed to drip into a large bowl of water. The cooled pieces of ...
Many flowers that enjoy full sunlight also resist heat and drought. They are often associated with the sun and the element of fire. Examples include sunflowers, sunchokes, black-eyed Susans, daisies, Indian blankets, marigolds, Mexican hats, yellow coneflowers, and zinnias. Sunflowers and some others are heliotropic, leaning toward the sun. You can pick these flowers and preserve them to save the sun's energy for the darker parts of the year. Small, soft flowers like marigolds may be pressed ...
