Regardless of our religious persuasion, we can all share cheer with our neighbors through treats, and acts of benevolence. The best part of this season is the sense of wonder we can all get into. All together, we eagerly await the magical visit of our favorite jolly old elf,<\/em> all for the joy this uniquely American mythology brings us; I just love that.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve assembled below an index of my favorite Yuletide rituals, meditations, crafts, recipes, and sabbat games. Just click on the previews to explore the collection of articles further.<\/p>\n As you celebrate this season, try not to get lost in the commercialism and mad-rush of expectation. We can choose how and when we honor the darkness, and conjure a new light of hope. Nurture yourselves, too. Don\u2019t forget to rest, and spend as much fireside time with a mug of hot cocoa and blissful silence, if that is what you need. Whatever<\/em> brings you peace and happiness \u2013 do that thing.<\/p>\n May your holiday\u2019s be merry and bright,<\/p>\n ~Heron<\/p>\n I love to make hand-crafted magickal gifts for my coven mates around Yule-time. We have a tradition of playing a game of Dirty Santa at our Sabbat that is always a riot.<\/p>\n The rules of the Dirty Santa game are that each attendee brings a wrapped gift with a value no more than $15. We aim to make these witchy gifts that our covenmates would potentially fight over. They can be hand-made, hand-me-down, nature found, or store bought. Hand-blended incense for various intentions, or prepared candles are always a hit. Anointing Oils, potions, and rare crystals never go wrong. Perhaps the passing down of a Deity statue you\u2019ve decommissioned, or some raw material you\u2019ve sustainably collected like an animal pelt, or bone. This year I prepared hurricane water<\/a> for justice magick, that I could doll up in a witchy glass bottle.<\/p>\n Once we have a heap of gifts assembled in the middle of our circle of friends, we each draw a number \u2013 one for each player \u2013 so there will be the same number as there are gifts. For the sake of instructions, let\u2019s say there are 13 players.<\/p>\n Number 1 gets to choose the first gift, which they open in front of everyone and we oooo and ahhhh<\/em> over whatever magickal wonders lie within. But Number 1 doesn\u2019t yet get to \u201ckeep\u201d the gift yet, it must be left plainly visible.<\/p>\n Number 2 then chooses a gift, unwraps, ooos and ahhs<\/em>, and then they can either keep what they are holding, or trade it for whatever Number 1 is holding.<\/p>\n It goes on from there, Numbers 3 through 13 have the choice to keep their own gift, or anything already open. EXCEPT a single gift can only change hands 3 times. If you\u2019re the third person to hold the gift, you are safe.<\/p>\n Number 13 has the happy choice of everything else in the room, and once they\u2019ve chosen, you\u2019re stuck with whatever you\u2019re holding. It can get pretty hilarious, so long as everyone goes into the game with the right attitude, and doesn\u2019t take it too seriously.<\/p>\n The Yule candle craft linked below is what I took to last year\u2019s Dirty Santa game!<\/p>\n Crafting a Yule Candle from Last Year\u2019s Calendar Images<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/711\/2018\/12\/IMG_9162-e1544383205821.jpg\")
Magickal Crafts and Gift Exchange Games<\/h2>\n
Dirty Santa Sabbat Game<\/h3>\n