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In the Juian calendar, this month came tenth in succession; thus the name for December coumes from decem, meaning "ten" (hence the name for our modern decimal system). During this month the nights continue to get longer, and the weather often turns wet and cold. Many people find themselves struggling with the blues cecause of the lack of sunlight. This was probably the case for our predecessors too, so its not surprising to find, scattered throughout the month, many rituals of light (like Yule), or those that give strength to the sun. These inspire extra inner light to keep things warm emotionally and physically. Metaphysically, December is a good time to look within, meditate, and regroup before the new year. Focus on magick that purifies, heals, banishes depression, improves endurance, and increases your personal vitality. Also extend a little of this energy to the earth and sky, so that the Wheel of the Year will turn toward the light once more, and with it your spirit |
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| Decembe 25 Christmas/Yule (various locations) Hertha Themes: Rebirth; Kinship; Health; Longevity; Tradition Symbols: Dormant Trees; Snow About Hertha: In ancient times, on this day people venerated Hertha, the Teutonic goddess of ferility, domesticated animals, magick, and nature. In Germanic tradition, Hertha descended through the smoke of any fire today and brought gifts, much like a early Santa Claus figure (giving her solar associations, too). Her connection to nature has survived in the name for our planet: earth. To Do Today: Yule takes its designation from a Gaelic word meaning "wheel," representing the turning of the wheel back toward the sun. In early times, this festival included parties for various sun gods and goddesses; it eventually was translated into the celebration of Christ's birth. Any light source or burning incense can symbolize Hertha's presence today. Besides this, look to the world's traditions for magickal ways of making your celebration special. For example, Swedes eat a rice pudding with one lucky almond; whoever get the nut received good fortune. Russians toss grain into people's homes for providence as they carol. Armenians make a wish on the Yule log when it's ignited and sometimes make divinations by the cinder patterns made afterward. Bohemians cut apples in half. If there's a perfect star in the center and it has plump seeds, it portends joy and good health. Finally, kiss someone under the mistletoe for a long, happy relationship. |
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| December 26 Boxing Day (various location) Pandora Themes: Hope; Prosperity; Wishes Symbols: Boxes About Pandora: Unlike the later associations with Pandora, this goddess's name means "all-giver" or "sender of gifts." And even when the evils of the world threaten, let us not forget that Pandora's box still, and always , holds hope. To Do Today: Unlike modern connotation of putting away boxes, the name for this holiday came from the old custom of tradespeople and servants carrying boxes today to receive gratuities. This is how we come by the tradition of Christmas bonuses! In keeping with this tradition, with a uniquely magickal twist, make a special wish box for yourself or your family today. Begin with any box that has a good lid. Fill it with special cloth and trinkets that represent your goal(s). Also place therein one object, herb, or stone to represent hope (basil and amethyst are two good choices). Decorate the exterior lavishly and leave it in a special place with a candle that you can light briefly each day. When a wish is fulfilled, carry the corresponding token to keep that energy with you or give it to someone who needs that specific vibration in their life. The token for hope, however, in the tradition of Pandora, never leaves the box, so that hope will always be part of your home. |
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| December 27 Kwanza (African-American) Odudua Themes: Kinship; Unity; Devotion; Creativity; Community; Love; Fertility Symbols: Black Items About Odudua: In the beginning, Odudua created the earth and its people. In Yorban tradition, she presides over all matters of fertility, love, and community. Her sacred color is black. To Do Today: This African American festival celebrates family unity and the black culture. It is also a harvest festival whose name means "first fruits." Every day of the celebration focuses on important themes, including Odudua's harmony, determination, community responsibility, purpose, creativity, and faith. One lovely tradition easily adapted is that of candle lighting. Each day of the festival, light one red, green, or black candle (the colors of Africa). Name the candle after one of Odudua's attributes you wish to develop (try to choose the color that most closely corresponds to your goal). Igniting it gives energy and visual manifestation to that principle. Also try to keep one black candle lit (in a safe container) to honor the goddess's presence during this time. To inspire Odudua's peaceful love in your heart and life today, wear something black. This will absorb the negativity around you and put it to rest. |
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| December 28 Feast of Fools (Europe) Thalia Themes: Humor; Festivity; Recreation Symbols: Party Decorations About Thalia: Among the Greek muses, Thalia is the goddess of festivity and humor. She inspires today's celebration with unbridled revelry and joyfulness to round out year on an upbeat, playful note. To Do Today: During the Middle Ages, around this time of year, a mock religious ritual took place, much like the impious Saturnalia. Normal roles were often reversed, and reverence went by the wayside, replaced by fun and pleasure. I see no reason not to follow the example of our ancestors and give ourselves time to frolic a bit today. Do something that energizes you, inspires you, or makes you laugh out loud. For example, throw yourself a party complete with a silly decorations and hats. Watch your favorite comedy flicks with a friend. Or, go out dancing, play video games, socialize with folks who make you feel good, and generally let Thalia live through (and in) your pleasure. To keep Thalia's playful, enthusiastic energy with you, bless an amethyst (for joy and luck), saying, Thalia, inspire my humor and muse; throughout my life, joy diffuse. Carry this with you anytime you feel your sense of humor waning. |
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| December 29 Ginem (Malay) Takel Themes: Banishing; Health; Protection; Harvest; Thankfulness; Kinship Symbols: Root Crops About Takel: In Malay, this goddess supports the heavens with a pillar from the center of her creation, the earth. Takel is the supreme goddess of agriculture and it abundance. She comes to us at the end of the old year to keep us healthy and well provided for in the new. To Do Today: Each December, people in Malay give thanks to the spirits for Takel's abundance and the success of families, and they pray for ongoing health, protection, and victory over any evils they may face. It is an example worth considering. Follow Malaysian custom and consume Takel's bounty today through luscious feast. As you take the first slice or serving of any entree, set it aside for the goddess. Don't forget to include root crops, especially yams or sweet potatoe, in your feast today. These are some the Takel's sacred foods, and they will fill your heart with an abundance of love. Later, after dinner has settled, dance in a joyful manner, being thankful for what you have instead of worrying about what you don't. Takel will join you in that dance, and the energy it generates will empower the next year with health, prosperity, and unity. |
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| December 30 Halcyon Days (Greece) Iris Themes: Winter; Peace; Protection; Air; Mediation; Promises; Beginnings Symbols: Rainbow; Water About Iris: This Greek messenger tot he gods traverses between the earth and heavens, appearing as a winged maiden on a shining, hopeful rainbow. In this form she represents the calm after the storm-the end of the year's activities and the advent of a new beginning. Traditional offerings to her include figs, cakes, wheat, and honey. In some stories it was Iris's job to gather water from the underworld for use in taking sacred oaths. To Do Today: The word halcyon comes from a legendary bird that builds its nest on the ocean in the winter, sedating the winds with its song to safeguard its young. Thus, the week before and after the winter solstice are said to bear both the halcyon's and Iris's calm ambiance and hopeful demeanor. To inspire an improved outlook, find a rainbow sun catcher and put it in a window today so that Iris's radiance can fill your home. Get an extra one for your car (or maybe a rainbow-colored air freshener), so you can keep that energy with you throughout the day. For another aromatic approach, open a window briefly today and let Iris fly in on wngs of change and refreshment. Burn some violet or lavender incense as you do. These two aromatics accentuate this goddess's vibration. |
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| December 31 Hekate's Day (Greece/Rome) Hekate Themes: Moon; Beginnings; Magick Symbols: Serpent; Horse or Dog (her sacred animals); Light (specifically a torch); Myrrh; Silver; Moonstone About Hekate: This Greco-Roman goddess rules the moon and opportunities. Tonight she opens the path through which the old year departs and the new enters. People customarily worship Hekate at crossroads, where worlds meet, which may be why she became a witch's goddess. On this, her festival day, she bears a torch, lighting the way to the future. To Do Today: At the eve of a new year, take a moment and pat yourself on the back for a full year of goddess-centered thinking and action. Note your achievements, and thank Hekate for helping you find the way when your vision seemed clouded. An additional benefit here is that speaking this goddess's name today banishes unwanted ghosts, including those figurative ghosts of past negative experiences. Let Hekate take those burdens so your new year will begin without anything holding you back. To accent this goddess's powers in your life throughout your celebrations today, wear white or silver items, and light a white candle in her honor. For a token that will emphasize Hekate's magick and lunar energies whenever you need them, bless a moonstone, saying, Hekate, fill this silver stone; keep your magick wiht me where're I roam. Carry this keeping the goddess close to your heart and spirit. Happy New Year! |
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December 17 Hanukkah (Jewish) Sephira Themes: Miracles; Victory; Success; Overcoming Symbols: Light About Sephira: This ancient Cabalistic goddess embodies divine light-the active, energetic power that flows through the Universe in all directions. Thus, it is no coincidence that the ten spheres on teh Tree of Life are salled Sephira, for this goddess guides our way and path with her radiance. To Do Today: This festival commemorates the rebellion of the Jews against the Syrians, in which a miracle took place. A small bottle of oil stayed lit for eight days, keeping the temple consecrated until more oil could be brought. Since Sephira is the light of miracles, today's a good time to focus on seeminly impossible goals or situations that you may dreams; reconsider the logistics of those circumstances. If thre is a better way to approach things, Sephira will illuminate that path or options for you in your meditations. Make sure to turn on light source today, and open curtains to let natural light into your home. Symbolically, this welcomes Sephira's active power into your spiritual life and quest. Also consider following with Jewish tradition and giving coins to friends or family. These tokens draw financial security. Or, eat potato pancakes for providence. |
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December 18 Mesa de Gallo (Philippines) Ikapati Themes: Prayer; Harvest; Thanksgiving; Luck; Protection; Banishing; Health; Energy; Protection Symbols: Harvested Foods
About Kiapati: In the language of the Phillipines, this goddess's name literally means "giver of food," making her the provider of today's feast! She diligently promotes abundance of fields and crops, and she protects farm animals from disease. To Do Today: When the sun begins to rise today, people take to the streets with all manner of noise makers to invoke Ikapati's protection and to banish evil influences that might hinder next year's crops. Effectively, even in more Christianized forms, this is a lavish harvest festival in which Filipinos tank the divine for their fortune and food, which is always a worthy endeavor. We can join the festivities today by earting the customary rice cakes to internalize Ikapati's providence and drinking this meal to invite the goddess to join you at the table. Just leave her a plate and cup filled with a portion of whatever you have. Tonight, consign this offering to the earth, where Ikapati dwells (or to your compost heap), and whisper a wish for improved luck to the soil. The goddess will then accept the gift and turn it into positive energy fo the planet and your life. |
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December 19 Pongol ( India) Makara Sankranti Themes: Blessing Offering; Mediation; Earth; Sun; Thanksfulness; Love; Passion; Abundance Symbols: Water; Light; Soil; Caves About Makara Sankranti: This is Makara Sankranti's festival day. After many months of slumber, this mother goddess awakens from the earth's womb to restore love, abundance, and passion in our lives through scared rituals, over which she presides. To Do Today: Pongol is a three-day harvest ceelbration with several "borrowable" traditions that venerate both Makara Sankranti and the holiday. Begin witha ritual cleasing and blessings your home in any manner suited to your tradition. This keeps relationships strong and banishes sickness. Bathing sacred cows today also brings prosperity. This might translate into washign the image of a cow; your images of the goddess, or even a speical coin to improve financial stability. In terms of an offering for the goddess, sweet rice is customary, followed by an afternoon of kit flying so that he burdens in your life will become as light as the wind! For people in four-season climates, it might be too cold for kit flying today, so just release a little of the goddess's soil to the wind and ask her to take your problems away, replacing them with solid relationships and success. |
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December 20 Chinese Winter Solstice (China) Xi Hou Themes: Kinship; Longevity; Unity; Divination; Weather
Symbols: Sunlight; Gold Dragons
About Xi Hou: As the CHinese mother of the sun, this goddess joins our festivities today to celebrate her child's rebirth. Each monring Xi Hou diligently bathes one of ten suns in the lake of creation so it can shine in purity, and then she puts it on top of the rees, where it's received by the dragon chariot that moves the sun across the sky. To Do Today: Consider following Chinese custom, and rejoice in the solstice by gathering in the kitchen with your housemates and leaving offerings of chopsticks, oranges, incense, and candles for unity and long life for all those gathered. Open a curtain to let the sunlight flood in, then thank Xi Hou for her child and its warmth. Also, at some point during the day, enjoy some Oriental-style dumplings (dim sum) for kinship. Among the favorite activities today are weather prophecies. Go outside and see what direction the wind is coming from. An east wind portends trouble, west winds indicate the ripening of an effort or a god grain crop, south winds counsel watching your money, as the harvest will be poor (don't invest in crop shares!), and north winds foretell bounty. Red clouds rveal that your personal energy will wane and droughts may follow, black clouds predict floods, yellow clouds precede prosperity and abundant crops, and white clouds reveal arguments or wars. |
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December 21 Capricorn Begins (Various Location) Amaltheia Themes: Success; Humore; Reason; Devotion; Providence Symbols: Goat; Cornucopia; Stars About Amaltheia: In greek mythology, this she-goat goddess nourished Zeus as an infant. In later year, Zeus broke off on of her horns, which because the cornucopia, providing sustenance for all earth's creatures. For her diligence and service, Amaltheia was transformed into the constellation Capricorn, where she remains. To Do Today: This astrological sign begins on the first day of winter with the power of logic and reason to guide action, balanced by a keen sense of humor when the going gets tough. Those born under this sign strive tenaciously for success, like the stubborn goat they are. To improve your personal tenacity, make a paper horn filled with fruit. From now until the end of the year, eat a piece of fruit each day named after the area of your life in which you need Amaltheia's diligence. Take that energy with you each day so that by the end of the year you will achieve success. Other ways to emphasizing Amaltheia's power include keeping the image of a goat (perhaps cut out of a magazine, or one made of stone) on your altar or in another place of honor today, carrying fortitude-inspiring herbs like gingerroot and carnation, or tucking in your pocket for the day stones that inspire victory (like marble). |
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December 22 Winter Solstice (Various Location) Cailleach Bheur Themes: Balance; cycles; rebirth; overcoming; winter Symbols: Snow; Blue items About Cailleahc Bheur: In Scottish tradition, this is a blue-faced crone goddess who blusters with power throughout the winter months. She brings the snow and cold until the wheel of time turns toward spring on Beltane (May day). To Do Today: Just as darkness seems to be winning, the Crone goddess stirs in the earth's womb inspires hope. She knows that the time for her rebirth as a young woman will come in spring, when she will fertilize the earth. For now, however, the first step is renewing the sun, whose light will begin to get stronger. Since this goddess is one of cold honesty, wear something blue today to encourage personal reserve, control, and truth with yourself throughout the day. In keeping with the themes of this celebration, try thsi mini ritual: In the morning, cover you altar or a table with a yellow cloth (maybe a napkin or placemat) to represent the sun. Place a blue candle in a central a location on the table, along with a bowl of snow to represent Cailleach Bheur and winter. As the candle burns with the light of the sun, the wax skrinks and this goddess's snow melt, giving way once more to the power of warmth and light. Keep the remnant wax and remelt it for any spells in which you need a cooler head. Pour the water from the snow outside to rejoin the goddess. |
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December 23 Larentalia (Rome) Larunda Themes: Earth; Home; Ghosts Symbols: Stove or oven; Soil or Clay About Larunda: Lara is one of the Roman goddesses of earth adn the home. She is also the mother and guardian to ghosts, or lares, who reside in the hearth and protect the family. Traditionally, today is her festival day. To Do Today: In Rome, this day was a time to say prayers for the dead and the nation, as well as to bring joy to ones's home. In keeping with this tradition, convey words like these to Larunda: Larunda, hear my words. Bless the spirits of those who have gone on before me, and grant them serenity. Bless also my nation, that is may know
peace prosperity this year and always. Finally, bless my home with your happiness, prosperity, and love. Let all who visit or dwell within feel your presence and protection surrounding them. Thank you for these blessings. Amen To invoke both Larunda's and the lares' blessing on your residence, leave a small jar of soil somewhere near your oven, micorwave, toaster, or heater and say, Larunda, lares', this house bless, with your warmth and gentlenes. Whenever tensions in the house reach a boiling point, take a pinch of salt outside and dispose of it . This releases the magick and symbolically gets rid of the problems. Don't look back |
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December 24 Nother Night (Europe) Eguski Themes: Femininity; Birth; Renewal Symbols: Dawn; Daylight About Eguski: In Basque tradition, this daughter of the earth is the solar disk and the eye of God, being beautiful, warm, and welcoming. Eguski continues to embrace her mother in golden arms each day, gathering us in the glow. To Do Today: The night before Christmas was Mother Night, when the goddess prepares once more to give birth to Eguski and growing daylight. It is traditionally a time to enjoy the goddess's energy for personal renewal and to show appreciation to mothers everywhere with their life-giving power. Take a moment out of your day to call your mom and say thanks - thanks for giving you life, for nurturing you , for passsing on family traditions, for the important lessons she taught. Also take a moment to thank Eguski for her blessings in some way that suits your vision and path. Pray, chant, sing, meditate, light a candle. Ask her for another year filled with goddess magick and miracles! To encourage Eguski's renewal an warmth every day, rise early this morning and wait for sunrise. As the first beams of light caress the horizon, open our arms and hug the goddess. Feel the energy and power in those rays to transform and overcome anything you may face. Gather the goddess into your heart for now and always. |
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