New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
With its bright evergreen leaves, holly represents hope in a dreary winter landscape. For the Romans, it was a plant of good fortune. For the Celts, it was a plant of protection that was sometimes planted near their dwellings so the spiky leaves might snag evil spirits before having a chance to enter the home. When brought into the house during the darkest days of winter, the green leaves and bright berries brought cheer to the inhabitants of the home, as they were a reminder that spring would ...
Now we arrive at the twilight of the year. The skies are gray and the air is brisk. At night the wind may howl. By now, most flowers are just a memory. To capture the essence of summer, observe the regal plumes of dried grasses, both domestic and wild. They may be bleached tan from the frost, but still they stand proud. For this spell, cut a few stems of grasses. It could be from a meadow or your own yard. Arrange them to dry completely in an empty vase or jar. Display on your altar or ...
It may be fall, but now is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. For this ritual you'll need some spring bulbs of your choice, such as tulips, daffodils, or crocus. Prepare a place for them in your yard if you need to. Remove them from their package. Look at them carefully. They're truly amazing. They may look dry and lifeless, but each contains the seed of life, ready to produce a beautiful flower next spring. Mindfully begin to plant them as you say: Autumn leaves turn from green to gold. ...
Good spellwork often uses specially charged waters. Charged waters may be naturally occurring, as when one collects rainwater, or created intentionally, as when one leaves water out under the full moon to gather the moon's energies. It's easy to begin a collection of your own charged waters. Start with an assortment of tight-lidded jars and spring water, purchased or obtained locally from the wild. Sun-charged water: Leave a jar of spring water under the full sun, from sunrise to ...
