Full Moon/Cold Moon, Solstice, BOWS, Joy and a Special Reading.

Happy Magickal, Merry, Mystical, Marvelous, Magnanimous, Manifesting Monday!

I don’t know about you but I am getting inundated with emails that are telling me 18 days left of 2021, 12 days until Xmas and a myriad of other things.  It makes me think – do these people think I’m daft?  Living under a rock? Or from another planet?

We can all do the math and figure out how many days of this year are left and as Xmas never changes its date – duh, we can do that math!  Sigh.  To me this creates another sense of stress in an already stressful season, let alone year.  It’s as if the world is going a tad bonkers and fear, scarcity and perfection are driving the unsupervised school bus!  (Terrifying thought!)

This is yet another reason why Solstice (which happens on December 21st) resonates for me on such a deep level.  So for all you amazing beasties who have emailed and messaged asking if there is going to be a Book of Winter Solstice this year (fondly referred to as BOWS), you bet your arse!  It is here and there is an amazing (if I say so myself) guided visualisation that will release the stress, the ties that may be binding a tad too tight and fill your soul.  

Also, in response to “you must do this before the New Year” emails and sentiments that are floating around.  I call bollocks!   To tell me that if I don’t do this or that then 2022 will be a poor year is just preying on fear, and that doesn’t work for me! So I decided to create a Reading Special with two new readings to really help you tap into the energy of the New Year for yourself in a more personal way.

One is, what does 2022 bring to you energetically and how to embrace and embody it all year long.  The other is, as we step into 2022 what is the path and the obstacle for you?  What needs to be released so that your path opens up even more?

So if either of those resonate for you, I am opening up spots for those readings and you will receive them at the beginning of January.  

But let’s get back to talking about Xmas and Solstice.  

The other day someone asked me if I was “anti-Xmas” as I seem to talk more about Solstice. 

Mmmmm, nope.  When my kids were tiny we celebrated both and most certainly Xmas was more of the main event, yet it didn’t feel as if it had a lot of soul in it, Joy in essence seemed to be missing, it was more about consumerism and putting on a front. Also, for me I wanted to rest and hibernate, but it was a time of parties, gatherings and bright lights.  

Here’s an example of how bonkers I was with making Xmas “Disney perfect”, (which was certainly expected by my wasbund).  My youngest (who turns 19 this year), was born on the Winter Solstice (December 21st) and I had to stay in the hospital until the day before Xmas Eve.

What would you do if you were coming home with a 2 day old child to 4 more children two days before Xmas?  Relax? Rest?  Let perfection fly out of the window?  I most certainly hope you would.  

However, one of the traditions that we had was that everyone would receive fabulous, funky, homemade pjs on Xmas Eve to open before they went to bed, made by moi!

So you guessed it!  With a wee babe snuggled up on me I sewed, and sewed, and sewed and dashed back and forth.  20 pairs of pjs were made, cookies were baked, baby and kids were tended and – drum roll please……………………by Xmas day I felt fucked!  

But hey, I had satisfied everyone around me and the societal conditioning of being perfect, and most certainly the conditioning of consumerism.  Yet I felt empty, confused, tired and wondering where the soul in celebrations was.  

Shortly after I chose to become a single mum of 5, and as I was still buying into the conditioning and just exploring my path, the stress level was brutal.

The presents (and finding the ‘perfect’ one that matched the commercials even if it was well over the budget), the baking of a myriad of cookies for a bake sale, finding the perfect tree, making sure the decorations were stupendous, sewing costumes for Xmas pageants, sitting through those Xmas pageants …… and the list went on, and on.  Yup, Joy had left the building with the overwhelm flooding in!

As Goddess forbid I certainly didn’t want my kids to feel left out or that I was fucking up in any shape or form, and it didn’t help that their father turned it into a competition.  (I can see you nodding your head!)  

Interestingly enough after a few years when Finn (the youngest) was about 4, and I was deepening my path, he was adamant that the time up to his birthday shouldn’t be filled with Xmas stuff.  He wanted to celebrate his birthday first and then Solstice.  Wow!  That kicked me in the arse and the game changed.  

On his birthday we would have a party or whatever he chose (normally it included sledding and a snowball fight).  Then in the evening we would turn all the lights off, open the doors and windows and start our Solstice celebration.  A spiral walk, stories told in the dark, then turning up the lights, bringing in a tree we had harvested and decorating it whilst eating Solstice nibbles and laughing our soxs off.  What a difference!  There was soul, there was depth, there were rituals, connection and it wasn’t about the presents it was about the season and the people.  

So no, I’m not anti-Xmas, but to me Solstice is richer, deeper and far more nourishing.  I feel aligned with the seasonal energy. Modern society & the demands we put on ourselves, can keep us from our most important work in winter: To REST.

Too often, we go through winter out of alignment with the seasonal energy: we’re working against it, and it’s creating a lot of dis-ease in our spirits. It depletes you.

This is why The Book of Winter Solstice was created.  To offer a different, deeper and more meaningful way to engage with all that our society and our soul needs.  

Two days before Solstice we have the Full Moon/Cold Moon.  Over in Creatrix Circle we are gathering on this Full Moon to celebrate the Winter Solstice.  

While Nature appears to be dead and lifeless, looks can be deceiving. Deep beneath the surface are themes of rest, renewal, and hope.

December’s Cold Moon spiritual meaning corresponds with Nature’s dormant energy. It’s a time for introspection and soul-searching, a chance to recharge and reconnect. This is a magical season full of transformation and deep internal work.

 Winter can become a time of feeding the spirit and nurturing the soul, not just emptying our bank account and fraying our nerves.

It may seem counterproductive to pause, rest, and reflect. However, remember that your worth isn’t defined by what you’ve accomplished. Use the Cold Moon as a symbolic guide to freeze and hibernate as well. 

Slow down and be fully present in activities that truly bring you joy and pleasure. Before you know it, Spring will be here, so enjoy these quiet moments of rest and solitude.  So why not create a to-do list for this Winter holiday that captures your inner child. What would you like to do to bring more holiday magic to the season?

With so many obligations during December, find time to slow down and read a book you enjoy. With the longer nights and colder days, it’s a perfect time to snuggle up and relax. Pick something purely for pleasure or a non-fiction book that can help you learn something new or change your perspective.

Lol, so there we go, Solstice, Xmas, Book of Winter Solstice, Full Moon and Solstice Reading all in a nutshell!

Okay – now let’s crack on with the reading.  When I sat with all my lovely decks and asked who felt a strong urge to come support and guide us this week as we head into the dark and the shortest day I was tickled to see who hopped up. 

The glorious guides who were adamant are the Sacred Destiny Oracle.  So in case  you have never met them, let me introduce you – and if you have met them before, let me reintroduce you (as not to do so is rude!).  “You have a sacred destiny; we all do.  There is a powerful and profound reason that you are here on the planet.  However, sometimes it may be difficult to understand what that reason is and perceive what is required on your journey into the future.  It may be a challenge to know what the next step in life should be.  This is the time to call upon the energy of nature and majesty of the natural world to provide answers to the heartfelt yearnings of your soul.  In ancient traditions, shamans, medicine women, witches, visionaries, and prophets all accessed hallowed knowledge by observing their natural environment.  These wise beings stepped through mystic gateways into inner realms to bring back meaning to the seemingly random event of life. “

I seriously snorted tea out of my nose when they appeared.  Why? 

Re-read the last two lines.  

Okay darling one.  Please take a moment to just relax.  Don’t worry about if the lights look great, or how you are going to deal with Uncle Tony at the Xmas dinner.  Just BE here NOW.  Take a massive deep breath out first through an open mouth.  Then allow your breathing to find its open delightful, rich rhythm and let your shoulders drop.  As we have just lit the third candle of Advent, Joy, the candle of the animal world.  So what does Joy feel like to you right now?  Is it elusive or is it permeating your being.  Breathe.  

If you want to play with Joy a bit more I have a guided visualisation for you.

Did you remember to pick?

Let’s go look, shall we?

STAYING FOCUSED

Be clear about where you are going.  Do not compromise!

Follow your dreams; you deserve the best.  Prioritise your life.  

Once you decide on a direction, hold the course.  Do not veer.  Do what’s important, and release the rest.  Place your intent and passion on one thing, rather than scattering in many directions,and you will be successful.

On the path, it’s easy for the traveler to be distracted by people, events, and even shiny objects.  Do not take any side roads.  Stay the course.

Keep going, no matter what emerges on your path that distracts you.  It’s easy to get lost and forget where you’re heading.  Recommit yourself to your destination.

What you focus on is what you create, so put your attention on what is worthwhile, beautiful, and inspiring.  Refrain from focusing on what’s not working: only focus on the direction you want to go.  

MIRACLES

Just around the bend, a miracle is waiting to happen.  

Release fear and uncertainty, and majestic wonders wait to unfold for you.  

Watch for them and embrace them.  Some come in an unlikely form.  Trust that all is unfolding for your highest good.  Expect miracles in your life.

What is expected tends to be realised.  The more you become aware of the small marvels in your life, the more you will grow in magnitude.  Celebrate and cherish them when they appear, no matter how small they may seem.

What others see as ordinary, you see as wondrous.  Look at your life in a new way.  Let go of fear and expectation, and allow the Goddess to solve your challenges in mysterious and wondrous ways.  

Don’t limit the way you think miracles can appear in your life.  All is well.

FARAWAY PLACES

Stop playing it safe.  

Get ready for new horizons and change in your life.  A journey is coming.  

It might be to foregin lands or faraway places, or may be an inner shift that changes your destiny.  It’s all beneficial.  Sometimes we can feel wobbled when we are not in our normal surroundings, however, you are safe and protected.  Good fortune ensues.

Part of the glory of travel is stepping out of old habits, routines, and the repetitiveness of everyday life.  It can feel daunting, yet in no small way your life is a spiritual voyage.  Change is coming.  Things are not as they seem. There are no wrong turns; every adventure and missed-venture is part of the course.  

You are on a pilgrimage of the soul.  Keep your metaphorical bag packed; some unexpected experiences are ahead.  Be ready for anything.  The joy of travel is that you can begin to experience the everyday as if you are seeing it for the first time.  

Nothing should be taken for granted.

Absolutely perfect!  How did that feel for you?  Wishing you a stupendous Full Moon.  Remember, if you want to learn something different and like stories, lore and rituals, as well as a glorious guided visualisation for Solstice, gift yourself the BOWS.  Also, don’t forget if you want to take advantage of the Solstice special on the two new readings, please do.  Remember to play for goodness sakes and don’t get caught up in what you think it “should look like”, sending you massive warm hugs, big gingerbread kisses and golden light!  See you next week for the last reading of 2021!