A Busy Witch’s Week-by-Week Guide to December 2023

Find a log for your Yule log, which can be as simple as a small piece of wood. Decorate it with some of the natural items you’ve gathered and, if possible, burn it on Yule (or use candles to represent the log if you cannot burn it). This is a symbol of welcoming back the light.

Given that Virgo is an earth sign associated with order and meticulousness, it’s an excellent time for the witch to declutter their physical and mental space.

Now that you’ve decluttered, Gather Natural Decor: Go for a walk in nature to gather natural items for Yule decorations, such as pine cones, evergreen branches, holly, or ivy. Decorations like these don’t cost anything and are traditional for Yule. They can be used to create a Yule altar or decorate your home.

Add your foraged finds to your altar. Each natural element is a testament to life’s resilience through the cold.

• Focus on your question or intentions as you shuffle the deck and lay out the cards from left to right. Reflect on the meanings and how they can guide you in the lunar cycle ahead.
• Your Current Flame: This card represents your current passions and what is driving you at this moment. It aligns with the fiery energy of Sagittarius and shows where your energy is best spent.
• New Horizons: This card shows the new opportunities or directions the New Moon brings. It resonates with Sagittarius’s love for exploration and adventure.
• Aim Higher: This card reveals how you can expand your vision and knowledge to achieve your higher purpose, which aligns with Sagittarius’s quest for meaning and truth.

Mercury in Retrograde begins through January 1st. Remember, Mercury Retrograde is a period often characterized by introspection and revisiting past issues or projects. Keeping things simple and giving yourself space to breathe and reflect can make this time less stressful and more productive.

Prepare a warm foot soak with herbs or essential oils (I’m using peppermint oil). As Pisces rules the feet, this can be both grounding and relaxing.

• Light candles, read your intentions aloud, share a gratitude list, or meditate on the return of the light. You can also reflect on the past year and the cycle of seasons.
  Offerings: Leave offerings for the wildlife, such as birdseed or nuts, to give back to nature and symbolize hope and sustenance.
• Herbal Tea: Brew a cup of herbal tea with seasonal ingredients like cinnamon or peppermint. As you sip, focus on warmth and gratitude.
• Yule Food: Prepare some traditional Yule foods which can be simple and budget-friendly. Consider baking sun-shaped cookies, for example, to honor the return of the light.

The Full Moon’s potent energy is ideal for making and charging moon-water. When it’s in Cancer—a water sign associated with nurturing and emotional healing—the water is believed to be infused with Cancer’s protective and soothing qualities. This makes it especially powerful for rituals centered around self-care, emotional work, or fostering a sense of security and comfort.