Jenny Heston

Winter Solstice and 9 Glorious Rituals to Tap into the Energy and Mysteries.

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
~ Lewis Carroll

I love Winter Solstice and I can feel the energy of it for a few weeks before it even arrives. It’s dark far earlier, much colder outside and there is a desire to cocoon, wear warmer clothes and eat soup (at least for me). There is a sensation of reflection, going inwards and questioning that arrives naturally from this energy. To me this is a time where I notice those “meh” moments more and really examine my life and ask the question “Am I showing up and embodying what I am called to do?” That’s why, to me, I feel it vital to take some time out to honour this energy and work with it which in turn allows me to feel aligned. In fact I feel more balanced, connected and inspired after I have taken some time.

As a kid I used to be scared of the dark, I felt it held things that were terrifying and uncomfortable. As an adult I have learned that’s not true and have become willing to walk into the darkness and allow myself to get comfortably uncomfortable and dig deep, explore the mysteries and embrace all aspects of being human. Light and dark. You can’t have one without the other! Winter Solstice invites us with a safe open hand to step into the place of mystery, the warm comforting dark that wraps around us like a cosy blankie. Whispering in our ear – rest, be, embrace, release, create, imagine, grow ……….

So what is Winter Solstice and why celebrate it? Why take the time to honour it? The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Winter Solstice takes place on the day where the night is the longest and the hours of sun or daylight are the shortest. In fact “Solstice” comes from two Latin words: sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still” because it appeared as though the sun and moon had stopped moving across the sky. This longest night of the year, followed by a renewal of the sun, demonstrates the cyclical order of the cosmos. In this way, celebrating the solstice can be a beautiful remembrance that our lives are part of a larger order, always changing, always renewing. It’s a gorgeous invitation to not be afraid of the dark or the shadow, as it is in that place is where we shift, grow and recharge.

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in various forms and for thousands of years across a myriad of cultures, all who are willing to step into the darkness and wait to welcome back the light. (And if you lived in medieval times that’s pretty ballsy!

In Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol of life in the dark winter months. It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the Yule log. The Celts thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year.

There was Saturnalia in Ancient Rome which began on December 17 and lasted for 7 days. These celebrations were held from as far back as around 217 BC to honour Saturn, the father of the gods.

Feast of Juul – This is where we get the term Yule from at this time of year, was a pre-Christian festival observed in Scandinavia at the time of the December solstice. People would light fires to symbolize the heat and light of the returning sun and a Juul (or Yule) log was brought in and dropped in the hearth as as a tribute to the Norse god Thor. This log was burned until nothing but ash remained. The ashes were then collected and either strewn on the fields as fertiliser every night until Twelfth Night or kept as a charm.

Yalda – or Shab-e-Chelleh (night of fourty) is an Iranian festival celebrated on the “longest and darkest night of the year” – Solstice. Every year, on December 21st, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness on Yalda Night.

Santo Tomas – a celebration in Guatemala where the Mayan Indians indulged in the ritual known as the Palo Volador, or “flying pole dance.” Three men climb on top of a 50 foot pole as one of them beats a drum and plays a flute. The other two men wind a rope attached to the pole around one foot and jump. If they land on their feet, it is believe that the sun god will be pleased and that the days will start getting longer.

So if you were in doubt that Winter Solstice might be fictitious or flaky baky, let me assure you – nope. If I were to try and explain this celebration in a nutshell it would be a time for introspection, embracing of the shadow, a willingness to walk into the dark, to then celebrate the returning of the light within and without. This is a celebration of honouring the dark before calling into the light. Also, as a side note, Winter Solstice may occur on one day, however, this is a season of Winter we enter where we walk with the dark far more and allow ourselves to release what no longer serves us.

Let’s talk rituals – some people get really weirded out when the word “ritual” is mentioned. So let’s put some myths aside right now – there is no right way or wrong way, you don’t have to have all the ingredients for a certain ritual, it doesn’t need to be complex and over the top (but if that’s your style, go for it). I personally like simple rituals that I can do with my kids, on my own, with friends I trust and I don’t ever want them to feel like I am adding to my “to do” list, especially in this frenzied time.

To me ritual is intentional and all about creating space for you to tap into the seasons, the reasons and yourself. Ritual is intention made manifest into physical form. By performing simple rituals with personal meaning to celebrate the solstice, these rituals will serve as touchstones to help you cultivate an attitude of receptiveness and appreciation that will carry you through the holiday season with more ease. A good starting point might be to make a promise this winter to spend more time listening, watching, and honoring the slower, quieter rhythm of the season.

Always, always start with setting the space. Whether it is lighting a candle, hanging a wreath of evergreens or just sitting in silence for a while. Honour yourself, your connection to Gaia and Spirit, the celebration and get clear on your intention. Let’s explore 9 easy and amazing rituals to help you tap into this gorgeous energy, gain more peace and clarity and release whatever is not serving you. There is also a fabulous Winter Solstice visualisation to really help you explore the energy of this season.

Oh yes, and as an aside many of you have asked if the Solstice Special for Private Readings will be available after Solstice. Nope. The Solstice Special ends at midnight on December 21st. So take advantage of it now and if you want to start 2019 off with a fabulous private reading to help you set the tone of the year, we can do that!

9 Easy and Powerful Rituals to celebrate the Winter Solstice

9 Easy & Powerful Rituals to celebrate Winter Solstice.

Jenny Heston · 1:11 pm ·

Let’s explore some rituals to help you tap into this gorgeous energy, gain more peace and clarity and release whatever is not serving you. I’ve created a glorious guided visualisation just for Winter Solstice to really help you tap into the energy and the mysteries of this day and season.

Winter Solstice

Be Still, Be Quiet

Tools – You, a candle.

The minute I wrote that title I thought of the song based on “Christina Rossetti’s” poem – In the Bleak Midwinter.

If you don’t know this poem the first stanza is “In the bleak mid-winter, Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter long ago.”

Yet for some reason this poem captures the energy of this celebration. It is a time to stop, stand still. So if you are willing (appreciating we are all very busy – as we tell ourselves), take some time to just be quiet. Turn off all the electronica, the TV, the cell phone, your laptop or whatever it is. Sit in the dark and just breathe and as you breathe welcome the glorious warm dark that allows you a place to rest and create, then as you breathe out invite a golden sunlight ball to illuminate what needs to be let go of. Keep breathing in this way and with those intentions and when you’re ready gently bounce up. Turn on the lights, light a candle and eat something sunny. An egg perhaps?

Release, Cleanse and Create!

Tools – Frankincense, Myrrh, Cedar, Juniper Berries or Sage, a candle, journal for writing in. Peace and quiet for 20 minutes.

Create a space. Just sit, light a candle and give out a blessing. Anne Hayman has a lovely one that I work with – “ Bless me on this holy day, as I honor the traditions of my ancient sisters. I hold space for myself + for all living creatures on this planet. I stand strong in this long night of darkness. I trust that the light returns. I see my own energy reflected in nature as I go within, only to emerge full of light. May the blessings be… And so it is!”

Then take a bit of time to write out to write what you release, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Where are you holding it in your body and how you will feel when it is released? When you’re finished writing, rip the paper up and place it to the side.

Then using Frankincense, Myrrh and Cedar (if you are using the real thing then you will need a charcoal disc to burn them on). If you don’t have these, no panic – use Sage smudge or whatever you have. Light this sacred incense up let it waft through the air and take a moment to think about all you have released. Then with the candle you lit at the beginning, over a safe container, light up the pieces of paper you ripped up.

As you watch the flames devour your darkness and releasing see it all absorbed back into the sky, the Universe, healthy, cleaned and transferred. .

Sit for a moment with the waft of incense around you and your candle burning and say to yourself – “Light above me, light around me, light within me, light below me. My light is my strength and my protection.” You have just welcomed the light back.

So now you have created a glorious, sacred space within yourself with this ritual. What do you want to fill it with?

Imagine yourself as fully connected to the Divine and the Earth, you are a conduit in the middle. With this glorious energy pulsing through you – what do you want to create? What makes you feel energised? What makes you feel vibrant and alive? How do you want to share your light with others? Write it all down. If you use cards and feel fully connected to them, do a yearly spread. If you want some help, let me know.

When you are done, place both hands on your heart and breathe long and deep. You have just done something that is powerful and changes energy in a deep, subtle way. Breathe in, breathe out and know, trust you are a delicious being of light and love. So it is, and so it will be.

Get outdoors!

Tools – You and the outdoors.

Is there a trail you can walk or a field or bank of snow you can lie down in? A perch that provides the perfect view? Perhaps it is the top of your apartment building or a rocky outcrop. Wherever it is, even it is in your yard, find a quiet place to just acknowledge and BE.

Create a Giving Tree

Tools – Food in the fridge, popcorn strings, a tree, candles.

This is deliciously easy and can be done on your own, with your partner or with your kids. Create a giving tree (this is where the idea of Xmas trees came from). Make some strings of popcorn and berries, apple slices or whatever you would like to do. I have done nuts on strings, apple slices covered in peanut butter embedded with seeds, popcorn and cranberry strings.

Take all your glorious offerings to the tree you picked, whether inside or outside in the dark and as you hang your strings on the tree whisper to the tree and to yourself how you welcome the light back so that there is more than enough abundance for everyone and every being. Stand back in the dark and revel. Then light your candles up and just take some time and appreciate where you are, your glorious tree, the offerings you made and the light coming back. If you want to burst into song with something like “Here Comes the Sun” by Simon and Garfunkel, then you so need to send me a video!

Invite People for Dinner!

Tools: You, friends or family, candles, food and a willingness.

This is a celebration time and what better way to celebrate than share food with others. Sharing food is an important part of any celebration, it is particularly meaningful during Solstice as it represents faith in the return of the sun and the harvest. So have a friend or more than one over for dinner! Light some candles, share your goals, intentions and what you want to “harvest” in the next 6 months.

Turn off the Lights!

Tools: You, lights and thermostats?

This is super easy, turn off all the lights in your home, turn off your furnace, radiators, , baseboard heaters or whatever form of heat you have. Open the doors and windows wide and allow the cold air to flood in and breeze through (I highly recommend you bundle up).

In that soft darkness sit and BE in silence for a good 5 minutes or more. With the combination of dark, cold and silence it cultivates a stillness in yourself. You may feel a tad wiggly or odd but just keep breathing.

I used to do this with the kids when they were younger (and this is also my youngest monster’s birthday) it was quite profound to see what came up and out. When you are done with the dark (and don’t run from it), go around and gently close the doors and windows, put on your heating supply and as you do send a little blessing out “As the darkness begins to retreat and light beings its return once again – I am grateful”.

Then light candles galore (this welcomes back the sun), sing songs, share food and stories and what came up. And most importantly relax, enjoy and celebrate! If you are doing this on your own, after you have lit your candles, put on music that makes you feel awesome. Move your body and eat something delicious that is not your norm and give huge thanks.

Walk into the Dark

Tools – evergreen boughs, candles, apples and again – a willingness.

I have done this one for quite a few years with my kids and friends and it is stupendous and delicious. The Spiral Walk.

A few days prior to Solstice we would go gather a truck filled with cedar boughs (keep in mind I do live on the side of a mountain). Then on the white snow we would create a spiral that you could walk like a labyrinth. In the centre of the spiral would be a tree stump covered with nature’s offerings – berries, shells, pinecones and crystals and a large candle.

The evening of Solstice we would all gather together and each have an unlit candle in an apple and the only lit candle was in the centre of the spiral. One at a time gently holding the unlit candle a person would walk the spiral and as they walked into the darkness, towards the light they would whisper what they wanted to release. When they hit the centre they would light their own candle and as they walked slowly back out of the spiral they would say what their creation, hearts desire, manifestation was going to be.

When they saw a lovely spot that resonated for them they would put their apple candle on the spiral and so it would go. By the time this ritual was done the spiral was lit up all over the place and then we would go inside, turn on all the lights and eat a meal and celebrate together. Have to say, every time we have done this as a family the spiral has been lit up all night and the centre candle has never gone out, no matter the snow or the winds.

Gift and Share

Tools: You, your stuff, large bags.

You’ve heard the saying “What is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure?” What better way to release and invite in the abundance that comes with the sun than releasing things you don’t need. Now I’m not talking about those tatty, ripped stained jeans – but what about that sweater you haven’t worn in years, those jeans that are lovely but you don’t like? Things like that. What about the food in your pantry that was given to you or brought to a gathering that you are never going to eat as it isn’t your thing? (For me I think of nuts as I don’t eat them).

So intentionally gather these things together and as you bag them up to drop off where they can be really used, set the intention of releasing for yourself and that you have created space in your physical life for more abundance and light and that your donations are welcomed and helping someone who will really enjoy them and appreciate them.

Be the Seed (or Bulb)

Tools: You, Seeds, Some dirt, A Bulb

This is a fun one to do with kids, especially if you are living somewhere where the snow has hit and everything is going to sleep for a while. I would do this with Hyacinth bulbs. Get a little pot, fill it with dirt (if you are using seeds such as beans you can use an egg carton). Gently take your seeds or bulb and whisper over them your intentions for the upcoming spring and then tuck them into the dirt. Give them a little bit of water and wait. Now why this as a ritual Jenny? Think about it, you are the seed as we head into the Winter Season, this is a time to curl up in the Earth (Gaia) and snuggle down and allow your desires to perk, grow and slowly put out roots, just as the bulb or seed does. It’s a fabulous physical representation of creation and everytime you give it a little bit of water or look over at it you know, deep in your core that as the seasons change and you get clear, the plants flourish!

There we have it! Easy, intentional ways of celebrating the Winter Solstice! Thus, wishing you a stupendous Solstice and a massive release and intention setting. Remember there is no right way, you just have to take the time, set an intention and do it. Oh yes, and don’t forget as some of you have asked – the Solstice special on Private Readings ends at midnight on December 21st.

Happy holidays to all of you, whether it is Hanukkah, Christmas, Solstice or none of those. May you feel peace, may you feel love, may you allow yourself to BE and explore the mysteries found in the glorious warmth of the darkness and tap into your light.

Cold Full Moon, Winter Solstice, Elements & Readings!

Jenny Heston · 9:00 am ·

Happy Marvelous, Magnificent, Magnanimous, Magickal, Mysterious, Manifesting, Miraculous Monday! How are you delicious lovely? Are you keeping your sense of balance as the holiday season ramps up with fervour and a tad of franticness? I hope so! Wow, this is the last reading for 2018! Holy Hannah this year has flown by with all sorts of wondrous and “interesting” aspects to it.

This week we welcome in the Full Moon that is also referred to as the Cold Moon or the Yule Moon. This Full Moon occurs on December 22nd (just after Solstice). As the days get shorter in December, we force ourselves to get through the darkness. Now is a good season for spiritual alchemy — time to evaluate your life, and know that you’ll survive the dark times. If you’ve already put the darkness behind you, take your good fortune and share it with others. You will feel more open to change in your life and may actively seek it out. This is a good full moon for trying something new in your domestic routine or personal life. Your stronger than normal intuition can guide you in making quick decisions on which way to go. Follow your instincts and make the most of any opportunities that come your way. This is also a lovely full moon to invite original ways of doing things into your life because of your inquisitive and inventive nature.

You might receive flashes of insight to solve lingering problems in an instant. Chance encounters can also provide valuable information. You are more likely to stumble upon some critical piece of information while surfing the net. Chance encounters may lead to instant attraction and new friendships.

As we leave the season of late Autumn we enter the season of Winter which is brought in by Solstice (Yule). This is where we are invited to the downward spiral, the slow descent as water returns to Earth, emotion (water) coming into form (earth). The energy is descending and the light is low—this is the most inward, the most yin, part the year. Yet this is the time of year where we have the most Yang activities!

However, you can’t fool your body. When you really are tuned into your body and listen to the messages, your body often tells you things before anything or anyone else does. For example, I moved a few months ago to somewhere where there is no snow (which most certainly invites me to cocoon and eat hot soup!), and yet my body is responding stronger than ever! It wants to relax, rest, rejuvenate, replenish, create and imagine.

When my kids were little (I mean wee in age), I sent most of them to the Waldorf school. Why? Because especially in the younger years the Waldorf school encouraged creativity, curiosity, paying attention to the seasons and appreciating that we are connected to everything and that magic is everywhere. I remember a glorious book that I encountered there that depicted how as we enter winter all the little seeds, bulbs and animals would tuck up in the roots deep in the ground where Mother Earth would read them stories and sing them lullabies so they slept long and deep through the snowy, icy days until the temperatures warmed and they could stretch up towards the sun. The imagery was amazing!

I love, love, love Solstice – to me it’s that perfect balance point and the start of something new and exciting, filled with potential and possibilities and I can feel the energy of it for a few weeks before it even arrives. There is a sensation of reflection, going inwards and questioning that arrives naturally from this energy. To me this is a time where I notice those “meh” moments more and really examine my life and ask the question “Am I showing up and embodying what I am called to do?” That’s why, to me, I feel it vital to take some time out to honour this energy and work with it which in turn allows me to feel aligned. In fact I feel more balanced, connected and inspired after I have taken some time.

On Thursday I will be sharing a gift for Solstice, with rituals, a lovely guided visualisation to help you walk into the mysteries of the dark. This will only be offered to my amazing lovelies who are on my email list, so make sure you sign up if you want to receive it.

Over the weekend here the winds were wild! I mean blowing at 40 – 70km an hour and they were so strong that when I would crack open the front door I could hear the ocean pounding against the rocky shore. Talk about deliciously primal! In fact the energy and wind called so strongly that Saturday night found me, dragging my niece along in the dark to walk up to the ocean and just let that activating, primal energy surge through me and wrap around us. It was quite amazing to say the least and certainly cleared out the cobwebs! (Thus when people say to me that Water or Wind aren’t very strong elements I say “rubbish”)! It was quite delightful to snuggle up in a warm, cosy bed and have the window cracked a smidge and let the howl of the wind, and the sound of the waves pounding, lull me to sleep. I highly recommend it!

Oh yes, as I mentioned last week as a gift and to raise money for the homeless shelter (with the focus being on children), I am offering a Solstice special on Private Readings. I still have 3 spots left as 3 wonderful people have been very clever and taken advantage of the Solstice pricing but would like to have their readings in January (which to me is a great idea). Thus, if you are interested I highly suggest you take advantage of one of the 3 spots left before the year ends!

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 Oracle of Shadows & Light were most adamant that they needed to be front and center. Now, if these guides are new to you, let me briefly introduce you:- “Bittersweet, Unheard, Unconventional, Rebellious, Cheeky, Whimsical, Invisible….. They’re not words you often hear associated with the spiritual world, are they? Nevertheless, some of the most spiritual beings who have ever lived are those who have been most at odds with what we call the mainstream. They do not fit in. They have had moments of despair. And they know being truthful, and being real, is one of the greatest strengths and spiritual paths of all! They ask you to step out from the shadows, to no longer hide your light away, and come and consult with guides who acknowledge your individuality and strange genius!”

How perfect are they for this time? Whoot!!!!!

The crystals that wiggled and bounced around are:- Black Moonstone, a Clear Quartz Geode (think of the mysteries that can hold), and Moonstone.

So delicious lovely, take a moment. Just wiggle your fingers and toes and breathe into all the corners, pockets and creases in your body. Allow yourself to breathe in the stillness that comes at Solstice, the warm dark that allows you to rest. Breathe this in and as you exhale through an open mouth let go of anything that is keeping you tight and tense. Allow your mind to calm and when you are ready ask the guides who wants to come support you this week, then pick the card or cards that resonate for you.

Did you remember to pick?

Ready, to go see?

MARIE MASQUERADE

Marie is very much like the famed Queen of France Marie Antoinette. She is stylish and delightful, always finding new and fascinatingly creative ways to amuse herself. Wherever she is, there is decadence and style, truly glamorous moments, and lavish entertainments. But even she knows she is simply amusing herself and that there is a hole t the center of her being where she wishes she were loved for who she truly is and could rely only on her talent and style to express herself, and not be judged for this. To be her friend is no problem at all as long as you remain truly yourself. Only, being with her has somehow made you wish to be more like her. Look beneath the mask, and the beauty, and the exquisite stylings, and see into her heart. Be her friend, and be her companion, but never forget who you are, and what is important to you.

Someone is about to invite you to be involved in something very intriguing. And this person will ask you in ways that are ever so charming, so the temptation will be ever so strong. Because this person is beautiful, and talented, and powerful, you are flattered! But the truth is, you run the risk of paying a very high price for this brush with fame or glory. Be sure that the politics and the intrigues are ones you truly wish for in your life – because there is often a sacrifice that must be made, and many consequences are currently hidden from you. It is tempting, no doubt. But it may not be within your best interests to pursue this strange, slightly tainted offer that will be made.

Be true to your own vision as opposed to what is currently fashionable and considered desirable. Creating, rather than following.

FAIRY OF THE GREEN WORLD

This little green faery signifies and embodies the life force of the green world. She is seen tending to plants that are drooping, too moist, or too dry – she is like a nurse or healer, assigned to the plant realm, great forests and small personal gardens alike. She is joyful every time someone gives energy to this realm – every little bit helps nurture the plants, which are very tired: fewer and fewer plants and trees and forests are expected to provide more and more life-giving oxygen for animals, elements, and we humans! Sometimes she becomes overwhelmed will all we humans have done to the green world – so she may be about to ask for your help. When you give her your help, blessings are returned to you threefold.

The green world is changing, and I am asking for your help. The world needs you to tend the green things in it in some way right now – and it is your time to make a contribution. Time to plant a garden, assist another with theirs, or share some food, flowers, or herbs from your own. Develop your connection to solar energy, find your own water source, and depend less on supermarkets, ATMs and electricity.

Learn to live with her, the soul of the green world. By providing the world with this beautiful example, you are nourishing and nurturing our mother, the Earth, who feels so tired some days! Find a forest, or a grove of trees, or a fairy ring of mushrooms – somewhere that speaks to your soul – and sit with her a while. When she breathes her messages through the leaves and whispers words of wisdom into your ears, you will know the right place and time to devote this sacred donation of time and energy. I thank you in advance. The faeries will be sure to help you in return!

It is a time for growth, for abundance, for the earth element to find its way true and strong in your beautiful life! Join with the natural energies of the planet – and the galaxy!

WITCH AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Storms fly about her, electrical whips crack through the heavy air with their bites of fire, and she sits among them, hugging her hourglass, holding everything together till the force creating the change has done its work. When the Witch at the End of the World makes her appearance to you, you will know that something’s time has come. There can be no more delaying, for the change has begun. So the best thing for you to do now is prepare for this change. Find solutions to challenges that will come up when the change comes. You will be fine, by the way, and all will be well, but there will be a time of seeming chaos and difficulty. If you are prepared, and ready to let go and change, and let something end, the little witch’s countdown will not affect you as it will affect others who refuse to acknowledge that changes are coming and become fearful at their inevitable approach. There is nothing to fear, but plenty to prepare for. You will be safe, and well, and very ready to embrace the new world.

I am not wicked, but I am a witch, and changes are made when the world bends and shifts. I hold this hourglass up to you now so you know that the time for an ending is almost upon us. You can see the signs all about you – the strange weather, the hurricanes, the cyclones, the earth changes all about us – but so many simply say I am wicked for showing you this. They blame me for what they call the catastrophes, and they ignore the signs. They are with you, and it is time to be ready. We are all about to experience a huge change – and it will be for the better. But while we hold on to the old, the storms will blast us, and the land will shift, and self-healing will look like destruction.

There is nothing to be frightened of; only a voyage to weather, and you’ll make it through to the other side of the storm. The changes are part of our journey to a fifth-dimensional world, of the shift to a more peaceful planet, where shadows and light are loved and accepted. All is well.

So there we have it delicious lovely, the last reading for 2018 as I will be taking the holiday time to play, sleep, create and vision (unless Spirit kicks my arse and tells me to do a reading!) Remember, if you would like rituals and a glorious guided visualisation for Solstice, make sure to sign up on the email list. Also, don’t forget if you want to take advantage of the Solstice special on Private Readings there are 3 spots left! If you want to book it and save it until January to start your 2019 off with guidance, just let me know. Wishing you a glorious Solstice, a beautiful playing with the mysteries of the warm darkness! Also wishing you a fabulous holiday season filled with love, light, huge hugs, laughter and warm drinks. Remember to play for goodness sakes and don’t get caught up in what you think it “should look like”, just enjoy the people you are with and those glorious moments of connection and community. Sending you massive warm hugs, big gingerbread kisses and golden light! Talk to you soon.

Solstice, Advent, Hope and Big Balls!

Jenny Heston · 8:00 am ·

Here we are delicious lovely, the second Monday of December! So let me please wish you a Marvelous, Manifesting, Magnificent, Magickal, Miraculous, Mellow, Magnanimous Monday! How was New Moon for you?

There is so much to talk about, private readings, upcoming Solstice, Hope, and Word of the Year! Quite a few of you have contacted me with regards to putting 2018 to bed and setting up 2019 with clarity with a private reading. Thus, I have opened up 10 spots, which will be the only ones available until January, and am offering a Solstice special, 10% of the readings will be donated to the homeless shelter here. So if you have been wanting to get a reading. Now is the time! Also I’ve had quite a few inquiries about purchasing a private reading for someone else as a gift, most certainly! Just email me and we can get that organised.

The other day I noticed a sign as I was driving back into town that was counting the days down to Xmas – it read something like “Only 14 more shopping days until Xmas.” WTF! Really? That’s what Xmas is about, shopping? (Don’t get me wrong if you are a retailer this is one of your biggest seasons) but there was a huge Hmmm. That sign didn’t work for me and I was a tad grumpy that there was no sign that said “Only 11 days left to Solstice and then the days start getting longer!” ( Next week we will really explore Solstice and some easy, powerful ways to mark that most amazing time of year.)

Ah well, we each do it our own way, but I have noticed people getting more tense, shorter fused, and most certainly not smiling as much or driving nearly as well, and that to me is not celebration, that feels like obligation. This is a time of connection, this is a time of celebration and creating memories (as is every day in my world). A time of Hope, Love, Peace & Joy. I don’t see much of that in the overflowing mall parking lots and the hard sell places.

Thus, I decided to explore different venues, so this last week I went and checked out the most amazing Gingerbread house display which is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity (and if my kids ever ask me again to create a gingerbread house with them the pressure would be on! ) The houses were quite stupendous and very ornate. It made my heart warm to find out that various people had spent hours upon hours creating these masterpieces all to help Habitat for Humanity raise funds! To me that is most certainly the seasonal spirit in action.

The other day I took a wander through the various neighbourhoods nearby and it fascinated me that here people hang large Xmas ornaments and sparkly balls in the trees outside. It’s really quite cool and very pretty. So I trundled off and found some funky balls at the thrift store, bedecked them with gorgeous white ribbon and hung them on the branches of the cherry tree outside. As I was standing there thinking how lovely they looked I glanced down the street to see that some chap had put HUGE multi coloured Xmas balls in his tree! I have to say I experienced massive ball envy and the song that immediately came to mind was ACDC’s Big Balls. Lol. (I wonder if he would notice if they migrated from his tree to mine in the middle of the night?)

Yesterday I lit the second candle in my lovely homemade Advent wreath – this is the candle of Hope and Love (it’s also the celebration of the light of plants – plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance). Now the word “Hope” has never been one of my favourite words as I find it is used far too much i.e. – I hope the kids do their chores, I hope I win the lottery, I hope the cat doesn’t cough a hairball on the clean laundry………. So the word Hope always felt a bit banal to me, thus, I went exploring and reading and have to say I really like this definition, it is one I can get behind:-

“Hope is a feeling of trust, a security, and a reason to keep going. It is a passionate desire of our heart. It is a feeling of expectation and a longing for a certain thing to happen.” – Verity Russell

What do you Hope for?

One of the things I love about the energy of Solstice is the inward turning, the entering into the dark to bring your own light back out into the world. To me it feels like a very rejuvenating, restorative time. It’s also about this time that I start thinking about my Word of the Year for 2019. Now if you’ve never explored or worked with WOTY I highly recommend it, and as we get closer to New Years I will share an easy way to pick it. Basically your WOTY is the one word that you pick which becomes the touchstone, the North Star for every aspect of your life in 2019. It really helps you get clear on how you want to BE and how you want to FEEL during the year in all your experiences. For 2018 my word was DELIGHT, I’m still perking what my word for 2019 will be, there’s no rush so I’m just going to let it burble as the days get shorter and shorter. Speaking of shorter, I noticed yesterday that we are down to 8 hours and 23 minutes of light and the rest is that warm dark that invites us to reflect and plan.

Okay, I’ve chuntered on long enough, lol. Let’s crack on with the reading! When I asked the cards who wanted to guide this week it was no surprise to me that The Faery Forest Oracle came bounding to the forefront as yesterday I went wandering in the woods gathering cedar boughs to make garlands to bedeck the house with. Now, if you’ve never experienced this deck before, the dedication for this deck is as follows:- “May the wild green world and the wondrous beings of this Faery Forest heal us, inspire us and urge us all to become more who we truly are meant to be.“ The glorious little peacock feathers that I found last week were most insistent to show off their iridescent colours and the crystals that came to join are:- Bloodstone, Sodalite and Chrysocolla.

So delicious lovely I invite you to gift yourself a moment to get centred and become present. Gently slow your breathing down and let the word Hope vibrate through you as you breathe (there is a lovely little guided visualisation if you would like a bit more support). When you feel ready invite the card or cards to tell you which ones are for you this week.

Ready to go have a look?

THE WILD HUNT

There is, for all of us, a moment when excitement and nerves fuse, when we prepare to journey and do something we have anticipated for a long time. In the faery realm, this sensation is created by adventure known as the Wild Hunt. This is a gathering which takes place not only within the realm of faery, it is one where the faery king and queen lead faery hounds and faery horses on a hunt throughout the countryside, dipping into and out of the faery lands, surfacing in the human worlds from time to time, cleansing toxic energy, allowing natural forces to begin to flow through the cleared energy paths, awakening the wild world to brightest life once again, and leaving a trail of ecstasy and bliss after the frenzied storm of their ride.

The Wild Hunt is fierce, powerful, a little frightening, and thoroughly thrilling – and this faery queen is preparing herself for the joys and challenges of this great springtime event. So too you need to prepare yourself for some chaos – a wild time, when change tears through and upends all the order you have attached yourself to. You may need to pack, travel, find ways to move quickly, stop planning and organising for a moment and just go on an immensely enjoyable ride of your life.

The time coming for you is delirious in its excitement, and you fear this loss of control and order. But truly, it will refresh you, just as it sears the very edges of your nerves! Dress up, show up, and prepare to be amazed! Take a deep breath, find your voice, and begin to cry out at the top of your lungs. You are alive my friend, and will feel so more than ever before when the wild hunt touches your life!

THE GREEN WITCH

When you are pure of heart, the whole world is full of potential. And this is the message from this innocent Green Witch to you. She is green as in the fresh new shoot from the seed pushing urgently towards the sun. She is green and connected to the earth, flowing with the cycles of Nature. She is green in that she looks as much to the natural world for company, friendship, and fulfillment as you currently do to fellow humans.

She is your reminder to begin to reconnect to the wild green world, to the faery forests all about you – to go back to a place where you empty yourself of expectations and stories and knowledge and just admit that in some circumstances and at some times, you are as a babe. You are newborn, and in that moment of unknowing-ness, and of admitting and embracing your own powers of renewal, you can finally learn what it is you are here to learn.

Be not so certain, or so experienced when The Green Witch comes to you. Be new. Be fresh. Be unwise, be unknowing. Be innocent. And then the new cycle can truly begin.

THE HEDGEWITCH

You are being asked to consider herbal forms of healing – working with what is in-between, effective and yet natural, available to and yet still hardly acknowledged. Changing the foods you eat to include more greens and herbs to boost energy and health, and begin to pay very serious attention to the quality of the foods you eat – again, with a very close focus on the world of herbs and plants.

You can at this time adjust the way you eat and find essential oil blends which assist with sleeping, with becoming calm, with dissipating anger, increasing self-love and deepening your wisdom. Explore growing your own flowers, vegetables and herbs.

When you begin to consider the truth that why you ingest becomes the very molecules of your body, and you may decide at this time to reduce additives, sugar, GMOs, and various forms of meat, too. You now begin a journey into health and well being, and eat what is good and wholesome for you. The Hedgewitch is the messenger guiding you to this path of nourishment and well being through the plant world. Nurture and nourish yourself so that you continue to grow and glow.

Well delicious lovely, that was quite a Divine reading! What with the invitation to be alive, to renewal, to nourishing – all things that are very much the energy of the approaching Solstice! Whoot! So sweetie, wishing you a stupendous week filled with large sparkly balls, hope and laughter and do remember with the approaching holiday season to practice self care and take some time to replenish and refuel yourself! Don’t forget if you want to book a private reading, there are only 10 spots left until 2019. See you next week! Huge hugs and Gingerbread kisses!!

December is here and the energy has shifted! New Moon in Sagittarius and let’s talk about Cocooning.

Jenny Heston · 1:01 am ·

Happy Magnificent, Magickal, Marvelous, Mellow, Momentous, Meteoric, Mirthful first Monday of December delicious lovely! That’s right we are in a new month, in fact the last month of the year and holy hannah there’s lots waiting to welcome us. We have an energy shift, a new moon and we are soon to be at the shortest day of the year and we are all most certainly barreling towards the end of the year and whether you buy into it or not the expectations and events increase tenfold. Phew! I don’t know about you but hearing all that makes me want to take a nap!! (Which is normal as this is the season where our bodies, mind and energy turn inwards – more restorative, cocooning energy.)

Okay what shall we start with? Let’s begin with the shamanic energy of the month. So you remember that October was “Taking Inventory”, November was then “Truth” and guess what? December is “CHAOS”! (I’m not surprised by that to be honest, for a lot of people 2018 has been an intense, challenging and unsettling year.) Now don’t go running to the closet to hide, let’s explore and unpack it a bit shall we?

As the incredible Lena Stevens shares:- “This is a month of transition and we chose CHAOS as the theme because that is what happens when you have many moving parts that are disconnected and have not yet found their place to land. Chaos is the astral plane, or spirit world revealed, without form, where anything is possible if you are willing to let go of resistance and use your creativity wisely to arrange those moving parts into something you want.

Chaos often brings with it resistance, fear of losing control, confusion, physical discomfort, anxiety and an instinctive reaction to pull back and hunker down into old patterns that are familiar. Chaos also brings with it an excitement and anticipation of something new, a change, progress and creativity. Obviously, we want to stay out of resistance and focus more on the “anticipation of something new” part. When faced with chaos, it is important not to get lost in drama and lack of focus. Use discipline to keep unnecessary chaos out (such as chaos and drama belonging to someone else) and be careful not to invite unnecessary chaos in (such as adding something to your plate that you know is going to increase your level of stress, confusion and overwhelm). It is a good discipline to learn to say no to that which is an energy leak. It is also helpful to stay focused on the priorities that are not overwhelming. Keeping good boundaries is a must.”

Isn’t that delicious energy to work with as we head into the hurly burly of the holiday season with the school concerts, cookie swaps, relatives that you haven’t seen in forever coming to stay? All the more reason to pay attention to it and don’t say yes to things that will tip you off the edge due to increased stress!

Now let’s look at the New Moon that happens this week on December 7th. This lovely New Moon is the last one of this year and is in Sagittarius inviting us to release the bullshit, the drama, the heavy little chunks. Sagittarius energy is always helping us to look on the bright side of things and to focus on what we feel grateful for, and seeing the bigger picture from a more expansive point of view.

Saying that, we can sometimes get so bogged down in our own thoughts and feelings, and in the drama of it all, that we can very quickly start constructing our own falsehoods of reality. When we find ourselves so bogged down in this type of thinking, we have to step back, we have to get some space between our thoughts, and we have to try to look at things from the outside.

Where have you been holding someone in debt to you for something they did? Where have you been holding yourself in debt due to a judgement about yourself or a little chunk of lurking shame? This is the time to really let it all go, pull the big girl panties on and own your piece and make amends for it and let the other bits of flotsam and jetsam flow away and be released. (Trust me, you will feel shed tons lighter and what a glorious way to feel when you head into Equinox and New Years!)

We have now explored the energy of the month, the New Moon and now let’s take a brief moment and explore the energy of the season. The energy right now is one of a downward spiral, an inward reflective, nurturing spiral. Think of dark skies early in the afternoon, turning on a warm lamp, cuddling with a bowl of glorious home made soup and time to reflect, nurture and rejuvenate. To me that’s the energy of this season as we head towards the shortest day of the year (Winter Solstice December 21st). I don’t know about you, but here we are at 8 hours and 34 minutes between sunrise and sunset, which is not a lot to say the least! How’s your body responding? I know for me by about 6pm I am already flexing my chill out, hibernation muscle and wanting to ingest warm comfort food, curl up in the corner of the sofa and knit a great big woolly jumper, light a fire, have glorious rich music wafting through the house, light candles and to just be with myself and not go back out for a while. Which is so unlike the energy my body feels in summer time, where I want lighter foods, the activities I do are far more energetic and I am happy to dance until dawn!

An example for myself from this past weekend. Saturday was a glorious sunny day (albeit brief and chilly), I’m now living somewhere where there is no snow and not many coniferous trees. So I decided to decorate the massive cherry tree outside, who had dropped all her leaves with large Xmas balls (or globes) in gold and green. So hours spent scrambling through the branches, hanging them on ribbons and bedecking the cherry tree were spent. The sun went down and I came in, kicked off my shoes, turned on the lamps, pulled on my cosy slippers and curled up on the sofa. Hang on, it’s only 4:55! Apparently here they do this amazing lit up truck parade of huge trucks that wend and wind their way through town gathering supplies for the food banks. There are various neighbourhoods as well where all the Xmas lights get turned on, music, roasted chestnuts, mulled cider and celebration. All of these things I wanted to go see as I had never been here for this time. Yet as it got darker and colder and the time for the events drew nearer it took a huge amount of energy to don the big woolly sweater, grab my bag and head out. I just wanted to be cosy, warm and quiet. However, have to say all the events were spectacular and I was home by 9pm! (Whether we acknowledge it or not our bodies really do know what they need and it’s when we push them repeatedly to do something different we create dissonance). So my question for you delicious lovely is – with the hurly burly of the holiday season starting to ramp up, what little things can you do to honour what your body is attuned to do?

So there we have it, a ton of information to assimilate and work with, and we are only in the first week of December! It’s all good though, if I could nutshell it – own your stuff, make amends when needed, don’t take one too much and let your body and energy restore and rejuvenate with moments of hibernation and cosy food.

Now after all that, let’s crack on with the reading. When I asked the cards who wanted to come and guide this week it was the delicious Oracle of the Dragonfae. This is a glorious, fun, and inviting deck that asks you to put aside your disbelief in magik. The crystals were super clear as to who wanted to come and be present as was the smudge and the turkey feather.

Thus, I invite you to take a moment for you, just you and allow yourself to come back to yourself, allowing yourself to move with the energy of the season and just curl inwards a tad. Breathe. There is also a little guided visualisation to help you tap into that moment of Peace and Serenity, should you so desire.

Did you remember to pick?

Who wants to guide you this week?

THE LADY ALFREDA

Know you this: that whatsoever you send out, you attract back to the power of three. Intent has energy, as do thoughts, feelings and emotions, and once released, this vibrational thought field radiates out and attracts back to you that which was sent out. This is the Law of the Threefold return, an ancient Law that the wise ones have know of for many a year, though many of the humans have refused to listen to its wisdom.

So, if you cry out an injustice, and if you are in pain, you must clear the reasons these manifestations of the Law were brought to you, were drawn to you, by you. As you think, so you will live. As you do, others will do unto you. This is the magickal law.

Do not be afraid of this truth: see it as a source of freedom. There is no blame in this karmic truth, for all that you send out will return. There is no other place for it to go. You own underworld initiation is ending soon, and the dark will soon come to be but a place full of rest, release, wisdom and deep, ancient knowledge. The Law is the Law. And the Lady’s Law is love unto all. Follow this, and the Threefold Return will work its magicks.

Do you not know the truth? Your own underworld is not hell, but your dark time in the cauldron of your experience, your growth, your understanding, your knowledge. Now you have the knowledge of the Law ill you work with it, knowing it to be truth?

QUEEN MAB

I am Mab, some call me Queen, and it is of your independence and personal sovereignty that I wish to speak to you at this time. Each day you see and feel injustices in your world, and each time you remain mute, you allow the energy to spiral. Now is the time to make the difference, now is the time to take back the power the Mother, the Earth Goddess from whom we all were birthed, gave to you to safeguard and keep wisely – the precious gift of being on this planet.

Understand that you are energy and can use more than the old aggressive ways….use your energy and your mind, breathwork and what you call prayer, but what I call magick, to speak and allow your voice to reach others. You are more powerful than you know. When you find yourself struggling within the cage of anger and fear, breathe love, and rest and revive yourself with knowledge of your own strength. Know the Dragonfae are with you, and will help to transmit your messages around this world you dwell in now. For I know, and I tell you, that a reckoning will be made, and that you are a part of this magickal planet’s rescue team.

Be strong. Be wise. Stay safe. And change the world!

Mab is connected to our dreams, and she ensures that what we wish for, when it comes from love and magick, comes to us. You are loved and protected by Mab, and you are beloved for your unique and even odd qualities, and that blending in is not the way.

FERNIA

I wish to be honest with you, so you understand what it is you think and feel you are wishing for.

Do you understand that in order for you to be in connection with all you feel you desire that there will be what many consider to be sacrifices along the way?

Do you understand that what we can offer you is shelter, yes, soft and sweet, tender and shaded beneath the heat of the sun, a place to rest and sleep and dream? But do you also know that others will say you dwell in a fantasy land and that what you dream of cannot be? Consider the truth of what it is you wish for and know that whatever you commit to, expectations play no part in this promise I make to you… because I do pledge to shelter you and introduce you to magicks, to show you the ways of the Dragonfae folk and to help tend the little ones with me.

But I also promise you this: that your supposed nirvana will be muddy and dirty and difficult at times. There is no way for this to be what you fantasize about. You will need to care for yourself and to allow others to be who they are. For this is the path of clarity: knowing who you are and the part you play in all things. Leave your expectations behind and be prepared to discover more magick than you ever thought possible. Do not seek to possess anything…and know that you are free to choose, in every moment, if you will go on.

Do you understand that if you wish to be of this realm, and yourself entirely, that you will give up some old ways of thinking? Otherwise you may find yourself hurt by the conflict such incompatible thoughts and feelings will bring.

Wow, wow, wow! Very strong messages and all very appropriate at this time. Huge level of restore, rejuvenate, own your piece and step up. Lol, I sooooo love the cards! So my delicious lovely, I wish for you a week of moments to be able to turn inwards, to relax and let the “duties” drop. A time of feeling in balance, grateful and enjoying self created chunks of peace, serenity and nourishment. Here’s to bowls of warm soup, mugs of hot tea, roaring fires and ease. Huge hugs and squeezes. See you next week! Let me know how your New Moon wishes go!

Jenny Heston

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Release Anxiety And Claim Your Power