Winter Hearth Blessing

If possible, perform this ritual as close to the solstice as possible.

Gather seasonal decorations based on what you have accessible, depending on where you live. Also obtain 3 to 5 evergreen branches such as pine or cedar. You can purchase these if you don’t have a place to gather them. Be sure you choose a branch size appropriate to your hearth space. The final thing you’ll need is a red candle of any size.

Arrange the candle, branches, and other decorations around your cauldron or place them on or near the hearth- but not too close to the candle or the fire. If you have a mantle over your fireplace, or even just a mantel shelf, decorate that area. If you’re using a smaller container, find a safe place for it, a place where you can leave it for about a week.

Light a fire and the red candle; alternately, just burn the red candle. Be careful that the branches aren’t too close to the flame. After the arrangement is in place and the fire has been lit, speak these words:

Allow both the fire and red candle to burn out. Discard the wax. Remove the plant materials after the first of the year and toss out the seeds and nuts for wildlife; bury the branches.