Winter Solstice arrives in the northern hemisphere this Thursday, 21 December. It's a time for parties, music, feasting, gift exchanges and celebrations. It's also a time for sympathetic magic.
Sympathetic magic involves the use of objects, substances, and actions with the intention of manifesting a desired outcome. Some examples might include the use of a cup of water in a spell for rain, a candle for light, a silver coin for wealth, a bread roll for abundant food. It is one of the most ancient and simple forms of magic. And one which is freely available to all whatever their spiritual beliefs, or lack of them. It is a thing that I do fairly often.
Many of the ancient pagan customs and rituals have survived for centuries, if not millennia. At no time is this more apparent than around the Yuletide season.
Religious observances around the world tend to involve candles and fires. The inclusion of such at Winter Solstice is a form of sympathetic magic. We bring the warmth and light into our homes in token of the greater light returning to the world itself; we become co-creators of the expanding light. And by offering our own little lights we honor the greater light of Nature and the Divine while offering our hopes and prayers that it may continue to nurture Life in ourselves and everyone around us.
We bring evergreen plants into our homes- pine, holly, ivy- in recognition of the endurance of Life itself in the midst of darkness and cold. Our ancestors did this in the hopes that the ever-green, ever-flourishing plants would lend to Humanity their endurance and ability to keep living even as much of the world seemed deep in a sleep almost like death.
We feast on our favorite special dishes, warm and filling comfort foods, and share them with those we love; by sharing of our abundance, we make room for more abundance to come into our lives. And demonstrate our belief that it will surely be so. What we send out, what we share in love, kindness, and a spirit of friendly cooperation, shall return to us and that multiplied.
The gifts we give are meaningful, and bring at least as much joy to the giver as to the recipient. They don't need to be extravagant; going into debt can be a hardship for the giver, and a source of sadness for the recipient if they learn of it. A truly meaningful gift doesn't even have to tangible. A gift of one's time and energy can be a true blessing for both. A gift of loving thoughts and good wishes can last far longer than any material thing.
The Light gradually returns and the days begin to grow a little longer just as the deepest cold of Winter begins in earnest. The Great Wheel of thirteen spokes continues to turn. And eventually brings us back to the bursting forth of Life that is Spring. The Earth endures. Life itself endures. As long as Humankind shall remember it's place within Nature and the web of Life that encompasses all, so we shall endure.
We light our candles, sing our songs, murmur our prayers. And remember.
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