Posted on Leave a comment

Working with the magic of January; rest, renewal, and a new year

The holidays season of December have passed and the bitter coldness, frozen waterways, and piles of snow mounding on the ground have sent us inside to nestle by the cozy lit hearths of our homes. Where we allow ourselves to do as nature does and be still, hibernate, and rest. Allowing the silence to fill our heart with wisdom as we ground back into ourselves with our loved ones no longer gathered around. January marks the beginning of a new calendar year and is often viewed as a time for reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for our manifestation for the year beginning to unfold. During this month the darkness and silence calls to us to take a break from everything. We have put in the hard work all last year and made it the end. Now is the time to sit in the darkness of the unknown as we have an entire new year of endless potential and possibilities just beginning to be seen. This month sets the tone for the new story to be told in the year ahead. Come join me in this blogpost to learn all about the magic falling down in each silent snowflake covering the realm during the month of rest, stillness, and new beginnings of January.

History of January

January is the first month of the year according to the modern Gregorian and Julian calendars and its first day marks the beginning of the year for those calendars. Prior to the Gregorian calendar being invented this was the 11th month of the year. since the calendar was more pagan by following the natural cycles of the two seasons and began in March. January’s name comes from the two faced, Roman God of doorways; Janus.

Zodiac Signs For The Month Of January

Those born in January are said to be born under either the sign of the mythical seagoat Capricorn or the ethereal water bearer Aquarius.

Capricorns are typically born between December 22 and January 19. Capricorn’s symbol is a sea-goat, a mythical creature that is part goat and part fish. This is representative of Capricorn’s ability to navigate both the material and emotional realms. Capricorns are said to be hardworking, honest, loyal, and persistent. They are also known for being determined, responsible, and focused.

Those under the sign Aquarius are typically born between January 20th and February 18th. Aquarius an air sign is represented by the water bearer bringing Earth it’s vital nutrients. Aquarius is said to be innovative, progressive, and revolutionary while spreading wisdom to the world. Aquarius has a vision for themselves and the world, and they’ll work towards it no matter what others say. They can be seen as resilient, holding onto their hopes and dreams long after others have given up.

Sacred Days And Celebrations In January

Every Single month has sacred and important days and celebrations to help you connect to the energies of the month. Plus they usually are a lot of fun to take part in! Below you will find a list of the sacred days and celebrations for the month of January! The common theme you will find is the changing of a year, transition, and the winter season. Also take note how this month is probably the month with the least amount of holidays, festivities, and celebrations. But, first we are going to talk about a few that take centerstage during this month like the duality of New year’s day below!

New Year’s day

The new year is a symbolic time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. The new year is the beginning of a new calendar year. The new year is celebrated on January 1st in most countries that use the Gregorian calendar, including the United States. However, the new year is celebrated on different dates in other calendars, such as the Chinese, Jewish, and Islamic calendars. New Year’s day (and eve) is a liminal time exploding with the energy of renewal, transformation, and change. Marking the end of one calendar year and the beginning of another, it offers a secular reason for people to celebrate together. To read more about this holiday and get exclusive spells and ritual ideas read my guide here.

Lunar New year- Year of the snake (2025)

The date of Lunar New Year differs every year and is celebrated by many different cultures across the world, the most well known being in China with the colorful, festive, and loud Chinese new year celebrations. In 2025 it occurs on 29 January. The Lunar New Year is a celebration of the beginning of spring and the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated with family reunions, symbolic foods, cultural festivities, and vibrant traditions. Lunar New Year celebrations typically last around 15 days, from the new moon to the full moon. However, the length and ways of celebrating can vary by culture, religion, and region.

This Lunar new year will be the Year of the Wood Snake, the sixth animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. The year of the snake is said to be a time for introspection, strategic planning, and personal growth. The wood element is said to amplify the snake’s focus on creativity, flexibility, and harmony. I can not wait for the energy beckoning us in this year of shedding, transformation, completion, and karma. I am just about done with the guide for this lunar year so check back for the update on it! In the meantime you can check out my guide from last year here.

Yule

The 12 days of Yule continues into this month from December with the last day ending on January 5th for most. The 12 Days of Yule is an ancient Germanic/ Norse holiday that celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. It is also a time to honor the gods and goddesses, the ancestors, spirits of the dead, and the spirits of nature. Yule is a time of renewal and transformation, both in nature and within ourselves. It represents the cyclical nature of life, reminding us that even in the darkest times, there is always the potential for light and growth. Yule is a time to shed old patterns, release what no longer serves us, and set intentions for the future. Each of the 12 days of Yule connects us to a different energy and aspect of the natural world both within and without us. To learn more about his holiday and sacred time you can read my guide about it here. PLUS I have written an eBook that takes you on a winter walk through each days meaning and gives you ways to celebrate that day as well. To get access to this new FREE eBook head here to download it.

Other Sacred days and holidays

  • KALENDS: ancient roman festival to ring in the new year and dedicated to Juno Gamelia, the patron Goddess of marriage.
  • holiday of Epiphany, remembering the visit of the Magi Kings to Baby Jesus, or, according to Eastern tradition, the day Jesus was baptized.(Jan 6)
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Celebrated on the third Monday of January, this federal holiday in the United States, honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ( Jan 20th)
  • Tamil Thai Pongal Month: A harvest festival celebrated in Sri Lanka and India that expresses gratitude for nature’s bounty
  • Holocaust Remembrance Day ( Jan 27th)
  • ÞORRABLÓT (THORRABLÓT) (End of January/beginning of February): Midwinter Festival honoring Thor, usually by feasting and poetry.

Magical And Witchcraft Themes For January

January is a month of reflection, purification, and new beginnings in witchcraft, marked by the beginning of the calendar year and the deepening of winter’s chill. It’s a time to set intentions, release what no longer serves, and invite blessings and abundance into one’s life. Performing intention setting and goal rituals during January will have a lasting affect on what you manifest in the year ahead. With the beginning of the new calendar year and the deepening of winter’s introspective energy, January is an enlightening time for divination and spiritual exploration. Especially since this is a month of both the past and the future. January is also associated with the thinning of the veil and themes of purification, protection, and cleansing can be helpful now as well.

Don’t forget to cast fire spells as well during this month to bring you heat and warmth during the cold winter months. As well as connecting you to the hope of brighter and warmer days soon to come. I love to perform fire magic via candles during this month to create a beacon of light and hope for my mental health during the darkest days ahead. Lastly, if you live in a part of the world that freezes during the winter with frozen water ways and falling snow, binding and banishing magic can be extremely powerful and protective right now. Use the power of the alchemy in ice and snow to banish things from your life you need to let go, or to bind someone or something in place that no longer serves you in a wanted way.

The gods and goddesses of January

This month is a potent month to work with and honor deities associated with new beginnings and transitions, such as Janus, Hekate, Lilith, and the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. This month is a good time to get to know the winter goddesses that rule this cold season. Some are associated with the dark goddess aspect as of the divine feminine as well. Allowing for a powerful portal to ancient wisdom and magical knowledge during this month as the snow falls. Everyone works with and views deity energy a little differently. Whether you view them as archetypes of the human consciousness, representations of the source energy, or as being entities on their own, there are certain deities that now is the time to connect to and honor them in the most sacred and amplified way.( Don’t forget to grab my eBook in the shop to help you explore this)

This month for me is a very feminine month. When I want to go into the womb of mother Earth. When the dark goddess and her healing, justice, empowerment, 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. The deities that are going to be the best for you to connect to right now are deities connected rest, rebirth, protection, winter, snow, renewal, darkness, reflection, wisdom, manifestion, the moon, and the starting of the new year. Below we will talk about some of the deities you can work with this month. I could never list them all here.

Janus

January is associated with the Roman god Janus. The month was named after him, in fact. Janus had two faces and looked both forward and back. He was the Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. He is usually depicted with two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward. Janus was also the god of the beginning and end of conflict, and had duties related to birth, death, journeys, trading, travels, and shipping. Janus is a uniquely Roman god that does not have any Greek equivalent. This also makes Janus, to some Romans, the curator of the universe and the god of the prime beginning and end.

Jana

This Roman Goddess, whose name means ‘Luminous sky’, shines her light on the new year, extending improved insight and awareness as we move ahead. Jana, is the moon goddess of January, who presides over the Wheel of the Year, doorways, childbirth, new beginnings, and initiations. She is often depicted with two faces, one facing the past and one facing the future. She was worshipped alongside her husband, Janus, who represented the sun. Together, they were considered to represent time and space.

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. January is the month that solidifies us in the bitter cold of the winter season. 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 January, when the harsh chill of winter 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.

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.

Cailleach – Celtic / Scottish

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. She is a divine figure often depicted as a weathered, old woman wielding a staff or a wand. 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. Since, the ancient Celts celebrated two seasons only, her reign bringing cold all over the land began on Samhain. So, take your time this month to connect to her allowing you a smoother and blessed time during the long cold winter months ahead as the snow begins to really fall and the temperatures freeze the ground.

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 January 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.

La befana

The last 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. 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. ( I’ll be writing about her soon)

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.

Correspondences For The Month Of January

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 time of the year like a month, which I will list below for you to use. Remember this is just a start to the list for you. You can use any correspondences that connect the magical themes and energies of January. Just follow your intuition on what you choose to work with!

  • Planet-Saturn
  • Animal- Fox, coyote, pheasants, blue jays
  • Element- Earth and Air
  • colors-white, violet, black, blue, red
  • Symbol-Snowflakes, icicles, evergreen trees, Gnomes, Brownies,
  • Herbs-Sage, pine, juniper, snowdrop, kava kava, ashwagandha, chamomile, damiana, rosemary, fennel, nutmeg, cloves, basil, cinnamon, Carnations, crocus, birch, peppermint rose hips, acorns, chicory root, ginger, oregano, cedar, myrrh,
  • Stones/ crystals-Garnet, clear quartz, hematite, onyx, jet, black tourmaline, amethyst, ruby, lapis lazuli, amber, labradorite, jasper, moss agate, opal
  • Deities-Janus, Freya, Inanna, Sarasvati, Ch’ang-O, Sin, Antu, Pax, Felicitas, Irene, Venus, lilith, triple goddess specifically crone phase, jana, calliech, hestia, juno
  • Zodiac- Capricorn, Aquarius
  • Themes-Reflection, introspection, purification, new beginnings, Protection, reversing spells, conception and creation, spirit work, ancestor spells, divination

How to connect to the magic of January

We’ve talked a lot about all the different types of energies the month of January has and gives us access to work with. So, how can you specifically connect to those energies? In your everyday life you can make sure your affirmations , intentions, and manifestations align with the energies of renewal, rest, reflection, looking back to the past year, new beginnings, and aligning ourselves with the cycles of the calendar year. During this month follow that deep alluring pull whispering your name to go in your shadows to reflect, be still, and rest. Make sure to grab onto the energy of warmth in the fire crackling in your hearth and home as well as you let go of the past year and head into new beginnings with hope as the next one unfolds. You can celebrate and honor any of the sacred days and holidays this month has like both the calendar new year and the lunar one as well.

Some Rituals and spell workings during this time that will be really intensified will be based on releasing the old, clearing away unwanted energy from the past year, and welcoming in wanted energy and opportunities. Other spells that will have some significant meaning right now and help you connect to the energy of January should be centered around new beginnings, manifestation, and setting goals. This month is another month when you can really get some clear and transformative messages from your guides as we are in a liminal time when we can look both back and forward as well. through any means of divination you prefer but, fire gazing or Cryomancy ( snow and ice divination)are some to think about to align with the correspondences of this month.

January creates a very potent liminal pocket of time that is teeming with duality, balance, and the power of transition from one year to the next. It’s a month that really pulls us to go deep within ourselves in the darkness, stillness and silence for introspection, reflection, self awareness, and growth. This makes it a great month to do any work on transformation, reflection and preparation for dark times through shadow work. Allowing the energy of the frozen winter in the days of the new year to prep you for the long introspective months of winter ahead. 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.

  • Elemental magic with the element of Earth or fire
  • Solar magic to welcome the calendar year
  • Lunar magic to welcome the lunar new year
  • Shadow work based on transformation, rest, shedding skins, new beginnings through darkness, hope through light
  • Simmer pot for cleansing, renewal, and warmth in your home
  • Transformation and transition spells and rituals
  • Herbal magic-brew teas especially, or add herbs to your hot drinks
  • Protection magic– most potent right now will be banishing and binding
  • Purification and cleansing rituals and spells using snow
  • Abundance and gratitude magic- one of my favorites this month is using drinks like hot chocolate and apple cider to call in abundance daily to my life
  • Candle magic
  • Bake fresh loaves of bread and add sigils to the dough for good health and prosperity
  • Set SMART goals and intentions for your manifestations for the new year plus don’t forget to to create your personal develop plan
  • pick your word of the year
  • Journal reflecting about the past year than take the piece of paper and burn it in a fire
  • Slow down, rest, do soft self care for yourself
  • Work with evergreens in your spells and rituals
  • Make a manifestation and wish pinecone
  • Dream work and astral travel
  • snow magic
  • work with deities of darkness, the underworld, and winter
  • Divination like fire gazing, snow scrying, melt snow and use the water in scrying, Cryomancy
  • Create a spell jar to connect to the season of winter
  • reflect on the past year in gratitude try my 7 day gratitude challenge
  • Get out in nature, feel the snow, the cold, and the frozen ground while listening to the silence all around
  • Make snow water
  • Write situations or people you want to cool off on a piece of paper and bury it in the snow
  • Create a freezer spell
  • Add ice to your ritual bath for added protection and purification
  • Make a snowman as protection ward for your property
  • Make snowballs and release things you need to let go when you throw them
  • draw sigils in snow and ice
  • meditate as the snow falls
  • make ice lanterns
  • Mirror magic and mirror work
  • work with the divine feminine during womb healing
  • Work with the snake in your workings and rituals
  • Stand up for yourself with the poison of the snake using hexes, curses, and binding spells
  • Celebrate the lunar new year
  • create an altar for the month

Duality and the month of January

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like a month of the year like the one we are currently in, January. January is a month that even though it is frozen, silent, and still it is saturated in duality. January is a time to look both forward and back. In January we close one chapter of our life story and begin writing the new one as it begins to unfold. January for me is the month that reminds me of the duality of new beginnings. Beginnings are both exciting AND scary – it’s a time that is both liberating AND paralyzing. Beginnings are a time of endless possibilities full of hope while also being a time of mystery and fear in the unknown. January is a month that can make us aware of the duality of the time we have left living this lifetime as well. We are both excited for a new year coming to bring us more time while we are saddened for the time that has already gone back.

Final Thoughts

We talked about many things in this blogpost including the history, some celebrations, the different energies and magical themes we can work with during this month. Along with how to connect to those energies, deities we can honor and worship, and how to work with the magic of January. January is a uniquely magical time that invites everyone to plant the seeds for hopes and dreams. While also looking back on the things we just worked so hard to harvest in the year that has passed. January reminds us that even in the darkest nights, in the harshest conditions, and the coldest times we can still find hope and light. It’s the month that shows us the depth of our resilience and our willingness to thrive in harsh conditions. January shows us that just like nature we have the ability to every year become a blank canvas. Ready for us to paint and create something brand new and beautiful again. As the snow falls and blankets nature January’s magic brings the promise of rest, introspection, reflection, new beginnings, and endless possibilities.

Have you been feeling stuck, emotionally unstable, missing joy in your life, or having a hard time connecting to yourself and your magic? Do you want to start the new year from a different headspace? I have the answer for you to start out this new year from a place feeling grounded, present, and ready to manifest your dream life. Come join me for this special one time only two day event teaching you how to integrate the practice of Mindfulness to your magic and life!

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing one’s attention to the present moment without judgment. It allows you to move from just existing in life to thriving, get back to wise mind, create a place to heal and grow in, and most important of all, align you with joy while creating a life where you truly thrive! This skill is a core skill in DBT, the therapy that changed my life! To register for this special two day event visit the link below! https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JY5UBMB2TA27L

Posted on Leave a comment

Celebrate New Years Eve with abundance, renewal, and protection Magic

New Year’s Eve is a liminal time exploding with the energy of renewal, transformation, and change. Marking the end of one calendar year and the beginning of another, it offers a secular reason for people to celebrate together. As we look upon a new calendar year full of possibilities and opportunities, it is important to start off the right way. Along with making resolutions, I like to ring in the New Year with a bit of magic aimed at accomplishing my goals. removing obstacles over the next twelve months, calling in abundance, and protection. This is a time for celebrating the changing seasons by incorporating spells into your New Year’s Eve festivities. Doing this can set the tone for a vibrant, abundant, and magical calendar year ahead.

What is the new year?

The new year is a symbolic time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. The new year is the beginning of a new calendar year. The new year is celebrated on January 1st in most countries that use the Gregorian calendar, including the United States. However, the new year is celebrated on different dates in other calendars, such as the Chinese, Jewish, and Islamic calendars.

History of the New year

While it seems secular now, New Year’s is actually very much tied to ancient pagan celebrations. Many of our modern traditions are passed down to us from the ancients cultures and peoples. New year celebrations go back at least to the Babylonians. The Romans took these celebrations to the next level with copious amounts of drinking, feasting, and partying.

The new year hasn’t always been celebrated on December 31st/ January 1st. In 2000 B.C. the new year was celebrated around the time of the vernal equinox, in mid-March, in Mesopotamia. Today, most New Year’s celebrations start on New Year’s Eve, December 31, the final day of the year on the Gregorian calendar, and continue through New Year’s Day on January first.

The New Year a Liminal Time

As the old year fades away and the new one begins, we find ourselves in a liminal space. This is a time of transition and transformation, when anything is possible. It’s a time when we sit on the edge of one calendar year turning a page for another one to begin. The liminal space between one year ending and another beginning is a special time that should be embraced fully!

The New Year a time of abundance

When the calendar new year comes again it opens up a portal of abundance and wealth. The transition from one year to the next is seen as a chance to “clean the slate” and start anew, creating an optimistic outlook for the future. This includes the abundance of having all our needs met in life. This is a time when we set our intentions for the year ahead and what we all want to manifest. So, on this new years eve we do our best to have our life look like what we wish to manifest in the year ahead. We surround ourselves with an abundance of feasting, drinking, being around community, and loved ones as we ring in the new year ahead. We show the universe and the gods and goddesses all we wish for them to give us in the year ahead.

The New Year a time of reset

The calendar New year is the closing of one new year and the opening of another opening of a new one. This new start comes with a naturally feeling of renewal and reset. It is a chance to press the reset button on our lives, a chance to get it right this time. This is a time to relook at all the past year and reset for something brand new you have never seen before to unfold in front of you. If you want to learn how do to reset your entire life this new year’s eve check our my guide here.

Common folklore traditions

There are many different folklore and traditions around the world for how to celebrate New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is usually celebrated by most with gathering alongside friends and family. Popular rituals include serving food that symbolizes good fortune and making resolutions focused on what one hopes to accomplish in the next year. Along side doing things to draw in good fortune and to protect yourself and the home from unwanted spirits to come into your home. Let’s take a look at some of the many but, certainly not all, of the ancient traditions and folklore from across the earthly realm I have found below.

  • Ancient Babylonians celebrated the new year with feasts and returning farm equipment that had been borrowed from others.
  • In Norse traditions, Yule celebrations ended around the new year. The last feasts of the Winter Solstice were huge on this final night to celebrate the turning of the wheel.
  • In both Ancient Egyptian and Greek societies they paraded a baby around to symbolize the beginning of the new year.
  • The romans would kiss each other at midnight to bring love and prosperity into the next year plus to also ward off unwanted and malevolent spirits.
  • For the Aztecs, this was a time to sacrifice children by drowning in order to buy the favor of the rain gods.
  • DON’T do any laundry on New Years Day. In china it’s thought if you do laundry on New years you are setting up your next year to be full of cleaning
  • Do NOT cry, crying on January 1st instills a sad and negative mood throughout the next 12 months.
  • Make sure you wake up at dawn. In fact, according to a Polish tradition, getting up early on New Year’s Eve will make you wake up to the crowing of the rooster (and without the slightest effort) for the rest of the year.
  • If your dream for the next year is to travel the world on New Year’s Eve in Colombia, people go around with an empty suitcase which, according to ancient superstition, would ensure a nice trip within the year.
  • Eat 12 grapes (one after the other) just like they do in Spain, where they are said to bring good luck.
  • Have black cabbage and lentils be apart of your new years feast like the do in the southern United states to call in good luck, prosperity, and wealth
  • According to the ancient Chinese tradition, on New Year’s Day, you should not clean the house, as removing the dust or sweeping the floor would literally “sweep” away the good luck and the good vibes that would have been attracted by the celebrations and decorations dedicated to the new year.
  • Observe the weather in the very early hours of January 1st; if the wind blows from the south, the new year will be rich and prosperous; if instead, it comes from the north, then the new year will be problematic and turbulent, so better fasten your seat belts. The wind from the east also brings famines and calamities, while the wind from the west means that the new year will be rich and lush.
  • According to an Italian tradition, men and women should wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve if they want to find love, passion, good sex, and good luck in the next year to come.
  • If you live or are celebrating near a lake or ocean, try out this Brazilian ritual on New Year’s Eve, which involves jumping seven waves. With each jump, you make a wish for the upcoming year.
  • An ancient Persian New year’s tradition that is still celebrated by some in Iran is to light a bonfire and once you do you jump over it twice. On the first jump you say a blessing releasing your past years pain into the flame and then on the jump back. You say a blessing asking for the health of the flame to bless your life in the coming year ahead.
  • Eat round foods. In many cultures, eating round foods on New Year’s Eve is believed to bring prosperity and abundance in the new year. In Europe and the United States, people eat 12 round fruits to represent each month of the year. In the Philippines, people eat 13, which is considered a lucky number.
  • Smash pomegranates. In Ancient Greece, pomegranates were viewed as a symbol of abundance and luck. On new years eve people were seen smashing pomegranates outside their doors to bring good luck to the new year. The more pomegranate seeds spilled in the smash, the more luck you’ll have for the new year.
  • In Denmark, they break plates this tradition is done to ward off malevolent spirits and is symbolic of a fresh start to the new year.
  • Preparing mochi, which is a Japanese rice cake, on New Year’s is symbolic of renewal and is seen to bring about blessings for the year.
  • Grab some bread and bang the bread against the walls. The Irish believe that doing so wards off malevolent spirits and brings abundance to the coming year.
  • Danish tradition includes standing on the chair and “jumping” into the new year at midnight. It’s also believed that if you forget, it’s bad luck. ( I do this one every year)

The New Year and Duality

Since, I am a grey witch I look for the duality in every single energy I work with including sacred times like New year’s eve. I have always loved New Year’s Eve for it’s duality. It’s a time of reflection for me and a time to set my intentions for the new year. It’s a time to reflect on the past while looking towards the hope of the future ahead. It’s a time to not just look at what I want to change and let go of but, to congratulate myself for the all the mountains I climbed. It’s a time when I take a look at what worked from the past year and what didn’t. I am reminded of the constant ebb and flow in life, the constant change, and how to live in the balance of liminal transformation as one chapter ends and a new one begins.

Correspondences for the New year’s

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 the calendar New year. 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-Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Saturn
  • Animal-Deer, opossums, whichever Chinese zodiac we are in that Chinese New year
  • Element- All elements
  • symbol-sparkles, babies, fireworks, glitter, the clock, the Gregorian calendar, father time
  • colors-Silver, gold, red, white, black
  • Herbs/flowers- rosemary, clover, thyme, pine, cinnamon, Lavender, Basil, Oregano, Spearmint, Patchouli, bay leaves, sage, fennel, rose, Cardamom, mugwort, orange, apple
  • Stones/ crystals- carnelian, rose quartz, lapis lazuli, citrine, amethyst, malachite, tourmaline, clear quartz, smokey quartz, onyx, black jet, jasper, fluorite, moonstone, sunstone, pyrite, jade, amazonite, tigers eye
  • Deities-Janus, Celtic Holly King, Cronus, Strenua, Marduk, Tiamat, Hotei, Nehebkau, Osiris, Ganesha, Amun-Re, Odin, Frigg
  • Food/drinks- wines, beer, mead, collards, lentils, black cabbage, pork, soba noodles, mochi, rice cakes, fruits, round shaped foods, NO CHICKEN

Ways to work with the energy of New years

However you choose to work with the New year’s eve magic and energies make sure to follow your intuition where it leads you. Make sure you tap into the energies of abundance, renewal, and the closing of one chapter, and the opening of a new one. In your everyday life, you can work with any affirmations, mantras, and visualization work for abundance, new beginnings, endings, reflection, and the changing of the calendar year. Let’s take a look at some of the many different ways you can magical work with the energy of New year’s eve.

Imagine and set your New year SMART goals

One of the number one ways to celebrate new years eve is to sit down, let your imagination run wild and think of all the biggest and wildest goals you wish to set for the year ahead. This is the eve when you are observing the calendar year that you can really think big, let the walls down and don’t think about what you can’t have but, come from a mindset of abundance and focus on what you can have. But, don’t forget to not only let your imagination run with your goals but take the time to set them in a specific way by making them SMART goals. If you have been with me the last year I have written about SMART goals many times, but I do so because using this method changed how I was able to take those goals in my imagination and bring them to life. To learn all about SMART goals and how to set them this New Year’s eve head over to my guide here now!

Visualization

Visualization is great way to set intentions for the new year. This is going to be the practice I am really intentionally committing to this New years eve and all 2025 long. I’ve come to learn with my manifestation work in the past year just speaking things out loud is not enough. I must see myself already having what I want in my hands. So, close your eyes and imagine yourself surrounded by all of the things you want to manifest in the new year. Picture yourself living out your dreams, achieving success, and feeling fulfilled by all that you have accomplished. Hold onto this image as you move forward into the new year, knowing that it will come true if you put in the effort and stay focused on your goals.

Cast protection spells

New Year’s Eve is a liminal time where the energies around us are more susceptible to change. As we look upon a new year full of possibilities and opportunities, it is important to start off the right way. Protecting ourselves, our family, and our space is something essential to do before we commence into the new year. A New Year’s Eve Protection Spell can be a powerful tool to keep us safe and supported as we let go of the old year and prepare for the future. So cast those protection spells this New Year’s eve to protect you home, your family, and your life all year long. Ps. don’t forget to cleanse yourself, your tools, and your space as well before you cast your protection spells.

Reflection through Shadow work

Remember how New years eve is a liminal time. It is time when we are sitting on the edge of change and transformation. In order to move onto the next stage of evolution and change that we are greeting in the new year ahead we must first look back. We must look at the highest heights we reached and lowest depths we sank to down deep. We must decide what we want take from one chapter into the next and what we wish to leave behind. The best way to do this for me is through shadow work. 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.

Release work spells

As we go into the new year ahead with hope for a bright future we have to make sure we have left the things we no longer need in the past. One way to do this is to make sure we energetically and magically release the things from the past year. One of my favorite ways to do this on New year’s eve is to write down the things I wish to release. The patterns in the past year that no longer serve me and I no longer wish to repeat. Along with the blockages I met during the past year to align with the correct energies to manifest all of my goals being met. Once I write them down I wait until the clock strikes 12 then I read them out loud and burn them in fire to release the blockage from life. To no longer carry any of that into my new chapter of life.

Abundance and good luck spells

With a New calendar year unfolding before us on New Year’s Eve this is a day we can set ourselves up for a long and prosperous year ahead. We can tap into that unlimited potential this magical unknown year has for us. There are countless different traditions you can do like some we talked about above from around the earthy realm that will bring in abundance and good luck. Along with just as many spells. One really poplar one I like is to place a bowl of coins outside my threshold. When you return home for the first time in the new year (perhaps after a late-night party),bless them for everything you want in the new year to come. To get more ideas for abundance and good luck spells head over to my Pinterest where I have many or check out my abundance guide and my guide all about Thursdays magic.

This spell is my favorite one to do every single New Year’s Eve. It masters the liminal space and energy of change on the night, the magic and mastery of time to bring in a very abundant, vibrant, and magical life in 2025.

Shortly before midnight on New year’s eve Grab 12 candles, I prefer to use white or green, 12 coins, and an herb bundle made of rosemary, thyme, sage, and bay leaves. Take your candles and set them on the floor in front of in a circle to mimic a clock and place one coin under each candle. Then get yourself into sacred container while you focus on what it is you want to manifest in the next year ahead. Once you feel you have a clear vision in your head and your intent is set, sit with it until the clock strikes midnight. Once the you hear the clock chime, start lighting each candle in your circle starting at the top aka 12 o’clock and going clockwise until all 12 candles are lit. Don’t forget to focus on your intention you are setting for the year ahead as you light each candle in your magical clock. Once this is done go around your entire home and smoke cleanse your space bringing in your most abundant year yet. Let the candles burn until they go out on their own or if you are not comfortable with that for safety reasons burn them for 12 minutes for each candle and then blow them out by 1 as the time is met.

Other ways to work with New Year’s Eve

  • Divination-pull some cards or do some mirror scrying. Ps. don’t forget you can always book me for a reading in the shop
  • Create a new year altar
  • Perform a gratitude ritual like writing a list of all the things you are grateful for and reading them out loud to the multiverse
  • Cast fertility spells to speed up your manifestation work done on new years eve night
  • Do a chord cutting or uncrossing ritual for ties you no longer need in your life ( you can find both on my pinterest page)
  • Stay up until the stroke of midnight and jump over a fire to release the pain of the past year and welcome in the health of the new year
  • Work with snow magic for your manifestation and intention set his year
  • Place coins on your window seal, and/or throw them threw your front door, and/or bury them outside your threshold for a constant money flow all year long
  • Tie a bulb of garlic to a red string and hang it above your front door to ward off any ill will for the new year and break hexes from the past year
  • self care rituals and spells to promote self worth
  • Open your front door at midnight and make a lot of noise to keep unwanted spirits away.
  • Write a wish or resolution on a piece of paper and burn it on New Year’s Eve, ideally at midnight.
  • Open all of your windows and doors to help reset and cleanse for the year ahead
  • Right before midnight switch off the lights in your home then right at midnight flip them back on to bring in new light and to symbolize the changing moment of the year
  • DO NOT eat chicken or you will bring in bad luck all year
  • Meditation focused on reflection and new beginnings
  • Open your front door right at midnight to greet and welcome the new year into your home
  • Hang a horseshoe above your front door to bring good luck into your home
  • Make sure your wallet is full of money and maybe even add a herb of abundance in there as well like bay leaves or clover
  • Do dream work or travel to the astral realm for guidance in the new year
  • Start a dream journal and a bullet journal
  • Declutter and cleanse your technology like your apps, email, social media
  • Create a good luck talisman or spell bag to carry with you throughout the year to come
  • walk a labyrinth
  • Make a spell jar to harness the manifestation, abundance, and renewal energy of the new year
  • Wish magic
  • Create a simmer pot to cleanse, purify, and protect your home
  • Write a letter to your future self to open at a later date when you need it during the year
  • Start a gratitude jar
  • Go on an intentional and mindful nature walk
  • Have a bonfire with friends and family until dawn then release our wishes and blockages into the fire
  • drink, dance, feast, and be merry
  • Do some sex magic either solo or with a partner to manifest your goals for the new year

Final thoughts

The New Year has long been used as a time to purge the old and add new meaning to life. In witchcraft, this is done by focusing our energy towards personal goals and intentions. No matter what type of witchcraft practice we choose, the New Year is a great time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. Set your eyes high on your highest goals, reflect on the past year to release blockages, reset your life, and protect your family, yourself, and your home. The new year comes with this magical potential in the air swirling all around us, that anything is imaginable in the coming year. With the start of a new cycle upon us, we have a portal of possibility to start fresh, redefine our lives, and cast our vision for the life we choose to live this coming year.

Don’t forget to check out my New year’s blog from 2024 here as well!

Come join me the first Saturday of January to revolutionize how you set your goals for 2025. Let me show you hand in hand how to create my personal development plan. You will leave with your entire years worth of SMART goals planned, a way to keep yourself accountable, and have a clear path on how you meet every goal you set. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/4ZKQ6FXMUGGEJ

Have you been feeling stuck, emotionally unstable, missing joy in your life, or having a hard time connecting to yourself and your magic? Do you want to start the new year from a different headspace? I have the answer for you to start out this new year from a place feeling grounded, present, and ready to manifest your dream life. Come join me for this special one time only two day event teaching you how to integrate the practice of Mindfulness to your magic and life!

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing one’s attention to the present moment without judgment. It allows you to move from just existing in life to thriving, get back to wise mind, create a place to heal and grow in, and most important of all, align you with joy while creating a life where you truly thrive! This skill is a core skill in DBT, the therapy that changed my life! To register for this special two day event visit the link below! https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/JY5UBMB2TA27L

Posted on Leave a comment

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!

Posted on

Imbolc; Midwinter

First, What is Imbolc?

Imbolc is a sabbat on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year but is originally an ancient Celtic holiday celebrating the first signs of Spring. The word Imbolc is believed to mean either “ewe’s milk” or “in the belly”, which obviously refers to the birth of baby lambs around this time in Ireland and Scotland. In modern times, most of us don’t understand the harshness of Winter that our ancestors endured. At this time, they were coming out of a period of brutal weather and their food stores were declining. So when the babies were born and the milk starting flowing, it was a good day. It meant they’d have more food to last the rest of the Winter season. nourishment, survival, purification and protection a big themes for imbolc.

In addition to celebrating rebirth, life, and replenishment, the Celtic goddess Brigid is honored on Imbolc. Another name for Imbolc is Brigid’s Day or Saint Brigid’s Day, as her saintly counterpart is also honored on this day. Imbolc is celebrated annually on February 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and August 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. There are many traditions and practices sacred to this day including making Brigid’s crosses, feasting on Imbolc foods, and making magic.

Brigid the Irish goddess of Imbolc; who is she?

Brigid is also known as Brigit or Bríg.

  • The Bright One
  • Fiery Arrow
  • The Powerful One
  • The High One
  • Great Mother Goddess of Ireland
  • Lady of the Sacred Flame
  • Eternal Flame of Life
  • Flame of Inspiration
  • The Mistress of the Mantle

She is the Irish Goddess of fertility and spring.

A Goddess in Irish tradition, Brigid is one of the most well-known. Pagans know her as Great Mother Goddess of Ireland, and Christians as a Saint Brigid. With this energy, Brigid brings the remembrance of our Oneness and is an awesome affirmation of the Eternal Essence of the Divine Feminine.

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.

According to famous witch and writer Laurie Cabot, “Brigid is honored in her maiden aspect, but she is a pregnant maiden, pregnant with the young seed of the Sun. At Imbolc, also called the Festival of Lights, Brigid wears a radiant crown of candles. She is wondrous healer, Protector, and Patron of Creative Inspiration. Until her light is fully born again at Beltane, Brigid ensures that the seed is nurtured inside her womb and that the home fires continue to burn through the final days and nights of Winter.”

She is associated with many things; Poetry, Healing, Midwinter/Imbolc, Flames/fire, Fertility, and Motherhood.

Imbolc Magical and Spiritual Themes

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. On Imbolc, also called Brigid’s Day, we see the following magical rituals and spells

  • Purification
  • Protection
  • Love
  • Fire and Water
  • Awakening
  • Rebirth
  • Honoring the goddess Brigid and Saint Brigid
  • Prosperity
  • Healing

Imbolc Correspondences

Colors-White: represents the Snow and milk
Green: represents the newly emerging earth and the green of Brigid’s mantle
Pink: symbolizes the female reproductive system
Orange and red: represent Brigid’s sacred fire
Pastel Spring colors

Food and decorations-acorn, bears, deer, Brigids cross, evergreens, grains, dairy, milk

crystals- amethyst, moonstone, ruby, garnet, bloodstone, onyx, turquoise,

Herbs/ flowers- basil. bay leaves, chamomile, jasmine, rosemary, lavendar

Spell workings-
Make a Brigid Cross
Create an Imbolc Altar
Give an offering of milk to the earth
honor Brigid
charge new tools for the year
Reflect on goals set during Yule
Have a bonfire
Light a candle on Imbolc eve to meet Brigid in the liminal space
Take a cleansing and purifying bath or shower

Divination-fire scrying

Scrying by Candleflame

Since Imbolc is a holiday that honors Brigid and her sacred fire, why not try your eye at fire scrying? If you have the ability to have a bonfire, then go for it! If not, a simple candle will do the trick. But keep in mind, a roaring fire outside will have different results from a small flame inside. You could even try both. This form of scrying is as simple as watching the flames and allowing pictures to form. This can be literally in the fire OR images that flash into your mind.

How do I celebrate and honor this sacred day?

Imbolc, also called St. Brigid’s Day, is an ancient Celtic holiday celebrated annually on February 1st. It’s a time when Winter starts to fade and the first signs of Spring pop up to remind us life will blossom again soon. But how do we celebrate Imbolc in our own modern way? Below you will find out some ways you can do this in your own life and practice.

Imbolc wishing ritual

You can use either a box or a Jar

Take the vessel and decorate it with Imbolc and spring correspondences.

Than take a sheet of paper (green if you can) And write out all your wishes for the coming year and/or season. You can also add rosemary and/or bay leaves into the box.

Than take the paper and energetically seal it within your vessel while saying

“ As the sun begin its rebirth I gave my thanks back to mother earth. Embracing change, with the light of hope the seeds of the future I continue to sow.”

Than Take the vessel and add it to your altar or leave it in a place you can see it often and come back to and charge yourself with its energy

Imbolc Spell jar

I love, love, love spell jars! They have so much power and energy packed into such a small space. You get to decide the energy and intention that is sealed off in there for you to be able to come back to whenever you need to recharge with it.

Some things to make sure when you create this spell jar, make sure wash and cleanse the jar before you use it. You can also charge it under the moon and at your altar prior to using it. Before you add each item to the jar make sure to you have created a sacred space, and set your intention energetically.

Once you add the items you can say any incantation, intention, manifestation, or spell while energetically sealing the jar. You can also as a bonus seal it with wax on top and/or sigils. For a more detailed look at how to create spell jars and the simple beauty of their power look at for a new blog post coming soon.

Imbolc Shadow work

Every single holiday and celebration brings it’s own special energy with it and with that comes specific shadow work themes and prompts to work with while in the sacred liminal space of that specific sacred day.

What is shadow work? In case you don’t know.

Shadow work is necessary if you wish to grow spiritually and personally. It will help you better understand yourself, your traumas, and the old wounds you are carrying. Not to mention, help you better understand other people.

The idea of shadow work is to bring your dark sides out into the light and learn to accept and love them. There are different exercises and activities to help explore those aspects of yourself, but you must first acknowledge your shadow.

Everyone has a shadow self. The shadow gets developed in our childhood from our ego while adapting to social norms. We learn to change and adapt our behavior in a way that is acceptable in society. But along the way, we also bury an authentic part of ourselves, our shadow side.

If you want to learn more about this topic check out my FREE youtube class With divination academy and study guide linked here; https://youtu.be/lhPItS33eu4?si=UbdnoUDghlmy5bbz, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dkXzYdb6HAbfJCgkfcdaR0cifj12D5A0/view?usp=sharing

Imbolic spell using Brigid’s fire of creativity

What You’ll Need:
White candle (tealight or spell size is best)
Lighter
Carnelian: small chunk or pendant
How to Cast the Spell:
Gather your supplies. Set the mood with music, incense, etc.
Set your carnelian chunk or pendant close to the candle.
Get into a relaxed state, light the candle and say, “candlelight, fire bright, burst through the darkness and stagnancy inside of me. I ask Brigid to lend me her fire of inspiration and creativity.”
Close your eyes and repeat the prayer two more times. Visualize a small flame in your heart growing bigger and brighter. This is the fire of passion and creative ingenuity. Let it continue to grow in your mind’s eye as the candle burns down.
When the candle is done burning, pick up the carnelian stone and carry it on you. Wear it daily and know that the fire of creativity is inside of that stone. Lending its energy to you.
Now CREATE. Whatever that means to you: writing, arts and crafts, a new project at work, music, etc. etc.

However, you choose to celebrate this sacred day whether it’s honoring Brigid, pouring milk back into the earth, fire scrying, and so much more may this blessing be with you!

May the life stirring
underground stir new
dreams to life within you.
May the flames of inspiration and passion
be ignited in your soul this Imbolc/ Midwinter