News From the Oracle by 13SistersOfDelphi

Feature: Yule

Elder High Priestess Elder High Priestess High Priestess

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High Priestess in Training Thalassadorite Britannica Morningstar Lady Belissama Lady Metsaema Lady Gaea Mawu Cardea

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Scrying: Tea Leaves

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Mythology: The Story of Boreas, Khione,Skadi, Odin, Saturn

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Celtic Legends: Holly VS oak king

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Aseroth

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Archangel: Gabriel

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Celebrations & Traditions: 12 Days of Yule,Winter Solstice 105-109 Congratulations 110 3

By: High Priestess, RavensThorn

According to Norse historian and saga translator Lee M. Hollander every nine years Germanic(Norse) farmers were compelled to come to the temple hof and make sacrifices and feasts over a prescribed period of time during yuletide. Yule was celebrated in Germanic countries with animal sacrifices were they sanctified blood was then used to paint the altar, temple posts, and the supplicant himself as part of the ritual.

The history of Yule

the boars head was served at the Christmas feast by tradition with great pomp. Yule comes from the old Norse jol And old English geohol Which was a season of hunting after the harvest was done. This fell in what we now call December so it eventually became associated with the Christmas holiday. The first recorded use of the noun yuletide, according to Wikipedia, was in 1475. The yuletide season lasted from the end of November to the beginning weeks of January but the feast of Yule lasted 3 days over the winter solstice and marked the beginning of the new year. Yule was similar to Passover in Jerusalem before the temple was destroyed. For Passover, the Jewish people would bring lambs, birds, and other animals for sacrificed. The blood would be offered on the altar and the meat cooked for the Passover meal.

He was literally ‘washed in blood’. this was followed by feasts, storytelling and drinking around a large communal fire. The greatest saga Yule is described as a time of “great mir th and joy among men”.

It is described as housing 3 statues on three Thrones, 14 Thor, one for Odin and one for Freyr. There was a great gold chain around the building, draping from the Gables that flashed in the sunlight from afar. Other travelers accounts also mentioned this chain.

Yule log

eventually many Yule customs were absorbed into Christmas celebrations as Christianity overtook northern Europe. The oldest was the tradition of the Yule log which echoed with sacrificial significance. Originally it was a whole tree for a large tree trunk that was carefully chosen, felled and hauled to the log house with great ceremony. Then the end of the trunk was laid on the hearth and it lit with a brand from the previous year’s Yul fire as the rest of the tree stuck out of the hearth into the room. The tree trunk was pushed into the hearth as it burned, which it did continuously for 12 days from Christmas Eve to epiphany. At the end, the unburned part of the tree was extinguished and saved to start the fire next year. In Holland, they believed that storing the leftovers of the Yule log under a bed would protect the home from lightning strikes. No doubt a nod to Thor.

This was also a time of oath-making. Business deals and marriages were brokered. OK you’re ready. The godi (Priest, judge, Chieftain) who was in charge of the hof wore a great gold ring around his neck. The people who would swear an oath, laid their hands on this ring and made their pledge in front of witnesses. Just such a ring was found at an excavation of an 11th century chieftains residents on the outskirts of Tisso Denmark. The most famous hof was uncovered at Uppsala Sweden. The same temple is mentioned in the Heimskringla Bye Snorri Sturluson And in Adam of Bremen’s 11th century travel journal.. 4

Dear Curiou s in Nebraska, I belie ve that a person can be both a Chri stian and a w itch. A lot of the w itches I know al so belie ve in the Chri stian aspects such as Jesu s and the Angel s. Ever yone’s mag ical path i s different. If you associate your relig ion w ith both w itchcraft and Chri stianity, then that’s what you are. Ne ver let anyone tell you how to belie ve. Best of luck on your path.

Blessed Be Si ster, ....… The Oracle 6

evergreen leaves of holly became symbols of hope for continued life. English Ivy was considered Queen to the Holly King. On the Winter Solstice girls dressed in ivy and boys in holly to symbolize how nature came together to create new life. The ancient Romans saw holly as the sacred plant of Saturn (Roman god of harvest). Sprigs of holly were given as gifts during the festival of Saturnalia leading up to the Winter Solstice.

Holly – Endurance Genus: Ilex – Family: Aquifoliaceae Symbolization – Peace & Goodwill Holly brings life and creativity during difficult and challenging times. As an evergreen, holly reminds us of our inner strength and endurance so we may achieve our goals and make them real.

The Holly tree is one of the most beloved, respected trees in Celtic mythology and is the evergreen twin of the Oak. It is said, that while the Oak was the controller of the light half of the year, the Holly tree controlled the dark, winter months. The evergreen holly symbolized the enduring nature of life during the dark days of winter, while the deciduous oak symbolized the fullness of life during the lightfilled days of summer. When the oak dropped its leaves in fall, the

The Holly tree is incredibly sacred in Celtic mythology. It is resistant to lightning; therefore, it is associated with the Celtic and Norse gods of thunder, Taranis & Thor. The Holly tree was planted near dwellings to protect people from lightning strikes. Druids believed the Holly tree to possess the protective qualities of guarding against evil spirits and bad luck. It is said that bringing the leaves inside during the winter months will provide shelter from the cold for fairies. The fairies will then be kind to those who lived in the home. The magical tree has been represented by a Holly wreath which was worn by Celtic chieftains as a crown for good luck. It was also used to protect newborn infants from harm. Infants would be bathed in the water from the Holly leaves. Few know that a Holly tree is either male or female, this becomes apparent as the tree

matures; the male Holly tree has pale yellow flowers and the females are white.

good stone to wear or have near in situations where you need a calming and soothing presence. Because of the high vibration rate of the stone, some believe the stone can be a stimulant to the throat, head, and preserve youthfulness. It is also believed that since the stone can take intense heat to bring forth its full potential, that it also can bring forth the wearers’ full potential along with help them get in touch with the alternate side of their personality.

The Holly speaks to the fierce capacity of the human soul to take the descent into the underworld, bringing inner light into darkness. We can understand the signature of the tree, with its ability to germinate without sunlight, favoring dark, moist conditions that are more strongly related to the downward earth pole. Its stiff, pointed leaves are not unlike thorns or “spears.” The Holly produces a hard, white close-grained wood that imparts a quality of solidity and security, as it stands in the depths of winter, resistant to cold and darkness with its toned-down evergreen color. Holly reminds us to believe in ourselves and to connect with our inner strength as we move through difficult times in our life. By knowing that everything eventually comes full circle we can see the potential that lies ahead. This is a time of positive action and endurance that will help us achieve a long-term goal. Holly also reminds us that being stuck in a rut or seeking quick fixes will deplete our resources. This will result in us feeling bitter, frustrated, or selfish.

Holly King by Joanna Powell Colbert (Kaminski, n.d.)

To carry spirit light into World Winter-night My heart is ardently impelled That shining seeds of soul Take root in world ground And the Holy Word resounds Through the darkness of the senses Transfiguring all life.

Tanzanite is a stone that is rarer than diamonds and almost as famous. Tanzanite mines are predicted to run dry around 2022 which will increase the desire to having this gem. Tanzanite is an exquisite form of zoisite with color ranges from ultramarine to sapphire blue. It appears with amethyst and sometimes yellow hues in artificial light. An unappealing brown stone develops it’s blue during a traditional heating process. It is often mistaken for sapphire, but the biggest difference between the two gems is tanzanite’s amazing range of purple and blue hues. Tanzanite is believed to bring a higher consciousness and stimulate intuition and perception. Some believe that it helps in detoxifying the body and improving vitality. The gem is a

The violet blue stones primarily activate the heart chakra, which links with the third eye chakra via the throat chakra. When the three chakras are linked, a powerful vibration is created that will open you up to a completely different way of looking at things. Tanzanite helps create a link within you to the higher heart or thymus chakra (L. Oakes, n.d.) . It is known to stimulate the feeling of divine love. While the throat chakra participates, it works to open a greater depth within your communication skills. The throat chakra will begin to aid you to communicate from a heart-based perspective. The natural stones have a high vibration with powerful metaphysical properties. The use of this stone in meditation may boost your healing. When tanzanite is held in the hand, there may be a feeling of the violet ray 13

of light moving down from the higher etheric transpersonal chakras into the crown chakra. The power of the violet light is known to enable healing within the higher chakras of the body. From there, the energy moves down into the heart chakra. The energy brings through the power of the Divine Mind and the process of spiritual enlightenment. These spiritual attributes make tanzanite a powerful tool to use for spiritual growth and healing. Abilities may be awakened and accelerated after using tanzanite such as clairaudience and clairvoyance. tucking a piece of the stone in your pocket and by placing one under your pillow at night will help achieve the best results. This is a strong stone to help you with contacting your spirit guide and may also stimulate your psychic communication gifts. Other gifts may be precipitated including various kinds of brain-based abilities based around language or mathematics. Developing your intuition is also very likely to be one of the gifts that may be stimulated.

body throughout the day. It is also beneficial to keep it close by while you are sleeping. All the violet flame crystals may be used when you are working on healing the higher chakras. This includes the soul star chakra, the third eye chakra, the crown chakra, and the etheric chakras right up to the fourteenth chakra. This powerful energy will open the third eye and will support your spiritual awakening. This is one of the groups of strong crystal energy stones and may be used with others of this group. This stone is a powerful tool of transformation and will aid you to heal karmic related problems that you may or may not be aware of. Tanzanite is such a powerful stone that you should always keep grounding stones on you while working with them.

Use this stone along with other violet flame stones, such as purple Amethyst Crystals, Purpurite, violet or pinkish Sugillate and Amethyst Cacoxenite. All these along with Tanzanite are stones of the violet flame, and are powerful to use for healing, as they are the violet flame embodied. Some people find they have the propensity to make them quite spacey and lightheaded. Making sure you are grounded is important whenever you use high crystal energy stones like this. This lovely purple blue crystal may stimulate development within the soul star chakra, which is the first of the transpersonal chakras. If you desire to experience major transformation in your life, you must begin at some point. Using this lovely crystal may be where it all begins. If you continue to meditate regularly with Tanzanite crystals, your meditations may be beyond expression in depth and profoundness. As you may make contact with angels, ascended Masters and your own spirit guide, using this stone has the potential to awaken dormant psychic abilities. There are several stones below that combine well with them. It is beneficial to combine this lovely purple-blue stone with other blue throat chakra stones including Aquamarine, Sodalite, Dianite and Larimar. For past life healing you may like to use it with the lovely green Seraphinite, Iolite, Petrified Wood and Danburite, to release old patterns of karmic disease. Other stones that combine well with these crystals are the high vibration stones such as Herderite, Herkimer Diamonds, Satyaloka Quartz or Clear Apophyllite. To boost its action to aid transformation, use it combined with Moldavite, Cerussite, Selenite or Scolecite. You can use it with the other “violet flame” stones, including violet flame crystals, Purpurite, Sugilite, Morado Opal also called Violet Flame Opal and Amethyst Crystals to create a stronger healing outcome.

Many healers make use of this crystal as one of the stones on a multi crystal wand. This is one way to use this crystal, and it is easy to obtain a piece of this stone, then use it with other high vibration stones on a kyanite wand. If you choose this option, after using it for meditation keep it on your 14

The destructive attributes of Air come in the form of storms—especially tornadoes—as well as dangerously cold or hot temperatures. When sufficiently energetic, Air can move Water and extinguish Fire. Air can both move Earth—in the form of blowing soil—and be obstructed by it, such as when wind is blocked by the shelter of a cave. In the form of a soft breeze, however, Air can be experienced as the gentle, reassuring whisper of the God and Goddess. CONNECTING WITH THE AIR ELEMENT

Air is the ever-present Element that is all around us, yet impossible to see. It is only visible through the interactions it has with the other Elements: Earth, Water, and Fire. The Air Element is represented by the sky, wind, birds, and mountaintops, and is associated with the mind, the intellect, communication and divination. Like Water, Air is an Element of movement. It is not fixed to the ground, but instead can rise up and travel around the globe. Air’s energies can cause rapid change, such as shifts in the wind’s direction and fluctuations in temperature. Air is essential to life because it contains oxygen, but also because it scatters seeds across the ground so that new plant life can take root in the Earth. 24

Obviously, we are literally in constant interaction with Air as we are always breathing. But being conscious of your breath is important when it comes to truly relating to this “classic al” Element. Many different breathing exercises, such as those found in yoga and meditation practices, can help you enhance your spiritual connection with Air. So can taking a walk in the brisk wind, noticing how the air moves across your skin. Make a point of spending time outdoors in the fresh air whenever you can. Appreciate every cool breeze you encounter on a hot day. Watch the movements of clouds and trees as they sway in the wind. If you’re craving a deeper connection with Air but can’t get outside, turn on a fan and sit right in front of it, giving thanks for its cool, refreshing essence. 25

Shared by High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

SPIRITUAL AND MAGICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE ELEMENT OF AIR: Deity: the God Energy: masculine, projective Direction: East Tools: wand or athame, depending on tradition; incense; bell Colors: yellow, white, silver Season: Spring Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Magical Uses: Air is involved in the burning of incense and in smudging rituals. Breath-work and ritual movements and dance also utilize the energy of Air. The direction of the wind can be used to enhance certain types of spellwork.

by: Brittanica

by: High Priestess, RavensThorn

A Visit from St. Nicholas BY CLEMENT CL ARKE MO ORE

Prayer to the Winter Goddess “O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice, watching over us as we sleep, a layer of shining white, covering the earth each night, frost on the world and in the soul, we thank you for visiting us. Because of you, we seek warmth in the comfort of our homes and hearths.”

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack. His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

Shared by High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Shared by: High Priestess, RavensThorn

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

Does my haughtiness offend you? Don’t you take it awful hard ‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own back yard.

I rise I rise

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. 30

I rise. 31

Shared by: Brittanica

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Prayer for the Beginning of Winter “See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the bright sun soon to come. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way, for the world to awake once more. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the longest night of the year. See the gray skies overhead, preparing the way for the sun to finally return, bringing with it light and warmth.”

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn

Shared By: Brittanica

Tegnér’s Drapa by Henr y Word swor th Long fellow

I heard a voice, that cried, “Balder the Beautiful Is dead, is dead!” And through the misty air Passed like the mournful cry Of sunward sailing cranes.

They laid him in his ship, With horse and harness, As on a funeral pyre. Odin placed A ring upon his finger, And whispered in his ear.

I saw the pallid corpse Of the dead sun Borne through the Northern sky. Blasts from Niffelheim Lifted the sheeted mists Around him as he passed.

They launched the burning ship! It floated far away Over the misty sea, Till like the sun it seemed, Sinking beneath the waves. Balder returned no more!

And the voice forever cried, “Balder the Beautiful Is dead, is dead!” And died away Through the dreary night, In accents of despair.

So perish the old Gods! But out of the sea of Time Rises a new land of song, Fairer than the old. Over its meadows green Walk the young bards and sing.

Balder the Beautiful, God of the summer sun, Fairest of all the Gods! Light from his forehead beamed, Runes were upon his tongue, As on the warrior’s sword.

Build it again, O ye bards, Fairer than before! Ye fathers of the new race, Feed upon morning dew, Sing the new Song of Love!

All things in earth and air Bound were by magic spell Never to do him harm; Even the plants and stones; All save the mistletoe, The sacred mistletoe!

The law of force is dead! The law of love prevails! Thor, the thunderer, Shall rule the earth no more, No more, with threats, Challenge the meek Christ.

Hoeder, the blind old God, Whose feet are shod with silence, Pierced through that gentle breast With his sharp spear, by fraud Made of the mistletoe, The accursed mistletoe!

Sing no more, O ye bards of the North, Of Vikings and of Jarls! Of the days of Eld Preserve the freedom only, Not the deeds of blood!

Celtic Yule Blessing “The food is put away for the winter, the crops are set aside to feed us, the cattle are come down from their fields, and the sheep are in from the pasture. The land is cold, the sea is stormy, the sky is gray. The nights are dark, but we have our family, kin and clan around the hearth, staying warm in the midst of darkness, our spirit and love a flame, a beacon burning brightly in the night.” https://www.learnreligions.com/about-yule-prayers-4072720

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn

Green Groweth the Holly BY HENRY VIII, KING OF ENGL AND Green groweth the holly, So doth the ivy. Though winter blasts blow never so high, Green groweth the holly. As the holly groweth green And never changeth hue, So I am, ever hath been, Unto my lady true. As the holly groweth green With ivy all alone When flowers cannot be seen And greenwood leaves be gone, Now unto my lady Promise to her I make, From all other only To her I me betake. Adieu, mine own lady, Adieu, my special Who hath my heart truly Be sure, and ever shall. 38

Shared By: Brittanica

Yule | Ceisiwr Serith This is the long night. This is the cold night. This is the dark night. This is the night of last hope. This is the night of the little spark. This is the night of turning from darkness. This is the night of turning toward light. This is the night of wonder. The long night is here: Come to us, you Spirits; Together let us fill the long night with light, Calling all beings to warm themselves at our fires.

Ring the bells of Yule In the dark night. Ring the bells of Yule For the morning light. Ring in the night. Ring in the light. May the wolf be kept far from the Sun, With bound jaws beyond the walls, Even in the dark night of the year. May the long winter be far off, and Ragnarok delayed. We pour this mead to the Einherjar, And to all of the gods of Asgard, In thanks for summers past And in hopes of summers to come.

Each candle we light is a star. Let us light as many as we can, and spend time Among the stars we’ve created on Earth. Let us know that their twinkling is them smiling, Because they know a secret: The Sun will be coming back, and not only Returning, but strengthening, From this day through many, From this darkest of nights. On Yule, let us laugh with the stars at our fear of eternal darkness, Laugh with these earthly stars we’ve lit.

Serith, C. (2020). The big book of pagan prayer and ritual (pp. 188 - 189). Newburyport: Weiser Books.

Savory Sun King Soup You can make an entire crockpot full of this soup or scale the measurements down to make a smaller batch if needed. It is glutenfree, and you can substitute olive oil for the butter if you prefer to avoid dairy.

Ingredients • • • • • • • • •

3 tbsp. butter (use real butter, not margarine) 1 small onion, diced 1 shallot, diced 4 garlic cloves, pressed and chopped 3 quarts tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and pureed (if tomatoes are out of season, use four large cans of tomato paste) 1 box vegetable broth 1 cup orange juice, no pulp A few sprigs of rosemary Salt and pepper

Sautee the onion, garlic, and shallots in the butter over low heat. Cook them until they begin to caramelize and then remove from heat. Pour the tomatoes into a 5-quart crock pot. Add the vegetable broth and orange juice. Stir until well mixed. Fold in the onions, garlic, and shallots. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then allow to simmer on low for about eight hours. To get the best flavor, add the rosemary about two hours before you want to eat. If you put the rosemary in too early, it tends to lose some of its earthiness while cooking. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Divine Yule Peppermint Fudge Many of us would agree that fudge is the food of the gods, but what most people don’t realize is that it’s easy to make. Whip up a batch of this peppermint treat in just a few minutes, and then share with your holiday guests–or keep it all to yourself!

Did you know that the scientific name for chocolate is theobrama cacoa, which means “food of the divine ones”? This recipe is so easy you can make it in your microwave and keep it on hand in case company drops by during your Yule celebrations. If Persephone had some of this ambrosia waiting for her above ground, she’d have returned from the underworld a whole lot sooner.

Ingredients • • • •

16 oz. semi-sweet Baker’s chocolate 14-oz can sweetened, condensed milk (not evaporated) 1 tbsp. butter (use butter, not margarine) 2 to 3 drops peppermint extract

1. Place the chocolate and the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm up in the microwave until the chocolate begins to soften, but don’t microwave it too long or your chocolate will burn. 2. Once the butter and chocolate are melted, stir them together until well blended. 3. Add the condensed milk and mix it well. 4. Add the drops of peppermint extract. 5. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with aluminum foil and then lightly butter the foil. 6. Spread the fudge mixture into the pan evenly. Refrigerate until cool, usually about an hour. 7. Once the fudge has hardened, remove it from the pan and the foil, and cut it into pieces. Store in an airtight container until it’s all gone. If you’re not a big peppermint fan, you can make plain fudge by eliminating the flavored extract or try different flavors instead. Recipes found at: https://www.learnreligions.com/yule-cooking-and-recipes-2562933

You will need: • • • • •

Yule Wishing Spell

Wooden Box Red Ribbon - 8 pieces Plain Paper and Pen Parchment Paper cut into 8 squares Dragon’s Blood Ink

Incense:

• 8 Orange Candles • Matches or lighter • Something to inscribe the candles (rose thorn, nut pick etc.) • Incense Burner • Charcoal Disc

Grind cinnamon, ginger and clove in your mortar and pestle

Attraction Oil:

• Carrier oil – 1 oz (sweet almond) • Lovage Herb – tsp • Lemon Peel – tsp

• Rose Petals -tsp • Lemon Balm -1/2 Tsp • Small piece of Lodestone

Yule is a time of new beginnings and is the perfect time to sow the seeds of new achievements for the coming year. Be sure to have all the spell ingredients handy before starting the magic. On a plain piece of paper write down all that you wish for in the coming year. Don’t hold back or judge your wishes, just let your desire flow from your heart to the words you’re writing. When you have put down everything that you desire, re-read your list and begin to narrow it down to eight or less wishes. To “narrow down” you can remove some of the less important wishes. Jot down a symbol for each wish such as a dollar sign for money, a heart for love etc. On the night of Winter Solstice write one wish on each piece of parchment paper square and put the designated symbol for the wish on the opposite side of the paper square. Sit comfortably and arrange the wishes in a circle around you with the symbols facing up. Light the charcoal and place it in the burner. Inscribe one symbol on each orange candle and anoint with the oil (from the middle to its top towards you and then from its middle to its bottom towards you again) and put it behind its corresponding paper square. Put the incense on the charcoal and as the smoke begins to curl around you say a silent prayer to your chosen Goddess. Begin lighting the candles around you moving deosil and beginning in the East. As you light each candle, say something like:

Candle flame, burning bright (state the name of the wish) begins tonight!

Once all the candles are lit, beginning at the Eastern candle visualize each fulfilled wish in turn. Take your time and be sure to see the wishes as already manifested in your life. After visualizing each wish, take the piece of paper and roll it into a scroll. Bind your wish with the red ribbon tied in a knot. Place your wish in the wooden box. Continue in this manner until all your wish charms are in the box. When you are finished with the visualizations and binding, silently thank the God/dess of your choice. Be sure to center and ground yourself. Place the candles somewhere safe and allow them to burn out naturally. The box of wish charms may be placed under your bed or in your nightstand and left until next Yule. https://sacredwicca.com/yule-wishing-spell

By: Brittanica

So, how does tasseography work?

For a seemingly harmless beverage, tea has a dynamic history. The tea trade’s past is steeped in colonialism, in violence, and even in revolution. This aromatic beverage’s checkered history aside, there’s no denying that it’s delicious; today, it’s enjoyed in nearly every culture around the world. And tea isn’t just for sipping. Tea leaves are also used as a divination tool to explore the past, present, and future known as Tasseography or Tasseomancy. Tasseography is the art of identifying symbols and then interpreting messages that are found in the shapes of the tea leaves. Scrying tea leaves is a powerful, creative, and accessible way of building your intuition. It is a less expensive option for those who are interested in building a unique divination practice with tools already in the home.

Like all divination practices, tea leaf reading is based on the idea of directing energy. When our magical intention is focused within the tea, the leaves become energetic channels that are able of mirroring our experiences, including those that have not yet occurred (A.K. Faragher, 2018). When a question is asked, the leaves reveal hidden blockages, offer advice, and forecast the future. The messages are embedded within the wet leaves’ shape, density, color, and placement. “A Highland Seer ” wrote a text on tasseography called Reading Tea Leaves in 1881. The text offers a detailed list of standard tea leaf symbols and what those symbols mean, along with some configurations and interpretations. Many tea readers consider the text a fundamental resource. It may sound obvious, but to read tea leaves, you must first brew a cup of tea. Assemble your teacup (preferably white or a light color to allow you to see the leaves’ configurations more clearly), hot water, and loose tea leaves. The contents of a tea bag will not work. Those leaves are too finely cut to create identifiable forms. It’s recommended that beginners use simple loose black tea leaves but enjoy the process of selecting an aromatic blend that entices your senses. Once you’ve located your favorite tea leaves, place them directly

into the cup (no need for strainers or infusers) and pour the hot water. Since the leaves will remain in the cup, you don’t need to worry about steeping. While the water cools, take a few moments to reflect on your intentions and begin transferring your energy into the absorbent tea leaves. The person seeking answers is referred to as the querent. It is incredibly important to be specific in this step so that you can formulate a clear and concise question. A general ask will bring a general answer. When the temperature is right, the querent should start sipping the tea as they contemplate their question. When there is a tablespoon of tea remaining in the cup, hold the cup in the left hand and swirl it three times from the left to the right. This is referred to as the swirling and turning ritual. With the left hand, proceed to overturn the cup slowly and carefully over a saucer. Leave the cup upside down for one minute, then rotate it three times. Turn the cup upright with the handle positioned due south. Tea leaves should be stuck to the cup in a variety of shapes and clusters containing insight and answers. The interpretation process can seem a bit daunting at first. Tasseographers have observed consistent patterns and configurations throughout the centuries. There are over 150 classic symbols in Reading Tea Leaves, so it is best to utilize the free resource

to help guide you through the interpretations. There are also tutorials available as well. You will generally encounter five types of symbols while scrying tea leaves: animals, mythical beings, objects, letters, and symbols. Sometimes these forms will be extremely obvious. For instance, the wings of a bird can suggest newfound freedom or a successful journey. Additionally, a cross may signify a blockage or unforeseen trouble ahead. It is very important to remember that not every formation needs to be interpreted. You should only focus on the symbols that pertain to the querent’s question, whether the querent is your or someone else. The cup used in scrying tea leaves serves an important purpose. The handle is the energy conduit that connects the physical and abstract

By: Brittanica

realms. It also symbolizes the querent and should be positioned due south to signify the querent’s current environment. Tea leaves near the handle suggest events relating to the querent’s immediate surroundings and leaves directly across the handle symbolize external issues and outside influences. The cup is divided into three parts for prophesying. The rim symbolizes the

Origins say that Pausanias and PseudoApollodorus claimed that Chione was born to an Athenian princess named Orithyia. Her father was Erechtheus who was a famous founding king of that city. Boreas, the god of the North Wind, saw Orithyia as he blew through Athens and fell in love with her. He attempted to woo her however he was not naturally romantic.

present, the sides represent the near future, and the bottom of the cup symbolizes the far future. These zones can be used to gauge timing, connection, or intensity depending on the question. Timing refers to how soon a situation is likely to occur while connection refers to the physical or symbolic distance between two individuals. Intensity could be seen within leaves on the rim which would suggest a life-changing event. It is important to remember that the tea leaf and teacup does not have any intrinsic power. The answers are a reflection of your own intuition. It takes practice to cultivate divination skills, but the more you use your gifts, the better you will become at producing answers. The wisdom we need already resides inside of us. The tea leaves will simply help structure your insight.

Chione was the daughter of the North Wind in Greek mythology. She was the goddess of snow and was closely linked to the cold air and storms that her father blew in from the mountains of Thrace. Chione seemed to personify the force of nature that she represented. There are welldeveloped deities to represent winter weather in other cultures, but it is not the same as far as Chione. She may seem like other minor deities in Greek mythology, but there are stories that talk of Chione in a way that describes her as a younger legend. While other characters and events in her mythology are long-established, Chione was not mentioned in any stories until late in Greek history.

In fact, Orithyia had no interest in the wind god, so she completely rejected his advances. Boreas decided to act more in keeping with his nature and take the princess by force. One day as Orithyia was playing by the banks of the Ilissos River, the North Wind swooped down and carried her away. She was taken to his home in Thrace and eventually gave birth to four of his children. Her sons Calais and Zetes became Argonauts. There were accompanied by Phineas, which was the Thracian King and seer who married their sister, Cleopatra. Orithyia’s other daughter, Chione, became a goddess – the personification of snow. In the 2nd century AD, writer Aelian claimed that Chione was the name of the North Wind’s wife instead of his daughter. He claimed that the

Hyperboreans had three priest who were sons of Boreas and Chione. Hyperboreans are a mythical race of giants from the far north. However, it is more accepted that Chione was the wind god’s daughter instead of his wife. A later myth sought to link the goddess of snow to an important Olympian. There have been several writers claim that Chione and Poseidon had an affair resulting in a son named Eumolpus. She feared that her father would react negatively to her pregnancy due to Boreas having a quick temper and harsh nature. Fearing his anger, Chione threw her newborn into the sea. Poseidon rescued the baby and gave it to his daughter, Benthesykyme, to raise. Eumolpis was raised in Ethiopia and married one of his foster sisters. He later traveled to Trace and Eleusis. He became the first priest of Demeter and the founder of the Eleusinian mysteries. Some claim that he was killed in a war against his grandfather, King Erechtheus of Athens. The myths surrounding Chione appear to have originated in late Greek mythology. Written records talk of her birth and her affair with Poseidon are from the 2nd century AD. Chione does not appear in art from the classical era either. Chione is absent from most of the wind god’s mythology. There is not a lot of information about Chione overall.

Her function as the goddess of snow can be inferred from her name, which is taken from the Greek word khion for “snow,” but her mythology is otherwise lacking in detail. This might be due to the Greek world not needing a goddess of snow (M. Greenberg, 2021). The Greeks had many minor gods and goddesses that embodied different features of the world around them. Nymphs were goddesses of nature, the river gods controlled waterways, and even emotions and states of being were embodied by daimones. Snow, however, is relatively rare in much of Greece. Only the northernmost parts of the country and the tops of its mountains receive snowfall on any regular basis. It seems likely, therefore, that most of Greece

had little need to represent snow with a deity. It was so rare that it played little part in most people’s lives. When such a deity was eventually added to the pantheon, it made sense to associate here in some way with Boreas. The god of the North Wind brought in the cold winter air that made Greece frigid, although dry, in the winter months. This cold weather was not native to Greece. They recognized that their Mediterranean climate was milder, and often hot and dry, and that the coldest winds of winter were an outside force. They said that Boreas lived in Thrace, a country to the north that was thought of as barbarous and cruel. The god of war, Ares, was also said to make his home in in Thrace. Thrace was the home to gods that were a part of their pantheon but did not necessarily fit with the ideals of their culture. Boreas was, like Ares, too cold and cruel to be thought of as fully Greek. Chione was said to have been a Thracian goddess because, like her father, her nature was not something that was embraced or common in Greece itself. Snow could be seen at times, but it was largely relegated to foreign places and mountaintops. Chione seems to be a late addition to Greek mythology as there are no existing records of her before the 2nd century AD.

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Norse centered their culture on the sea, Skadi’s life in the mountains was also important in their culture. She may not have been born among the gods, but she made her place in their pantheon.

Many people may not be familiar with the name Skadi, but the land that she shares her name with is quite familiar: Scandinavia. Skadi, spelled Skaði, was not a true goddess of the Norse pantheon. Although she was given a place among them, she was actually a giantess. Skadi is featured in many stories of the Aesir and Vanir gods. She participated in their feasts, helped punish their enemies, and married one of their senior members. Skadi is linked to the climate and geography of the Norse world. Her home was in the frigid mountains and is known for her love of hunting, skiing, archery, and many other rugged activities (M. Greenberg, 2020) . Although the

In modern literatures, Skadi is described as a giantess. The word “giant ’ is sometimes used as an interpretation of the Norse word jötunn. The jötnar were not giants as we often think of them today. Although they were not proper gods, they seem to have been closely related. Some of the jötnar were enemies of the gods, such as the giants from the lands of ice and fire who would invade at Ragnarök, but others were on better terms. Many gods, including Odin, were said to have jötnar parents. While Skadi is usually called a giantess, descriptions of her do not fit the image modern readers may have when picturing a giant. She was described as “a fair maiden,” and “the shining bride of the gods.” Skadi is seen positively in Norse mythology, but her father was less fortunate. Thiazi closely fits the stereotype of a giant. He lived in a hall called Thrynheim in the Jötunheim’s mountains. He was known as wealthy and powerful as well as greedy and cruel. Thiazi was a giant that was not friendly with the gods.

The Prose Edda describes the story of how Thiazi and Skadi became involved with the gods. Odin, Loki, and Hoernir were described as traveling through the wilderness and came upon a herd of oxen. They were in need of food, so they slaughtered on of the oxen and attempted to roast it in an earthen oven. However, no matter what they tried, the gods could not get the oven to light. Thiazi, who presented in the form of a giant eagle, was perched on an oak tree above them and held responsible for the lack of fire. He voiced that he would light the fire if the gods would allow him to share their meal. The gods agreed, but Loki became angry when the eagle devoured the majority of the meat.

Once the Aesir learned of her disappearance, Thor threatened to torture Loki to death unless the goddess was returned. Loki turned into a falcon and flew to Jötenheim where he found Iðunn alone. He proceeded to turn her into a nut and flew away with her. Thiazi witnessed this and chased Loki. The two raced back toward Asgard resulting in Thiazi catching up to Loki. The gods were watching for Loki’s arrival however, so they saw that Thiazi was about to catch up to the swindler and retake Iðunn. They saw no choice but to stop him, so they threw up a wall of fire just behind Loki as he approached Asgard.

Loki tried to hit Thiazi with his staff, but the weapon magically stuck to the eagle’s body. Thiazi flew away while carrying Loki through the sky. The eagle flew low enough that branches and rock hit Loki as they flew past. Thiazi agreed to release Loki under the condition that the goddess of youth, Iðunn, was brought to him. Although Loki agreed, he knew the gods would never allow Iðunn to be taken to Jötenheim. He then tricked the goddess into leaving with him and proceeded to kidnap her without being seen. 55

Loki obliged, embarrassing himself to attempt making Skadi smile. He tied a goat to himself by its beard which resulted in both Loki and the goat squealing loudly when they pulled one another. When Loki fell into her lap, Skadi finally laughed. Odin also participated by placing her father’s eyes in the sky as stars. Although Skadi was happy that her father would be remembered, she still had one more demand for the gods.

Thiazi hit the fire and his wings were burned away. Some say that he was killed when he fell, but most said that the gods attacked him on the ground and finished him off. The jötunn was no longer a threat, but his daughter soon learned about how the Aesir had killed her father. Skadi put on a helmet and coat of mail, gathered her weapons, and set out for Asgard. Skadi dressed for war to demand repayment from the gods, but the form that payment took was far more peaceful. Skadi made two demands when she arrived. One was that they make her laugh; something that had been impossible since her father’s death.

Skadi demanded that she be allowed to marry on of the gods so that her loneliness from her father’s death would end. Odin agreed to her request but with the condition that Skadi not be able to choose her husband. The gods would stand behind a curtain and she would have to choose a groom based off of his feet. Skadi was hoping to marry Baldr, the most handsome and well-loved of the Aesir, so she chose the most flawless feet before her. Instead of Baldr, however, they belonged to another god. The feet belonged to Njord, the Vanir god of the sea. They were married but immediately disagreed. After the wedding feast, Skadi wanted to return to Thrynheim and the mountains while Njord made his home by the sea in Nóatún. The new couple compromised and agreed to split the time between their homes. They first went to 56

Thrynheim for nine nights. Njord was miserable in the mountains. He hated the sound of the howling wolves and was ready to return to the coast. When they went to Nóatún, however, Skadi was just as unhappy. The noise of the seagulls kept her awake the entire time she was there. Njord and Skadi were so unhappy together that they largely ended their arrangement. The jötunn and the god were so incompatible that they lived apart most of the time. Skadi spent her days skiing and hunting in the mountains while Njord remained by the sea. According to most sources, however, Skadi and Njord remained married. They often attended the gods’ feasts together and Skadi came to be regarded as a goddess in equal standing to others like Frigg or Sif. It’s also implied that Skadi had children who were held in high regard. The children were:

• Saemingr – One narrative claimed that Skadi did not remain married to Njord and instead gave birth to a king of Norway who was fathered by Odin. Skadi is never specifically named as Freyr and Freyja’s mother, although she is their father’s wife. Some versions claim that Freyr joined the Aesir at the same time as his father, meaning that he was born before Njord and Skadi were married. In the Poetic Edda, Skadi acts more maternally toward Freyr than might be expected if she were not his mother. When the god spotted a jötunn maiden named Gerðr, he fell instantly in love. Freyr began to act so depressed that his longtime servant, Skírnir, is sent to find out what was wrong. In most writings of the Poetic Edda, Njord commands Skírnir to discover the

• Freyr – Njord’s son was associated with kingship and prosperity. He was among the most highly regarded gods and joined his father as one of the Vanir who moved to Asgard. • Freyja – Freyr’s sister is usually considered to be the goddess of love and beauty. She was also a warrior goddess who took half of the soldiers lost in battle to her hall to join Odin’s warriors of Valhalla in Ragnarök.

According to one line of dialogue from the Poetic Edda, it may be likely that Skadi is the otherwise unidentified mother of Freyr and Freya. The most significant relationship that Skadi has with another character in mythology is with Loki. They were so connected that she played an important role in his imprisonment and the beginning of Ragnarök. Loki would often antagonize the gods; however, he did work to redeem himself. For example, when he cut off Sif’s hair, he brought back a golden replacement and other magical gifts for the gods. source of Freyr’s depression. In others, however, Skadi and Njord ask this together. Some historians follow Snorri Sturluson’s text and change Skadi’s name to Njord’s in the line in which she is mentioned. Others point to the pronouns used in the poem to prove that Skadi is involved as well. When the servant is asked to question Freyr, the poem states “our son” instead of “my son.” Those who believe that Skadi should be included point to this as proof that two people originally asked after Freyr’s wellbeing. This is scarce evidence for a family relationship, but it is one of the most significant clues that exist regarding Skadi’s relationship with Freyr.

Over time, Loki’s tricks grew to be crueler and destructive. He was often fighting with the gods rather than be in peace with them. Loki became a true enemy when he brought the death of Baldr into play. Instead of redeeming himself, he went further and prevented Baldr from being released from Hel and coming back to life.

contest of insults and threats, often called a flyting, between Loki and the other gods. Loki’s exchange with Skadi was different than those he had with the other goddesses at the feast. While Sif and Iðunn tried to appease Loki, Skadi made threats. The jötunn swore that, although Loki was joking now, he would not be free for much longer. Soon, she said, the gods would use his own son’s entrails to bind him. Loki’s reply was also different. While he accused most of the goddesses of immorality, to Skadi he referenced his involvement in her father’s death. He said that even if he was bound, the fact would always remain that he was the first and last to strike Thiazi when he was killed. After Loki said this, Skadi swore personal vengeance. She claimed that her home would always have “cold counsel” for Loki if what he claimed was true. Skadi’s prediction at the feast would soon come true. Loki eventually left after Thor arrived and threatened him and the gods quickly decided that Loki was too dangerous to be free. Although he tried to hide in the form of a fish, Loki was soon captured. As Skadi had said, Loki’s son was killed, and his entrails were used to make the chains that bound Loki to the rocks. The gods imprisoned Loki, but Skadi had her own punishment for her father’s killer. She hung a snake above Loki’s head that dripped poison into his face. Loki’s wife, Sigyn, stayed by his side to catch the venom in a bowl. Whenever she had to empty the bowl, however, Loki writhed in pain as his face was burned, causing earthquakes. Loki would eventually escape his imprisonment at

When Loki later entered the hall, Braggi claimed that he was not invited. However, Odin had once vowed that Loki would also sit by his side and the laws of hospitality forced the gods to allow Loki a place at the table. Unfortunately, Loki began insulting Braggi and it resulted in a ritualistic

Sites in Norway and Sweden contain the names of their ancient gods. There are some sites that believe the entire region may be named for her. Scandinavia comes from the early Germanic *Skaðinawj. Which can translate literally as “dangerous island,” but can also refer to the name and instead be “Sk adi’s island.” If the name came from Skadi as a character, it also shows that she was worshipped well before the Viking Age. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder called the far north Scandinavia as early as the 1st century.

Ragnarök and lead the dead against his former friends. For many years before that happened, however, Skadi’s revenge would torment him for his crimes.

Interpretations

Skadi’s name is often connected to negative words by etymologists. The Old Norse noun skaði translates as “harm.” It has come down in English as “sc athe” or, more often, “sc athing.” Linguists have also connected the name Skadi to the Old High German scato and Old English sceadu, meaning “shadow.” With the negative connotations of her name and her home in the mountains, Skadi is therefore sometimes interpreted as a goddess of winter and darkness. While not necessarily a negative character, she was still seen as threatening. While her name was not seen as a positive thing, however, some people believe that it has been passed down to modern language in an extraordinary way.

Some historians believe that Skadi is linked to the culture of the Sámi, the indigenous people of Sweden and Norway. While her name was Germanized, she retained cultural associations to the Sámi with her love of hunting and skiing. Taking this interpretation further, they see the story of Skadi and Njord’s separation as an allegory for the Sámi and Norse people. The sea-faring Norse and the hunter culture of the Sámi were always in contact with one another but were ultimately too different to fully intermix and live together. This could also explain why Skadi was both a jötunn and a goddess. Her identification with another culture set her apart from the Aesir and Vanir gods, so she was said to have been a giantess because her origins were not with the rest of the pantheon. If the theory of Skadi representing the Sámi is indeed true, the region of Scandinavia was named for a goddess who embodied both the local people and the dangerous regions of the north. 60

Others think that Skadi’s name is linked to the lands, but it was not named for her. Rather, they think that the character was given a name that already existed for the land that she was connected to. An Icelandic saga complicates any attempt to interpret Skadi. The Völsunga Saga references Skadi as a male character. This Skadi was the owner of a thrall named Bredi who was killed by a human son of Odin, Sigi, out of jealousy for his hunting ability. Although Sigi claimed innocence, Skadi knew he had killed the thrall and had him declared an outlaw. Although it was written in the 13th century, the inclusion of a man named Skadi has led some to question the connection to the more wellattested goddess. The fact that they are both connected to activities like hunting and skiing make it seem likely that the shared name is not coincidental. In any form, Skadi was once a very important member of the Norse pantheon.

Goddess of a Culture

Skadi was a jötunn, or goddess, in Norse mythology. While the jötnar were not gods, she was often named among the goddesses of Asgard. This is because she married one of the pantheon’s most prominent gods. Although she had intended to choose another partner, Skadi married Njord as part of the payment she demanded for her father’s death. Skadi and Njord were poorly matched, however. He was a sea god while she was connected to the snowy mountains and

related sports like hunting, archery, and skiing. While Skadi is sometimes thought to be the mother of Njord’s children, Freyr and Freyja, most myths said that she lived in the mountains rather than with her husband. Despite this, however, she was often by his side at feasts. Skadi was closely linked to Loki, whose actions had led to her father’s death. She had her revenge, as she had promised, when he was bound, and she hung a snake to drip burning venom into his face. Skadi is a somewhat enigmatic character in Norse mythology. While her name as connotations of harm and shadows, she is described as a beautiful goddess and seems to have been held in high esteem. Some historians believe that Skadi may have been one of the first goddesses in the pantheon, perhaps originated from the area’s indigenous Sámi people. She was connected to many aspects of Sámi life in the mountains such as archery, hunting, skiing, and a dislike of the ocean. she is the goddess of winter and outdoor life. While her husband represented fair weather and the prosperity that came from the sea, Skadi represented the rougher lifestyle of life

in the rugged north.

Additionally, it is thought that Skadi is so closely identified with northern culture that she gave her name to the entire region. Scandinavia, or “Skadi’s island” was and still is a place of harsh and dark winters but also great beauty.

Shared By: High Priestess Lady Gloriana

Shared by: High Priestess Lady Gloriana

Shared By:High Priestess, RavensThorn

RavensThorn

It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best-known Saint Nicholas stories is the time he saved 3 poor sisters from being sold into slavery or prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so they could be married.

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Santa Claus-otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle-has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to the 3rd century, when Saint Nicholas walked the earth and became the patron St of children. The legend of Saint Nicholas: the real Santa Claus the legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named Saint Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around 280 AD in Patara near Mira in modern day Turkey. much admired for his piety and kindness, St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends.

Over the course of many years, Nicholas is popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6th. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married. By the Renaissance, Saint Nicholas was the most popular St in Europe. Even after the Protestant Reformation, when the veneration of Saints began to be discouraged, St. Nicholas maintained a positive reputation, especially in Holland.

Sinter Klaas comes to New York

Saint Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture toward the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that 77

Description

The Hierophant is the masculine counterpart of the High Priestess. He is also known as the Pope or the Teacher in other Tarot decks and is ruled by Taurus.

groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. A shorter form of Sint Nikolaas(Dutch for Saint Nicholas). in 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of Saint Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klass stories when he referred to Saint Nicholas as the patron St of New York in his book, the history of New York. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a “Rasc al” with a blue three cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad brimmed hat and a huge pair of Flemish trunk trousers.

The Hierophant is a religious figure sitting between two pillars of a sacred temple-though this temple differs from the one in which the High Priestess sits.

Upright Keyword meanings Guidance, inner wisdom, spiritual, personal development, sexual, they just beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions.

Reversed keyword meanings

personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo

quotes teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding. -William Arthur ward the supreme Lord said: I shall reveal to you, who do not disbelieve, the most profound secret of self-knowledge and self-realization. Having known this you will be freed from the miseries of worldly existence. Bhagavad Gita 78

he wears 3 robes-red, blue and white-and a three-tiered crown, both representing the three worlds over which he rules (the conscious, subconscious and super-conscious). he raises his right hand in a religious blessing, with two fingers pointing towards Heaven and two towards the Earth.before him kneels two followers. The Hierophant’s task is to pass down his spiritual wisdom and initiate the two into the church so they can take up their appointed roles. This imagery speaks to a shared group identity and a rite of passage to enter the next level. The crossed keys at the Hierophants feet represents the balance between the conscious and subconscious minds and the unlocking of mysteries, which only he can teach.

Upright Tarot Card Meaning General

The Hierophant card represents an established set of spiritual values and beliefs and is often correlated with religion and other formal doctrines. before you can discover your own belief systems and make your own choices (as associated with the next card, the lovers), The Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles from a trusted source. Work with the teacher, mentor, or guide to teach you about spiritual values and beliefs in a structured Willie Faye. He may be an authority or a kind and generous mentor who nurtures your spiritual awareness and helps you access the divine by understanding the traditions and core principles. You may also undertake a period of formal study as you delve into a subject that has been widely explored and documented.

to go out on a limb or offer any new and innovative ideas. instead, you adhere to the key principles and rules that you know will lead to a successful result. The Hierophant may call you to honor family traditions or sacred rituals that sit neglected. You are being asked to commit to spiritual practice in its most wholesome form-no customization, no adaption, no bending the rules. If you have been lacking ritual and tradition, create a regular practice such as daily prayer or saying grace before a meal. Consider exploring your spiritual or religious heritage.

If you have already mastered a particular field of study, you may be taking on the role of teacher and mentor to others. In this position, you honor and acknowledge your responsibility to share your knowledge in a structured way, one that respects the age-old traditions.

The Hierophant tarot card often speaks to group membership or being part of an institution. You may enjoy a deep sense of comfort being surrounded by people who have well-established belief systems and explicit values. Finding them may be as significant as exploring a new church or a religious group, or as simple as joining a gym or online Tarot community. This card is about identifying with others and a way of thinking that will prompt further learning.

committee or board member, or the head of an established institution or society.

Career, Work and Finances

Hierophant personality is conventional and conservative. He follows the due process and rarely deviates from what he knows has worked in the past. He needs to conform and gained the approval of others, and he’s wary not to ‘rock the boat.’

in a work-related reading, the hierophant shows that you need to conform to the current organizational culture, rules and boundaries. Fit in with others rather than trying to innovate or transform. Except that your superiors are right(even if you agree just!) and do what they ask of you. Now is not a time to challenge the way things are done but to adopt the traditional approach of the organization and its people. You may need to align yourself with those in positions of power and influence to get where you want to go in your career. Mixed with various professional networks and associations and join your organization’s social group. This will help you fit in and find your place with other like-minded people to form strategic alliances and relationships.

The Hierophants arrival suggests you are following convention and staying within the bounds of a’ tried and tested’ model. You are not Yet willing 80

Career paths include becoming a spiritual teacher, a religious figure,

Financially, the Hierophant signifies that you are investing in ‘ blue chip’companies and institutions, not wanting to expose yourself to high levels of risk. You may seek the advice of bankers and professional money managers who have a solid foundation and significant(successful) experience.

Personality types

The Hierophant is also a profoundly religious or spiritual person who has a deep respect for sacred ritual and ceremony. He may be a regular churchgoer or someone who engages in daily spiritual practice. He has attained a high level of spiritual knowledge and is willing to share this with others in a structured way.

Relationships and Love

given the focus on tradition and established structures, the Hierophant can suggest marriage or a traditional relationship. For example, you may be reluctant to become intimate with each other before you marry, or you may want to get married before you move in together. There may also be

religious rulings or boundaries that impact the relationship. You may feel pressured to pursue a relationship only with someone from the same spiritual tradition as yourself. If you are looking for love, the Hierophant can reflect a strong desire to be in a monogamist and structured relationship. You may be drawn to conventional ways of finding a partner, such as meeting him or her through a friend or family member instead of trying to pick someone up in a nightclub. In a struggling relationship, the Hierophant suggests that the two of you are staying together because it seems like the right thing to do. Children may be involved, and you think you need to remain with your partner for the sake of your children’s well-being.

Spirituality

The Hierophant represents tradition, the orthodox and structured methods of nurturing spirituality. This card may represent the beliefs you were taught in childhood or your religious upbringing. The Hierophant encourages you to explore the framework of a religion, doctrine, or your belief system, especially if you are curious about the metaphysical world or why we are here. You have a healthy appetite for spiritual knowledge and accessing the

teacher within. Seek out a guide or mentor who can help you on this journey.

Well-being and Health

if you are experiencing any health concerns, the Hierophant suggests that seeing a well-known specialist may be very helpful. Now is the time to follow the doctor’s orders and take a conventional approach to your health. Rituals may bring further benefit. For example, you might try a 21-day meditation challenge or engage in a 10-day silent retreat. Set aside the time to honor these rituals and use them to enhance your wellbeing.

Reversed Tarot Card Meaning

In its most positive form, the reversed Hierophant reminds you that you are your own teacher. all the wisdom you seek comes from within-not from some external source of power.

With the reversed Hierophant, you no longer need external approval to succeed. You are ready to go it alone and do it your way, even if that means going against convention. Give yourself permission to trust your inner guidance system as you create your own path forward. The Hierophant reversed is also about challenging the status quo. You see alternative ways of viewing the world and are ready to test the very ideas and concepts you were taught were the ‘t ruth’. You no longer accept the rigid structures, tradition and dogma surrounding you; instead, you seek out opportunities to rebel and reclaim your personal power If you feel restricted or constrained and have lost your sense of freedom and flexibility, now is the time to make your own rules. The reversed Hierophant encourages you to examine ‘the way we do things around here’ and ask yourself whether it aligns with your values. You may have been running on autopilot so far and following the crowd, but now you see that changes need to be made. taken further,

the Hierophant reversed is like a rebellious teenager who begins to question society and take part in anti-institutional activities. There may be a run-in with authorities or conflict with a parent or authoritative figure.

You are being guided to follow your own path and adopt your own spiritual belief system rather than blindly following others ’. it may feel unsettling at first as you make your own way, but overtime, you will learn to trust yourself and tap into your inner knowledge. Others may question your motivations to go against tradition, but you know deep within that now is the time. 82

Tomorrow is beyond your reach. Yesterday cannot return. The now is all that is available to you. Stay present and aware that in this moment, as you cherish and approve of your beautiful self, you are a magnet for love. Spirit is madly in love with you right now. Did you know that? Turn to Spirit to feel the joy of love in the here and now.”

“Being fully present in the moment; living one day at a time.”

The Oracle’s Message: “Everything

happens in the now, in the present. Only this moment counts. You have what it takes to handle anything today if you let go of the need to look into the future or reflect on the past. Be present and notice what is going on right now. This very moment has the potential for you to create miracles in your life.”

Relationship Message: “It is easy to yearn for a love affair or friendship you may not have right now – one that is more romantic, more fun, more reliable, more passionate. The good old days are gone, and a new day has dawned. Let your heart trust that you have everything you need right now whether you have the relationship you desire or not.

By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Prosperity Message: “What you are working on is golden, and your efforts will leave a powerful legacy. Focus not on meeting a goal in the far-off future but on creating your dream now, releasing your desire for an outcome and owning that it already exists. It will appear in the material world as if by magic. Claim your prosperity now. The essence is more important than the form. When you are immersed in prosperous thoughts, you automatically tune in to a sense of timelessness and unlimited potential. You can ‘act as if’ in spite of the temporary outer conditions. You are prosperous at this moment. What you think now becomes your reality. Stay present.” Protection Message: “Whenever you find

your mind drifting into the past, wondering if things could have or should have been better – or whenever you find yourself longing for the good old days – you leak power. The same is true of looking too far ahead and hoping the future will provide you with certainty. Driven by ambition, you might wander too long in a place with no substance and forget that you are here today. The past and future are illusions. Whenever you leave the present moment, you are disconnecting from your inherent power to manifest your reality with true substance. Neither past nor future can give you what you need. Now is all that counts. Come back from those eternities and be here now. All will be well, and miracles will appear as if by magic in the perfect timing of Spirit!”

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn his strongest during Midsummer, or Litha, and the holy king is dominant during Yule. From a folkloric and agricultural standpoint this interpretation seems to make more sense. In some Wiccan traditions, the Oak king and the Holly king are seen as dual aspects of the Horned God. Each of these twin aspects rules for half the year, battles for the favor of the Goddess, and then retires to nurse his wounds for the next six months, until it is time for him to reign once more.

In many Celtic-based traditions of neopaganism, there is an enduring legend of the battle between the Oak King and the Holly king. These two mighty rulers fight for supremacy as the wheel of the year turns each season. At the winter solstice or Yule the Oak king conquers the Holly king, and then reigns until Midsummer or Litha once the summer solstice arrives, The Holly King returns to do battle with the Oak king, and defeats him. In the legends of some belief systems, the dates of these events are shifted; the battle takes place at the equinoxes, so that the Oak King is at 96

Franco over at witchvox says that the Oak and Holly kings represent the light and the darkness throughout the year. At the winter solstice we mark “The rebir th of the Sun or the Oak King. On this day the light is reborn and we celebrate the renewal of the light of the year.”

Oops! Are we forgetting someone? Why do we deck the halls with boughs of Holly? This day is the Holly King’s day-the Dark Lord reigns. He is the God of transformation and one who brings us to birth new ways.

Why do you think we make” New Year’s resolutions”? 97

Shared By High Priestess Lady Gloriana

We want to shed our old ways an give way to the new! Often, these two entities are portrayed in familiar ways-the Holly King frequently appears as a woodsy version of Santa Claus. He dresses in red, wears a sprig of holly in his tangled hair, and is sometimes depicted driving a team of eight stags. The Oak King is portrayed as a fertility God, and occasionally appears as the Green Man or the other Lord of the forest. The symbolism of the holly and the Ivy is something that has appeared for centuries; in particular, their roles as representations of opposite seasons has been recognized for a long time. In Green Groweth the Holly King Henry VIII of England wrote:

Green Groweth the Holly king, so doth the Ivy. Through winters blasts blow never so high, Green groweth the holly. so I am, ever hath been, unto my lady true As the Holy groweth green with Ivy all alone when flowers cannot be seen, and Greenwood leaves be gone. “The Holly and the Ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.”

Of course, the holly and the Ivy is one of the best-known Christmas carols, which states, 98

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Shared By High Priestess,Lady Gloriana

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At this time in the northern hemisphere, we are experiencing the longest and darkest nights of the year and the shortest days with the least amount of daylight. The dark triumphs over the light, but this signifies a turning point! In winter everything lies dormant in the silent earth, it is a sacred time of rest and reflection before the awakening and the slow build toward brighter days. The light of the sun begins a new solar cycle at winter solstice. The energy of winter is that of going within. It's the fruitful darkness and silence out of which our souls yearning, and new inspirations can eventually emerge. The light of the sun begins a new solar cycle at winter solstice. The rays shine into the dark and nurture the newborn life there to be cultivated. And this is mirrored in nature, as the seeds are buried in the darkness of the earth, to emerge once again with the lifegiving rays of the sun. Winter solstice 2021 in the northern hemisphere will be at 10:59 AM eastern Standard Time and 4:58 PM central European time on Tuesday, December 21st, marking the first day of winter. 106

The energy of winter is that of going within it's the fruitful darkness and silence out of which our souls yearning, and new inspirations can eventually emerge. As we consciously link our awareness to nature cycles, our understanding of our own personal growth cycles begins to deepen.

Why do we spend so much time suppressing and hiding our darkness? When negative emotions come up and we feel them, they are inconvenient, uncomfortable, or worse, we make ourselves wrong for feeling them. When we fear our own darkness, we cut ourselves off from an essential source of our own personal power. The key is not letting darkness overwhelm our lives and our thoughts, but it is understanding that darkness 107

can be one of the greatest catalysts for personal growth and transformation. Maybe even our way to enlightenment. By allowing ourselves to feel our emotions and experience our own darkness, the darkness itself can become the spiritual cradle into which our inner light and new life is born. Allow your feelings to guide you because your feelings are your truth. Winter solstice is the great stillness before the sun's strength builds, and days grow longer. It can be a time to rest and reflect. In Latin, solstice is made of two words; so meaning ‘the sun’ And stice meaning ‘to make st and.' winter solstice is one of the most powerful points of the year as the axis of the earth pauses, shifts and moves in the opposite direction. For three days around the solstice point we experience the power of the standstill point and the shift of direction. The sun standing still is a powerful metaphor for the energy available to us at winter solstice to change the direction of our lives with intention and build on this energy as we enter into the new year. After experiencing the longest night and darkest day, the nights grow shorter, and the days grow brighter until the summer solstice.

Don't pressure yourself to make changes right now or be in action in world… Let the energies of new life and inspiration build slowly within you and by spring you'll be bursting with new energy and ideas. This is the nature of things... the cycles and rhythms of personal growth and change, as you consistently nurture yourself with compassion, allowing for rest and reflection, great joy will be your harvest in 2022. You may want to take time to honor an acknowledge the endings and new beginnings in your life in a ceremony of personal ritual that both honors your past and clear space to make room for what you wish for the coming year. I share some ideas for personal ritual below. Whatever you choose to do to mark the end of the year, the coming of the new, and the rebirth of the light-whether pausing in quiet reflection, or celebrating with community, know that all over our

planet, there are many fires burning brightly! Abundant blessings to you in the coming year! Ritual acts give life meaning the longest night of the year is honored by many traditions as a sacred and rich time. Regardless of your holiday traditions, this time of year can be honored by reflecting on the past year and participating in your own personal ritual of light or ending and beginnings. When we make time to acknowledge the gifts of spirit, we cultivate a greater capacity to receive our own inner light. By enacting a personal ritual, you can celebrate the dark and the light and invite balance and harmony into your life! Ritual acts give life meaning. They also honor and acknowledge the unseen web of life that connects us all. When we honor our personal cycles and the seasons of the year-we are reminded of the ever-changing flow of life that we are connected to. It is suggested to take time 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the precise moment of the solstice to open to the intelligence of nature all around you and to acknowledge your personal growth cycle. A simple ritual act done with intention in your heart is enough. Since this time of year is associated with light-celebrate with string lights, sparklers and candles. Join in the Jewish tradition of the festival of lights, with eight days of

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ritual illumination and participate in a community bonfire and burn your own Yule log, a tradition with roots in northern European pre-christian times. Light celebrations can be reminders of our inner light, and the divine light that guides our way in times of darkness. Fire ceremony for release and rebirth you may want to take time to honor and acknowledge the endings and new beginnings in your life in a ceremony or personal ritual that both honors or past and clear space to make room for what you wish for the coming year. Make an offering that represents the past and give it to the spirit of fire as a completion. Then spend a bit of time dreaming and visioning to bring into focus what you would like to experience and bring into being in the coming year. This can be done as a personal ceremony or with a group. Begin by giving out small pieces of paper and pencils so each can write down what they want to release. When all have written down what they wish to release, all can gather around the fire, and each can in turn come to the fire and throw their paper in. After all have gone, you may want to end the ritual by going around the circle and each person sharing something they are grateful for, or you may want to make some celebratory noises by banging on drums, shaking noisemakers, and using your voice to send your prayers off into

the universe with a celebratory song! 109

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