December 2023 witch guide
Full moon: December 26th
New moon: December 12th
Sabbats: Yule December 21st-January 1st
December Cold Moon
Known as: Drift Clearing Moon, Frost Exploding Tree Moon, Moon of the Popping Trees, Hoar Frost Moon, Snow Moon, Winter, Aerra Geola, Maker Moon, Heilagmanoth, Long Night's Moon, Oak Moon, Wintermonat, Moon of the Long Night, Little Spirit Moon, Wolf Moon & When the Deer Shed Their Antlers Moon
Element: Fire
Zodiac: Sagittarius & Capricorn
Nature spirits: Snow, Storm, & Winter Tree faeries
Deities: Athena, Fates, Hades, Hathor, Hecate, Ixchel, Minerva, Neith, Norns, Osiris & Persephone
Animals: Bear, deer, horse & mouse
Birds: Robin, rook & snowy owl
Trees: Fir, Holly & Pine
Herbs: Bay, cedar, chamomile, cinnamon, English ivy, evergreen, fir, frankincense, holly, mistletoe, myrrh, pine & sage
Flowers: Christmas catus, holly & poinsettia
Scents: Cedar, cinnamon, frankincense, ginger, lilac, myrrh, nutmeg, patchouli, pine, rose geranium, rosemary, saffron, violet & wintergreen
Stones: Bloodstone, blue topaz, cat's eye, garnet, jacinth, obsidian, peridot, turquoise, zircon, ruby & serpentine
Colors: Black, blood red, gold, green, red, silver, black & white
Energy: Alchemy, darkness, endurance, death & re-birth, higher education, publications, reaching out to others, religion, spiritual paths, travel & truth
Today, December’s full Moon is most commonly known as the Cold Moon—a Mohawk name that conveys the frigid conditions of this time of year, when cold weather truly begins to grip us.
This full Moon has also been called the Long Night Moon (Mohican), as it rises during the “longest” nights of the year, near the December winter solstice. This name is doubly fitting because December’s full Moon shines above the horizon for a more extended period than most full Moons.
In Europe, ancient pagans called the December full Moon the “Moon Before Yule,” in honor of the Yuletide festival celebrating the return of the sun heralded by winter solstice.
Yule
Also known as: Alban, Arthan & Winter Solstice
Season: Winter
Symbols: Baskets of clove studded fruit, Christmas catus, decorated evergreen trees, evergreen boughs, gifts, gold pillar candles, hung mistletoe, poinsettias, wreaths & Yule logs/small Yule log with three candles
Colors: Gold, green, orange, red, silver, white &yellow
Oils/incense: Bayberry, cedar, cinnamon, frankincense. Myrrh & pine
Animals: Bear, boar, deer (stag), pig, squirrel & tiger
Birds: Eagle, goose, kingfisher, lapwing, owl robin & wren
Stones: Bloodstone, garnet, ruby, alexandrite, blue topaz, cat's eye, citrine, clear quartz, diamond, emerald, green tourmaline, jet, kunzite & pearl
Foods: Caraway cakes, cookies, eggnog, fruits, ginger tea, nuts, pork, spiced cider, turkey, wassail & lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg & roasted apples)
Herbs/plants: Bay, bayberry, birch, blessed thistle, cedar, chestnut, cinnamon, evergreens, fir, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, moss, myrrh, oak, pine, rosemary, sage, valerian & yellow cedar
Flowers: Chamomile, poinsettia & yarrow
Goddesses: Alcyone, Aphrodite, Ameratasu, Bona Dea, Brighid, Cailleach Bheur, Demeter, Diana, Fortuna, Frau Holle, Frau Perchta, Frigga, Gaia, Hel, Great Mother, Idunn, Isis, Ishtar, Kolyada, La Befana, Maat & Tiamat
Gods: Apollo, Attis, Balder, Bragi, Dionysus, Divine Child, Green Man, Helios, Holly King, Horned one, Horus, Janus, Lord of Misrule, Lugh, Mabon, Marduk, Mithras, Odin, Ra, Saturn & Surya
Issues Intentions & Powers: Darkness, divination, light, messages/omens, purification, rebirth/renewal & transformation
Spellwork: Earth magick, happiness, harmony, love & peace
Activities:
• Set up & decorate a Yule altar
• Clean, organize & cleanse before decorating your home
• Make witch's balls to hang on your tree (protective & pretty!)
• Decorate & bless & Yule tree
• Stay awake until dawn to observe the cycles of nature
• Give gifts tomyour family & friends
• Donate your time or helpful items to charity
• Go caroling
• Hang mistletoe in your doorways
• Make Wassail
• Prepare a Yule Log
• Host a Yule feast
• Craft your own decorative wreath
• Decorate your house with Yule colored candles
• Welcome the Sun
• Go on nature walks & leave offerings to nature
• Meditate & reflect on the passing year
“Yule” comes from Old English geol, which shares a history with the equivalent word from Old Norse, jól. Both these words referred to a midwinter festival centered around the winter solstice, which traditionally marked the halfway point of the winter season. After the solstice—the shortest day of the year—the days again begin to grow longer, so it’s thought that Yule was a celebration of the re-appearance of the Sun &the fertile land’s rebirth.
The celebration of Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Ancient people were hunters & spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons & weather played a significant part in their lives. The customs and traditions associated with it vary widely.
Scholars have connected the original celebrations of Yule to the Wild Hunt, the god Odin, and the heathen Anglo-Saxon Mōdraniht ("Mothers' Night")
Some believe it marks the rebirth of the Sun (the God) from the Earth (the Goddess) & the cold days of winter will soon begin to wane. The Goddess is seen in her virgin Maiden aspect
In towns and cities throughout Sweden during the Christmas season, large goats are constructed out of straw. It is thought that the tradition originated in ancient times, perhaps as a tribute to the god Thor, who was said to ride in a chariot pulled by goats. In Sweden the goat came to be associated with the Christmas celebration, and the Yule goat is now considered by many to be a companion or counterpart to Santa Claus.
Related festivals:
Christmas- An annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ as the son of God, primarily observed on December 25th
Hanukkah- A Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem & subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights & days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah.
Kwanzaa- An annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1st, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West & Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge & the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance & finally, a feast of faith (Karamu Ya Imani).
Saturnalia-
is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar & later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum & a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying & a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted & masters provided table service for their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike.
A common custom was the election of a "King of the Saturnalia", who gave orders to people, which were followed & presided over the merrymaking. The gifts exchanged were usually gag gifts or small figurines made of wax or pottery known as sigillaria. The poet Catullus called it "the best of days".
Other celebrations:
Feast of Epona-
Eponalia is the feast day of Gaulish Goddess Epona, the Divine Mare & in the time of the Roman Empire it was celebrated on December 18th.
Epona is known to be one of a very few Gaulish deities whose names were spread to the rest of the Roman Empire. This seems to have happened because Roman cavalry units stationed in Gaul followed Her & adopted her as their Patroness. This may have started because many of the cavalry troops were conscripted from Gaul as they were superb horsemen. From Gaul the Romans took Epona with them including to Rome where She was given her own feast day on the 18 December. They worshipped her as Epona Augusta or Epona Regina & invoked her on behalf of the Emperor. She even had a shrine in the barracks of the Imperial Bodyguard.
Hunting of the Wren-
A traditional custom carried out on the Isle of Man on the 26 December, St. Stephen's Day. It consists of groups of people going around villages and towns singing and dancing a traditional song and dance around a decorated wren pole.
The earliest and most common folklore story accounting for the origin of hunt the wren tells of a fairy/enchantress/witch whose beauty lures the men of the Isle of Man to harm, for which she is chased and is changed into the form of a wren. It is therefore in punishment for her actions that the wren is hunted on St. Stephen's Day
Sources:
Farmersalmanac.com
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines
A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs
Llewellyn's 2023 magical almanac: practical magic for everyday living
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia Britannica
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💖Witchcraft Correspondence: Love💖
Love is one of the parts of life humans chase after in many ways. Not just in ways of romantic desire and sexual interactions but the love of family, friends and love of oneself. It is a common topic when it comes to magic and divination so with that - may this be an easy reference for all of you looking to incorporate love of any kind into your craft. Please note: this isn't every possible correspondence out there - this is more a quick reference guide. Happy witching~
💖Herbs for Love: Anise, Basil, Bay, Catnip, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Coriander/Cilantro, Clove, Damiana, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, Hawthorne, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Meadowsweet, Myrrh, Parsley, Rose, Rose Hip, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme, Vanilla, Valerian, Yarrow
💖 Flowers for Love: Aster, Baby's-Breath, Bleeding Heart, Carnation, Cherry Blossom, Daffodil, Geranium, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lavender, Lilac, Orchid, Rose, Sunflower, Tulip
💖 Fruit for Love: Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Cherry, Cranberry, Fig, Guava, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pomegranate, Peach, Pear, Plum, Raspberry, Strawberry
💖 Vegetables for Love: Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Carrot, Celery, Cucumber, Endive, Leek, Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Pumpkin, Radish, Sweet Pea, Tomato, Zucchini
💖 Foods for Love: Chocolate, Pistachio, Rye Bread, Sugar (sweets), Wine
💖 Crystals for Love: Agate, Amber, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Carnelian, Emerald, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moonstone, Obsidian, Onyx, Pink Topaz, Pink Tourmaline, Pink Quartz (dyed), Rhodochrosite, Rhodonite, Tiger's Eye, Rose Quartz, Ruby
💖 Oils for Love: Anise, Basil, Bay, Birch, Cardamom, Clove, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Juniper, Lemongrass, Lemon, Lime, Marjoram, Mints, Myrrh, Rose, Rosemary, Vanilla
💖 Incense/Scents for Love: Amber, Bamboo, Catnip, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Dragon's Blood, Ginger, Jasmine, Lavender, Patchouli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang-ylang
💖 Colors for Love: Pink, Red, White, Orange, Purple, Gold, Silver
💖 Moon Phase for Love: New Moon, Waxing, Full Moon
💖 Day of Week for Love: Friday
💖 Elements for Love: Fire, Water
💖 Zodiac for Love Virgo, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Gemini, Pisces
💖 Planets for Love: Venus, Moon
💖 Animals for Love: Beaver, Butterfly, Cow, Crane, Dolphin, Dove, Elephant, Flamingo, Hare, Horse, Ladybug, Lion, Lovebird, Owl, Penguin, Starfish, Swan
~~~~~
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Masterlist of herbs and plants!
This is a list that I have in my Book of Shadows, typed up so that you can use it, too!
Do not consume those with an asterisk (*) next to them. Some are edible in certain forms, but consult a qualified herbalist before you use them
Absinthiumn*
Healing, maintained good health, fighting off disease
Acorns*
Good luck, fertility, spiritual growth, prosperity
Acacia*
Prosperity, money, success, love, psychic powers
African Violet*
Protection, healing, spiritual growth
Amber*
Happiness, love, friendship, comfort, reassurance
Agrimony
Protection, removing negative energy and bad vibes, helping to remove hexes
Aletris root*
Feminine magick, protection, prosperity
Almond
Prosperity, wisdom, success
Aloe
Spiritual growth, luck, success, protection, love, barrier against unwelcome things
Angelica root
Protection, exorcism, removes negative energy, boosts feminine energy
Anise/Aniseed
Spiritual growth, dreams, sleep, protection
Apples
Love, luck, longevity
Arrow root
Purification, cleansing, healing
Ash*
Divination, luck, prosperity, protection
Aspen*
House and item protection, healing, psychic growth
Avocado
Youth, beauty, love, lust, healing
Azalea*
Happiness, uplifting, full of life
Bamboo*
Wish magick, luck, protection
Banana
Fertility, passion, success
Basil
Home and business protection and blessings, warding off negative energy, purification, cleansing, divination, exorcism, prosperity, love
Bay leaves
Warning: if burned, ensure the area has ventilation!
Protection, psychic power, divination, success, money, wish magick
Beech*
Wish magick, happiness, divination, spiritual growth
Belladonna*
Astral projection, psychic powers, boosts spell's power, healing, helps to forget past loves, protection
Bergamot*
Success, psychic powers, fertility, mental clarity, sleep, protection, prosperity
Birch*
Protection, purification, cleansing, removing negative energy and hexes
Blackberry
Protection, healing, prosperity
Black pepper
Banish negativity, warding off bad energy, protection
Blueberry
House protection, home blessing, legal matters, luck, prosperity, protection
Brazil nut
Protection, prosperity, love
Brimstone powder*
Used to remove hexes
Burdock root
Protection, purification, healing, cleansing, self acceptance
Buckthorn bark*
Exorcism, wards off negative energy, removing hexes, aids legal matters
Cabbage
Fertility, luck, prosperity
Calendula (Marigold)
Psychic powers, spiritual growth, happiness, protection
Camellia*
Love, protection, healing, prosperity
Chamomile
Sleep, calms nerves, prosperity, luck, purification
Caraway seeds
Helps children stay safe from illness and general harm, protection, clarity of mind, passion, healing
Cardamom
Courage, love, passion
Carnation*
Protection, inner strength, healing, creativity
Carrot
Lust, fertility
Cashew
Prosperity
Catnip
Courage, beauty, love, used in magick surrounding cats
Cayenne
Aids separation (such as divorce), emotional heartache, a traditional offering in Wicca (I'm not wiccan but that may be helpful for any of you who are)
Cedar*
Protection, purification, removes negative energy and hexes, prosperity
Celery
Mental clarity, psychic powers, aids sleep, lust, passion
Centaury
Psychic powers, protection
Cherry bark*
Love, romance, passion, divination, clarity of which path to take
Chervil
Helps to contact spirits, used to help people find deities
Chestnut
Love and peace
Chrysanthemum*
Healing and protection
Chives
Protection, used in dieting spells
Cinnamon
Promotes dreaming, business success, healing, psychic powers, love, purification, protection, spiritual growth, adds power to any spell
Cloves
Adds power to spells, speed up spells effects and manifestation
Clover*
Mental clarity, protection, love
Coltsfoot
Prosperity, peace, calms nerves, love, psychic powers, dreams
Coriander
Love, healing, passion
Cucumber
Fertility and healing
Cumin seeds
House protection, home blessings, general protection, exorcism, wards off negative energy
Daffodil*
Luck, love, fertility
Daisy*
Innocence, spells for children
Dandelion
Contacting spirits, dreams, healing, purification, clairvoyance
Deadly Nightshade*
Astral projection, psychic powers, adds a boost of power to spells, healing, protection, helps to forget past loves
Dill
Protection against hexes and curses, mental clarity, luck, love, wisdom, enhances magickal knowledge
Dock leaf*
Prosperity, success in business, fertility, healing
Dragon's blood*
Increases power and boosts spells, banishments, exorcism, strong protection, love, energy, purification
Echinanea
Inner strength, physical strength, healing, prosperity
Elderflowers/Elderberries
Exorcism, protection, house protection/blessings, healing, love
Eucalyptus*
Healing, purification, cleansing, protection
Evening primrose
Healing, purification, creativity, protection
Eyebright
Psychic powers, spiritual growth, mental clarity
Fennel
Protection, purification, healing, passion, courage, strength
Feverfew
Protection against accidents, clumsiness and illness, helps with colds and fevers
Frankincense*
Protection, purification, healing, cleansing
Fumitory
Protection, purification, cleansing, consecrating tools
Galangal root*
Protection, prosperity, psychic powers, lust, passion, legal matters
Garlic
Protection, healing, exorcism, inner strength, family bonding, home and business blessings
Geranium*
Healing, protection, love, meditation
Ginger
Protection, prosperity, healing, luck, love
Heartease*
Aids healing from heartache, love, friendship
Hibiscus
Dreams, divination, love, lust
Holly*
Protection, love dreams, good marriage
Honeysuckle*
Prosperity, luck, peace, inspiration
Horseradish
Purification, protection, exorcism
Hyssop*
Protection, purification, cleansing, consecration, positive blessings
Jasmine
Love, dreams, spiritual growth
Juniper berries
Protection, exorcism, healing, calming nerves, love
Ladies Mantle*
Aids sleep, love, purification, beauty, inner calm, fertility, luck, protection, happiness
Lavender
Purification, healing, cleansing, home blessings, protection, calming, sleep, love
Lemon
Uplifting, mental clarity, healing, psychic powers, friendship, contacting spirits
Lemon balm
Healing, psychic powers, spiritual growth, divination, love, success
Lemongrass
Mental clarity, psychic powers, love, lust
Lemon Mint
Healing, love
Lemon Verbena
Purification, protection, cleansing, love, passion, adds a boost to other herb mixtures
Lettuce
Divination, sleep, protection
Lilac*
Past life regression, protection, love, luck, exorcism
Lily*
Removing love spells/enchantments, protection
Lily of the Valley*
Healing, uplifting, happiness, inner calm
Lime
Protection, healing, love
Liquorice root
Love, romance, fidelity
Liquorice stick
Love
Magnolia
Good marriage, love, passion
Mandrake*
Protection, exorcism, home and business blessings, divination, luck, prosperity
Maple
Luck, prosperity, love
Marjoram
Inner balance, psychic powers, spiritual growth, happiness, love, prosperity, protection
Marshmallow root
Love, protection, removing negative energy
Meadowsweet
Happiness, love, divination, inner calm, peace
Mint
Prosperity, psychic powers, spiritual growth, travelling, exorcisms, healing, protection
Mistletoe*
Youth, beauty, love, healing, prosperity, protection, fertility
Mugwort
Warning: can cause drowsiness and vivid dreams. Do not consume if pregnant.
Dreams, astral projection, psychic powers, healing, inner strength, visions, protection
Myrrh*
Protection, purification, cleansing, exorcism, spiritual growth, helping relieve sorrow after tragedy, healing
Neroli*
Inner calm, sleep, peace, meditation, inner confidence
Nettles
Protection, healing, removing negative energy, exorcism
Nutmeg
Prosperity, divination, love, luck, mental clarity, protection, uplifting, healing
Onion
Protection, purification, healing
Orange
Peace, calm, love, luck, lust
Orchid*
Calming, dissolving anger, beauty, love, peace
Oregano
Happiness, protection, prosperity, healing, love
Parsley
Psychic powers, spiritual growth, luck, uplifting, healing
Passionflower
Home blessings, friendships, sleep, inner peace, emotional balance, love, family bonds
Peony*
Natural lucky charm, healing, prosperity, protection, exorcism, removes hexes
Patchouli*
Used to break a spell, exorcisms, removes hexes, mental clarity, passion, prosperity, contacting spirits, divination
Pennyroyal*
Purification, protection, home blessings, inner calm, aids calm in arguements, helps prevent travel sickness
Peppermint
Psychic powers, calming, healing, aids rest, mental clarity, dreams, love, purification
Periwinkle*
Good marriage, mental clarity, purification, protection, love
Pine*
Protection, purification, cleansing, prosperity, inner strength, grounding, healing, fertility, success, home and business blessings
Pineapple
Prosperity, luck
Pink rosebuds/petals
Friendships, love, romance, self acceptance
Plum
Healing, love, peace, inner calm
Pomegranate
Divination, wish magick, protection, prosperity
Poppy/Poppy seeds
Happiness, love, lust, luck, sleep, prosperity, fertility
Potato
Healing, luck, prosperity
Primrose*
Love, luck
Pumpkin/ pumpkin seeds
Healing, divination, honours the moon
Raspberry leaf
Protection, sleep, dreams, healing
Red rosebuds/ petals
Passion, love, romance, psychic powers, healing, protection, divination
Red sandalwood*
Trance work, divination, meditation, consecration, purification
Rosehips
Love, luck, healing, invoking positive spirits
Rosemary
Purification, healing, sleep, mental clarity, psychic powers, spiritual growth
Rowan/ Rowan berries*
Protection, home and business blessings, success, psychic powers, healing
Rue*
Exorcism, protection, luck, removes hexes, love, mental clarity, healing, home and business blessings
Saffron
Psychic powers, healing, love, lust
Sage
Purification, cleansing, mental clarity, psychic power, spiritual growth, home/general protection, wisdom, knowledge
Sandalwood*
Cleansing, purification, protection, removes negative energy, protects against psychic attacks
Sea salt
Purification, cleansing, casting circles
Slippery elm*
Protection, stops gossip and rumours
Spearmint
Protection, protection during sleep, clarity of mind, healing, love
St. John's wort*
Protection, healing, love, happiness, divination
Tea tree*
Healing, peace, harmony, mental clarity
Thyme
Psychic power, spiritual growth, love, stopping nightmares, divination, courage, purification, restful sleep, healing, inner calm, balance
Valerian root
Sleep, purification, cleansing, protection, dreams, love
Vervain
Inner calm, harmony, peace, protection, purification, divination, consecration, prosperity, love, creativity
Walnut
Healing, mental clarity, wish magick, fertility
Willow*
Divination, protection, love, healing, relieve sorrow
White willow bark*
Protection, love, healing, divination, luck, inspiration, psychic power
Witch hazel*
Protection, healing, charm
Yarrow
Exorcism, protection, love, removing hexes, dispels fear, promotes calm, inner strength, psychic powers, courage
Yew*
Removes negative energy/hexes, protection
Ylang Ylang*
Inner calm, brings peace to situations, love, happiness, tranquility
This took me two hours to write up, but hey! Hope this helps!
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