Winter Solstice Ritual | Earth Magic Grimoire
SOLSTICE RITUAL
Winter Solstice is here, wild ones. This Wednesday (12/21) marks the beginning of winter with the longest, darkest night of the year. This Friday (12/23) brings the first dark moon of winter. This is a magical week full of opportunities to align your energy with the elements, to reflect on death, and to honor the return of the light.
“From the darkness is born the light…” While Winter Solstice is in fact the darkest night of the year, it is also from this moment forward that each day becomes incrementally longer, slowly brighter, and ever closer to that boisterous moment of Spring’s rebirth.
I’ve brewed up a special ritual for you. Let’s make soup!
From the moment you pull your soup pot from the pantry, the ritual begins.
Thank the Earth for creating the raw materials that were forged, smelted, formed into this vessel. This cauldron, after all, will tend to and hold your healing brew.
Thank the winter root vegetables for their harvest. Thank the animal for the gift of their life. And/or thank the grains, pulses, and legumes for their nourishment. If you want to go all out, make your stock from scratch and thank the bones for their marrow, their gift of health for your earthly body.
While your soup bubbles away, prepare your altar. Imagine your tablescape as an homage to the elements of Earth Magic.
Set the table with stoneware, wooden bowls, metal spoons. Lay down a green or brown natural fiber cloth. Display raw, unpolished crystals as a centerpiece, or even rocks found around your neighborhood. If you have antlers, skulls, or other ceremonial bones, bring them to the table. Pine boughs and even bare branches make a beautiful winter arrangement.
Can an altar be a highly-esoteric space where you practice your magic in private? Of course. Can it also be your communal dining room table? Absolutely.
As the soup is served and enjoyed, reflect on the wisdom of the season:
What aspects of my life are resting?
What aspects are decaying and dying?
What is preparing to be reborn?
Stay wild and Happy Solstice,
gail
P.S. Here are two of my favorite soup recipes, both full of earthy goodness and warming spices. I’ve riffed on these recipes for years , dialing them in just right for my taste, but even straight off the page they’re delicious. They are: Chili from Downshiftology and Moroccan Lentil Stew from Half Baked Harvest. Both can easily be prepared on the stovetop (though Half Baked Harvest uses her slow cooker) and both can be adapted for carnivores, omnivores, and vegetarians. Happy magic making, wild one.
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