Solstice Blessings to All!

dum la 21:41

© Getty Images
If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, today is Yule, the day of the Winter Solstice. It is a time of long nights, cold and gray skies, and an earth that lies dormant and fragile. It is a time of rejuvenation, because after today, the sun will begin its long journey home, warming the land a little more each day. It is a time to get together with family and friends, to wish blessings upon our loved ones, and to share our good fortune with those who may have less. It is a time of giving, and of light.

For those of you readers who happen to be in the Southern Hemisphere, you're enjoying Midsummer, or Litha right now. This is the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The days are warm, the earth is green and fertile and full of life, and the sun is high in the sky, giving life and power to everything beneath. Take advantage of the long daylight hours and work in your garden, play outside, and enjoy all the bounty the earth has to give.

Whichever one your family may be celebrating today, may you and your loved ones enjoy all the light and love and blessings that the Sabbat has to offer.

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Solstice Blessings to All! originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 05:41:01.

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Yule Countdown: Tree Blessings

sâm la 23:43

Celebrate Yule with a tree blessing
Image © Getty Images
There's always a battle over whether or not a real tree is better than a fake one, but really, it's up to you. Interestingly, it's actually quite environmentally sound to buy a tree from a tree farm (as opposed to just chopping one down at random in a forest). They grow the trees for the sole purpose of being harvested, and every acre of Christmas trees being grown generates enough oxygen for almost 20 people. Typically, after the holidays trees get recycled by most municipalities, and turned into mulch for gardens, used to repair damaged banks in streams that are suffering from erosion, or piled up to create new homes for wildlife.

Trees that we cut down and enjoy for a couple of weeks get put back into the soil almost immediately so that the cycle of life can continue. If your family cuts down a tree for Yule, you may want to try a ritual to honor the spirits of the tree you bring into your home. Check out our Holiday Tree Blessing!

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Yule Countdown: Tree Blessings originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 07:43:00.

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Yule Countdown: The Scents of the Season

18 decembrie 2009 la 23:36

Yule sachets are easy to make!
Image © Patti Wigington 2007
For me, one of the most magical aspects of the Yule season is the smells. Everywhere you go, there's a hint of pine on the wind, spices in the air, and woodsmoke lingering about us. Even the skies smell different - some of us are known to take a deep breath and announce to our family, "Smells like snow!"

A great way to bring those aromas home is by using herbs and natural items in craft projects. The herbal sachet is a simple one that you and your kids can make together -- in our house, we hang them on the tree each year, and give them as gifts: Make an Herbal Sachet.

If you prefer to have your winter scents simmering all day long, blend up a batch of Yule Potpourri. You can scoop as much -- or as little -- as you like into a pot and place it on the stovetop. This way, your house will smell like Yule all day long!

Yule Countdown: The Scents of the Season originally appeared on About.com Paganism / Wiccan on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 07:36:13.

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