Magick's Mirror

WINTER SOLSTICE
some excerpts taken or adapted from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthew

Once again, the Winter Solstice of the year is upon us. The season when we honor the closing of circles, the Northern Quadrant of the Medicine Wheel, the White Buffalo, the White Owl, the Ancient Spirits and Wisdom among us and within us. The season when we learn, from nature, how to honor the darkness of Life's Mysteries without losing faith...how to recognize the seeds of growth and nurture them in our own inner warmth until the Light returns...how to dignify the elder who lives always within us, and to face our own old age with serenity and faith and power. Once again we learn, that even in the darkest moments, health, serenity, and healing energy are available when we focus on them with positive intent.

Sanctification
I tune the hearthsong of my soul, loving words upon my lips...
light-giving songs upon my heart...
life-bringing praises upon my eyes...
The music of comfort resound in the souls of all beings,
Preserving them in peace,
As the sun and moon renew themselves this night.

I give thanks to the Wise Powers of the Universe that have protected me this day, this season, this year; may their blessings attend me wherever I go, and a special blessings to those who have touched my life, who are now in need.

I look to the unfulfilled places in my life, may my Ancient Wisdom Teachers show me how best to prepare these as fields where I may sow seeds of hope, especially.............I ask, both for myself and others, may self blame, disappointment, disappear, self-doubt be transformed by self-confidence, hopefulness, an awareness of my potential, and Love.

QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING WINTER SOLSTICE SEASON

What am I endeavoring to manifest now in my life?

How can I change my thought patterns, to empower my goals?

What old connections could I release now, for my highest good?

Where can I turn for the best sources of Inspiration and Solutions?

What wisdom is seeking to reveal itself to me at this time?

What are the best ways that I can refresh myself, physically and spiritually?

How can I show my appreciation to others more effectively?

How can I show my appreciation to my Self more effectively?

What new idea has seeded itself this winter, and how can I best nurture it to fruition, as the earth nurtures her seeds??

What are the imprisoning fears that I feel ready to release?

What are the serenity landmarks or symbols of my Spirit Home? Of my Earthy Home?

What parts of me will awaken as the rebirth of Spring arrives?

How can I best focus on the my blessings this season?

How can I turn negatives into positives?

How can I make the best use of this lifetime?

ACTIVITIES FOR WINTER SOLSTICE SEASON

~~Elchai

WINTER SOLSTICE CEREMONY
DECEMBER 21, the shortest day of the year
by Elchai

A ceremony that honors any aspect of the natural world, honors us as well, for we are each a mini universe, a microcosm of the cosmos we live in.

The winter solstice, the shortest sunlit day of the year, the day when the sun is farthest away from us and his light is most remote, has been celebrated in ceremony the world over for as long as human memory exists. The celebration was most enthusiastic in areas of the earth where the winter is very dark and very long, and the yearning for sun and light was so passionate. Although we now have electricity, and can "see" with the a light flick of a switch, we still honor the power and mystery of darkness, both literally and symbolically. We recognize it as a mighty contender to our sense of safety and equilibrium, and we are always anxious until we can see the first flicker of light, the first ray of hope, the first seeds of solution, to any darkness that has invaded our life light. For this reason, celebrating the winter solstice, and the sun's return to our atmosphere, and the longer hours of light, is as appropriate now as ever...maybe more so...regardless of whether or not you follow a more traditional religious observance at this time of the year.

PURPOSES OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE CEREMONY

1. To lure the sun back to our atmosphere and welcome his return and the longer hours of light he brings with him. (In many beliefs the sun's gender is male, to the moon's female.)
2. To honor the growth, energy, and life force of things and concepts we cannot see, and recognize that they are manifesting even when hidden.
3. To honor our FAITH in the silence, darkness, and mystery of life, from which new creation emerges. To honor the places of dark, silent, safe incubation: the earth, the sea, the human heart, the human mind, the womb...where life, solutions, and inspirations find the nourishment and fertile space in which to begin their journeys.
4. To reclaim HOPE in the face of troubles, knowing that the seeds of changes are always present...to honor our own STAYING POWER, collectively and individually...for having the energy to "see" something through until the end, despite the darkness.
5. To say, 'Thank You" for all the stages of the seasons and of our lives.

THE NORTH QUADRANT OF THE LAKOTA MEDICINE WHEEL

Because the Lakota Medicine Wheel concept of life is so meaningful to me, I use it, with the deepest respect, in many ceremonies. To the Lakota, as to many tribal peoples, life is circular, rather than linear. We walk around the big circle once each lifetime, yet, with every project we complete, we walk around a smaller hoop, within the circle again.

In terms of the Medicine Wheel, the Winter Season in the universe and in our lives is in the North quadrant of the circle. Traditionally, its animal totems are the Sacred White Buffalo, who is to bring peace to this planet, if we humans learn to cooperate with each other and the Great White Owl. Its color is white or clear, and it's stone is quartz crystal, although the book, DANCING WITH THE SUN, mentions the rich blue sodalite stone, for calm courage and old knowledge; Peridot, for the balance and courage of renewal; and Herkimer Diamonds, the exquisitely clear crystals found only in upper New York State.

In human terms, it is symbolized by revered old age which has brought wisdom, understanding, and closure...and the ability to pass knowledge onto the next group of people. It is the time when we come to the end of a project, of a season, or of this earthwalk, with true insight, love, and compassion, and with the ability to share this knowledge. It is an honored segment because it shows completion, hope in endings and yet-unknown beginnings, and courage in the face of universal mystery and closure. It represents the faith that is required to go into that darkness and mystery, before the spring brings new light and rebirth. It combines incredible joy and incredible somberness It is a Sacred Direction and a Sacred Season.

MAKING YOUR WINTER SOLSTICE CEREMONY

SPACE
Be aware that the space you move in is ALWAYS sacred, to begin with. But frequently, we contaminate it with our own negative thoughts or negative baggage we are carrying. We want to make sure that a Ceremony is done in a space that we have remembered with Sacredness, not to make the space more sacred, because it was sacred to begin with, but to REMIND OURSELVES THAT ALL THE SPACE WE MOVE IN IS SACRED, ALL THE TIME.

Once you decide where you are going to hold your Ceremony, accumulate the herbs or essences to cleanse its atmosphere or aura and rededicate it. Some herbs have traditionally been used to do this. The Druids often used Cedar boughs or Arborvitae boughs. The Native Americans still use Sage for smudging and cleansing. The scent of Pine and Rosemary has often been used in actual cleansers because of their abilities to cleanse and purify. Lavender used to be used, and is still popular, everywhere from hospital rooms to church, because its scent is so purifying, stabilizing and relaxing on the nervous system, while the plant actually has antibiotic ability. DANCING WITH THE WHEEL also mentions Echinacea, the purple coneflower that at one time covered so many pastures, because of its proven ability to medically eliminate infection in the human system; the common, sweet Red Clover, which offers not only nourishment to human beings, but is one of the herbs thought to help remove tumors and stagnation from the blood, and Trillium, the three-petaled flowering herb, for its purity.

When I do a Winter Solstice Ceremony, the participants and I go out into our own yards and our own neighborhoods and look for the herbs and plants that grow locally that are still green. Whatever is still green in the midst of December, has Life Energy. That is what we bring into the Ceremony place to cleanse it. Right now, in my Long Island backyard, I can still see Chickweed, Lavender, Thyme, some Parsley, some Lambs Ears, some Hollyhock leaves, and some Lemon Balm. Some of my Ceremony friends still have Sage, Mint, Birch, Barberry berries, and Sumac Berries. Select what you can find that speaks to you, or use the traditional Sage leaves, or buy a bundle of Sage Smudge Leaves in a New Age or Health Food store.

REMEMBER: WHEN YOU TAKE AN HERB FROM ITS GROWING PLACE, REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DISTURBING ANOTHER LIFE FORM. DO IT WITH AWE AND REVERENCE. IT IS TRADITIONAL TO OFFER SOMETHING IN RETURN BY SPRINKLING SOME TOBACCO LEAVES, DRIED CORN, SAGE, OR SWEETGRASS, OR FLOUR, AND THANKING THE HERB FOR COMING WITH YOU TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE.

In some places you can buy special coals which you can light, and then when you throw some of the dried herbs on them, they flare up and the scent fills the room. If you cannot get your hands on any fresh herbs, buy some dried ones, or buy some essential oils, such as Sage or Lavender, and add a few drops to some pure water in a spray bottle. Or use incense sticks, but make sure they were made with the pure essential oils of the plants, and not synthetic scents, which can cause headaches, and have no plant power at all.

Remember, that the plants bring full universal power with them: the earth they grew in, the water that cleansed them, the minerals that fed them, the sun that energized them, and the winds that caressed them all come in with them to grace our homes and our lives.

Then, using fresh herbs, or spraying your scented water into the air, or holding your incense stick, start by cleansing the air around the ceiling of your space. Then work your way down the corners of the room, from the ceilings to the floor, then around the baseboards and the windows, and, especially, the doorways. Tune in to the feelings of energy you get as you do this. Wherever you sense that special attention is needed, give it. If you are using a lit Sage Smudge, the smoke is often wafted around with a feather. Be sure you have fire-extinguishers on hand if you are indoors, or that you keep anything lit in a fire-safe location or in sand, etc. Keep little children away from any flames, as always. It is appropriate to say, "With these members of the Green Standing People, or with these herbs, I purify this space and remember that it is sacred. Together we drive away any negative energy from this place, and rededicate it to whole and positive energy."

When you are finished cleansing and purifying the greater space you live in, it is appropriate to cleanse and purify the space around your person and around each other. This is a moving and centering experience and helps create the ceremonial mood that is necessary. I like to start at a person's head, and circle the herbs around him ot her, from top to bottom, saying, "The Sacred space around you is now cleared of any negative energy. You are standing in a Sacred space that is pure and healthy and that supports your Physical and Spiritual Energy, right here, right now."

When everything has been purified and sanctified, it is good to stand quietly for a few seconds, probably in a circle, and breathe deeply three times, envisioning the purity entering and lodging in your inner space.

ALTAR AND SYMBOLS FOR WINTER SOLSTICE

Caves, crystals or other appropriate minerals or stones, sunflowers, owls, white buffalos, winter herbs, sun figures or pictures, seeds, earth, rocks (because they are the most patient and enduring "people" in the Sacred Circle of Life. They teach us how to just BE.), yellow round fruits like lemons or grapefruits, lemon flavors, figurines or dolls capturing old age, photos of ancestors or grandparents, etc. Be aware that any symbol that is meaningful to you, in keeping with the meaning of the winter solstice, is appropriate. I try to create the mixture of the darkness and coldness of winter and the promise of the arriving sun by placing a mirror or aluminum foil...something reflective, on a low bench, such as a piano bench, and standing crystals and geodes on it. I surround it with white candles which will be lit during the ceremony. People place their own symbols on it as they enter, because the Altar needs to be representative of everybody. Nearby, we have baskets of lemons and sun hangings to add at an appropriate time.

SYMBOLIC HERBS AND GREENERY

According to the book A DRUID'S HERBAL, plants are brought into the house at the time of the Winter Solstice to assure the Woodland Spirits that they can find safe refuge with us during this period of darkness and cold. Plants that were, and often still are, brought in at this time, include:

1. Yellow Cedar (Arborvitae) for cleansing and purity.
2. Ash, considered an herb of the sun, for protection.
3. Bay Laurel, to bring the light of the sun into the house and ward off illness.
4. Blessed Thistle, an herb still used to cleanse the blood, for protection, joy, and prosperity.
5. Chamomile, an herb still used for its ability to soothe and cleanse, for love and purification.
6. Frankincense, an antiseptic herb, used symbolically to bring purification and protection.
7. Holly, for protection and to symbolize the co-existence of human and plant spirit and life.
8. Juniper, for love and protection.
9. Mistletoe, for healing, peace, and beautiful dreams.
10. Pine, for peace, healing, and joy.
The Altar can be a low table or a bridge table. It does not have to be fancy. It can be a board on the floor or a windowsill. It can be the floor itself. It can, of course, be the earth. If you are re-creating a Medicine Wheel on the floor to do your Ceremony (more on that at a later date), you might want to place the Altar within it, in the North section of the room.

LIGHT AND SOUND

The Winter Solstice is a Ceremony honoring both darkness and light. Some like to refer to it as the battle between darkness and the sun, but I prefer not to think of it in terms of war but in terms of natural, peaceful, progression. In terms of yet another example of the oscillation of all life forms, swinging from one aspect to the other and then back again, over and over again, just as we inhale and exhale over and over again, and sleep and wake and sleep again, and live and die and live again.

Traditionally, in many part of Europe, the Ceremony included lighting huge bonfires to lure the sun back to earth, perhaps in the hope that if he, Grandfather Sun, were happier among his own heat and light, he would find it here, or perhaps to show how the puny attempt at temporary heat and light was not enough. At any rate, to this day, members of Scandinavian communities still light the fires at Winter Solstice to express hope, joy, and a sense of Community effort. In many places, keeping the fires burning through the nights or through the dark times was considered a sacred thing to do, just as the Yule log is still lit in many fireplaces today. Eleanor Roosevelt felt that it is better to light one candle than to curse the dark, and that is what people have tried to do for centuries, during the darkest part of the year.

For our Winter Solstice Ceremonies, I purchased 13 inexpensive glass candleholders. I always make sure that I have a dozen white candles and one bright yellow or golden-colored one. Each person lights one of the white candles, making his or her own relevant statement or wish. Then one person lights the yellow one, in tribute to the returning sun, to hope, to life, to the Wisdom and Silence of Winter and the Return of Light and Growing Things Manifesting.

If you have people who can supply live music, that is wonderful. I like to use heartbeat drumming on a drum. There are also wonderful tapes or Cds with fitting music, perhaps with bells, or winter sounds. Favorite seasonal music is often appropriate. However, I avoid music with definite connections to particular religions or holidays because people of many different beliefs or nonbeliefs are often present, and the Winter Solstice celebrates a part of our Natural World, rather than a particular doctrine.

MAKING CEREMONY

The two most difficult times of a Ceremony are settling down to actually begin, because most people feel a little silly about creating Ceremony in the familiar surroundings of an apartment or den... and then to give up its power, and actually end. I suggest people leave all outer garments, purses, packages, etc. in a room other than the Ceremony Room. Make sure they have everything they will need: glasses, pens, etc. in the Ceremony Room, so they will be able to relax and concentrate. IT IS UP TO THE LEADER TO SET THE MOOD AND BEGIN THE CEREMONY. If you have set up a Medicine Wheel, you will probably want to sit around it or inside it, depending on how large it is and how many people you are. It is always appropriate to sit in a circle of some kind, although you will need to adapt to the space available.

SCRIPT LEADER:
We are here to honor and celebrate the Winter Solstice. We are open and receptive to the Positive Energy that resides within us and all around us, that keeps us whole and balanced, and surrounds us with love and safekeeping. Only good can come from our activities here, for ourselves, for our community, for the world.....Does anybody want to add something to that before we begin a meditation?....

A MEDITATION for WINTER SOLSTICE

LEADER:
Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Release all pent up energy and stress. Inhale and exhale again, and sense the Sacred Space that surrounds you. Draw its pure white love light close to you. Feel it spread out to touch your neighbor's Sacred Space. Feel it spread out and fill this room with Love and Light and Peace. See or sense that you are in the woods, on the coldest, darkest, night of the year. You feel perfectly safe and protected. See the pine trees around you are standing guard with their green, icy boughs. See the lake in front of you is frozen. Hear the ground crackle as you walk. Your nose is cold, but you feel fine... alive, and brisk, and well. The cold sharpens your senses.

You feel as though you can hear sounds you have never heard before. Ssssh. Listen for them. What do you hear? (silence). You can see wonderful things you have never seen before, both with your outer vision and your inner vision. Watch them. What do you see? (silence. allow time).

In the darkness wonderful visions and ideas and solutions come to you...answers to problems you are facing. Remedies for distress. Cures for diseases are arriving. If you are looking for an answer to a problem, now is the time to be open to its arrival Tell it that it is welcome, and that it can find safe lodging with you. (silence) Now sit quitely and appreciate the darkness and the clarity of the cold. Be aware of the energy of life beneath the dark, cold ground. Feel your connection with the seeds sleeping there, gathering strength and storing nourishment for their coming appearance on earth. Feel the connection with the seeds of your life getting ready to blossom in good health and vibrancy. In the safety of the dark and the cold, new healthy life is getting ready to appear.

Breathe deeply and exhale. Focus on your midriff now. Notice the golden spot that is forming there. Feel it warming you, providing inner heat. See or sense its golden sphere spreading inside you. Feel its golden rays reaching up to, like an inner sun, to touch your heart and down to warm your navel area. And down some more into your legs, and down your arms, and up into your neck and head. Inhale and enjoy this inner warmth. Feel the heat warm your feet. Feel your hands and feet tingle with warmth, as you stand in the dark, cold woods on this dark, cold night. Sense the halo of warm, nurturing heat that is now surrounding your head. Feel the sphere of comforting, healing heat move down outside you, encircling your entire body.

Know that you have the safety and healing powers of both heat and cold. Know that you are balanced and whole. Feel that you are safely rooted into the ground, but that your spirit is free. Know that both the darkness and the light are safe for you. Focus on any area that needs healing. Allow the darkness and light to penetrate that area with healing power.

Take a deep breath and feel both alert and relaxed. Feel Safe.
Take a deep breath and say thank you to the powers that be for this feeling of safety and well-being. (silence)
Take a deep breath and ask for continued protection for you and your safety and well-being, and for anyone about whom you are concerned. (silence)
Take a deep breath and envision world peace. (silence)
When you are ready, gently open your eyes, and we will begin our Ceremony. (Give people a chance to re-accustom themselves to the here-and-now reality. I always make sure that everybody is well-grounded and at ease, before I continue. For some people, meditation creates a sense of unease because there is too much unfinished business in their lives, so make sure everybody is centered and okay.)

TRIBUTE TO THE WINTER AND NORTHERN DIRECTION

LEADER: (FACING NORTH, HOLDING SOMETHING TO PLACE IN THE NORTH)
Great spirits of the Winter and of the North Direction. (Some people prefer to use the word, "God" instead. Do whatever you are comfortable with.) Hear us as we come asking for the wisdom and the courage to age gracefully in our lives and in our endeavors. Honor us with your presence as we stand in your Sacred section of our Season and of our Earthwalk. Permit the crystal clarity of winter snow to bring purity to our lives and thoughts, and healing to our bodies and to our world. Spirit of the White Buffalo, help us to turn the lessons we have learned and the knowledge we have gained into wisdom and abundance, spiritually and physically. Allow us to understand the DIGNITY OF BEING. Help us to learn the truth and beauty of NOT DOING. Spirit of the Great White Owl, teach us to fly with quiet grace and seeing eyes through the dark times of our lives. Give us the patience to share ourselves and our knowledge with those who can use them. Give us the faith and the courage to continue our journeys to the end, in dignity, so that our energy may once again arrive in the Dawn of the East. SHOW US HOW TO FIND JOY IN DARKNESS AND IN ENDINGS, AS WELL AS IN LIGHT AND IN BEGINNINGS. Ho.

CANDLE LIGHTING

In a darkened room, taking necessary fire safety precautions, have each participant come up to the alter, or prescribed place, to light a white candle, saying whatever wish or statement or tribute they have prepared or choose to adlib, as they do so. It is a good idea to have one person seated at the candles to make sure everything is stable. When all the candles are lit, have a chosen person come up to pay tribute to the returning sun and light into our earthspace and into our personal spaces, as he/she lights the yellow candle.

ACTIVITY

Sitting in the candlelight is a good time for people to "breathe in the energy" of whatever they want to internalize, as the days lengthen and the seeds begin growing and to "exhale the energy" of whatever they want to remove from their lives. Explain to people that, in breathing the breath of life, we will each choose and express an exchange of energies. For example, we might exchange sickness for health, sadness for joy, poverty for prosperity, depression for hope, battle for peace, this job for a new job, etc.

As you go around the circle, each person will say, "At this time, I choose to exhale sadness and inhale joy," then she will say, "exhale sadness" and the entire group will exhale the sadness with her, for her and, if they choose, for themselves. "And inhale joy," and together the group will help him or her inhale joy. This group energy strengthens each individual's effort.

GROUP TALK

This is the time when each person might want to share a tale from his or her own myth/life about a time when darkness descended in his/her life, and what was done to relieve it or how somebody else brought light to the darkness. It is a good idea to use a time-limit, so each person gets an appropriate time to speak, and not to allow any interruptions until the person has finished his/her tale. In the tradition of many speaking circles, you might want to present the speaker with a Speaking Stick. This gives him or her the right to speak, uninterrupted, as long as the stick is held.

When all discussion is finished, ask the group if they are ready to end the ceremony and begin the celebration. If they are, this closing is usually effective. Preferably sitting on the floor, close enough to reach out for each other's hands, the first person looks at the person to her right and says, by name, "Jane, I want to share my energy with you and wish you....(whatever). Jane takes her hand and says, "thank you." Jane then turns to the person on her right and says, "Bob, I want to share my energy with you and wish you...." Bob says, "Thank you," and continues the process. When everybody has spoken, everybody should be holding hands.

LEADER:
If you hold hands gently enough, and offer your positive energy to this Circle, we will feel the energy traveling from one person to the other, from one hand to the other, as each person's energy joins forces with the next, and together we create a great power for good. (People will usually nod or smile or voice their sense of tingling or energy in their hands or arms). Let us enjoy this sense of mutual energy, love, and togetherness. (silence) If you choose close your eyes now and send that energy out to create a world of health and peace for all. Take a moment to envision or sense the world at peace.

LET THE PARTY BEGIN

Ask if everybody is ready for the entrance of light, and with great hoops and hollering, say goodbye to the darkness and turn on the lights. Sometimes people attach sun symbols or herb sprigs to their clothes or to the walls.

Bring in the food, which I often make sure includes something with "seeds" to represent beginnings...such as fruit, cookies or cakes with sesame or poppy seeds, etc. I always bring an herbal tea punch in which are floating great rounds of orange and lemon slices, and one grand lemon floating, whole, in its center. Turn up the music. Tap your feet. Clap your hands. Time to Celebrate! I like to send each person home with some seeds to plant or a small pot of earth in which a seed has already been planted.

wintsol-elchai (1996

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