Solstice Brambles
there is a misty bog calling my name...
Greetings magical babes, edge-wakers and spiritual earth tenders ~
Here are some thoughts on Solstice energetics, a tarot spread, and some sweet reminders to set loving boundaries, read cozy books, and nourish yourself during these dark days.
For the past week I have been drawing the 8 of Cups, and dreaming of dwellings flooded by rain, occulted by drifts of fog, hidden deep in some mystical forest. The message is: retreat into the emotional, find a safe space to be fluid. There is a misty bog calling my name. Spiritually, I am hiding in the forest.
What are you dreaming of?
There is a tension at this time of year, between the desire to be merry and bright despite the darkness, and our need to tend to the quiet more profound aspects of our souls, parts that can only express themselves under the protective guise of darkness. We can do both, and this opposition is fertile ground for honoring the subtle currents of our nature, and the magical work of recalling what is bright and hopeful when so much around us is mired by uncertainty and fear… I find myself grappling with these opposing forces, as I voice my needs for slowness and name new boundaries to protect the necessary inner work required for my spiritual wellness, and plan special joyful rituals to recall the light into the darkest of days.
Here is a three-card divination spread to help you assess what your energetic needs are at this time of year:
What is your most pressing energetic need?
What is emerging from the darkness?
What is shimmering forth on the horizon?
An invocation to Dark.
Curl up under the weight of pitch-dark
Burrow, retreat, become roots.
Sip the sweet sap of the fertile undoing,
from hidden wells and veiled springs,
where ancient offerings are heaped.
A chthonic song takes shape in the heart
Humming the tune of infinite rivers of stars.
Darkness, our ancient guardian,
protector, muse, teacher.
Hold me darkness, bringer of light.
Under the heavy blanket of winter
cold revelations ask for warmth.
Time to shed dead skin
and imagine wings.
FROM THE SOLSTICE BRAMBLES ~
May this note find you resting, softening, and retreating into your inner world. While our modern cultural landscape doesn’t quite support the spiritual cravings of Winter Solstice energetics, we can do our best to protect what is most precious to us at this time of year by practicing communicating our boundaries, and prioritizing soul-nourishing activities.
Call on your close confidants and fellow witches to form a solstice solidarity pact: to do less, put less pressure on yourself, and celebrate the season with slow intentions.
A cozy reading list:
I bought this children’s book for my son, but it warms my adult witch heart! The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper.
The Conjuring of America, Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic by Lindsey Stewart. Fascinating and totally vital historical reading for witches.
The Uncommon Book of Prayer by Heidi Smith has been a sweet companion on my bedside table lately. Perfect for anyone who is looking to expand their prayer practice, and lean into their personal faith. I had a fantastic conversation with Heidi on the Modern Witches Podcast this year ~ listen here.
Make ancestral foods:
I am the proud guardian of an ancestral recipe of a dear friend’s: their family’s favorite poppy seek cake. Honey sweetened and overflowing with poppy seeds, this cake is dense and perfect for snacking on at any moment of the day. I was taught to bake this cake as a child, and was given the secret recipe when I was a teenager. It’s a precious gift that I am able to bake these cakes and give them to close friends and family each year.
Making ancestral foods at this time of year connects us with a tradition of nourishment and caretaking that is so central to Solstice energetics. At this darkest time of year, the focus is sustenance, both spiritual and physical. Food insecurity continues to be a massive issue for so many, and the gift of food cannot be underestimated. While you are cooking your ancestral recipes and sharing them with those you love, consider also making donations to your local food banks.
I’d love to hear your ancestral/traditional foods you are cooking up this season. Please drop them into the comments!
A word to the wise:
One of the major astrological happenings in 2026 is the conjunction of Saturn and Neptune in Aries, which will be exact on February 20th, 2026. However, the alchemy of these two planets has been strong and building for the whole year. Saturn-Neptune conjunctions create an atmosphere of uncertainty, forcing us into rich and deeply moving lines of inquiry that can stimulate massive transformations. All this to say - you don’t need to have your life figured out - in fact it would be surprising if you did. So many of us are moving through epic challenges and changes, and we are meant to be navigating the great unknown. Make no hasty decisions at the Solstice. Find acceptance with your process, and if possible surrender to the uncertainty. More will be revealed in time…
Join me over on the Modern Witches Patreon for an exclusive podcast episode on the major astrological and energetic happenings of 2026.
In-person Tarot Workshop! Tarot & Intention Setting!
January 8th, 6-8pm at Eleventh House in Fairfax, CA
Join me for an evening of hands on tarot & practical magic. We’ll dive into the basic tenets of intention setting and learn how to use our trusty tarot decks to guide our magical and creative process. You’ll leave with an expanded awareness of how to work with tarot, and having set new intentions for the year ahead.
