We welcome you to the Rite of Alban Arthan

Winter Solstice Greetings. Thank you for joining me to peer yet again inside the cover of my Book of Shadows. Here are a few of the ways I honor the Winter Solstice as a Solitary Practitioner of the Craft. May you feel the joyfulness of the healings that are encompassed in this time of the year wheel.

Yule Tree

Decorate a Yule tree. I often treat my tree and the area around it as my Winter Alter. I use white lights and black ornaments to remind me of the duality of the inner light in the darkend days. An idea is to add to it symbols of your totem animals, Spirit Guides or Dieties you are working with through the deep within time. You can also add wishes and blessing that you want to "gift" to the world buy writing them on parchment, rolling them into scrolls and tying them with festive ribbon onto the tree. However you decorate it, make it a sacred special time for you to connect with the Spirits and Allies of this season.

Honor & Decorate Nature

Do you remember getting messy smearing peanut butter, honey or molasses into the crevices of pine cones. Packing them full of bird seed and adding a ribbon to hang it in the trees? Me too, it is one of my fondest memories of winter. Today it's easy and very inexpensive to buy orbs, bells and other shaped decorations that are solid seed and fruit that are designed to feed our bird friends and are a beautiful way to decorate nature and provide for our winged friends throughout the winter. You can give to the health of your community when you get them from the small bird and wildlife shop nearest you.

Ritual Bath

Lemongrass, Aloe and Motherwort all promote emotional healing and self-care that can be sustaining during the winter holiday season. Especially this year, after so many months of social and societal stressors that have touched everone of us. Whether you add herbs, crystals, bubbles, oils or set out candles, a beautiful ritual bath will aid in relieving stress and give you time to meditate and gently turn within, in a sacred way.

Journal: As Within, So Without

Journaling is a wonderful way to get clarity while reflecting on patterns, thoughts and behaviors that you are ready to release. This is the inner work of the making space during liminal times. Likewise, we can organize our closet, bookshelves, rooms, office, home, garage or anywhere you are drawn. When you let go of thing that no longer hold joy for you, you are making space in your environment for what the future holds.

Zoom-a-long

Gather your friends together for a virtual "open house". Have a playlist ready with simple songs that raise your spirits and carol together, laugh and maybe even take turns karaoke style. Enjoy the time sharing smiles with eachother.

Least we forget send small handmade gifts or cards to friends and loved ones...