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Whispered stories, lost symbols, and the creation of humanity found during my trip at Fort Snelling

As I stepped out of my car and put my feet onto the land that for 10,000 years has been known as the most sacred place in the United States, if not the Earth to the Dakota people. My body couldn’t help but, shake as my soul felt an embrace that overwhelmed me with a sense of home I had never known. As the energy of the land wrapped it’s arms around me I began to take in all that I could see. The trees standing taller then the ones near my home being tapped for their sap. The family of deer laying down in the wooded glen knowing they would be safe here on this land. The multi colored layers of sediment and rock as the only reminder of the ancient seas that once were here. Although I couldn’t see it yet, bdote was already beckoning my feet to start walking or running to where the mighty two rivers meet. Keeping the sands and clay used as the mold to shape all of humanity safe. The top of the geometric, war torn, keeper of history and hidden symbols; Fort Snelling was peeking at me from it’s strategic perch at the top of the bluff. Waiting for me to climb to the top and hear the stories locked within it’s walls. Walk the paths of the Dakota peoples most sacred land alongside me and hear the stories they both whispered and wept to me.

Where is Fort Snelling?

Before we walk down the paths running along these sacred rivers together I should make sure you know where those paths are. If you have never heard of this fort and National park you definitely won’t know. But, even if you have I still want to double check because, I have spent my whole life about 2 hours from it and had no idea it was here until this year! Let alone how important it was and it’s very extensive history. So, where are we? Well, we are in the heart of the Midwest within the United States. In the land of harsh cold, piles of snow, humid summers, and 10,000 lakes; the stare of Minnesota. Otherwise know to the Dakota peoples as “Mni Sota Makoce,” which translates to “the land where the water reflects the skies”. The fort itself is situated on a bluff overlooking two rivers, near Minneapolis and St. Paul, and is an unorganized territory within Hennepin County. The two rivers the fort overlooks are very special; one being the longest river in the united states the Mississippi. Than the other one being the third largest river in Minnesota, even being named after the state itself. Not only are they special due to their size, but at this exact spot is where the two mighty rivers meet and converge. Making this piece of land a very magical, spiritual, powerful, and strategic place to be.

Why the meeting of two rivers at fort Snelling is important?

So, why exactly does the fact that these two rivers meet matter so much? Why does it make this land so important? These long and important two rivers meeting here made it a place throughout history that was special and strategic for many reasons. It made this a place where the stories of many crossed paths here over the centuries. Including the Dakota, Ojibwe, enslaved people, fur traders, immigrants, and soldiers. The two rivers meeting here made it an ideal place for trade to happen allowing for those in the area to prosper. Even using the power and force of the river to transport wood down it making construction to expand easier as well. The two rivers created a landscape that had fertile lands full of resources. It made the land easy to defend allowing those who called the state home to keep their territory and families safe.

The sacred Dakota land Bdote

Not only was this land important because of the convergence of two major rivers within the state, this specific convergence was the location of a very sacred one for the first peoples to live on the land. While bdote can refer to any place where waters converge, many Dakota people consider this location as a sacred place of creation. In one of the most accepted creation myths amongst the people this spot is the first spot they stepped foot on Earth. After their long journey down the “Caŋku Wanaġi” or spirit road; starting from the seven stars of Orion’s belt, arriving at the convergence of the rivers through the milky way. It’s the place where the great creator picked up the unique clay like soil of “Maka Ina” or grandmother Earth in this spot. Then used it to mold and shape the first Dakota peoples with their spirits. It then became the place the Dakota tribes later spread out to establish the sacred sites in the surrounding areas. Although, later on the history of the land becomes steeped in darkness, blood, and loss. The land was taken away by colonizers, followed by resistance and hangings. Dakota elders now describes the Bdote as “where everything began and where everything began changing.” Which I could certainly feel as I stood on the bank where those two rivers meet with the trees standing strong behind me. We hold our lands sacred, but these lands are more sacred because of the history, because of the myth and the energies in the land.

There is a sense of duality in the land with it being the beginning of the Dakota peoples humanity here on Earth and the place where their people almost perished completely. Creating a sacredness that seeps into your soul faster then you can almost handle. For me, it brought tears to my eyes, stories whispered only my soul could hear, and a feeling like I was being recreated. Like a piece of me was returning back to a place it’s been before. A place that meant so much to it, it came rushing forward at it’s chance to be reunited again. As I walked among the trees, stopping to embrace the ones calling me to them; I listened to what each one had to say. Revealing to me that this was a place many have spent searching for while the Dakota always knew it was here. This was their garden of Eden, their place of origin, a place for sacred stories to be stored. This was a place to become whole, to unlock wisdom, and to reconnect to grandmother Earth.

History and use of the Fort

Once you move past the river bank and make your way up the bluff you move towards the fort itself. As you walk up to the stone fortress walls and take in the sight of the intimidating, awe inspiring, and weathered site of the fort; you can’t help but catch your breath. I was blown away at how big this structure was. to me it felt more like a citadel or small city then a fort. I was mesmerized at how old it looked and how strategically it was nestled into the bluff looking down at the land and two rivers below. As I got closer I only became more impressed by the number of buildings stretching out in front of me and confused at how I didn’t know this was here. With the number of buildings, the level of craftsmanship, and the energy coming off the land it was abundantly clear to me this place was more then important, but sacred and vital to my states existence. Which is why the entire way up here my family and I had been listening to the history I will tell you about now below.

The stone fort was constructed in the 1820’s and situated to help dissuade the British from encroaching on the Northwest part of our young country and for the protection of fur traders. The fort was initially named Fort Saint Anthony, but it was renamed Fort Snelling, after its architect and first commandant Colonel Josiah Snelling, when its construction was completed in 1825. The fort served to protect the fur trade and maintain stability between the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The fort was closed in 1858 after the US placed forts further West. Fort Snelling reopened during the Civil War to serve as a rendezvous point and training center for volunteer soldiers. During this period of time, Fort Snelling was also part of the Dakota War of 1862. As wars go, this one was short, over and done with in about six short weeks. But it was very bloody. In no other war in U. S. history were as many civilians killed in such a short time. This short time is a pretty dark chapter of the fort’s history with the fort playing a role in the removal of the Dakota from their sacred home land. For a time, the fort even served as an internment camp for the noncombatant Dakota. Housing mainly women and children. 38 of the residents were later moved to Mankato by order of Abraham Lincoln to be executed by hanging.

Today there is no physical sign of the internment camp. Except for a few placards where the history is taught and the square patch of land that is barren and still outlined by the trees. But, as I walked this part of the land next to the fort overwhelming tears had fallen from my eyes. Because the despair, the feeling of displacement, the loss of home and a sense of hope was still hanging heavy in the air, soaked in the ground, and hanging from the tree branches. The only other remnant you will find of this time is a memorial of a pipestone placed in front of the now visitor center for the state park. That is far away from where the internment camp was. This memorial is meant to commemorate the 1,600 Dakota people, including women and children, who were imprisoned there after the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War including the almost 300 who died. The issue with this memorial is it leaves a bad taste in your mouth, tears in your eyes and anger in your heart. Because, on this memorial I noticed how we had to hurt the tribes of the Dakota one more time with the words we engraved into it. We engraved each and every tribe name that was banned and exiled from their lands along with the word banned still written underneath it. Leaving a permanent written reminder of what was taken from them. The part that brought the most tears to my eyes was instead of honoring the lives of those we had allowed to die while we held them there ; we engraved the pipestone with the word half breeds. Reading those words became the second time in my life I felt overwhelming shame and disgust for being from Minnesota and what my people had done. Later, in the Fort’s history they made an attempt to make up for the losses they had caused by saving some lives. When Fort Snelling had a critical roll as a hospital for soldiers wounded in WWI an WWII.

Historical Significance of the fort throughout time

  • National Historic Landmark
  • Military Fortification
  • Site of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
  • Rendezvous point for military forces
  • “Citadel in the wilderness”
  • “National Treasure”
  • Bdot
  • Dakota Homeland
  • site of Dakota internment camp
  • Sacred confluence of rivers
  • Crossroads of two major river highways of the fur trade
  • Used as a Hospital to treat the wounded and sick during WWI and WWII
  • After WWII was used as a Japanese language school for Japanese Americans relocated from Internment camps
  • more than 25,000 troops to the South to preserve the Union and eliminate slavery
  • The third infantry the oldest in the U.S military served here briefly

Fort Snelling’s relationship with slavery

By the 1830s slavery was against the law throughout the north, and by entering Free Territory, an enslaved person was legally free. However, these laws were ignored at forts across the North, including Fort Snelling. On any given year between 15 and 30 enslaved people cooked, cleaned, and did laundry and other household chores for officers at the fort. In 1836, a doctor brought an enslaved person, a man named Dred Scott, to live at the fort where he met and soon married another enslaved person, Harriet Robinson. They were here in free territory but they were here as slaves and yet this fort, along with Fort Armstrong in Illinois, allowed them to sue for their freedom because they had been in free territory for a significant amount of time. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, writing the majority decision in 1857, declared that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories. The Dred Scott decision inflamed passions in a nation that had become bitterly divided over slavery. This was such a critical, pivotal situation that they found themselves in. It divided a nation. It caused a war; the civil war. In 1861, the Civil War began. Minnesota had been the first state to offer troops for the Union Army. Fort Snelling even served as the central rendezvous and training center for Minnesota’s 25-thousand Civil War soldiers who would end up serving in the war.

Fort Snelling Memorial chapel

As we continued to walk past the fort, past the site of the internment camp, and the building for the museum a smaller building caught our eyes. This building was tucked off to the side with a cross on top, one lonely grave, and vibrant colored stained glass windows. We had come across the Christian church and chapel that now sits on top of Dakota sacred land. This chapel was covered on the outside with art and symbols telling the stories of the history of the white settlers of the land and the years of military service and history. You could see the templar inspired crosses in the stone, and the depictions of war heroes who had served at this post in the colorful windows. As we peered in through the windows you could see something I have never seen inside of church here in my state before. Instead of seeing religious symbols dominating the church I could see military regiment symbols, items, and flags decorating the interior. When looking closer one of the stained glass windows bears the coat of arms of the Third Infantry Regiment, oldest in the U.S. Army, who was once stationed at Fort Snelling. Which reminded me of what we heard the dedication of this specific chapel was intended to be from the beginning. This would be a place where the Veteran is Remembered. Chaplain Frank C. Rideout who had been an inspiration for its construction stated, “Primarily the Chapel will be a house of worship, but it will be much more – it is a unique and distinctive Minnesota memorial, a splendid monument to the patriotism, the moral earnestness and the convictions of the people of this state. It will be a perpetual reminder of their appreciation of those who made the supreme sacrifice in all our great wars. It will provide a shrine where the friends of those who have died for America may come, as on a holy pilgrimage, and offer up their thanks to Almighty God for the precious gift of friends who have been so fondly loved, and are now lost awhile.”

As I took in the sense of patriotism and pride I could feel at this spot and how it differed from any other church I had been to we continued to walk towards the entrance. That is when at the same time my eyes notice the white marble calling as a beacon for me to walk over to that I heard the little girls voice giggling as she played. Walking closer to the white marble sticking out of the ground that could only be a grave marker, I could feel her running around me and heading towards my son. Excited to have a little one to run too and play with. As I got close enough to finally read my jaw actually dropped at what it had to say. The little girl running around just wanting to play was the daughter of the colonel whom designed the fort and it was named after; Elizabeth Snelling . According to the inscription I was reading, her remains had been interned and consecrated here to honor the death of the first white children born on Minnesota soil. Apparently this was so important and such a point of pride this was the inscription for her final resting place instead of beloved daughter or any term of endearment. The sense of pride in settling and defending this land for the good of the white man is evident everywhere I look and in the energy I could feel surrounding this chapel as I walked away.

The fort today

The 2000 census listed Fort Snelling as an unorganized territory, meaning that it is officially not part of any state or country which is the most interesting thing I can find about it today. Other then that, I am told that when you visit during certain months like from memorial day to labor day you can gain entrance to the museum, the fort, and you will even see reenactors walking around. I am told that you can even get a very detailed tour as well. A tour of the fort buildings includes a lot of original and reconstructed evidence of what life at the fort was like during the earliest days of its establishment and up through the Civil War. Exhibits include reconstructions of the early life at the fort such as squad barracks of spare bunk beds, married enlisted men’s quarters, an officer’s somewhat less sparse accommodations, all the way up to the commandant’s home, complete with a dining room set with fine china. But, I didn’t get to see any of this during this trip. Because, I went in February when all of this was closed. We plan on going back so we can experience the inside of the fort as much as we have the land it sits on, the exterior of the fort, and all the structures around it.

While we couldn’t get into the fort on our first trip there was still so much to take in and learn about this towering stone structure just from the outside. From the symbolism of power being displayed in the massive red doors to enter the citadel. To the intimidating circle tower known as the Round Tower. that it is said used to house a cannon still standing as one of the oldest parts of the fort. As your eyes scan the many different buildings of the fort you see the mix of styles in architecture including Georgian, brick barracks, and stone structures. You see the stone walls and towers, strategically built in round and hexagonal shapes designed for the best possible defense. Plus the nearly mile-long row of yellow brick barracks on the far side of Taylor Avenue, built for the Spanish-American War. Reflecting its role as a military outpost and later, a key location for military operations and medicinal healing. Walking around all of these buildings with my fingers gliding along the stones and bricks, I couldn’t help but, feel a mix of things. The pride of the people who had built this place, lived here, and defended it with their lives to help allow my home state to thrive. But, also the sadness, the despair, and the hopelessness of those who came here against their will and the souls of the ill who never left. The immense loss of the sacred birthplace of the Dakota people who were meant to be the keepers of this land. While also feeling the comfort coming from the blue lights of spirits coming to walk besides me.

Final Thoughts

Today the fort exists as a symbol, one of pride and strength to some, to others, one of struggle and imprisonment. Fort Snelling also symbolizes both the expansion and exploitation of the region by the United States, and the intertwined histories of Black and Native people in what is now Minnesota. Fort Snelling is like this living breathing artifact. When you walk the grounds it produces a visceral feeling. Minnesota’s and America’s history is here on this land. People died on those grounds at Fort Snelling. People were confined. There were hardships as well as many noble things in defense of our country in times of war. From the day this area was taken by the U.S. in 1805, the fort has been a direct point of contact between Dakota people and the United States as a whole. The fort serves as a symbol and an actual demonstration of how Dakota-U.S. relations developed in the 1800’s and after. But the fact that it was built to be a symbol of the American empire is clear. The fact that it was the source of death and crimes against the Dakota people is also clear. It is a wounded site. Dakota people were imprisoned here. Dakota people died here. Recognition of the pain inflicted on the Dakota by the white settlers is still evident all over the site today even and too many outside the Dakota communities are completely unaware. I myself was until I started doing my research for this trip. So, if you can make a trip to this sacred and historical place; do it. I know I will be going back.

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Hestia; Invite peace, generosity, and harmony into your hearth with the keeper of the eternal flame

Our ancestors needed fire to stay alive. They needed it for warmth, to cook their food and brew their medicinal remedies. They needed a fireplace or hearth to light and keep that fire burning for all these much needed things to survive. Even today living in Minnesota your hearth is an important place for our long , harsh, and cold winter months we experience here. We light them to heat up our homes, connect us to hope, and create a festive environment for the holidays with their dancing lights. Our hearth is a sacred and magical space for us to meet at as we light up our homes with it’s creative, protective, purifying, and generous energy. When we are at this sacred space within our home we have the ability to connect to one of the most compassionate, generous, forgiving, and peaceful Greek goddesses we can work with; Hestia. Hestia is the sole attendant to the celestial hearth of the gods. As the goddess of the hearth, she personified the fire burning in the hearths of every home in Greece. Plus she was at the heart of the each city burning bright in the communal hearth at the center of town. On a very tangible level, Hestia rules the domain of fire. This means that she is directly responsible, at least according to the Greeks, for the fire, the stove, and the heat in your home. Which means she has a great impact on our family matters as well. Come join me as the fire is dancing in your hearth filling your home with protection, peace, and gentleness as we learn about Hestia in this blog post.

Who is Hestia?

Hestia’s presence fills a room with her wise, grounded energy, and her emotional maternal warmth is open, eternal, and strong. Hestia knows who she is and what she wants. She knows what is most important in her life and that’s what she centers her life around. She is calm, wise, and mature. She represents our spiritual core, and our connection with something deeper. That feeds us from the inside out like the eternal divine flame that she keeps. Hestia exemplifies the calm at the core of one’s being. When you need some quiet time alone, you long for her embrace as you sit next to the eternal flame. She is one of the original 12 Olympians in the Greek pantheon. But, later on in myths, Hestia gave up her throne for Dionysus. This is why some today consider her the secret 13th god of mount Olympus. Not only that alongside Artemis and Athena she is considered one of only three virginal goddesses putting her in a place of modesty, purity, and innocence in many myths and stories. Her most important role she is referred to in a Homeric hymn as “chief among goddesses”. Hestia was a very important goddess in the everyday life of the Greeks. Hestia is the Goddess of the Hearth Fire, Goddess of the Home, First and Last, Goddess of Domestic Order, Goddess of the state, and Goddess of Service and Devotion.

Hestia the keeper of the eternal flame

Hestia is known as the keeper of the sacred flame. This comes from Socrates when he describes his view of the cosmos. He saw it as ten divine celestial bodies [planets] that rhythmically rotated” around a Divine Fire, which was the center of the cosmos. That Divine Fire was Hestia, she was the hearth of the universe. Her flame symbolizes the continuity of life, community, and the divine spark within each person. You will also often see her referenced as the goddess of the sacrificial flame as which meant she received a share of every sacrifice to the gods. In many homes and public temples, the first sacrifice was given to Hestia before all other deities. It was said if you wanted your hearth to be lit all winter long you needed to give her the first piece of the best meat of every meal and especially on sacred festivals and holidays. Some say this is due to her being the eternal flame. While others say it’s because of her commitment to being chaste. So, Zeus made this a decree as a reward for all to honor her dedication.

Hestia the goddess of the hearth

Hestia is goddess of the hearth and this is the primary place she prefers to reside. Actually, her name itself means “hearth” or “altar.” This was a very prominent place in the life of every Greek to hold. In both the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” the hearth is more than a source of warmth and nourishment; it is the heart of the household. A sacred space where gods are honored and familial bonds are reinforced. This reverence for the hearth reflects Hestia’s domain. Highlighting the significance of her role in fostering the bonds of kinship and hospitality from the hearth of each and every home. As the goddess of the hearth; Hestia also symbolizes the importance of creating sacred space within one’s home by honoring the fire that turns wood to ashes and re –kindles itself, resurrecting what was once dead.

Hestia the goddess of home

As the goddess of the family and hearth she watches over the home as a protective matriarch. She also presided over the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family meal. Her commitment to family and community is unbreakable. As the goddess of the home, she fosters connections and ensures that bonds remain strong. She has the unique gift of fostering unity. She symbolized the family and community bond. Her presence at the hearth ensured peace and harmony, causing families to come together and strangers to become friends around the warmth of the fireplace of every home.

Hestia the goddess of the state

Many Greek cities and states had their own patron god. For example, Athens had Athena. However, Hestia was the goddess of the state in general. Her domain tied back to the role of the hearth in public life and the idea of a city as an extended family. Each city had a sacred fire dedicated to Hestia for use during festivals. The fire of this public hearth was also used for all state sacrifices and offerings. The maintenance of the hearth was an important duty, as an extinguished fire was a bad omen for the city. I also feel she was given this role to honor her significance as the chieftain goddess among the gods and goddesses. Plus her ability to stay calm, and neutral l in all matters of conflict among the gods is a great quality for the state to have and want to embody as well.

Family and Origin

As with every other deity I have written about her origin and family history is shrouded in a bit of smoky history with different versions to be found. Most agree that Hestia was the eldest daughter of the Titans Rhea and Cronus. She was sister to Demeter, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, and Zeus. Because of her commitment to be chaste unlike other goddesses she has no consorts, no lovers, no husband and no children.

Myths and legends

During one of the most important myths of Greek culture; the Titanomachy; when Zeus over throws his father Cronus to become the king of the Olympian Greek pantheon. Hestia is directly mentioned as well. She is listed as the first of the siblings Cronus swallowed and the last to emerge again from the depths of his belly. So, technically she is not only the eldest and first born of the Olympians but, also the youngest and the last to be born as well. Placing her in a very dualistic place within the Olympic pantheon. While also tying her to the creative and destructive force that is the element of fire.

Her Vow of Virginity
She was pursued by both Poseidon and Apollo, who desired to marry her. Despite their advances, she chose to remain a virgin goddess. She made a solemn vow to Zeus, promising to remain chaste and dedicate herself to the service of mankind and the gods. Her vow symbolized her commitment to her role as the goddess of the hearth and her focus on community and family.

Giving Up Her Seat on Mount Olympus
In a selfless act that underscores the goddess’s gentle nature, she gave up her seat on Mount Olympus to Dionysus when he was accepted as one of the Twelve Olympians. This act wasn’t about relinquishing power but about ensuring harmony and balance among the gods. She continued to tend the sacred hearth in Olympus, maintaining her important role solo.

Her aid to Prometheus

Hestia secretly helped Prometheus steal fire from the Olympian hearth to give to humans. She did this by simply turning a blind eye to his actions. Allowing him to steal the eternal flame as she tended to it and gift it to all of us humans. Her aid wasn’t just about lighting hearths; it was a game-changer for humanity. With fire, people could cook, stay warm, and forge tools; essentially kickstarting civilization.

Her attempted rape
The Roman poet Ovid recounted one story in which the vegetation god Priapus tried to rape the virgin Hestia. Finding Hestia sleeping in the woods, Priapus approached her stealthily with the intention of having his way with her. But a donkey suddenly brayed nearby, waking the goddess. When the other gods learned of Priapus’ intentions, they banished him from their gatherings. He was sent to live in the forest with the woodland gods, far from Mount Olympus.

Worship of Hestia

Hestia’s worship was widespread and mainly upheld within the home. Within them families would honor her at their central hearth, at the very heart of each home. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of references showing entire temples in her dedication or priesthoods like we find with many of the Greek goddesses. Although there is a vague mention of a Hestia priestess in one ancient source. The most I can find really documented about her is connected to her roman counter part Vesta, the temple of vesta, the vestal virgins, and the festival Vestalia, which I talk about below. Plus mentioning’s of sacrifices being left for her at the hearth in the central of town. I bet she was worshipped in almost every single temple though. Typically, every main temple had its own hearth which meant Hestia presided and ruled there as well. Essentially she was worshipped all over the city where she received many of the cities’ sacrifices. Her job was crucial to the survival of the entire community. Her loving, peaceful embrace was present and was felt by every citizen in every home.

Vestalia

Her own festival for her counter part in Rome was known as the Vestalia. The Vestalia, was celebrated from June 7 to 15. During the festival, violets and bread were hung in garlands on donkeys. As the hearth is used to bake, the bread was representative of the goddess. The donkeys symbolized the story of the god Priapus, who attempted to rape the goddess but was frightened by the braying of a donkey and scared away . At the end of the festival, on the 15th of June, the Temple of Vesta was cleaned. On the 9th it is said, the matrons of the town walked barefooted in procession to her temple, to ask for the blessing of the goddess for their households, and to offer sacrifice to her in rude dishes, in remembrance of the time when the hearth served generally for the baking of bread.

Who is Vesta and the Vestal virgins?

Hestia’s Roman counterpart is known as Vesta and has very similar qualities as keeper of the flame. She was just as prominent in Roman culture as Hestia was in Greece. Maybe even more so with one of the most important temples in the city being dedicated to her; the temple of Vesta. With the largest temple comes some of the most important priestesses tending it; they were known as the vestal virgins. I honestly can’t talk about Hestia without talking about these badass women of Rome. I say badass because, I really respect their devotion to make a different path for themselves as women and create their own fate through service. These women were some of the most sought often women who had their very OWN fortunes of wealth. Which was almost unheard-of for women in ancient Rome.

So, who were the Vestal virgins?

They were the priestesses who lived in and served the temple of vesta. The women chosen for the great privilege and responsibility of tending the Temple of Vesta were typically selected from the daughters of Rome’s most noble families. There were 6 Vestals at any one time, and the group of girls eligible for the role was chosen by the Pontifex Maximus when they were between 6 and 10 years old. When they started their service they were contracted for 30 years in total commitment to not only the goddess and temple but, to all the people of Rome. During those 30 years they were required to remain chaste while performing their duties. If they were to have an infraction of any of their vows or duties the punishment was brutal. In his account of the Chief Vestal Cornelia being subjected to this punishment under the emperor Domitian, Pliny the Younger describes how the condemned Vestal was led into an underground chamber, given a small amount of bread and water, and then sealed up forever, condemned to a horrible death by suffocation or dehydration in the pitch dark. But, if they were being dutiful they got a lot of perks. one of the favorites being; having prominent seats at sporting events at the Coliseum. Most importantly, however, was the fact that the Vestals were not under the supervision of their fathers like other Roman women, and had the right to own property as well as disbursing their estates (their access to the wealthy allowed them to amass was another perk) as they saw fit in their wills. This was huge for a woman in ancient Rome! This is why I call them badasses! After their 30 years of service had expired, the Vestals retired from their role and were given a pension too. Allowing them to continue to build even more wealth. She was then even permitted to marry a suitable noblemen that the Pontifex Maximus found for her. This meant she was able to get out of the control of her family and father forever while also moving up in social status through marriage AND her own fortune she had amassed.

So what were their duties? Their primary and most important duty was to keep the communal flame in the hearth of the temple lit. This duty placed them in high regards among the people of the city making them some of the most prominent women in all of society. Rome even allowed them to give legal testimony and evidence in a court of law without ever having to swear a legal Oath either. Since their word has held in such high esteem. It was even said if you injured a Vestal virgin you were sentenced to death. This was because if the fire was extinguished for any reason at any time, it was a harbinger of trouble for the ENTIRE city. Not only did they keep the fire lit, they also performed other duties around the temple and they helped lead at least 9 major religious festivals throughout the year for the city. The Vestals also performed other important tasks within the space of the Temple itself. One of the most mysterious of these was their custodianship of the storeroom known as the penus vestae, a sacred symbolic space whose secret contents were said to be related to Rome’s origins. The Vestals were also tasked with the production of a ritual substance known as the mola salsa, used in various purification ceremonies, as well as safeguarding the wills of important Romans, including those of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and the Emperor Augustus.

What does Hestia look like?

Hestia is a personification of the hearth and the fire within, so many who work with her reference her manifesting in that way. However, there are some ancient pieces of pottery and sculptures that depict Hestia as a beautiful young woman, usually with long brunette tresses, dressed modestly with a veil. In some depictions I see her holding a kettle or cauldron to sit over the hearth. I myself have seen her presented as versions of both. Her beautiful young woman form usually is present when I am doing inner child work or blessing my home with kitchen magic for my family guiding my hands in recipes.

Summary facts about Hestia

  • She was a sibling to Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, and Zeus.
  • She was primarily known as the Goddess of the Hearth.
  • Of all the gods and goddesses, she was considered the gentlest, mildest and most modest.
  • Each city had a public hearth that was sacred to Hestia; the fire kindled there was never allowed to go out unless put out ritually
  • New colonies took fire from the hearth in the prytaneion (also known as the town hall) and kept the fires going in those new locations.
  • She never took part in conflicts
  • She was rarely depicted in art unlike other deities
  • Every meal began and ended with an offering to Hestia at the hearth including pouring wine out
  • Like Athena and Artemis, Hestia was referred to as one of the three virgin goddesses.
  • Unlike many other Greek gods, she had no major love affairs or romantic entanglements. Her vow of chastity set her apart and underscored her devotion to her divine duties. Both Poseidon and Apollo wanted to marry her, but she refused.
  • She was one of only twelve Olympian deities.
  • She was the first sibling to be swallowed by Cronus and the last to be released from his belly.
  • Her name literally means “hearth”
  • Vesta is her Roman counter part she had a major temple in Rome called the temple of Vesta where her Priestess called the Vestal virgins lived and served
  • Children were accepted into the family by being presented at Hestia’s hearth. This observed first step ensured the goddess’s blessing on the new addition to the family and the home.

Hestia and duality

Since I am a grey witch every single energy I work with I look at how it can help me maintain balance and how it can represent the cosmic energy of duality. When it comes to the duality of Hestia I personally had struggled to see what it was. Until I went on my journey with her. Until I read about her and worked with her in shadow work and within my home. Especially, once I had my little family to care for and protect within it’s walls. But, Hestia is burning with duality from the embers glowing within the crackling wood, to the tips of the flames reaching for the divine heavens. While most of her traits can be described as calm, gentle, and supportive and she was a constant presence in the daily lives of ancient Greeks. This means she also has a resilience, fortitude, and dedication to her service and commitment that is unwavering and full of so much strength. This means that while she can hold you in a peaceful, harmonious, and loving embrace, she can also lash out and protect with a fierceness of fire to burn those who would dare to disrupt your peaceful home. She is the keeper of the eternal flame and personification of fire itself so she shines insanely brightly. While also being comfortable to be in the darkness where she brings things into her warm light. Lastly, the duality of her connection to others while being perfectly fine standing alone. The hearth is where we gather for meals, celebrations, and even community rituals. Making it a place of deep human connections and celebrating community. But, remember Hestia is the SOLE attendant of the eternal flame. Even giving up her place on mount Olympus to stay by her fire alone. She is perfectly fine being on her own and understands the importance of loving ourselves in order to connect with and serve others with grace.

Correspondences To Connect To Hestia

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be an archetype energy , or the zodiac energy the moon is currently, or a deity, like I will list below for you to use with Hestia .Follow your intuition and use what speaks to you!

  • Planet- Jupiter
  • Animal- pig, cow, donkey
  • Element- fire
  • Zodiac-Taurus
  • Sex-feminine
  • Symbol-flame, hearth, cauldron, kettle, veil, chaste branch
  • colors-yellow, orange, red
  • Herbs- goldenrod, angelica, yarrow, poppy, angel’s trumpet, lavender, iris, myrrh, chamomile
  • Stones/ crystals- amber, carnelian, amethyst, garnet, ruby, quartz
  • Foods-grains, breads, sweet cakes, fresh fruit, the first meat pieces of burnt meat from each offering
  • Tarot card- temperance or strength

How To Know Hestia Is Calling To Work With You

I get asked this question every time I write or teach about a goddess. Remember, signs and messages appear in many different ways and are unique to the individual. It’s ultimately up to you to discern by opening up your clares, paying attention and listening to your intuition. Also, remember you can choose to work with her as well even if you don’t feel her calling to you. You can be the one to begin building that relationship by reaching out. Below is a list of some ways that you may know she is reaching out to you.

  • You’re a kitchen witch or are learning to be one
  • Baking bread is your forte
  • You keep seeing her symbols everywhere: hearth/fireplace or fire
  • you work in foster care or volunteer with children
  • Your home and family need protection and guidance
  • You are drawn to working with fire in your spell workings
  • You avoid conflict at all costs
  • The kitchen is your happy place
  • You live your life by the same values as her of kindness, forgiveness, and contentment
  • You may hear her name repeatedly in passing conversations or in your dreams
  • You see her name on TV, in books, online, etc.
  • You don’t like to leave your home much
  • You have taken a temporary or permanent vow of celibacy/ Chasity
  • You’ve always felt drawn to her
  • Your home is the home your family gathers at for holidays
  • You enjoy bonfires
  • You have a job working with the community and need help or guidance
  • You feel a strong urge to learn more about Hestia
  • Chasteberry is an herb you’re currently taking as regimen or working with in your practice
  • You brew and drink magical teas every day or often
  • You’re focused on going within to uncover your own sacred flame
  • You keep seeing pigs everywhere
  • You feel drawn to practice religious / spiritual veiling
  • You feel a deep desire to burn candles often in your home
  • You are drawn to her depiction in art
  • You might start feeling an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort, especially when you’re at home

A fundamental pillar of Paganism is working with the deities that one believes in. While all practicing Pagans have varying beliefs about the gods and goddesses, most agree that honoring their deities is a great way to connect with them and further their spiritual goals. But, again remember not every pagan works with deities. Also remember there are literally thousands of different deities out there in the multiverse and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. This eBook will walk you thru the different ways to view deities, what a deity can be, and the basics to start building a deep meaningful relationship with one.

Buy now!

Ways To Work With and Connect To Hestia

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the old gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. If you need help to figure this out you can purchase my eBook here on the Introduction to working with pagan deities.

As the Goddess of the Hearth Fire, Hestia also rules over the Home (protection and love in the home), Food (nourishment and sustainment), and Service (caring for others and yourself). Hestia can be called upon for all matters involving the home, feeling safe, self care, food and nourishment, and learning to serve others with compassion. Remember however you feel called to work with her; it’s important to approach her with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with her. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back.

Study, get to know her

As with every deity I have ever written about or taught about, The first way to get to know a deity, specifically a goddess like Hestia; is to study all you can about her. Look at the different versions of her origin, and how she is both the eldest and youngest of all the siblings in the Olympian Pantheon . Try to understand all the different versions of her you can connect to through the element of fire. You can even, study the culture, region, and worship of the people of Greece where she is from. Plus the influence she had over the entire city with the communal hearth. The more you study and learn the better! When working with a deity it is all about building a true relationship with them and you do this first by getting to know who they are.

Work with the element of fire

Hestia is the personification of fire itself both within and without. Which means any fire ritual or working with fire in spells will appease and connect you to the goddess Hestia. So keep a fire going in your fireplace this Winter in honor of Hestia. Get outside in the winter landscape and sit next to a sacred bonfire. You can even grab some candles, light them, and add them to any of your magical workings like during kitchen magic, sitting on your altar as you prayer or meditate, and as you create protection sigils. Call in the element of fire to connect to the very essence of Hestia during your spells for protection, purification, warmth, and more. Traditionally, Hestia’s fire should never be allowed to burn out or be blown out. Only during ritual may it be extinguished and then ritually relit. PS. if you need to learn more about how to work with the element of fire you can read my guide HERE!

Meditation and visualization

One of the best ways to channel divine energy and tap into goddesses like Hestia is through meditation and visualization. These practices allow you to open up and receive/ connect to divine energy in a very intuitive, clear, and transformative way. You will find a plethora of guided meditations on YouTube that will lead you to your spirit guide or god/goddess. Try those if you have a hard time meditating on your own. I have many classes on YouTube as well on previous deities you can watch where I even summon and guide you to them in sacred container.

Cooking and kitchen magic

Hestia is the goddess of the home and hearth which means one of her favorite places to hang out in modern homes is in the kitchen. So of course she presides over all cooking and will aid you in creating magical recipes like simmer pots. She will even be standing next to you guiding your hands while you work hearth-side. Every time you cook, you honor her and bring her essence into your home. This is probably the easiest way to work with Hestia. Don’t forget she’s associated with pigs so pork is great to work with. Plus bread; especially some with fresh herbs for protection like thyme, rosemary, and garlic! She loves it when you dedicate the first loaf/slice to Her. So, roll up your sleeves, grab some herbs, light your oven, knead your dough, and work with Hestia in your kitchen today.

Offerings

Everyone loves receiving gifts, and that includes deities like Hestia. You don’t have to give her offerings every day, but when you feel it is appropriate. I highly recommend gifting them to her during the long winter months and when you have big family feasts to leave her the best piece of the meat. You can place these offerings at your altar or at the mantle of the hearth in your home. You can also give her offerings when performing any work to connect to her like meditation, prayer, visualization, and spell work. Below I will list some of the best offerings you can give her, but keep in mind these are just some ideas from my own personal experience with her and her corresponding energies. Just follow your intuition.

  • When cooking or baking, give Hestia the first bite or sip of whatever you’re making
  • first bites of fresh fruits
  • olive oil
  • Wine
  • water
  • cakes shaped like a calf
  • freshly baked bread
  • Candles
  • herbs
  • incense
  • homemade crafts
  • Acts of hospitality, like welcoming guests warmly
  • A cup of tea or hot cider
  • Pottery
  • Knitted items
  • Woven tapestries
  • Flowers from your garden
  • A small piece of wood
  • music
  • Baked cookies
  • milk
  • barley

Dedicate Altar Space

Set aside some space in honor of Hestia. This can be an elaborate large altar or as simple as a small shelf or corner of a counter. Place a representation of Hestia there like a candle. Be sure to cleanse the space before you invite her in. Include all of her colors, her symbols, and representations of the element of fire, the essence of home, family, and hearth. Plus add any of her other correspondences you can use to connect to her. This will be a container that reminds you to connect with her and her energy. To allow you a container of maternal protective, peaceful, and purifying energy to connect to in your life.

Volunteer in your community

Hestia wasn’t only just the goddess of the hearth in your home but, she presided over the hearth of the entire city. Which means she is present within the community as a whole. Her fire dancing in the souls of each and every person who passed through the center of the town. To honor Hestia, consider volunteering at a local domestic violence shelter or at a Youth shelter home. Or better yet, fill the bellies of those in your community at a local soup kitchen!

Prayer

One very powerful way to connect to a deity is through prayer. Things to Pray for; protection, homes blessings, family, fertility, purification, creativity, peace, modesty, and purity. Below are a few prayers I like to use but, you can find many across texts and the internet plus you can always create your own.

Homeric Hymn 24 to Hestia
“Hestia, in the high dwellings of all, both deathless gods and men who walk on earth, you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honor: glorious is your portion and your right. For without you mortals hold no banquet,–where one does not duly pour sweet wine in offering to Hestia both first and last. And you, Argeiphontes [Hermes], son of Zeus and Maia, . . . be favorable and help us, you and Hestia, the worshipful and dear. Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their strength. Hail, Daughter of Kronos (Cronus), and you also, Hermes.”

Homeric Hymn

“Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise — draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.”

Home spells and blessings

Since Hestia is the goddess of not only the hearth but the home as well of course she would love to help you with any spells or blessings associated with your home. Ask her to help you ward and protect your home with the fierceness of a mother’s love. Or you can do my favorite home workings with her during the winter asking her to bring warmth to your home for the cold winter months. You can also do rituals and create charms with her sigil to protect the home and cleanse the home with purifying energy.

Other ways to work with her

  • ask for her assistance to help find a new home or apartment when you need to move
  • call on her to assist with domestic issues in the home and help with family strife
  • call on her when casting circles of warding and protection for your home and property
  • always offer her the first slice of any loaf of bread you make or buy to eat
  • Learn how to sew, knit, or crochet
  • consecrate your cooking tools and utensils with her sigil to bless all of your recipes
  • Call on her to be a soft, comforting, glowing light to guide you during shadow work to find your inner sacred flame and stoke it. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here; you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here. Plus don’t forget to head to the shop and register for my new course that is beginning at the end of this month!
  • Work with herbs and learn some herbal magic
  • Brew a magical tea
  • bake Hestia’s sigils into bread as you are baking loaves with her
  • Light as many candles as you can around your entire home to welcome her and purify it with the element of fire
  • learn and perform candle magic
  • cast peace and harmony spells
  • Invite her to your table for a meal by setting a place for her and leaving it empty for her to sit there and join you
  • take a cooking or baking class
  • create an altar just for your kitchen magic
  • Call relatives you don’t see often
  • remove yourself from conflict
  • learn how to make fires on your own
  • create a powder to use as a protective magical barrier for your home especially around your threshold ( I have a recipe for one on my Pinterest page )
  • Divination like fire gazing
  • ask her to join in family traditions you already have or create new ones with her
  • decorate your home
  • Plant and grow a kitchen garden
  • Ask for her maternal protective energy to embrace you as you do inner child work and healing
  • Pray, sing, or chant to Hestia whenever you’re working on something related to the home
  • Creativity spells
  • Share stories, traditions, and family histories
  • dedicate your stove, fire pit, and hearth to her by placing a statue or image of her near by or draw her sigils on them
  • ask for her help and guidance to create a balance between your home/family life and your work/volunteer life
  • invite her into your home when you first purchase it to bring in harmony, peace, and meaningful connections within the four walls
  • use a gratitude challenge or practice to cultivate gratitude
  • take all your recipes and put them together into a cook book
  • Create a spell jar for self love, peace, harmony, friendship, inner flame
  • wear her sigil on your skin or as jewelry during the cold winter months to help you always be warm
  • take either a temporary or permanent vow of celibacy
  • Welcome guests into your home
  • Use her fire and flame to burn away and release things we no longer need
  • prioritize self-care and boost your the height and strength of your eternal flame with self worth
  • decide to do a set timeframe like 30 days of spiritual/ religious veiling
  • spend time with your family and host a meal or gathering in your home
  • practice generosity and donate clothing or food to those in need and others

Why work with Hestia?

Flame is heat and passion. Flame is purifying and renewing. Hestia chose not to claim a realm to rule over mortals and earth in some way, and instead chose to simply tend the fires for the good of mankind and the Gods. Making sure that our hearth fire remains lit always so we can find our way to food, warmth, protection, transformation, or healing whenever we may need it. This is why she chose a role of service rather than dominion to be here as a protective yet comforting and warm maternal embrace helping us survive. Her duty to maintain this eternal fire symbolizes purity, devotion, and a connection to the divine. It’s a task she undertakes with solemn grace. She is also Known for inducing calmness, her presence brings peace and serenity. Her calming influence extends to both the divine and mortal realms, making her a beacon of stability in a world often feels like it is nothing but chaotic Especially, in a pantheon filled with conflict, her gentle and steadfast nature stands as a comforting constant to shelter with. Working with her will show you a goddess who is a gentle and caring figure, one who welcomes all into her presence. Her warmth is not just physical but emotional, offering comfort to those in need.

Hestia forever kneels next to the eternal hearth as a figure in Greek mythology, one whose powers are not of conquest or ego like the rest but of harmony, warmth, and stability. She is the reason the flames never go out in the universal heart. She is the connections we make, the homes we build, and the love we share,. All the things that are central to our human experience. Her eternal flame invites us to gather around, to celebrate our common bonds, and to reflect on the simple yet profound joys of being together. Her story serves as a warm invitation to reflect on the connections that make us human. While also teaching us how to be okay with being alone by truly loving ourselves and tending to our own eternal flame. Hestia teaches us how to go within to find our own sacred spark. This is the essence of self that makes us confident in who we are and sure of our own beliefs. While many of the other deities I write and teach about, will show us how to change our outer world, Hestia shows us that real change comes from within. She helps us uncover that flame that has been oppressed within ourselves in order to see our true essence. Finally letting it shine for all to see and be a place of warmth and security for you to call on.

In this new special 6 month shadow work program I will help you realign your inner world, discover all the versions of you in the shadows, and show you how to integrate your shadows into your own authentic identity. When you purchase and register for this 6 month course you will get pre-recorded lessons, eBooks, journal prompt workbooks, weekly guided sessions, ( with one week off for integration) one womb healing session, and access to a discord chat for all those who are taking the course with you. We begin the last Monday of February for orientation week and then session for courses start the first Monday of March! There will be limited spots so hurry and register today.

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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The gods and goddesses of Winter to work with as the snow falls and nature rests

As the snow begin to fall and the air becomes bitter and harshly cold, the festivals like, Yule, the new year, and Lupercalia it beckons us into it’s embrace of introspection, silence, and prepping for new beginnings to blossom in the Spring. During these festivals its common for many witches and pagans to work with and celebrate deities that connect to and represent the energies central to the introspective and transitional celebrations. I do! This season for me is a very feminine one. I hardly ever have gods and the divine masculine calling out to me now. This a season when I want to go into the womb of mother Earth. When the dark goddess and her healing, justice, empowerment, harsh clarity on reality, magic, and darkness beckons me to sit in her embrace. To listen to the past, root myself in introspection, and hear the healing whispers from my womb in the stillness and silence of winter. During this month a few deities take center stage because they have festivals or sacred days during this month to help you connect with them in a very intimate way. This season and it’s celebrations are full of magic, fertility, purification, introspection and there are many gods and goddesses who embody its transitional, silent, and restful energy. Winter season specifically the months of December, January, and February is a really important time in pagan culture and there are plenty of chilly gods and goddesses to work with or worship, depending on your practice, festivals, and celebrations. Let’s take a walk through the Winter landscape blanketed with snow and frozen waterways. To take the time to pause, reflect, and truly connect to the cyclical rhythm of nature while we meet SOME of those deities together in this post today.

Skaði (Skadi / Skathi) – Norse goddess

Skaði is a Norse goddess, often called the “Winter Queen,” associated with the mountains, hunting, skiing, and the wild, primarily known as a giantess (jötunn) who married the sea god Njörðr. Daughter of a fallen giant, Skadi walks the windswept mountains, a huntress sculpted from ice and legend. Her eyes, sharp as glaciers, scan the frozen realm. Bow in hand, she glides through the snow on swift skis, a predator born of the wilderness. Tales paint her as fierce, her spirit forged in the fires of vengeance and tempered by the unforgiving cold. She is mistress of the mountains, where the sun dances on glacial edges and the howl of the wolf echoes through empty valleys. But beneath the hardened exterior lies a yearning for connection. A goddess caught between two worlds – Asgard, home of the gods, and the wild embrace of the giants. Skadi’s place in Norse mythology is multifaceted and we see this as she is featured in stories with Odin, Loki, and Njordr among others. She’s even associated with snowshoes, and in later stories is said to have married Odin and bore him many children. She is the embodiment of both the untamed wild and a yearning for understanding. She is a warrior queen, a skilled hunter, and a goddess who walks the line between two worlds. Her story reminds us of the power of resilience in the face of loss, the importance of honoring our true nature, and the ever-present tension and duality between harmony and conflict.

Odin-Norse god

Odin is a Norse god who rules over wisdom, war, magic, and sovereignty. Odin is known by many many names. Wodan, Wotan, All Father, One-Eyed Seeker are but just a few. He is the ruler of the Aesir and steward of Asgard. In Germanic lore, it is said during Yule, which takes place during winter, he leads the Wild Hunt while being seated upon Sleipnirs back. This hunt is a spiritual parade of sorts that flies through the sky on Winter nights. Sometimes the Wild Hunt collects lost souls and sometimes a person joins the Wild Hunt in their sleep. In Nordic countries, the people gave sacrifices to Odin in the Winter months to ensure safety from them and prosperity. Including the children leaving hay in their boots by the hearth for Sleipnir to snack on as he flew by. Does this sound familiar to you at all? A white bearded old man, riding across the sky with a stead bringing blessings to those as he goes by? Many believe Odin is the actual inspiration for modern day Santa Claus? Check out my blog all about Santa HERE and decide for yourself.

Kuraokami

Kuraokami is a legendary Japanese dragon and Shinto deity of rain and snow. The name Kuraokami translates to “Ravine Rain Serpent. Kuraokami is said to have been created from the blood of Kagutsuchi, the fire deity. In some versions of the myths surrounding Kuraokami, Watatsumi, and Mizuhanome, Izanami created them to tame Kagutsuchi’s fire if he ever got out of control.

Hestia– Greek goddess

The next deity I want to talk about I personally feel is overlooked far too often especially during the cold winter months. This season is the time of year that solidifies us in the bitter cold and harshness of nature. Which means we need warmth and heat for us to survive and thrive. Which is why I always feel pulled to her during this time. Especially living in Minnesota I need her to bless my hearth with continuous heat during the long winter months. Not only that, but she can make your home extra cozy during this month while you spend more quality time alone. Hestia is the sole attendant to the celestial hearth of the gods. As the goddess of the hearth, she personified the fire burning in the hearths of every home in Greece. On a very tangible level, Hestia rules the domain of fire. This means that she is directly responsible, at least according to the Greeks, for the fire, the stove, and the heat in your home. Honoring her during the winter season, when the harsh chill solidifies itself in our bones is a great idea right now. She will bless your hearth as she stokes and fuels the flames all winter long. Don’t forget all month long to present her and your hearth with the first offering sacrificed to keep those flames burning strong.

Boreas-Greek God
Boreas is the Greek God of the North wind, winter and ice. He’s also known as The Devouring One. He is the spirit of Winter and can be both violent and benevolent. Depending on the person and situation. The Greeks believed he came from the North, being the North Wind, and because of this was considered Thracian in origin. He is often depicted as a powerful, bearded man with wings, with two faces – one in front and one in back. He is the son of the Titan Astraeus and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, and brother to Zephyrus (the West Wind) and Notus (the South Wind). He is said to be the one who brings cold winter weather and is known for his violent temper, most famously abducting the Athenian princess Oreithyia to become his wife.

Brigid

The next deity I am going to talk about is because she takes central stage during Imbolc the festival that marks the midwinter point. A Goddess in Irish tradition, Brigid is one of the most well-known because, she is the Goddess of fertility and spring. To many she is also known as the Great Mother Goddess of Ireland, and to Christians as a Saint Brigid. With this energy, Brigid brings the remembrance of our Oneness and of the Eternal Essence of the Divine Feminine. She is the daughter of the Celtic God Dagda, a Fae leader of the Tuatha dè Danann.She’s often depicted with fiery hair and a sunbeam cloak. She was born at sunrise with rays of sunlight radiating around her head. She is associated with many things; Poetry, Healing, Midwinter/Imbolc, Flames/fire, Fertility, and Motherhood.

Brigid is considered a Triple Goddess, yet many references distinguish Brigit differently than the traditional Triple Goddess aspects of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Rather Brigid is frequently referenced having three sister selves with three distinct roles, Lady of Healing Waters, Goddess of the Sacred Flame and Goddess of the Fertile Earth.

Callieach

Cailleach stands as a prominent figure in Celtic mythology, embodying the essence of wisdom, transformation, and the cycles of nature. Her presence is deeply rooted in the folklore and traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.. Since, the ancient Celts celebrated two seasons only, her reign bringing cold all over the land began on Samhain and ended with Ostara/spring when she handed it back to Brigid. On Imbolc which is the first of February, Cailleach, the Goddess of Winter, heads out into the world to gather firewood to keep her warm for the rest of winter. If the weather is bright and sunny, Cailleach is out gathering the wood and will be able to gather enough to make winter last a good bit longer. However, if the weather is bad and cold, Cailleach is still asleep and will soon run out of firewood, and spring will come sooner.

Cailleach is often depicted as a powerful, crone-like figure who embodies the harshness and stillness of winter. When she appears to me she also has a blue aurora about her, and her mythical staff in hand. This staff is said to have mystical powers for when she slams it on the ground winter will freeze all the land. She represents the embodiment of winter, sovereignty, and the primal forces of the natural world. As the guardian of the cold, she is said to control the storms, the winds, and the snow that blanket the earth during the winter months. She is a symbol of death and decay but also of transformation and the wisdom that comes with age and experience. While Brigid heralds the coming of spring and new life, Cailleach represents the slowing down and rest that winter brings, urging us to pause and reflect. On Imbolc, Cailleach’s presence is especially poignant as it marks the shift from the deep, inward-focused energies of winter toward the budding life of spring. Cailleach holds the power to either prolong winter or usher in the first signs of spring, depending on whether she decides to create a fierce storm or allow the warmth to return.

If you really want to learn more about her and read my personal experiences with her this winter come join the alchemist paid tier of the Patreon community or higher and get access to my anthology all about her.

Baba Yaga

The next goddess we have gives me a very similar energy and feel when I work with her as the goddess we just talked about above; Calileach. To modern witches and Slavic pagans, Baba Yaga is a witch goddess who lives deep in a birch forest moving from place to place among the trees in her hut she calls home on top of giant chicken legs. From time to time when she needs to gather more supplies you might catch a glimpse of her flying by up in the sky from her magical mortar and pestle. She’s a wild and untamed old woman, often seen as a hag or crone, but can transform herself into a beautiful woman to manipulate or trick someone if she desires. Baba Yaga is a goddess of wisdom, healing, transformation, death, rebirth, renewal and autumn/winter. When healing is needed, whether it’s from colds/flu or emotional healing, Baba Yaga can offer healing often in the form of herbal teas brewed by herself. Calling on her during this Winter season can lead you through the forest now frozen and blanketed in snow, to her skull fenced lined home. To peer into the darkness of her cauldron and gain the most ancient wisdom from the darkness of the cosmos that she guards. To learn more about her you can read my previous post here.

Morena

In Bohemia and Moravia, the goddess of winter, death and dreams is Morana, who covers the fields in a funeral shroud of ice and snow. She reigns from the winter solstice to the spring equinox. Then Vesna, the goddess of spring and rebirth, takes over. Morena is a Slavic goddess of winter, death, and rebirth. She is also known by many other names, including Marzanna, Mara, Morana, and Marena. She is feared as the bringer of its chill in most areas. This is only amplified by her connection to the Zmora/Mora/Kikimora – a demon of nightmares. She is sometimes pictured in a form similar to those demons.

The most popular myth involving her is that of her marriage with Jaryło/Yarilo/Gerovit – her twin brother and a spring, war, and agriculture god. It was said that she was a daughter of Perun, god of thunder, and Mokosz/Mokosh, the Great Mother. In this story, she was once a nature goddess. When she was young, Jaryło was stolen by the god Weles and taken to the underworld of Nawia/Nav. When he returned, the twins did not know they were related, so they fell in love and were married. This marriage between Morena’s nature and Jaryło’s agriculture brought balance in nature and also peace (temporarily) between Perun and Weles. But then Jaryło committed adultery. So, she killed him for his betrayal, turning her bitter and making her the winter deity we know today. This split is the reason for the seasons, as Morena kills Jaryło in autumn, and he along with a spring goddess (usually either Dziewanna or Żywia/Vesna) kills her in the spring. The cycle continues annually, and neither can exist for long while the other survives.

This story shows a bit of tragedy that is often lacking in many mythological stories. While Maorena is feared, she has a human element of desiring revenge and having her heart broken. An important note is that most gods in Slavic mythology had a fear and a worship element to them. Morena is feared for the death and disease she brings, but she is also a crucial part of the world’s cycle.

La befana

The next deity or as some call her a folklore legend we are going to talk about it la befana. She is a grandmotherly woman who resembles a kindly witch that is connected to Christmas. She brings gifts to good little children, depositing them in stockings hung above the hearth. Some even claim she sweeps the floor before she leaves as a symbol to sweep away the previous year’s problems. Even though she has roots all the way back to ancient Roman festivals, she is most well known for her role in Christian stories and legends. I personally believe this is because the church needed a much more acceptable and tamer version of the Germanic winter witch Berchta.

In Italian folklore and legend La befana delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi. Another Christian legend takes a slightly darker tone as La Befana was an ordinary woman with a child whom she greatly loved. However, her child died, and her resulting grief maddened her. Upon hearing news of Jesus being born, she set out to see him, delusional that he was her son. She eventually met Jesus and presented him with gifts to make him happy. The infant Jesus was delighted, and he gave La Befana a gift in return; she would be the mother of every child in Italy.

Nanook

This next deity comes to us from Inuit Mythology. In Inuit religious beliefs, Nanook (the Polar Bear) is the master of bears. He is the one who decides if a hunter is worthy of their kill and whether or not they will be successful. Revered for his strength and wisdom, Nanook symbolizes the profound connection between the Inuit and their natural environment. As a spiritual leader, Nanook not only embodies the qualities necessary for survival in this harsh terrain but also represents the delicate balance between humans and nature in Inuit belief. In Inuit mythology, Nanook is not just an individual deity but an integral part of the pantheon’s familial structure. Revered as a father figure, Nanook is said to have many cubs, each inheriting his strength and resilience. His companion, Sedna, goddess of the sea and marine life, complements Nanook’s domain over land and ice by ruling the ocean depths. Together, they embody the harmonious balance of the Arctic environment, where land and sea intertwine in a crucial interplay of survival and sustenance.

Nanook, a powerful deity in Inuit mythology, exerts profound influence over the Arctic environment through various domains. Known as the master of bears, Nanook controls the movements and availability of bears, crucial for successful hunts where hunters perform rituals and offerings to appease him. Beyond land, Nanook extends his sway over the Arctic seas, believed to calm or stir waters that affect the hunt for seals and walruses. Legends attribute Nanook with control over Arctic weather, where blizzards and storms are seen as expressions of his will or a test for hunters. In the realm of the afterlife, Nanook plays a role in Inuit beliefs, with the souls of hunted bears returning to him, potentially to be reborn or serve as spirit guides.

Pertcha

The next deity I am going to talk about many only consider her to be a folklore legend similar to La befena. While Krampus gets most of the attention during this time of the year as the terrifying side of the holiday season Pertcha is just as terrifying. If not more so in my eyes. In the Alps of Upper Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, you will find stories of Perchta, a goddess connected to Winter and snow. Sources say she has two different appearances: a beautiful woman as white as snow or as elderly and haggard woman. As the crone she is often depicted with a beaked nose made of iron, dressed in rags, perhaps carrying a cane, and generally resembles a decrepit old crone. But this old crone packs a mighty wallop…. and carries a long knife hidden under her skirt. She is said to roam the countryside during the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany to enter the houses of those she encountered. If your house is neat and tidy and all your spinning for the winter season was done by the twelfth night she would leave you a silver coin. If it wasn’t well…there are many stories of what she would do to you some involving that knife under her skirt even. Some stories say she may slit your belly open, rip out your innards, and stuff you with straw, rocks, and bits of glass. She also disembowels lazy children. Other legends equate Frau Perchta with the legend of the Wild Hunt, and say that she flies through the night sky attended by an army of lost souls, including the demonic-looking Perchten, her army of servants who are visually nearly indistinguishable from Krampus.

Tengliu

Tengliu,is a Goddess of Snow in Chinese mythology. In Chinese mythology, Tengliu is the goddess of winter. She is said to live in the Kunlun Mountains, where she controls the weather. Tengliu first appeared in the Tang dynasty and later became a popular cultural figure in the Ming dynasty through the development in the Song dynasty. Other then her appearance in many songs throughout the Song dynasty not much else is really known about her.

Yuki-onna

Yuki-onna is a Japanese deity or really a spirit associated with winter and snowstorms. I say this because, she isn’t referenced too as a Kami but, instead usually as a yokai. She is also known as the snow woman. In some legends, Yuki-onna is a manifestation of winter, representing its harshness. Some legends say the Yuki-onna, being associated with winter and snowstorms, is the spirit of someone who perished in the snow. She is at the same time beautiful and serene, yet ruthless in killing unsuspecting mortals. In some stories, Yuki-onna is vengeful and freezes travelers with her icy breath. In other stories, she is kind and helps people in the mountains. She personifies the duality and contrast of Winter. Showing us the harness, bitterness, and coldness of the season. Along with highlighting the peacefulness, beauty, ands stillness of the season.

Aphrodite

The last deity I am going to talk about I think far too many forget is connected to winter. I feel this happens because, too many forget Valentine’s day in February is right in the middle of Winter. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She is also associated with sexuality, fertility, and pleasure. While best known as the goddess of love, she was also the ancient Greek goddess of fertility, physical pleasure (particularly sexual), eternal youth, grace, and beauty. Additionally, she played roles in commerce, war, and politics. Plus let’s not forget her crucial role, as one of the causes of the Trojan War. Her origins though, are shrouded in mystery. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, she emerged from the sea foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, born from the severed genitals of Uranus. She supposedly arose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. However, according to Homer, in Iliad, Aphrodite may instead be the daughter of Zeus and Dione.

Call on her this Winter season to work with the energy of love and deepening your connection to others. Don’t forget to reflect on your relationships as well and find love with those you can. Especially if you are forced into a situation just as she was. Remember, Aphrodite is about so much more than love, beauty and lust though. You can always call on her for those reasons but, Aphrodite is about the passion of creation. Which is why she can be called on for creative expression, and living your passion. She is a great goddess to use for self love, emotional balance and healing as well.

How to connect to and work with these deities

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. But here are some ideas to get you started on ways to work with any or all of these deities of the Winter. Remember; it’s important to approach them with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with them. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back. Don’t forget to check out my shop and for an eBook to help you explore how you view deities more and you can also purchase my deep deity devotionals workshop course HERE!

  • Research, study and read about who they are, where they come from, and their myths and legends
  • Refresh your altar and add any of them to it. Or create a new one. Use any of the correspondences connected to them that speak to you
  • Cast spells to help with personal transition or transformation allowing the deities of the transitional season to guide you through the process
  • Call on them to assist you with different types of divination like, tarot, pendulum readings, runes, fire scrying or cryomancy
  • Use their correspondences and energies in protection spells especially for ones for your home
  • Create a spell jar for them and add them to your altars or place them somewhere in your home
  • Shadow work focusing on inner work, the cold, resilience, strength, and resting.  If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.
  • Invite them to your circle and castings when performing rituals tied to the cycles of nature
  • Include them in your celebrations for any festivals like Yule, the new year, Lupercalia, and Valentine’s day
  • Use snow and ice magic
  • Go on a mindful walk in nature to connect to the energies of the land the winter deities rule
  • Invoke their name when creating simmer pots to cleanse and purify your home from unwanted energies
  • Herbal magic-brew teas especially, or add herbs to your hot drinks
  • Carve their sigils into candles for fire magic for release work and to keep your home warm and your hearth lit during the cold dark winter months
  • Purification and cleansing rituals and spells using snow and ice
  • carving their sigils into the ice for binding and banishing spells
  • Make some rose water and use in your spells and leave as offerings for deities
  • Use oil with their correspondences and blessed with their prayers in self love rituals
  • Bake treats and add their sigils to them for love, family, and relationships
  • Give them offerings they enjoy for manifestation and building a relationship
  • Add their sigils and correspondences like herbs to spell bags, talismans, and charms
  • Leave them offerings of milk to connect to fertility, abundance, and prosperity during winter
  • carve their sigils into your fire wood before you burn it in your hearth to welcome them into your home and bring you blessings
  • invoke them during your commitment ceremonies
  • Draw their sigils on your mirror before doing mirror magic and/or mirror work
  • Use their prayers during sex magic rituals and spells
  • Ask them to join you on astral travels, meditations, and inner healing work sessions
  • Wear their colors during the day and use color magic to connect to them
  • Journal about signs you in your life during your days that are connected to them
  • Use their images as inspiration in glamor and beauty spells
  • Divination like fire gazing, snow scrying, melt snow and use the water in scrying, or Cryomancy
  • create Brigid’s crosses for Imbolc
  • Add their sigils, names, correspondences, and images to your holiday and festival celebrations
  • leave a plate and place for them at your festival dinners so they can join you
  • meditate as the snow falls and listen for their words of wisdom and them call to you
  • call to them in prayers to ignite and guide your creativity in creativity spells
  • Volunteer and serve at places in your community that align with deities you wish to work with this season
  • Use their sigils on your spells to help aid in your rest during winter
  • go on a shamanic journey with their animal companions to connect with them
  • invoke them, use their prayers, use their correspondences, or sigils to bless your magical tools
  • daily prayers, affirmations, poems, or songs to honor and venerate them
  • Live your life in accordance with their own personal philosophies and energies
  • Make them part of your new year goals and resolutions
  • If possible take a trip or spend your vacation at places sacred to them like their temples or countries of origin
  • add their images, symbols, and sigils to your gift wrappings or Valentine’s cards
  • wear jewelry with their image, symbol, name, or sigil on it
  • draw or tattoo their sigils onto your body
  • Perform a dedication rite or ritual to dedicate yourself to them during their season and most potent time of the year
Don’t forget to check out my 9 spells for an enchanting and magical Valentine’s day post!

A fundamental pillar of Paganism is working with the deities that one believes in. While all practicing Pagans have varying beliefs about the gods and goddesses, most agree that honoring their deities is a great way to connect with them and further their spiritual goals. But, again remember not every pagan works with deities. Also remember there are literally thousands of different deities out there in the multiverse and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. This eBook will walk you thru the different ways to view deities, what a deity can be, and the basics to start building a deep meaningful relationship with one.

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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Santa; Who he is and how to work with him this Christmas

Santa Claus, a beloved symbol of the holiday season, and one of the most well known mythical beings today. He has captured the hearts of people around the world. But who is Santa Claus? Santa Claus hasn’t always been the jolly, red-suited, rotund, grandfatherly gift-giver with a reindeer-drawn sleigh we all know and love. Depictions of Santa have evolved over time, influenced by stories and legends about St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas, and Father Christmas, and perpetuated by centuries of gift cards, stories, advertisements, posters, and movies. Let’s sled into the glittering, snow covered, mythical roots and global legacy of Santa Claus together in this blogpost and article.

Who is Santa?

To most Santa, is the jolly old man of winter, who has been bringing cheer and joy to the world for centuries. From the North Pole, he sets off each year on a magical journey, spreading happiness and gifts to the young and old alike. Santa is a radical optimist with a big heart. He sets his sights on not only his biggest dream but, those of every small child on Earth. He does this and trusts that it will all work out just fine year after year. His idealism is matched by his unstoppable energy and passion to get so much done all for the joy of everyone else. He is encouraging, loving, and supportive of children’s wishes. While the looming threat of a coal-stained stocking is still there encouraging them to behave. Santa is the joy and comfort and motivating them with love and encouragement. His friendly nature, open mind, and energetic spirit help make the holiday season the joyful time it is while reminding us of the importance to give.

Other names for Santa

  • Saint Nicholas
  • Saint Nick
  • Father Christmas
  • Kris Kringle
  • Sinterklaas
  • Odin

What does Santa look like?

Santa is generally depicted as a pot bellied, jolly, white-bearded, grandfatherly man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, a red hat trimmed with white fur, a black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for children. In many of the depictions now, we also see him in his reindeer drawn sleigh flying across the winter night skies. This modern image of Santa Claus most us know now was influenced by Clement Clark Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and the illustrations of Haddon Sundblom for The Coca-Cola Company. But, NO Coca-Cola does not OWN the image of Santa exclusively nor did they create him. Let’s talk about where his ancient and many origins and possible influences actually do come from next.

Santa as Odin

Although Santa Claus is primarily based upon St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop from Lycia (now in Turkey)which we will talk about next. The oldest origin of Santa I can find goes as far back as 2 b.c.e., and is also strongly influenced by the white bearded, old man, flying across the sky on an 8 legged steer during winter time; the Norse all father Odin. Already doesn’t that sound familiar? Not only do they look similar but, quite a few of their legends and myths are similar as well. Let’s talk about them below!

  • Let’s start with their steeds. Many believe Odin may be where Santa gets his reindeer inspiration from. Since, Odin was often depicted as leading a hunting party through the skies ( the wild hunt), during which he rode his eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
  • Next, during the winter solstice when the wild hunt would roar across the skies, the Norse and Germanic children placed their boots near the chimney, filling them with carrots or straw as a gift for Sleipnir. Quite similar to children doing the same for Santa’s reindeer today or leaving our milk and cookies for Santa Claus. Plus some believe this may even be where the tradition to hang stockings above the fireplace comes from.
  • Lastly, with the wild hunt coming by one way to protect would be wassailing or singing songs to Odin when going from door to door or in orchards. Sound familiar again? It’s quite common to go caroling welcoming Santa on Christmas night.

Santa and Saint Nicholas

Many elements of Santa Claus, especially his reputation as a secret giver of gifts, can originate back to Saint Nicholas, a real historical figure and human being that walked this realm.

The name Santa Claus, which was first used in 1773, is a variant on Sinterklaas, the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas. ( we will talk about him later) He was known in his own lifetime as Nikolaos of Myra. Nikolaos was born on March 15, 270 AD, to a well-off Christian Greek family living in a region of the Roman Empire that is part of modern Turkey. While historians and scholars don’t agree on all parts of his biography, he was definitely a bishop who is best known for his role in the First Council of Nicaea. He was known for his deep generosity as well, with some believing he gave away his entire inheritance left to him by his wealthy Christian Greek parents when they died during an epidemic. It’s said he did this believing it was the way Jesus truly wanted us to live. He also was known for giving generous gifts in secret. Supposedly, Nikolaos would throw toys into children’s windows and leave coins in their shoes.

Nicholas who was later elevated to a saint is said to have lived a life of prayer, generosity, and fought in strong defense of the Christian faith in the name of the Catholic church. He was even imprimisoned by the Roman emperor Diocletian around the year 300. Some even consider him a martyr when he died around the year 343. Within a century of his death he was elevated to Sainthood and celebrated as a saint. Today he is venerated in the East as wonder, or miracle worker and in the West as patron of a great variety of persons-children, mariners, bankers, pawn-brokers, scholars, orphans, laborers, travelers, merchants, judges, paupers, marriageable maidens, students, children, sailors, victims of judicial mistakes, captives, perfumers, even thieves and murderers! He is known as the friend and protector of all in trouble or need. Some connect him solely to Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church, while others see him more as an ascended master and universal energy.

Myths of Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was known for being a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas, but kindness and generosity is a common theme among them all. He is also seen as patron and protector of many including the little children everywhere we hold so dear. First up, the most famous story about St. Nicholas some believe is another version of where we get the custom of hanging up stockings to put presents in first started! It goes like this:

There was a poor man in a small village who had three daughters. The man was so poor that he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn’t get married. (A dowry is a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the bride’s parents on the wedding day. This still happens in some countries, even today.) One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house . this meant that the oldest daughter was then able to be married. Unintentionally, the bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry. When the family woke and found the coins they were overjoyed and the oldest daughter was married off right away. But, the father wanted to know who it was he could thank. Soon, it was time for the second daughter to be wed. The same thing happened again with the second daughter. Again the family was thankful and the second daughter was married off with joyful hearts right away. Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold for his third daughter to be wed. Nicholas begged the man to not tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But of course the father did keep quiet and soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nicholas himself.

Another story tells of three theological students, traveling on their way to study in Athens. A wicked innkeeper robbed and murdered them, hiding their remains in a large pickling tub. It so happened that Nicholas was traveling along the same route, and stopped at this very inn. (Synchronicity maybe?) In the night he dreamed of the crime, got up, and summoned the innkeeper to his room. Where he asked him about the incident, when the innkeeper denied anything Nick fell to his knees to begin to pray. As Nicholas prayed earnestly to God the three boys were restored to life no longer chopped into pieces even and fully whole. In France the story has a little bit of a different version. It is told about three small children instead of theological students. The three small children, were wandering around as they played until they got lost. Then as they were stumbling around trying to find their way they were lured, and captured by an evil butcher. St. Nicholas appears suddenly, finding the boys bodies sealed in barrels . He then appeals to God to return them to life and to their families, which he does.

One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas and left to bring them back to their ship as booty. As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave as well. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. During this entire time Basilios’ parents, devastated at the loss of their only child spent filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas’ feast day approached, Basilios’ mother decided she would not join in the festivity, as it was now the year mark of a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with quiet prayers for Basilios’ safekeeping. Meanwhile, at the same time Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, when all of a sudden he whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. This is known as the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children.

Patron of Sailors

Several stories tell of Nicholas and the sea. When he was young, Nicholas sought the holy and to be close to the divine by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There as he walked where Jesus walked, he sought to more deeply connect to the experience of Jesus’ life, passion, and resurrection. Returning by sea, a mighty storm threatened to wreck the ship. Nicholas calmly prayed. The terrified sailors were amazed when the wind and waves suddenly calmed, sparing them all. Another legend argues that sailors on their way to the Holy Land were caught in a horrible storm and prayed to St. Nicholas. They then saw an image of him in the clouds and the storm ended. Either way, St. Nicholas is the patron of sailors, dockworkers, and others involved with the sea for this reason.

Saint Nicholas Day

Otherwise I have found places celebrating him on the eve of Saint Nicholas day during Krampusnacht while celebrating Krampus. This day is a holiday honoring the historical figure Saint Nicholas, a bishop known for his secret acts of generosity, particularly towards children in need. After his death in 343, it became traditional to observe Saint Nicholas’s Day on December 6 by giving gifts. People also often celebrate by leaving out shoes or stockings on the eve of the holiday to find small gifts like sweets, coins, or oranges inside, symbolizing the story of St. Nicholas leaving gold coins in the stockings of poor girls to help them get married we talked about above.

Other ways to celebrate

  • Attend a Saint Nicholas day parade if you can
  • Hang a socking over a mantle or place a boot in front of a fireplace and hearth
  • Give gifts to a an unmarried women- In Italy, children aren’t the only ones receiving gifts on Saint Nicholas’ Day, unmarried women make the list. Across Italy, unmarried women might attend a special mass on St. Nicholas’ Day to participate in Rito delle nubili, a ritual where they turn a column seven times to help change their luck in finding a spouse. This is because Saint Nick is also the Patron saint to protect virgins.
  • Host and have a Saint Nicholas day feast
  • Work with and celebrate Krampus his companion bring in another side to protection this holiday season.
  • Dress as a bishop: In Germany and Poland, boys traditionally dress as bishops and collect money for the poor
  • Study and read about Saint Nicholas’s life and myths
  • If you practice Christianity attend a church service
  • Be generous and give to others. You can do this by donating your things, time, or money. Hold a food or clothing drive. Volunteer your time to an organization or cause that means a lot to you.

Sinterklaas

Ways to celebrate Sinterklaas

Built around the image of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, Sinterklass (the name resulting from the contraction of Sint Nikolaas) is a legendary Christmas figure celebrated and loved in the Netherlands. Although similar to Santa Claus in that he is an older man with a full, white beard who wears a red outfit, Sinterklass is a more serious figure, donning a bishop’s headdress and carrying a long, curled golden shepherd’s staff. The Dutch celebrate the Feast of Sinterklaas honoring the life of St. Nicholas. Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands by boat from Spain on December 5th, the eve of Saint Nicholas’ feast day. He rides a white horse and carries a book that tells him which children were good or bad that year. Sinterklaas brings gifts to good children, and sometimes a switch to bad children. The tradition of “putting your shoe” involves children leaving their shoes out for Sinterklaas to fill with gifts. After England conquered the city in the 17th century, Sinterklaas gradually became Santa Claus.

  • Read poems outloud
  • Sing songs
  • Attend a Parade in Holland that occurs annually on December 6th
  • A knock on the door at night, letting children open it to find a pile of gifts
  • Gift people with a “surprise”. The “surprise,” is a homemade gag gift that hides another present inside.
  • Participate in Secret Santa in your home, your work, or your school or kids school
  • Use kitchen magic to bake Sinterklaas deserts, baked goods, and candies
  • Leave shoes near your front door, hearth, or chimney

Santa and Christmas

We can’t talk about Santa whose influenced is heavily based on a Catholic Saint who followed Christianity without talking about Christmas. He is considered by many far and wide to be the traditional patron of Christmas especially in the United States and other countries. To those who celebrate Christmas he is a legendary figure who is widely recognized as the gift-giver on Christmas Eve, embodying the spirit of generosity and joy associated with the holiday.

So, what is Christmas in case you don’t practice Christianity or celebrate this holiday in your part of the world. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. It is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Christian religion, is the son of God. The name is a joining of “Christ” and “mass” which means the holy mass (supper, celebration or festival) of Christ. Christmas is a time to exchange gifts with family and friends. It’s also a time to give thanks for the love, hope, and joy found in Jesus. Many things that Christians do at Christmas come from earlier Pagan festivals like Saturnalia, the winter solstice, and Yule.

Father Christmas

Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and typically considered to be synonymous with Santa Claus, he was originally part of a much older and unrelated English folkloric tradition. Until Victorian times, Father Christmas was concerned with adult feasting and merry-making. He had no actual connection with children, or with the giving of presents, night time visits, stockings, chimneys or reindeer. But as later Victorian Christmases developed into child-centric family festivals, Father Christmas became a bringer of gifts. Then the popular American myth of Santa Claus arrived in England in the 1850s and Father Christmas started to take on Santa Claus’s attributes and often times the two are now referred to interchangeably.

Other Entities associated with Santa

We can’t talk about Santa without talking about the legion of mythical characters surrounding him and that even live in his home. He lives at the North Pole with not only his wife Mrs. Claus, but also his elves who make the toys, and his reindeer who pull his sleigh. Let’s explore the magic of each of these more next.

His Reindeer

I think almost every child spends Christmas night lying in bed listening for the magical hoofbeats of Santa’s reindeer landing up above. Santa’s reindeer are magical creatures that live at the North Pole and help Santa. On Christmas Eve, Santa and his reindeer embark on their most important mission of the year: delivering presents to all the children of the world in one night.They visit every house where there are children who believe in Santa Claus, regardless of their location, culture or religion.

The idea of Santa’s reindeer flying through the sky in a sleigh was popularized by Clement Clark Moore’s 1823 poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas. The imagery in the poem may have been influenced by Norse and Germanic mythology, where Thor, the God of Thunder, soared through the sky in a chariot pulled by two magical goats. It described how St Nicholas arrived on a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (later changed to Donner) and Blitzen.

The most famous of the reindeer is Rudolph who was introduced in 1939 by Robert L May, an employee of Montgomery Ward department store. He wrote a story about a young reindeer who had a shiny red nose that glowed in the dark. In it, Rudolph was teased for being different by the other reindeer and then one foggy Christmas Eve, he was asked by Santa to lead the sleigh and help guide him in the night. Rudolph went on to be a hero – and accepted by his fellow reindeer. The story was printed as a booklet and distributed to millions of children as a promotional gift by the store. In 1949, May’s brother-in-law Johnny Marks wrote a song based on the story; Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, and it later became a hit record by Gene Autry.

Elves

In English-speaking cultures, Christmas elves are a huge part of the Christmas holiday. They live with Santa Claus at the North Pole and act as his helpers. In many of the songs, poems, and stories, Santa’s elves are often said to make the toys in Santa’s workshop and take care of his reindeer, among many other tasks. Christmas elves are usually depicted as green- or red-clad, with large, pointy ears and wearing pointy hats. They are most often depicted as humanoids, but sometimes as furry mammals with tails. They were first introduced in literature by Louisa May Alcott in 1856. The image of the elves in the workshop was popularized by Godey’s Lady’s Book, with a front cover illustration for its 1873 Christmas issue showing Santa surrounded by toys and elves. The origins of the elf are thought to have been derived from Norse mythology, which refers to the álfar, also known as huldufólk ‘hidden folk’ who are similar to the Celtic fae. The elf character is most likely to have been created from a combination of this Norse legend with the house spirits named brownies in Scottish mythology and legends.

Mrs. Claus

Mrs. Claus is the wife of Santa Claus. Her role and character traits vary, but she is generally depicted as a kind, nurturing, and a supportive partner who helps Santa manage the operations at the North Pole. This includes taking care of the elves, managing the toy production, and sometimes baking cookies. She is often portrayed as a maternal figure with a warm personality, enhancing the festive and family-oriented atmosphere of Christmas lore. Mrs. Claus has become an integral part of holiday traditions and stories, particularly in American and European Christmas culture. The first time that there is reference to Santa having a wife is not until in an 1848 short story called “The Christmas Legend” by a writer called James Rees. In the story, two elderly strangers, who turn out to be Mr and Mrs Claus, seek shelter at a house on a long journey. After Mrs Claus asks some questions, they find out that one of their daughters had died. The next morning, they wake to find a house full of presents.

Krampus

In the chilly shadows of European winter folklore (primarily Germanic), the figure of Krampus emerges, distinct with his horns, terrifying hairy body and sinister snarling face. Krampus is a terrifying winter devil who accompanies Saint Nicholas. Krampus punishes the naughty children with spankings, and sometimes his punishments are so severe he even drowns, eats, or carries them off to Hell. While St. Nicholas (St. Nikolaus in Germany) is famous for giving gifts and rewards to the righteous, it’s Krampus’s job to strike fear into the hearts of the wicked. To learn all about Krampus check out my previous blogpost here.

Santa and duality

Since I am a grey witch every single energy I work with I look at how it can help me maintain balance and how it can represent the cosmic energy of duality. Not gonna lie this was a hard one for a bit for me to be able to look into the spirit of Santa and see the duality. But, after some time working with him in the shadows of the holiday season I was finally able to understand the essence of duality he offers us to see. While Santa is a spirit of happiness and kindness, and he represents a loving feeling that comes from being together and doing kind things for each other. He is that reminder at the end of one year closing and a new one unfolding of how important sharing kindness with others is to not only us but, the collective as well. While that reminder can lead to some increased feeling of love , joy and community it can also cause guilt and point out our major flaws in society as well. We can feel guilty for what we do have that others don’t or we can feel guilty for not doing enough during the entire year. It can also show us just how harsh and lacking our world we live in can be to so many of those around us that we usually choose not to see. Lastly, he may make you feel lacking in abundance if you are in a circumstance in life where you aren’t able to give the gifts you’d like to those you love during this holiday season. Especially if you have little ones in your home.

Correspondences to connect with Santa

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be an archetype energy , or the zodiac energy the moon is currently, or like a figure like Santa, I will list below. Follow your intuition and use what speaks to you!

  • Animal-reindeer, polar bear, penguins, mice, goats, lambs, cows, donkeys, kangaroos
  • Planet- Jupiter & Saturn
  • Element-Water & Air
  • Sex-Masculine
  • Zodiac-Capricorn & Pisces
  • Symbol- Red suit and hat, Reindeer, Sleigh, bells, candy canes, wreaths, mistletoe, Christmas tree, stars, gifts, the north pole, stockings, boots, chimneys, coins, spirits, elves, snowflakes
  • colors-red, black, white, silver, gold
  • Themes- protection, Christmas, spirits/ghosts, kindness, children, family, fertility, transition, generosity, charity, reflection, motivation, magic, abundance, wishes, dreams, materialism
  • Herbs- willow leaves, tundra plants, mushrooms, rosemary, thyme, sage, ginger, frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, lavender, horehound, pennyroyal, bedstraw, chamomile, sweet woodruff
  • Stones/ crystals-garnet, ruby, black tourmaline, obsidian, emerald, malachite, pyrite, gold, silver, coal, clear quartz, Amethyst, rose quartz,
  • Food-milk, cookies, carrots, hot cocoa, gingerbread, beer, rice pudding, breads, cheeses, salami, shepherds pie, dried fruit, deviled eggs

Ways to work with Santa

If after reading this blog post and learning all about the cheerful, and generous Santa. and you want to work with him this holiday season. Especially after learning he is actually based on a human being who either ascended or at the very least was elevated to Sainthood among the church. You can start by adding him to your holiday celebrations this year by celebrating any of the holidays he is associated with like Saint Nicholas day and Christmas. Next, simply work with him by performing acts of kindness that embody the spirit of giving like Santa does; essentially, bringing joy and generosity to others during the holiday season. Otherwise you can also try some of these things in your life and home below. Just remember when you are working with him just like with any other entity you need to do so from a place of reverence and respect.

Study, get to know him

As with every entity I have ever written about or taught about, The first way to get to know them specifically a being like Santa; is to study all you can about him. Look at the different versions of his origin, and how the catholic church paired him with Krampus. You can even, study the evolution of his history and how he shows up in different parts of the world. Plus don’t forget there are modern interpretations of him as well in movies, t.v. shows, poems, pieces of art and books you can look into. The more you study and learn the better! When working with any entity it is all about building a true relationship with them and you do this first by getting to know who they are.

Leave offerings out for him

Even though he is the embodiment of the spirit of gift giving, it doesn’t mean you can’t give him some gifts in gratitude as well. If you love getting gifts for all of your hard work and kindness from time to time why not do the same for Santa as well. They can even be seen as way for him to refuel and continue to be motivated on h is very busy and long night. Visiting each house around the world with children inside. Below you will see a list of some ideas for offerings you can leave for him on either Saint Nicholas day, Christmas eve night or Christmas day.

  • Cookies
  • Milk
  • Rice pudding
  • carrots
  • coins
  • grain mix/straw
  • stockings
  • Glass of sherry or other alcohol
  • Porridge
  • Mince pie
  • gingerbread
  • poems or drawings

Gift giving

Don’t just give Santa gifts in the form of offerings but, do it for others as well. Really embody the main spirit of Santa by giving gifts to others. So, spread cheer, joy, and kindness to others by giving gifts to your loved ones that come from the heart, thought went into them, and they are special, You can even hand out random gifts to strangers, make gift bags to donate to a shelter, or participate in a secret Santa at your work.

Volunteer your time, or donate money and things to those in need

Even though the gift giving part of Santa is full of joy and holiday cheer. The core of Santa and the energy he embodies is the importance of being generous and kind to those in need. So, one of the best ways to work with Santa is to volunteer or participate in activities that spread Christmas cheer. Some ways to do this could be helping with charity drives, organizing toy drives, volunteering at a local shelter or charitable organization, be part of a meal train, visit a nursing home, or pay off a random strangers bill or tab. Just make sure you are simply performing acts of kindness that embody the spirit of giving like Santa does; essentially, bringing joy and generosity to others during the holiday season.

Do things that help and protect children

Another core element to Santa and who he is; is being the patron protective saint of children. Another way to connect to him and work with him i s by doing things that embody this as well. You can cast spells to protect children in your family and home. Some of my favorites is creating protective charms for my son to wear, drawing sigils on his clothes, or using his stuffies to turn them into protective poppets. Or take it a step further and extend your protection to those who are being harmed by others and are in need of justice and help in the world. You can also spend your time at places like domestic violence shelters or foster homes this holiday season to help spread some love , cheer, and a safe place to a child who may need it desperately right now from you.

Other ways to work with and connect to Santa

  • Celebrate Saint Nicholas day on December 6th in any of the ways we talked about above
  • Add images of Santa to your yule tree and holiday decorations
  • Create a sigil out of his name and use it spells or add it to cookies you bake with kitchen magic to offer him
  • cleanse and purify your chimney and hearth he will come down on Christmas eve night
  • Celebrate Christmas eve or Christmas day
  • Attend a holiday, Christmas, saint Nicholas day, or Santa parade if there is one near you
  • Sing song about him when you go caroling
  • Wish magic
  • Leave offering for woodland creatures and his reindeer
  • Go on a mindful winter nature walk
  • Work with the elves, fae, and brownies in your magic
  • Work with his colors red, black , and white in color magic
  • elemental magic with element of fire with a bonfire
  • dress up as Santa or better yet become a professional Santa
  • Work with the divine masculine and ascended master energy
  • Read about Jesus Christ prior to the king James version of the bible whom Saint nick worshipped
  • Volunteer to read stories to children at the library or book store as a Santa or an entity related to him
  • Invite others into your home for a holiday feast and secret Santa gift giving game
  • Do shadow work and journal about how kind you are during the rest of the year and how you may or may not need to change it in the coming year.
  • Cast spells to fulfill wishes with snowflake magic
  • Write a manifestation letter to Santa, read it out loud on Christmas ever night as Santa flies by, and bury it in the snow to have it manifest in the next year for you as gift from Santa
  • Cast spells for peace, harmony, joy, and good will
  • Random acts of kindess
  • Help with Santa’s workshop by donating toys
  • Participate in community holiday events where you can visit and see Santa in person

Why work with Santa?

Santa Claus is someone who will remain in the hearts of children forever and linger in our memoires of past cherished and festive times as adults.. While some may only consider him to be a mythical person who brings toys and good tidings to children at Christmas. As we grow older we see him as the special symbol of good will and selfless giving that he is. Every holiday season he rides through the night skies. Visiting each house to remind us of the importance to be genuinely kind to those in need and to give to our community.

To expand your knowledge about him and his magic or if you’d rather listen than read; you can watch my free class with Divination Academy on YouTube all about him below!

Come join me for community, knowledge, and to restore the enchantment of magic in yourself and life today!

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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Shake up societal norms and liberate yourself during Saturnalia

Yule may be the most well-known pagan celebration of the Winter season, but it is certainly not the only one nor in my opinion is the most fun of them all. That would be The Saturnalia Festival. The Saturnalia Festival l is an ancient Roman holiday that mainly celebrated the Winter sowing season, as well as honored the god Saturn. The actual dates vary but most scholars agree it was once celebrated between December 17th and the 23rd OR December 25th through the 31st, depending on the calendar that was used. Saturnalia was a jovial time for the entire city of Rome because, everyone in ancient Rome participated in the excitement. Saturnalia was a day when all work came to halt for everyone from the emperor to slaves. This meant even the courts of law were closed. Saturnalia was a time of revelry and social upheaval in Roman society, characterized by indulgence, merrymaking, and the suspension of norms.

When was Saturnalia?

The Saturnalia Festival is an ancient Roman holiday that mainly celebrated the Winter sowing season, as well as honored the god Saturn. The actual dates vary but most scholars agree it was once celebrated between December 17th and the 23rd OR December 25th through the 31st, depending on the calendar that was used. What we know for sure is it that it was observed around Midwinter a.k.a. the Winter Solstice and when the Norse celebrated Yule. Saturnalia is thought to have lasted for up to seven days, this was followed by the celebration of the winter solstice and birth of the the sun god, Sol Invictus, on December 25th , an occasion marked by the city wide chariot races.

History of Saturnalia

Saturnalia started out as a one-day farmers’ festival on 17th December each year. As you might have guessed by the name, the festival was to honor Saturn – the god of farming and the harvest. Over the centuries, the festival grew, eventually becoming a seven-day event culminating on December 23rd with Sigillaria – a day of gift-giving. During this period, Romans celebrated the completion of the planting season and honored Saturn, thanking him for the promise of bountiful harvests to come. The festival brought warmth and light to the darkest days of the year and most of all gratitude to the god of agriculture Saturn.

Saturnalia a time to shake up societal norms

My all time favorite Ancient Roman tradition comes from this festival. One of Saturnalia’s traditions consisted of allowing people to revel in a role reversal of sorts. The social norms on Saturnalia were lifted. Slaves were treated as equals, allowed to wear their masters’ clothing, and be waited on at meal time in remembrance of an earlier golden age thought to have been ushered in by the god. Not only that but, it was a time of participating in indulgences we normally wouldn’t get to partake in like orgies, and cross dressing.

Saturnalia a time of Liberation

Saturnalia was even called a “feast of liberation.” Enslaved people were temporarily liberated. Moral rules were loosened, so activities like gambling , swearing in public and cross dressing were allowed on Saturnalia. The strict city dress code enforced upon all was even lifted meaning no more togas during this festival. Instead bright clothes were worn by all. Allowing others to freely be themselves and express themselves in ways that normally are not allowed giving them liberation they don’t normal get to feel the rest of the year round.

Saturnalia a golden era of abundance

At the heart of Saturnalia was a celebration for Saturn, the god of a the best time for humanity, called the Golden Age. This was a time when everything was plenty and peaceful. It was like a magical time with lots of resources, where everyone got along well, and the earth gave abundance without anyone having to work too hard. This time was full of lots of good things and happiness, and life was easy and free. The time when Saturn was in charge was like the beginning of a world that was full of peace and freedom. This is the time we remember and try to receive from the god Saturn again during Saturnalia.

Saturnalia a time when the veil is thinned

Like their Northern European neighbors who celebrated Yule, the ancient Romans believed the spirits and ghosts from the underworld were active during the Winter season and holidays like Saturnalia. Saturnalia, was a time when the spirits of the dead were honored and the boundaries between social classes were temporarily overturned including those between the living and the dead.

Common Traditions

Saturnalia was generally considered a merry festival, with lots of feasting and exchanging of gifts. Many of the common traditions we see during the winter solstice were seen during this festival as well. In Rome, the holiday was kicked off with a religious ceremony in the Temple of Saturn, followed by a free public banquet open to all. Along with the other common traditions below.

Unbinding of Saturn’s feet

The statue of Saturn’s feet, typically bound the rest of the year, were freed from their bindings during the festival. This symbolized the freedom and liberation of the gods, people, and earth. This was done within the temple of Saturn and by most accounts I can read the priest’s was even allowed to uncover his face.

Drinking, feasting, and revelry

Saturnalia was definitely a time of merriment full of Bacchus level style of partying. Drinks were flowing, bellies were full, and voices of laughter and singing were heard throughout every street. Sources say traditional foods included roast boar, cakes, walnuts, honey, grapes, fermented fish, figs, apples and of course, wine. In addition to the role reversals, large parties were had that involved orgies, fertility rites, gambling, and games of many kinds. cross-dressing was a common tradition and enlivened the atmosphere with joy as well.

Gift giving and gag gifts

Gift-giving, still common during the Winter holiday season today, was incredibly prominent in ancient Rome as a Saturnalia tradition. Gifts were given to children and gag gifts between friends. The gag gifts were called sigillaria and were typically wax dolls and figurines made to resemble gods, mythical heroes, and even grotesque monsters. These were typically sold during a Saturnalia market traditionally held during the holidays. Some believe the figurines are a nod to ancient times when human sacrifices might have been made. I wonder if this is where the roots to the famous gag gifting game, the white elephant game, gets it’s roots from.

The king of Saturnalia

The King of Saturnalia was a man chosen in each household to represent the leader of Saturnalia or Lord of Misrule. The King of Saturnalia would then cause mischief or misrule in the household and more specifically at parties and feasts. By playing pranks, telling jokes, chasing the women, etc. Even having the role creating chaos, by yelling commands that other partygoers had to obey. I consider this tradition as a way to create a character or “spirit” of the season. When I read about this common tradition it gives me a very Loki, causing Mischief kind of feel.

Saturnalia and the god Saturn

Saturn, and his consort Ops (Opis) were both worshiped on Saturnalia. To the Ancient Romans, Saturn wasn’t just the god of karma time and boundaries, but he was also an agricultural god and the ruler of a great Golden Age, a time of abundance and perfect peace. He taught the people about agriculture and how to save their money, so they might never experience hunger or poverty again. He taught them the payout of discipline and restraint. Offerings and sacrifices were made to both the god and his goddess in hopes of protecting the Winter-sown crops. Saturn, also called Father Time and Seed-Sower, is the Roman god of agriculture, prosperity, time and fertility. In one of the myths, Saturn is a haggard wanderer who eventually is given the job of door guardian. Tasked with guarding Rome’s immense wealth. Let’s be honest we all know how much Rome loves their money and gold. Which places him as one of the most important gods to Rome of all, outside of their founders whom we celebrate soon during Lupercalia.

Saturnalia and the goddess Ops

Saturn wasn’t the only deity honored during the days of the Saturnalia Festival but, so was his consort Ops. On, December 19th is Opalia, the feast day of Ops. Ops is the goddess of peace, plenty, and protection. She specifically is invoked to guard one’s home against fires and to extinguish fires that have gone out of control. Interestingly, her name influenced the word opulence, which means great wealth or luxuriousness.

Saturnalia Vs the Winter solstice and Yule

While both Saturnalia and the Winter Solstice happen to be festivals that take place around the same time as each other they are quite different with different core meanings. Saturnalia was a time of revelry and social upheaval in Roman society, characterized by indulgence, merrymaking, and the suspension of norms. In contrast, Yule carried a deep reverence for the natural cycles, focusing on the return of light and the cosmic order. While both Saturnalia and Yule involved feasting and joyful gatherings, their underlying philosophies and significance varied. Yule centered on the sun’s rebirth and spiritual renewal, whereas Saturnalia was more associated with social liberties and honoring Saturn as an agricultural deity.

Themes of Saturnalia

Every season and every pagan holiday has certain concepts and magical themes. Which means, depending on your tradition and needs, you can weave one or more of these themes into your personal celebrations. This festival perform spells to harness the energies of the harvest, abundance, expression, gratitude, liberation, accessing our deepest desires, and merriment. This is also a time to reflect on the past year, but in a way to be present. To truly let go and celebrate the hard work you did during the planting and harvest season. Saturnalia is a time to break down walls, let go of fear, and allow ourselves to express ourselves freely. To no longer let the expectations, and rules of societal norms hold us in shackles anymore. On Saturnalia, we see the following magical rituals and spells below as well. Remember these are just some of the themes and energies you can connect to and work with on Yule.

  • Merriment
  • Role reversal
  • Liberation
  • Equality
  • Celebration
  • Feasting
  • Drunkenness
  • Breakthroughs
  • Expression
  • Freedom
  • Abundance
  • The Harvest
  • Charity
  • Community
  • Agriculture
  • Wealth
  • Joy
  • Winter
  • Debauchery
  • Interconnectedness
  • Humor
  • Mischief

Saturnalia and Duality

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like the ancient Roman Festival of Saturnalia. This festival and holiday is time full of merriment, revelry, and honestly down right debauchery. Allowing us to express ourselves freely. For this one time during the year not be bound by societal norms giving us a taste of true authentic freedom. This may make some think this holiday is only about positive and wanted energies. But, that is not the case. To truly be free, to feel full liberation and be present in true debauchery you have to allow yourself to face your repressed feelings, inner shame, and let go of fear and control. You must be willing to let go of all fears and take a massive leap of faith in yourself, your partner, and the community you have made. You have to be willing to remove any masks you have in place so you can be truly present to feel all the pleasure liberation has for you to taste.

Correspondences of Saturnalia

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for A holiday or sacred time like Saturnalia. I will list below for you to use. Remember this is not an all encompassing list and there may be other correspondences to use. Just follow your intuition and use what calls to you.

  • Planet- Saturn
  • Animal- pig/ boar
  • Element- Earth
  • colors- red, green, gold, white
  • Herbs/flowers-spruce, fir, holly, bay laurel, cinnamon, pumpkin, mint, cumin, peppercorn, coriander, fennel, Rue
  • Stones/ crystals- Iolite, Sapphire, Moldavite, Black obsidian, Shungite, Smoky quartz, Spirit quartz, Onyx, pyrite, black tourmaline, Jet, blue kyanite, carnelian, ruby, garnet, malachite, clear quartz, Lapis Lazuli
  • Deities-Saturn and Opis. Also Janus, and Bacchus
  • Symbols-decorated trees, evergreen garland, wreaths, gilded ornaments, the sun face, candles, Sigillaria, coins
  • Food/drinks: boar, pork, honey cakes, figs, dates, grapes, mulled wine, mead, apples, olive oil

Ways to connect to Saturnalia

Whether you choose to weave Saturnalia traditions into your Winter holidays OR full-on embrace the ancient Roman festival, there are many festive ways to do so. First, In your everyday life, you can work with any affirmations, mantras, and visualization work for liberation, freedom, sexual desires, abundance, and wealth. Check out below more ways to work with and celebrate this Ancient roman holiday into your holiday season even now!

Switch up the roles in your home

One of the most popular traditions and my personal favorite was the role reversal. So, why not do the same in your life during this festival to honor that as well. Now, you may not be able to do this in your entire life because, it isn’t something that is widely celebrated like it was during ancient times in Rome. But, you can do it in your own home at least. So if you are normally the one managing the home while someone else gets a more laid back role. For these few days switch those roles. Allow each other to understand how the other feels to create more harmony in your home from this day on.

Gambling

During Saturnalia, a time of jovial merrymaking, many social norms were relaxed and inverted. Gambling, normally outlawed, was allowed in public. According to some accounts, you were only supposed to gamble for nuts, not money, to recreate the golden age of Saturn

Abundance and Sharing Celebrations

Host a feast that’s all about gratitude and generosity. Share your blessings with others, perhaps through a community meal where everyone contributes, or by donating to those in need. You can also cast abundance and wealth spells for not only you but, also for others. One of my favorites to do is to make abundance spell bags, or packets and gift them to friends, family members, and even strangers on the street.

Gift giving

Embrace the joy of giving with thoughtful, perhaps handmade, gifts. Acts of kindness, personalized letters, or DIY crafts can be more meaningful than store-bought presents.

Other ways to celebrate

  • Decorate with Evergreens
  • Carry On the Saturnalia Tree Tradition
  • Purification and cleansing Rituals
  • host a Saturnalia Feast
  • Dress in bright and lively clothing
  • add Saturnalia Decorations to your altar
  • Honor Saturn with prayer and offerings
  • Work with some chaos magic to cause a little mischief
  • Designate someone in your home as the king of Saturnalia
  • Throw a Big Party full of dancing, singing, drinking, and feasting
  • Pumpkin magic
  • Shadow work focused on freedom, liberation, and what you view as societal norms holding you back. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.
  • Study and learn about the history and practices of Saturnalia
  • Good luck and fortune spells
  • Sex magic
  • Add sigils to increase joy and give thanks for your meal with some kitchen magic
  • Candle magic
  • Apple magic
  • Mirror magic to unmask repressed parts of who you are
  • Spells to increase peace, harmony, and understanding
  • Play pranks, be a kid, do things that make you laugh
  • Celebrate the past years success
  • Charity work, or donate your time focused on feeding those in need
  • Elemental magic with the element Earth

Final thoughts

While Saturnalia seems to be lost to the ancient past by many, its lessons feel timeless. It teaches us to pause, reflect, and connect—to honor the cycles around us and revel in life’s fleeting joys. The Romans embraced Saturnalia as a way of restoring balance, gaining perspective, and finding unity, whether its by serving another or sharing a warm laugh . Follow your intuition and honor Saturnalia however feels right. That could be through sharing gifts, hosting a festive feast, or simply taking a moment to connect with your loved ones beyond the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Saturnalia reminds us to honor both the light and the shadow, to plant seeds for future harvests, and to bask in the merriment of community. It reminds us of the true freedom and liberation we get to feel when we embrace our authenticity and live outside of societal norms no matter what others feel and think.

Come join me for community, knowledge, and to restore the enchantment of magic in yourself and life today!

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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