MidWinter

Core Holiday

Cold Moon: First New Moon of January.

Celebrates the Contract of Faith, the Earth-Cycle of Death and Resurrection / Viriditas and Ariditas, and the Ever-Returning Light (hereby represented within the faith by Jasminum Nudiflorum); a time to stele the body and spirit against the final violent throes of Winter and remind our spirits that light can exist only with darkness... That though it is cold and dark, the darkness won't be forever. The light shall return, and with it the warmth and fertility of the Land.

Inspirations

The Thai Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival; Saint Lucy's Day among the Northern and Northern-Western European countries; Irish Catholic Candlemas / Lá Fhéile Mhuire na gCoinnle; Wiccan and Eclectic NeoPagan Yule; Abbess Hildegard von Bingen's concept of Viriditas.

Associations

Symbols

Candles
Lanterns
Evergreen Trees

Activities

Divination for the year's health and events
Lighting the hearthfire / blessing the hearth
Making candles for the year
Making Solar, Sunshine, and Sunburst Oils
Candle Blessing
Flame tending
Luminous Mysteries
Making and Hanging Suncatchers

Foods

Soul Cakes
Winter roots like Parsnips, Carrots, and Turnips
Winter and Summer Squash
Winter Citrus