In earth-based spirituality such as witchcraft practices, we see the seasons as not only cycles of the sun, but also concepts. Since we are a part of nature, seasons are not just what happens around us. Seasons happen to us, too.
Winter as a concept is turning inward and allowing ourselves to rest like everything else in nature. It is a season of immense change where you experience the metaphorical death and descent to soul before the rebirth of spring, like the darkness of a seed underground before it sprouts. It’s something we all must experience before great change takes place.
Wintering
In her book, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May writes, “[Wintering] is the active acceptance of sadness. It is the practice of allowing ourselves to feel it as a need. It is the courage to stare down the worst parts of our experience and to commit to healing them the best we can. Wintering is a moment of intuition, our true needs felt keenly as a knife.”
Though important, wintering can be difficult and sometimes unbearable. We can only stare into the face of darkness for so long before being overtaken by it. Taking care of yourself and reaching out to loved ones for support is important, but sometimes the energy to do so is hard to find. If you are feeling the need for a little boost of sunshine in these dark days, here is a spell for winter to help you relight that fire from within.
Spell Sachets
One way to create easily transportable spells is sachets. These have been used in many cultures in one way or another, for example, mojo bags or medicine bags. This involves a small pouch with a cinch top that you fill with the ingredients of your spell and wear on your person. You can wear it like a necklace as an amulet or talisman, tie it around your waist, carry it in your pocket or purse.
Because this is a spell for winter, you may like to choose a sachet in a color that reminds you of sunshine, such as gold or yellow. If you are using a cloth and plan to fold your spell into it, you can use a sunny-colored ribbon or string to tie it off. I chose spell ingredients that bring summer to mind and herbs that lift the mood. If there is anything you associate with happiness, feel free to add that to your sachet.
Sunshine Spell For Winter
- A gold or yellow sachet large enough to hold your ingredients
- Citrus peels such as from orange or lemon
- Yellow flower petals such as from sunflowers or black-eyed susans
- Herbs of your choice such as St. John’s Wort, lemon balm, rosemary, angelica, wormwood, feverfew, hyssop, vervain, or any others that bring sunshine to mind for you.
- One gold or yellow candle (or natural beeswax)
- Optional: a crystal to get you through the winter
Directions
Light your candle to symbolize invoking the sun and allow it to burn down as you craft your spell sachet. Fill with your chosen ingredients and cinch it closed.
Once your sachet is filled and sealed, let it swing high above the flame, chanting three times:
Light of the sun, element of fire,
May this spell lift my mood higher.
Carry the sachet with you until you feel your inner sun return.
In the modern witchcraft community, we acknowledge that magick is a psychological tool and is best combined with therapy and inner work. If your depression worsens, talk to your doctor about treatment options; medications are their own kind of magick. If you are having difficulty coping and are contemplating suicide, go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ to talk to someone who is ready to help.
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