Tag Archives: magic

Spell for Midwinter Light

Druidry, Substack, , , , , ,

The winter solstice is when the sun’s path reaches its lowest point in the sky. This year that will happen on December the 21st. Around this time, we experience short days and long nights. It can be bleak and dismal but from now until midsummer, daylight hours will steadily increase. The ancient festival of Yuletide starts at the solstice and continues for two weeks. It honours the return of the Sun and is a chance to show gratitude to those who we value, those who support us, and those who need our support. This is also a time to consider the aspects of our lives that we would like to illuminate during the coming months. Here is a spell to help you do just that. Don’t over think the intention part, just let thoughts bubble up..

Gather the following materials:
Small handful of evergreen leaves, perhaps Ivy, Fir, or Holly, from plants growing nearby your home
Natural wax candle and lighter
Bay leaf, Birch bark, or paper (to write your intention on)
Pen or pencil.

Arrange the evergreen leaves in a circle around the candle. Light the candle and keep the leaves away from the flame. Take a moment to sit comfortably and centre yourself. Feel the warm glow of the candle and relax with a few deep breaths. Think of what you would like to come into being for you during the coming months; What would you like to bring to light, and breathe life into? Write a summary to capture the essence of this midwinter intention on the Bay leaf, Birch bark or paper.

Read your intention, aloud or inwardly. Then, place the leaf under the candle or herbs. Breathe smoothly, visualising the candlelight filling your body and illuminating your spirit. Imagine this energy pushing aside darkness and cobwebs; see it manifesting your wishes. Imagine the evergreen leaf circle growing upward, like a column around the candle. See it shooting up into the sky, entangled, glossy, and determined – a channel directing your intention up into the atmosphere to find all it needs to achieve your will. See your intention complete, as if it is already achieved, here and now.Enjoying this meditative state for a few minutes, then visualise the column of evergreen leaves reducing back to the ring around the candle. Breathe smoothly and become more aware of your surroundings and the floor beneath you. Extinguish the flame and take more time to ground yourself. Eat something to help with this if needed.

Leave the spell candle, intention note, and evergreen foliage undisturbed, if possible. Return to this set up each day during Yule, to relight the candle and repeat the practice. If you are unable to leave the candle and leaves out for the duration, store them safely, and bring them out to use each day. After fourteen days, burn your intention leaf or paper in the candle flame, then dispose of the cooled ashes in earth, either outside or in a house plant pot.

365 Frankendael day 13

365 Frankendael, Foraging, , , , , , , , ,

Today two beautiful climbers, one deadly the other delicious.

Here is a photo of Hops (Humulus lupulus) scrambling over an information plate in the woodland section of Frankendael. Several Hops plants are becoming obvious at the moment. They begin the season by growing tall thin stems which arch high above other plants, reaching out for a suitable structure to climb. Then their leaves broaden and identification becomes easier.

Hops has been a popular plant for centuries, since it was discovered that it added a delicious flavor to beer. Medicinally, hops is useful as a relaxant and sleep inducer. It is found in many herbal sleep blends. If you have access to enough, it is very simple to stuff a pillow with dried hops, which is then slept on to bring about restful sleep.


Now to the poisonous climber: White Bryony (Bryonia dioica) has some ancient medicinal and several magical uses but all parts of this plant are highly toxic. Even small ingested quantities can be lethal. It’s a member of the Cucumber family. I’ve been watching the plant in this photo grow for a few weeks, admiring it’s resemblance to squash plants but until today, not knowing it’s true nature. It really blends into its surroundings today but up close it has rather an out of place appearance. As if someone had planted melon seeds in the woodland. However this is a native plant, often found in woodlands and hedgerows.

Bryony has several colloquial names which suggest historical uses and appearance; English Mandrake, Wood Vine & Mad Root being my favourites. It was traditionally used in image, money and protection magic. The roots of this perennial were particularly significant. Here is a clearer photograph of Bryony, taken today in Oosterpark. An enchanting and deadly specimen.