Blessings for Yule and the Winter Solstice!

*original artwork by Auswolf**

Yule Blessings to you and yours!

For many around the world, tonight is the night we will celebrate the Winter Solstice together. It's finally here! Today is the final day that the nights will be longer than the days, and our blessed sun god is returning to us with increasing light as we go forward. I absolutely love how beautiful winter is, but I must confess I miss the long hours I spend in the sunshine and in the woods during the warm months. With his return, tonight is also a night of birth and renewal, hopes and promises for a brighter path moving forward and a blessed new year to come.

In the spirit of the season, it's also a time to give back. I realize that things are tight money wise for many of us, and we must realize that the best gifts aren't bought, but those that come from the heart. Consider sending gifts of energy and healing to those that you love. If you are new, or need a refresher on how to do this, I have a great article here to help you: Create a Gift Of Love and Light

You can also give a gift of time. There are many organizations that need help not only this time of year but all year long. I encourage you to check your local papers and anywhere else you can think of to see how you can help. I know on Facebook there are tons of campaigns to help families in our local area in need. This is the first year that I've finally seen Facebook becoming useful in this way. I believe a good part of it is them allowing us to prioritize what posts we see. I have seen so many campaigns go by to help local families and businesses in need. They aren't just looking for money they are looking for donations of time and goods as well. If you are on Facebook type in the town and state that you live in and see what comes up for groups and pages. You may be surprised at the resources available to you for news and events going on. See if there's some way that you can help out this season.

You also will want to check your papers and local listings for celebrations in your area. This is the one holiday that we celebrate that you are quite likely to find celebrations for it out in the public. Several years ago I found that our town does an annual bonfire on the Winter Solstice. Along with the bonfire they sing carols and have provide hot cocoa. This is a great way for my children to get an introduction to being Wiccan and they absolutely adore it. In my area there tends to be a lot of bonfire celebrations and winter moonlit walks. It's a great way to possibly meet others who share the same interests as you. If the weather cooperates, the winter moonlight walks can be absolutely magickal. If you get the opportunity to go on one I can't recommend it enough.

Other ideas to celebrate Yule include making your yule log. You could go out on a walk and collect evergreen branches to make into wreaths for your home. Bake some goodies like cookies or stews and make your house smell amazing. Grab a book and curl up in the corner to spend some relaxing time. It's a time for celebrating the season and the returning of the sun.

Have a Blessed Yule!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Sign up for Moonsong Daily Magick to receive today's Yule edition and tomorrow's Full Moon edition!

Holiday Readings Are Open!

Holiday Readings Are Open! 

 Holiday readings are officially open!  I have four special readings for Yule for you this year.  I will be bringing out the New Year ones in a couple of weeks.  You can see all of them below.

Yule Tarot Journey - It's back! The Yule Tarot Reading.  This has become a traditional holiday favorite reading.  Come on this year's journey or if you haven't gone before, find out why it's the most popular reading!  Go on a sleigh ride with me to visit the Ghosts of Christmas, have some special cookies, look to see who's under the Mistletoe for you and find out what gifts you received from the Goddess this Yule.  It's one of my favorite readings to work with as well.  It's the perfect Yule present for you or someone you love. 

Yule New Moon Reading -  Our final New Moon of 2018!  Our New Moon this month is only a couple of days away.  This Moon is really going to help set  the pace for what happens in 2019!  In addition to that I'm getting a very strong connection between this New Moon and the Full Moon.  Our Full Moon falls the day after Yule this year.  There is a very special bridge of energy between the New Moon and the Full Moon this month that will start the night of our New Moon.  This is definitely a New Moon reading you don't want to miss!  I will give you a coupon with this New Moon reading that will give you 25% off your Full Moon reading should you decide to purchase both.  That's a deal that can't be beat! 

New!!!! Holiday Spa Reading - I'm so excited about this reading! A Daily Magick member suggested this reading and I loved the idea so I'm bringing it to all of you.  I know this is a reading that all of you will love.  It will give you a special treat for the holidays.  This reading includes things like stones you want to work with, colors, scents etc.  It's the perfect reading to celebrate you!

Witch Way Winter Reading  -   This reading was a huge hit last year.  It is designed to really give you direction during the month of December for what you want to do to wrap up 2017 and prepare for 2018.

I have been getting a lot of questions about booking more than one reading in a short period of time.  As long as the readings are different then it's a non-issue. All of these readings are completely different so if you want to pick up two of them or even all three they all will give you different information.  You wouldn't want to do an Astrological Reading and then repeat it the following week as it's giving you the same information and not much would have changed.  Does that make sense?   I could combine all of them for one big deluxe reading but I wanted to give you options.  

Turnaround times on readings will be different this month.  Make sure you book early, it's really important to make sure you receive the readings that you want on time.  Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.   

I think that's everything! 

I hope you enjoy all the readings! I can't wait to work with you!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Fall Cauldron

Fall Cauldron

I happened upon this old cauldron for my birthday five years ago now. If you've not seen the story of it already, you can read it here: http://wiccanmoonsong.blogspot.com/2012/09/old-cauldron.html

This cauldron is from around 1860. I had been looking for awhile for the perfect one and I remember being incredibly excited when I found this one at an old antique shop near where my Great Grandfather's old farm use to be. When I got it home I wanted to find the perfect place for it. I wanted it in my kitchen but wasn't sure where to put it.

The day after I found the cauldron there was a huge storm and it blew down tons of branches. My son, who was five at the time, brought in one of those branches as a present for me. I first told him to take it back outside, but the beautiful leaves on it caught my eye. I asked him to help me and we worked together to snip the smallest branches with the prettiest leaves on them and put them in the cauldron.

It turned into a holiday cauldron. For Mabon we go for walks in the woods to collect small pinecones and other little trinkets that we find on the ground like acorns to go with the leaves in it. What's better than having something that looks nice? Something that smells nice too! So we often add dried apple slices drizzled with cinnamon, and sprinkled some cinnamon essential oil on top of it.

The pot basically became an offering pot that also is a beautiful decoration. During Yule you can add pine cones, pine branches that you find on the ground and some pine essential oil to give you that Yule tide smell. I plan to do it up each season with appropriate things from nature inside it, that will match where we are on the wheel of the year, and remind myself and my children of the beautiful gifts that nature provides us with each and every day. This way I'm involving them in the practice as well. The cauldron is just an amazing piece to put it in. You may be able to find one, or another suitable pot by rooting around in thrift shops or antique shops. You'd be amazed what you can find.

Have a magickal day!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

The Spirit of the Season

Merry Meet :))) This is probably the busiest time of the year for almost everyone. We celebrate Yule, many of us spend Christmas with our families, and then we go into the New Year.

I believe this is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Here in New England we've been getting snow since last week. I'm hoping maybe this year it will stick around so that we have a white Christmas. I always think the lights look so much prettier in the snow. 

This holiday season remember to celebrate the season of giving and spend extra time with your family, friends and loved ones. Always remember those less fortunate and see if there may be ways that you can give back and spread some extra love this season.  

One of the most important messages that I've been seeing a lot in my reading the past few weeks is to slow down. The season is magickal if you allow it the proper time and you add your energy to it. Take the time this year to slow things down and really let yourself enjoy the season. See how it makes a difference in the holiday celebrations. Let go of stress, worry and fears over the next couple of weeks and just love and trust. Give yourself the gift of peace and happiness this season.

Have a magickal day!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

3 Magickal Herbs For Yule and the Holiday Season

**graphic by Natalia Le Fay*

Merry Meet :)))))) Many of you know I love herbs. Earl definitely knows as he watched me sneezing as I got my nose much to close to a rosemary shaped tree at Costco. I love smelling them! Over the past several years I have been becoming absolutely addicted to herbs. I had a huge garden this year and I cannot wait until I have my herb garden back in the Spring. One of the biggest things that started me into them was for home made teas and flavoring waters. Since then I've been studying how they help us physically and metaphysically and I just find it fascinating. 

Today I wanted to go over a few herbs with you that are perfect for Yule.

Rosemary - Most of you are probably familiar with Rosemary for it's protective properties. Did you know that Rosemary is associates with many Goddesses, especially Goddesses of the Ocean? Rosemary is also amazing for cleansing energy and bringing you good luck. These make amazingly cute small looking trees! You have to see the picture.



That's a great way to attract some extra prosperity, luck, and keep you and your home protected this season.

Mistletoe - Of course we have to include this one. Most of you probably know it for it's reputation to bring long love and happiness to couples. This is a plant of good luck and prosperity. Not only is it great to hang as a decoration but you can add it to special yule sachets to attract good luck throughout the season. You can also make a simple mistletoe wreath.



Peppermint - This is another one of my favorites, but I use this herb all year round as I absolutely adore peppermint tea. Peppermint is also a very protective herb. It is wonderful for cleansing energy. It also attracts prosperity. Another wonderful herb to work with.



These are just a few of my favorites for the season! :))))

Have a magickal day!


Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Yule Blessings! Happy Winter Solstice!

*original artwork by Auswolf**

Yule Blessings to you and yours!

For many around the world, tonight is the night we will celebrate the Winter Solstice together. It's finally here! Today is the final day that the nights will be longer than the days, and our blessed sun god is returning to us with increasing light as we go forward. I absolutely love how beautiful winter is, but I must confess I miss the long hours I spend in the sunshine and in the woods during the warm months. With his return, tonight is also a night of birth and renewal, hopes and promises for a brighter path moving forward and a blessed new year to come.

In the spirit of the season, it's also a time to give back. I realize that things are tight money wise for many of us, and we must realize that the best gifts aren't bought, but those that come from the heart. Consider sending gifts of energy and healing to those that you love. If you are new, or need a refresher on how to do this, I have a great article here to help you: http://wiccanmoonsong.blogspot.com/2013/10/create-gift-of-love-and-light.html

You can also give a gift of time. There are many organizations that need help not only this time of year but all year long. I encourage you to check your local papers and anywhere else you can think of to see how you can help. I know on Facebook there are tons of campaigns to help families in our local area in need. This is the first year that I've finally seen Facebook becoming useful in this way. I believe a good part of it is them allowing us to prioritize what posts we see. I have seen so many campaigns go by to help local families and businesses in need. They aren't just looking for money they are looking for donations of time and goods as well. If you are on Facebook type in the town and state that you live in and see what comes up for groups and pages. You may be surprised at the resources available to you for news and events going on. See if there's some way that you can help out this season.

You also will want to check your papers and local listings for celebrations in your area. This is the one holiday that we celebrate that you are quite likely to find celebrations for it out in the public. Several years ago I found that our town does an annual bonfire on the Winter Solstice. Along with the bonfire they sing carols and have provide hot cocoa. This is a great way for my children to get an introduction to being Wiccan and they absolutely adore it. In my area there tends to be a lot of bonfire celebrations and winter moonlit walks. It's a great way to possibly meet others who share the same interests as you. If the weather cooperates, the winter moonlight walks can be absolutely magickal. If you get the opportunity to go on one I can't recommend it enough. :))

Other ideas to celebrate Yule include making your yule log. You could go out on a walk and collect evergreen branches to make into wreaths for your home. Bake some goodies like cookies or stews and make your house smell amazing. Grab a book and curl up in the corner to spend some relaxing time. It's a time for celebrating the season and the returning of the sun.

Have a Blessed Yule!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Yule Tarot Journey

Special Yule Tarot Journey

Limited Edition Reading

Book Now!

The magick of the season is here! December 21st is fast approaching and I’m taking orders now for the special Yule Tarot readings. Treat yourself this Yule to a personal treasure with a special Yule Tide reading. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and take a journey with the Ghosts of Christmas and a ride on Santa’s sleigh, at the end of your journey you will receive gifts from one of your guides, the Goddess and a special animal.

Here’s what’s included in your reading.

Tree Trunk - Your Roots. What makes you strongest.

Ghost of Christmas Past - What does the Ghost of Christmas Past want you to know?

Ghost of Christmas Present - What does the Ghost of Christmas Present want you to know?

Ghost of Christmas Future - What does the Ghost of Christmas Future want you to know?

Your Gift To the World - What gift were you meant to contribute to the world and what can you do to help deliver it.

A Journey on Santa’s Sleigh - What path are you currently on?

Gingerbread Man - Run Run As Fast As You Can. :))) What do you need to let go of right now?

Yule Tide Cookies - Who wants more cookies? What do you need to bring towards you?

Under the Mistletoe - Let’s take a look at love for you. :)))

A Gift From Your Guides - What do your guides want you to know and what energy are they bringing to you this Yule.

A Gift From the Goddess - What is the Goddess Blessing you with this Yule?

A Gift From the Animals - At the end of your reading I will draw a special animal oracle for you to determine which animal will be bestowing their gifts upon you this Yule.

Have a magickal day!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Yule Pine Cones

Yule Pine Cones

These pine cones make a beautiful decoration for the holidays and they smell amazing. :))) Perfect for Yule!

What You Need
- Pine Cones
- Water
- Spray Bottle
- Cinnamon Oil
- Clove Oil
- Mandarin Oil
- Pine Oil
- Frankincense
- Myrrh Oil
- Plastic Bag
- Optional decorations
- Glue
- String

First we want to make the Yule essential oil. Combine the following into a suitable container. Please note this oil is strong. We will be adding it to water for the pine cones. Later you can add it to a suitable oil if you wish.  If you wish to just make one pinecone you can divide this oil by 10 to give you the right amount for one.

- 20 drops cinnamon oil
- 20 drops clove oil
- 10 drops mandarin oil
- 10 drops pine oil
- 20 drops frankincense oil
- 20 drops myrrh oil

Once your oil is ready mix a bit of it with water in a small spray bottle. You don't need to fill the spray bottle. Just about 1/3 of the way, dependent upon how many you are making.

Dust off the pine cone and make sure it is free of any debris.

Spray it with the water and essential oil mix. Be generous with the spray but do not soak the pine cone.

Set it into a plastic bag that seals.

Let it stay in that bag for 24 to 48 hours.

Once it is set you can decorate it if you wish with sequins, ribbons, glitter, or anything else to make it festive. You can also use fake snow or paint on them. Another idea is to string them as a garland.

They are wonderful to hang around the house.

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Holiday Readings Are Open!

Holiday Readings Are Open! 
 

Merry Meet :)) Holiday readings are officially open!  I have three special readings for Yule for you this year. :))) I will be bringing out the New Year ones in a couple of weeks.  You can see all three of them below.

Witch Way Winter Reading  -   This reading is brand new for this year.  It is designed to really give you direction during the month of December for what you want to do to wrap up 2017 and prepare for 2018.  (This one will be retiring next week so that I can do all the Yule readings so be sure to book this weekend)

Yule New Moon Reading - Our New Moon this year is only a couple of days away from Yule making this an incredibly important New Moon. It's also going to help set the pace for what happens in 2018. This is definitely a New Moon reading you don't want to miss!

Yule Reading - It's back! The Yule Tarot Reading.  This was the second most popular reading of the year last year.  Go on a sleigh ride with me to visit the Ghosts of Christmas, have some special cookies, look to see who's under the Mistletoe for you and find out what gifts you received from the Goddess this Yule.  It's one of my favorite readings to work with as well. :))))) It's the perfect Yule present for you or someone you love. :)))

I have been getting a lot of questions about booking more than one reading in a short period of time.  As long as the readings are different then it's a non-issue. These three readings are completely different so if you want to pick up two of them or even all three they all will give you different information.  You wouldn't want to do an Astrological Reading and then repeat it the following week as it's giving you the same information and not much would have changed.  Does that make sense? :)))  I could combine all of them for one big deluxe reading but I wanted to give you options. :)))

Turnaround times on readings will be different this month.  Make sure you book early, it's really important to make sure you receive the readings that you want on time.  Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.  Right now I am booking into next week so if you want to book, now is definitely the time. :)))

I think that's everything!

I hope you enjoy all the readings! I can't wait to work with you!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Daily Message - December 21, 2014

original artwork by: Wiccan Moonsong

"As we welcome back the Sun God and his light,

I wish that light to shine brightly upon you,

may you be surrounded in the warm loving arms of the divine,

and feel their presence supporting you in your quest for new.

Yuletide Blessings to You and Yours"

- Jasmeine Moonsong

Merry Meet and Good Morning :))) Blessings to you and yours for a magickal day today. Today is Sunday, December 21, 2014.

Sundays are ruled by the Sun, the center of our Solar system, source of light and sustainer of life. Today is a wonderful day for healing and you want to focus on personal security, strength, spirituality and success. It’s a great day for personal achievements of any kind. Sunday is a great day for spells as many types can be done today. The Sun gives energy to any spell work you do today. The best spell for today involve healing, physical strength, obtaining goals, illumination and initiating any magickal activity. If you are working with stones today choose topaz, sunstones or diamonds for protection. Use pearls and gold in crafting talismans.

Tonight is the New Moon! :)))) The New Moon is a time of new beginnings, hope, faith and optimism. Use this night to work any magick to set the pace for what you want to happen this lunar cycle. The next important event for your magickal workings is the Full Moon on January 5, 2014.

We begin our day with the Moon in Sagittarius. The Moon in Sagittarious encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic Moon sign. It favors expansion and growth. At 7:36this morning the Moon begins her journey to Capricorn arriving at 8:26 this evening. While the Moon is making her journey, she will be void of course or between signs. During this time we want to minimize doing anything important. It's a great time to rest, relax and take care of you. The Moon in Capricorn develops strong structure. It’s a good time to set boundaries and rules. The color of the day is Yellow and the incense of the day is Frankincense. Have an amazingly magickal day! :))))

**all times in EST**

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Put A Little Magick in Your Day!

Premium edition includes daily magickal correspondences, quotes, affirmations, tarot card, spell , and an article teaching you more about your path. :))) 

http://www.wiccanmoonsong.com/Moonsong-Daily-Magick.html

Yule Blessings! :)))

**original graphic by: Le-Regard-des-Elfes**

Winter Solstice/Yule

Merry Meet :))))) Yule Blessings to you and yours! :))))

For many around the world, tonight is the night we will celebrate the Winter Solstice together. It's finally here :)))))) Today is the final day that the nights will be longer than the days, and our blessed sun god is returning to us with increasing light as we go forward. I absolutely love how beautiful winter is, but I must confess I miss the long hours I spend in the sunshine and in the woods during the warm months. With his return, tonight is also a night of birth and renewal, hopes and promises for a brighter path moving forward and a blessed new year to come.

In the spirit of the season, it's also a time to give back. I realize that things are tight money wise for many of us, and we must realize that the best gifts aren't bought, but those that come from the heart. Consider sending gifts of energy and healing to those that you love. If you are new, or need a refresher on how to do this, I have a great article here to help you: http://wiccanmoonsong.blogspot.com/2013/10/create-gift-of-love-and-light.html

You can also give a gift of time. There are many organizations that need help not only this time of year but all year long. I encourage you to check your local papers and anywhere else you can think of to see how you can help. I am going with my daughter's Girl Scout troop to the Shriners Hospital for children tonight. Each year we collect the flip tops from soda cans throughout the year and bring them to the hospital. They turn in these tabs to get money for the hospital. We also bring gifts for the children in the hospital.

You also will want to check your papers and local listings for celebrations in your area. This is the one holiday that we celebrate that you are quite likely to find celebrations for it out in the public. A couple years ago I found that our town does an annual bonfire on the Winter Solstice. Along with the bonfire they sing carols and have provide hot cocoa. This is a great way for my children to get an introduction to being Wiccan and they absolutely adore it. In my area there tends to be a lot of bonfire celebrations and winter moonlit walks. It's a great way to possibly meet others who share the same interests as you. :)))

Other ideas to celebrate Yule include making your yule log. You could go out on a walk and collect evergreen branches to make into wreaths for your home. Bake some goodies like cookies or stews and make your house smell amazing. Grab a book and curl up in the corner to spend some relaxing time. It's a time for celebrating the season and the returning of the sun. I have posted some suggestions below of things to work into your day. 

Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb’s wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule.

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.

Yule Oil
You need:
•1 part pine oil
•1 part fir oil
•5 part almond oil
•1 cinnamon stick
•1 drop musk oil
•4 cloves
Mix in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Have a Blessed Yule!

Much Love and Many Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Put A Little Magick in Your Day!

Premium edition includes daily magickal correspondences, quotes, affirmations, tarot card, spell , and an article teaching you more about your path. :))) 

http://www.wiccanmoonsong.com/Moonsong-Daily-Magick.html

Merry Meet,

My feet hit the icy cold tile floor as I made my way through the house bleary eyed searching for the coffee maker.  As I poured the steaming hot coffee into my mug I glanced out my kitchen and caught my breath in wonder.  The sliver of the waning fourth quarter moon sparkled and shimmered and seemed to dance in the still dark sky in front of my eyes.  I took a moment to just enjoy the moon and the few twinkling stars around it.

As I sipped on my coffee I watched as the first rays of light started to appear above the field behind my house. The sky was dark with the looming possibility of snow, but somehow the area behind my house was perfectly clear and amazing to watch.  I watched the dark colors of purple and blue slowly give way to pinks and oranges against the night sky.  It truly was one of the most beautiful sun rises that I have ever seen.

As I sat there watching the sun rise I remembered the Yule ritual that I attended last night at Sacred Mists.  In the meditation the girl stayed up all night on Winter Solstice to watch the longest night of the year, and the newly risen Yule sun give way to morning.  It is Yule!  The Sun Father is reborn as the Sacred Child of the Solstice.  In the ritual last night part of the meditation centered around our home.  What's interesting is I saw my cottage. The one I believe to be from a past life, my sacred place this life if you will.  For you see that cottage is where I retreat to when I want to leave the cares of the day and travel to a place that's simple and loving.  The cottage is a one room cottage. At least I have not seen any other rooms in my time there.  It has a small front porch with an overhang and is on a lake surrounded by very tall evergreen trees.  As you walk into the cottage you are immediately greeted by the warmth of the fireplace on your face.  A kettle hangs over the fire and there are various cooking utensils on the hearth.  In front of the fire is a handmade wooden table with two chairs.  There is a bookcase in the room, and another shelf filled with herbs as well as various herbs hung around the cottage.  It is a simple place and one that is familiar to me. So I was very happy to have been there last night in meditation.

As we worked through the ritual last night, we worked with one quality that we wanted to rid ourselves of, and then we worked with a goal we wanted to replace it with for ourselves.  As we were doing this in the room each person typed into the ritual chat what they wanted to be rid of and what their goal was for the year.  This is when the energy really started to soar for me.  My fingertips were tingling and I could feel the magick that everyone attending the ritual was raising up.  It's just an amazing feeling when you feel this attending one of the rituals at the Mists.  It's the undeniable knowing that there is powerful energy going to work for the greater good of you and those who surround you.

As we closed the ritual and wished everyone a Blessed Yule I found myself absolutely starving! So I made myself a peanut butter sandwich and a hot cup of tea and perused the Sacred Mists shop for a few minutes to try to calm my mind from the excitement of the night.  It truly was a Blessed Evening.

On this day of Yule, may you and yours be blessed with loving energy and light.  May your hearts be warmed by the new sun, and your paths be ever illuminated for you.  May love an positive energy surround you always.

Love and Blessings

Jasmeine Moonsong

Yule Lore

Yule Lore (December 21st)

Yule is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. Known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were “wassailed” with toasts of spiced cider.

The Yule log for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.

Deities of Yule are all Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid’s flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda’s cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children.

Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb’s wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule.

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.

Yule Oil
You need:
•1 part pine oil
•1 part fir oil
•5 part almond oil
•1 cinnamon stick
•1 drop musk oil
•4 cloves
Mix in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Have a Blessed Yule!

Love and Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Pagan Wreath Making

Merry Meet :)))

I become a crafty witch around the holidays.  Today we are spending the day making wreaths.  It's something I remember doing when I was little.  We are going out into the woods this afternoon to get the perfect branches for the wreaths, pine cones, winter berries, and whatever else strikes our fancy. I think this is a wonderful activity to get us outside during the winter, and our children if we are blessed with them.  The walk in the woods to search for branches and treasures for the wreath is always a treat.

History of the Wreath

As Witches the wreath represents the turning of the wheel of the year, an eternal circle turning through the darkness to the light.  The circular wreaths and it's candles are pre-Christian, and actually an old Pagan tradition that originated with the ancient Celtic people of Germany and Scandinavia.  These people worshiped the rhythms of the earth with the sun being central in importance to them.  During the Winter Solstice the Celts prayed for the sun's return and the reassurance that spring was coming. The center of these rituals was a living wreath.  The wreath was traditionally formed with evergreens.  It symbolized the unending circle of life and rotation of the seasons.  The evergreen was used as it's part of the earth that survives winters cold weather and darkness.  Traditionally candles were lit and set within the wreath bringing light to the darkness. The ritual was done with candles and ceremonial fires.  The wreath was displayed indoors.  Either hung like a chandelier or on top of a table or alter.  Later on in history the tradition was modified to include hanging the wreath on walls and doors.

How to Make Your Wreath

There are many ways to make wreaths.  The following is how I make them.

Materials
 - 2 wire coat hangers
 - floral wire
 - floral tape
 - Nature, evergreen branches, berries, pine cones and whatever else you wish to add.
 - hot glue gun optional - to help add pine cones berries etc

Take 2 wire hangers and set them 1/2 inch to an inch apart to form the base for your wreath.

Use floral tape to wrap around the hangers so that they stay in that position.

Use branches that are about 8" in length and start working your way around the wreath by laying a piece of branch on the hanger and wire wrapping it to the base.  Overlap them and keep repeating this process until the entire base is covered.

Add any decorations you wish with the floral wire or the hot glue gun.

Enjoy!

Love and Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

From my family to yours...

Merry Meet,

In honor of the season I really wanted to be able to give all of you who follow along with me something special for Yule.  What I wanted to share with you is a memory and a recipe.  Growing up, my grandmother pretty much lived with my family.  She was always there and I spent countless hours with her.  While I was going over memories of her with my mom the other day, I told my mom I would describe her as a pure soul, in that she had a pure loving heart.  I don't remember ever seeing her angry, and the love that poured from her was tremendous.  While she had not much for material items to give, she gave her love freely and was always making things during the holiday season.

Each Christmas season she would always help with the cooking.  I remember her making Italian Christmas cookies, fig ravioli cookies, and italian biscotte each year to bring to the relatives that we went to visit.  One of the things I was given when my grandmother moved onto the next world was a little tin box.  Something I cherish and will always cherish.  In this box she had collected all of her recipes.  I try each season to make one in honor of her memory.  But today I wanted to share with you her recipe for Italian Christmas cookies.  I hope you get the chance to make them and enjoy them as much as I did when I made them with her as a little girl.

Grandma's Italian Cookies

Ingredients

1 lb butter

1 dozen eggs large

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

8 cups of flour

sprinkles different colors (to decorate)

2 boxes confectioner's sugar

chocolate kisses

jordon almonds

Beat eggs & sugar together for 10 - 15 seconds using mixer on high speed

Add in almond extract and mix until shining

Melt butter in bowl and add lemon and salt to it. 

Add butter mixture, flour and baking powder to mix.

Once it's mixed make little balls, roll them out and shape them into an 8.

Bake at 325 degrees for 9 minutes or until light brown

For icing, mix confectioner's sugar with a bit of milk till it is the consistancy of icing.  Paint the icing onto the cookies and add sprinkles on top before the icing hardens. You can add a bit of extra almond extract to the glaze if you wish. 

Add cookies to a bowl with kisses and almonds :))

Have a Blessed Yule,

Love and Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Create a Gift of Love and Light

Merry Meet :))

It's that time of year.  Everyone is running here and there searching for that perfect gift.  If you are all done with your shopping for the holidays I will confess I'm jealous, as I still have much to do.  The days seem to be flying by for me and my time is becoming scarce.  However, part of it is going to the magick of the season.  I am making time to stop and enjoy the holidays with my children.  For example tonight is "Christmas Lights night." We are all going to pile in the car, grab some hot cocos and go drive around looking at all the beautiful lights.

This year though, I'm asking you to send out a very special gift.  Pick one person on your list, that is special to you.  Got one? You are going to give them an energy gift of love.  Don't worry I'll walk you through it. :))))  As a healer one of the things I do is stream healing loving energy to people to help them.  While it took me awhile to get the concept it's something that comes second nature for me now.

If you have never sent energy before the biggest thing I can tell you is don't try to make it complicated. So many times we go looking for something that is right in front of us.  Your intention and love is what makes this work.  So are you ready? Have that someone special in mind?

Here we go!

Pick a spot in the house that is comfy for you.  It can be anywhere you like just somewhere quiet where you can relax for a few minutes.  I want you to sit in that spot and just start breathing.  Long deep breaths in and out.  With each breath in I want you to imagine yourself breathing in pure loving energy.  With each breath out I want you to exhale any negativity or worries that you have on your mind.  You should feel the tension draining out of your body.

When you feel you are ready to move on I want you to think of your favorite holiday memory.  Try to put yourself back in that scene and remember all the details.  What did you see around you? Were there lights? A tree? What time of day was it?  What could you hear? Could you hear any music? Were there people talking? How about smells.  Any food cooking? The smell of a tree, candle, winter itself, anything stand out? Who was there with you? What else can you remember?  Now I want you to relax and try to settle into that memory and try to remember how you felt.  Did your heart feel full, do you remember how happy you were? Were you tingling with joy?

Take all that emotion and I want you to attempt to move it into a ball of energy in your hand.  Now this the majority of you will need to trust and will see it in your mind's eye.  Some of you who are gifted with seeing energy may be able to see it.  You might be able to feel it.  Can you feel your hands tingling? Work to move all that loving energy and craft a ball of light in your hands filled with all the loving energy that you held in that moment.  Spend some time with it.  Do you see any colors as you are doing it? Keep concentrating on your breathing and filling your heart with love as you are doing this.

When you feel you are ready I want you to ask the universe to help you.  Take a deep breath and blow onto your hands and concentrate on sending that ball of energy straight to the person you have chosen for your gift.  Ask the universe to deliver your love to that person for their higher self to accept.

Once you are done make sure you concentrate on sending any excess energy back to Mother Earth so it may be used for additional healing.  Take a deep breath.  How do you feel? :)))))  Know that you have just given someone one of the most important gifts of all.  One that you have made full of love and light and healing energy.  Know that the universe will deliver your gift as it is filled with love and honesty and good intentions.

May you all be Blessed with Love and Light this season.

Love and Blessings,

Jasmeine Moonsong

Staying Grounded During the Holidays

Merry Meet :)

As some of you may know, I am a facilitator for the Empath class and support area at Sacred Mists.  One of my sisters from the Mists shared this article and I thought it was wonderful and wanted to share it here. ;) As empaths Christmas time can definitely be a tough time of year.  Hopefully this article may help some of you a bit. :) 

Staying Grounded During the Holidays
This can sometimes be a challenging time of the year for empaths and those with sensitive nervous systems. The holiday hustle and bustle can sometimes conspire against the creation of tranquility and peace. Finding peace and quiet is an especially intentional act this time of year. And in order to remain centered and peaceful when others are not, we must be grounded.

One of the biggest myths is that we can turn our sensitivity off. Attempting to do so results in chakras closing, losing touch with our body, and becoming ungrounded. And when we are not grounded, we pick up extra psychic and astral "debris" that clogs our energy field.

The good news is that we can choose to remain energetically open and therefore vibrant if we are grounded.

Here are some simple tips to remain grounded and move through this season with fluidity:

1) Before holiday activities, psychically connect yourself with the energy of the Earth. An easy way to do this is to breathe Earth energy into your bellybutton for 10-12 seconds on the inhale. Use your creativity and imagination to make this process vibrant, imagining Earth energy as having color, sound, and even a smell. Then, on the exhale, breathe slowly for 10-12 seconds and imagine that you are letting go of anything that doesn't serve your highest good. Use this consciously during stressful moments or social interactions.

2) Another good way to ground is to simply place your consciousness in your feet. With each slow step you take, simply feeling the movement and placement of the feet will automatically ground you.

3) Moving your body in some form of physical exercise is crucial for empaths & highly sensitive people, especially during the winter months. Doing so will create additional energy reserves that tend to get depleted when the sun isn't there as much to replenish them. (Did you know that exposure to the Sun cleans your energy field? When we don't experience as much sun, we can get clogged with stray energy "debris").

4) Clean your house. Making your living area an orderly place of "sacred space" will inevitably create more order and sacred space inside your mind and in your life. So get the vaccuum and you might be surprised how much better you feel.

5) HUM! This simple act of chanting, toning, or humming will clear your throat chakra. Try it right now for 20-30 seconds. It helps, right? When the throat chakra is cleared and open, it helps all the other chakras, and your entire body and mind, as well!

By Dr. Michael R. Smith

In addition, I have a few suggestions that may help as well. :)

 - Do as much shopping as you can online, or do your best to go during "off-peak" times.  We all know how overwhelming it can be just to go into a store.  Try to avoid the Christmas time crowds as much as you can.

 - Tis the season for aromatherapy! :))) There are sooo many wonderful scents that go along with Yule.  Take advantage of having a real tree in your house if you can.  Having a little bit of the outdoors in your living room will help. ;) Bake some holiday cookies! :)

 - Decorate your house for Yule.  Sometimes the simplest things can help.  Seeing holiday items that you love around you, stringing some lights to add a twinkle to your evenings and days for that matter. :) Give it a try!

 - He emphasized to stay physical during this time of year.  I can't emphasize enough how far a little bit of fresh air can go.  Take a step outside in the moonlight at night and look up at the moon and the twinkling stars.  Even if it's just for a minute. Take a deep breath and tell yourself how strong you are. 

- Music is another thing to help during this season.  Find a nice station that will help set a relaxing mood.  I listen to the Winter Solstice channel on AOL radio.  It's funny how quickly just putting on that station will calm my 3 year old son down as well. 

Would love to hear any other suggestions you have for how to help handle the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. :)))

Love and Blessings to all of you. 

Pagan Carols

As we are approaching Yule, it dawned on me yesterday that I really didn't know any Pagan carols suitable for the season. All I know are the traditional Christmas carols. I am browsing the community forums over at Sacred Mists and one of my sisters posted a carol that she had found online. It is to the tune of Silent Night.

A Pagan Silent Night

Silent night, Solstice Night
All is calm, all is bright
Nature slumbers in forest and glen
Till in Springtime She wakens again
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Sleeping spirits grow strong!

Silent night, Solstice night
Silver moon shining bright
Snowfall blankets the slumbering
Earth Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Hark, the Light is reborn!

Silent night, Solstice night
Quiet rest till the Light
Turning ever the rolling Wheel
Brings the Winter to comfort and heal
Rest your spirit in peace!
Rest your spirit in peace!

Words by Ellen Reed

I absolutely love this :) If anyone knows of any others that you would like to share I would love to see them. :) I also looked online and came across a link that you may like as well. It also has several Pagan Carols. http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Carols/carols.html

Home Again :)

Merry Meet,

It has been quite some time since I have taken the time to write. My mundane world has been quite a bit hectic, but my bigger issue is I have been sick for quite some time. I still am, but seem to finally be getting a bit of energy back. I got the swine flue back in October. It moved into an infection in my lungs which I have been duking it out with for quite some time. The current issue is an infection in my ear which will not go away. It causes me pain at night that makes it very difficult to sleep. As a result I have been really tired these past couple of months and have not been up to much of anything besides relaxing when I can and taking care of my children.

As I am sitting here writing this I am listening to the Winter Solstice channel on aolradio. I just found this channel this afternoon and I am so relaxed listening to it. I forgot what a huge impact music can make on my mood. Definately something I would recommend you check out as we are getting prepared for Yule.

I fully intend to try to get back into everything full speed as I have missed being an active part of Sacred Mists. I have not stopped practicing my faith. I have been doing meditations and working on my healing and divination skills in some of my free time, I just not have been working online on it.

In any event today is my first day back at Sacred Mists in quite some time and it really does feel good to be home :))))

Love and Blessings

Jasmeine Moonsong