So we’ve had some relative radio silence around here for quite some time.  I’ve had a move, was sick a few times, started working on some new projects with Sacred Mists, started one of my own new projects (I’ll get to that in a sec), and had a pretty big article to write for Witches & Pagans magazine.  The article is done and just needs a second proofread, I’m all settled in my new place and all other projects are now rolling away on their own.  That means I can get back to my own studies with the  classes I’m taking and I can get back to writing here!  I have to say, that makes me very, very happy! [Read More...]

Here’s a new Ask A Witch question from Sammi. If you would like to ask a question, feel free to use the form located in the link at the top of the page for Ask A Witch and send in your questions! [Read More...]

Another week has passed and another weekend and opportunity to take a peek and the signposts of the tarot is upon us! This week’s reading is being done using the Legacy of the Divine tarot which you can find here on Amazon.com. It’s an amazing deck if you haven’t seen it yet and it’s one that I’ve been working with and enjoying for the last few months. Check it out if you are able! [Read More...]

It’s time to start getting things back in the swing for 2010, so we’re going to start off with bringing back the weekend tarot forecast. Here is your look at what is headed your way this weekend, Friday night January 8th through Sunday night, January 10th. [Read More...]

2010 is starting off with a mixed bag of feelings and thoughts for me. I’ve been dealing with working through a complete mental and emotional road block that I hit around Thanksgiving. It was something that I had expected, to a degree. It was my first holiday season away from family who are back on the east coast while I’m not living in California. I had expected that it would be an adjustment with not being able to go home, but it seemed to be harder than expected. So everything came to a standstill and things that I love to do (this blog, my other writing, working with my clients, etc) have all suffered. So I’m asking 2010 to be my friend. It’s a 3 year in numerology so with any luck it will be one of progress and setting new trends. [Read More...]

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a wonderful, happy and blessed Yule. May it be a special one for you all and may the new light and hope of the returning light fill you with joy in these cold, dark months. [Read More...]

It’s that time again, time to consult the cards to see what the weekend has in store. The trending energies for the coming weekend seem to be ones that have us in the usual weekend before Yule/Christmas craziness, but it looks like things will end on a high note by Sunday night. [Read More...]

If you’re new to Wicca or haven’t really observed the Sabbats yet, you might find that it can be a little bit of an intimidating prospect at first. If you are fully aware of what it is that we are celebrating at this time of year it should be fairly easy to come up with some simple ways to honor the Gods and mark this special Sabbat. So let’s start by reviewing what exactly Yule is.

Yule is the celebration of the Winter Solstice. This is the time when the earth’s axis is has the earth tilted as far away from the sun as possible. It’s important to note that this doesn’t happen at the same time for the whole world. When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun and experiencing Yule, the Southern Hemisphere is being pushed closer to the sun, making this time of year Litha, or Summer Solstice for them. So while in the US, for example, we will be experiencing the shortest day and longest night of the year on December 21st and celebrating Yule, our Aussie brothers and sisters “down under” will be experiencing the longest day and shortest night of the year.
Also, because this is an event that is determined by the movement of the earth and sun, the date is not a constant one. Most books on Wicca will place the date either as being between December 20th and 22nd or as being stationary on December 21st. It does vary and this year, 2009, the date will be Monday, December 21st.

At Winter Solstice we stop to reflect on a few different things. With this being the dark time of the year we tend to find that we spend more time indoors, more time doing things on our own and being focused on inner and solitary pursuits. We also take the time to honor the God who is reborn at this Sabbat. The God comes back, reborn as the Child of Light, bringing with him the returning light of the sun (i.e. son). We give thanks to the Goddess for carrying the God through his journey of rebirth in the Underworld and giving birth to him. Some of the magick that we commonly work during the Yule Sabbat include spells for renewal and rebirth, spells to help bring hope into our lives, and spells for cleansing. Some people also feel this is a good time for spells for love, especially spells of familial love such as healing rifts with mothers.

Celebrating Yule can be very simple. Keep in mind, magick and honoring the Gods at a Sabbat doesn’t need to be elaborate but it just needs to have honest, heartfelt intent and desire. If in your heart you are truly grateful for the return of the light, the coming spring, and truly desire hope and renewal for your life in the New Year, then you the simplest act along with that intent is all you need. If this is your first time celebrating Yule, here are some simple things that you can do to honor the Sabbat.

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