Simple Yuletide Enchantment

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Hello lovely,

Winter Solstice is almost upon us. This has become one of my favorite days of the year. Growing up, winter was my least favorite season. I feel the cold deep to my bones, so it was only natural that I would be miserable during the cold months. But now, after living in upstate New York for close to twenty years, I have embraced the dark half of the year. I find winter to be the most magical season of all.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Ink-Stained Compass is the weekly newsletter of poet and witch Caitlin Gemmell. In honor of the Yuletide season, this post is free from the paywall. Free subscribers ordinarily receive one or two newsletters a month. Paid subscribers receive bonus letters that contain poetry, poetry prompts, more private journal entries, free downloadable journal pages and prompts, and access to the Ink-Stained Compass community via chat. Thank you for reading!

Each year, my way of celebrating these holy days is simpler and more intentional. When my son was tiny, I felt the need to decorate every nook and cranny of the house, bake about a dozen different desserts, create homemade advent calendars, and many other things that I felt obligated to do because it is traditional, or it is expected, or it is what one does to make the season special for one’s child.

My son is a few months away from being a teenager. He no longer expects nor wants a full Yuletide season. If anything, he prefers the quiet. The calm. A relaxed way of celebrating.

Some traditions stick. We make Christmas pudding every year. Swedish rice porridge is shared with the Tomte. Edible treats are left as ornaments on the pine trees in the woods for all our neighborly creatures.

Photo by Brigitta Schneiter on Unsplash

But an advent calendar consisting of hand-stitched glittery star-patterned bags, each one containing an activity or location of a gift? Completely unnecessary.

A Santa hat I handknit from red wool for my son to wear? Who has time for that?

I once deprived myself of sleep so I could create just such a Yuletide experience for my child.

But now, I understand my son prefers a relaxed and well-rested mama who spends quality time with him rather than a frazzled one who is stretched thin from attempting to create an over-abundance of magical things to distract from the harsh reality of living with an abusive man who made us walk on eggshells every second of the day.

Feeling safe and relaxed has meant that I no longer feel the need to pour all my time and energy into creating a “perfect” Christmas/Yuletide.

Instead, we read aloud from our favorite books. Light candles of an evening to create a cozy atmosphere. Sip hot drinks from tacky Christmas mugs because they make us smile. Listen to Christmas music as we wrap little gifts for the neighbors (homemade granola- hot chocolate mix - nothing fancy or expensive).

Yuletide is the season that makes me think the most of how I feel at the seaside. There is a sense of calm. A sense of awe of the beauty all around. Much like a seashell, I spiral inward during this season.

Yet, because it is the season of giving, and because I love deeply, I feel a great deal of love for the people in my life and wish to acknowledge this. But I no longer feel drawn to large social gatherings or Christmas parties. Instead, I prefer to show my appreciation in quieter ways. Handwritten cards mailed to relatives who are scattered around the world. Elegantly and sustainably wrapped gifts for the neighbors. Edible ornaments left outside for the woodland animals.

Photo by Saraang Xinjalee on Unsplash

And always, always, the creation of a holy shrine. This year’s is for Elen of the Ways. She is a Horned Goddess who among other things helped lead reindeer along their migratory paths. As a sacred journey guide, she deserves a place on my shrine after all the help she has given me the past few years. Offerings as tokens of my gratitude will be left and reiki will be sent to the reindeer that she continues to guide — my bit of magic helping her in her work.

Photo by Kentaro Komada on Unsplash

How will you celebrate this Winter Solstice? And if you are in the southern hemisphere, what do you do to welcome back the sun and warmth and fruitful abundance that the Summer Solstice signifies?

Have a beautiful and restful season, dear one!

Much Love,

Cinders

p.s. If you want to book a tarot reading to see what is in store for you as the wheel turns, I am offering “As the Wheel Turns” tarot readings once more. You can book yours right here.