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3 Simple Yule Rituals to Perform this Year

Yule, the Winter Solstice, is just around the corner! Yule is not one of the larger Pagan holidays, or it didn’t used to be, but it has always been one of my favourites! The time of year where nature is entering into her long winters rest, and yet we are also welcoming back the sun.

It is simply one of the most magickal times. The air is invigorating and filled with joy and possibility.

Yule, or the Winter Solstice, is the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is the day when the sun once again begins to overtake the dark. Days will gradually begin to grow longer until we reach the Summer Solstice.

This is a time to rejoice, to believe in the promise of brighter days ahead, and to take a page from mother nature and prepare for our own time of rest.

So today, I am sharing with you 3 simple Yule rituals you can perform on the solstice to honour the day, cleanse your own energies, and prepare for winter and the coming year.

Yule Magick

During Yule we are celebrating the rebirth of the sun. So for ourselves as well, this is an optimal time to perform spells and rituals to usher in change, renewal, and new beginnings.

A time where we can reflect on the year that is coming to a close and decide to let go of what no longer serves, to cleanse away negativity and self-doubt and prepare our minds and bodies for the year to come.

Think about what you would like your year to look like. What changes would you like to see happen?

Be open to amazing things coming your way and be grateful for all this last year has given you.

So here we go 3 Yule rituals to help inspire your own solstice festivities.

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Yule Ritual #1 – Abundance Jar Ritual

Jar rituals are probably one of my favourites. They allow you to be creative with your ingredients, can be made for any intentions you may have, and as a bonus they look and smell pretty!

You will need:

  • Small glass jar with lid
  • Holly
  • Bayberry
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Juniper Berries
  • Dried peppermint leaves
  • Cedar essential oil
  • Green candle
  • Fir Incense 

This jar focuses on manifesting abundance for the coming weeks, months, and year. Make a point to make everything a part of your ritual, from gathering your supplies until you place the jar in its new home.

To Begin

Gather your ingredients, sit comfortably in your space, and light your candle and incense.

Clear your mind of anything unrelated to your current task. Think about the aspects of your life where you would like to manifest abundance. What things in your life would you like to see blossom and grow?

Begin to slowly fill your jar with the ingredients listed, in any order you choose. Focus your energies on that invigorating feeling of growth.

A new year is coming and with it exciting prospects for change and opportunities. Try to hold only positive notions throughout your ritual.

Envision what your ideal year will look like, envision growth and abundance. See clearly any changes you would like to manifest.

You can take as much time or as little as you like to complete the ritual. Just be careful to savour the moments and don’t rush it. Once you feel ready, seal your jar and put it somewhere you will regularly see it. This can be on your altar or another place of significance.

The jar will serve as a reminder of what you envisioned for yourself, of the light that was your energy while you were making it.

It can be a wonderful tool for days when you don’t feel the best. Looking at the jar, and remembering the process you went through to create it should bring a smile to your face, and some optimism for new beginnings into your mind.

Yule Ritual #2 – Sunrise Meditation

This meditation will serve to welcome back the sun, show your thanks, and balance energies.

If you live somewhere that isn’t cold this time of year and it’s a nice day, you could do this meditation outside under the beaming sunshine. That would be lovely!

Living in Canada I tend to do this one inside. If you are inside, set yourself up in your sunniest area so that you may soak up those sunbeams from the warmth and comfort of your home.

Performing this meditation at the actual time of sunrise would be optimal. You may also have with you a yellow candle to represent the sun, Myrrh incense, and an offering of seasonal herbs, flowers, or foods. This offering can be made to a god/goddess if you work with any, or simply to the sun or mother nature. These are optional but are nice additions. 

Assure you are feeling calm, balanced, and with a grateful heart when you begin. Sit in a comfortable position facing the sun, or your sunny window, and light your candle and incense if you have them. You may then present your offering.

Clear your mind

Clear your mind until you feel only light inside. Focus on the sun and mother earth, feel the immense gratitude you have for the warmth and life they provide. Give thanks for all that is given and vow to take care how you treat nature in this coming year.

Take solace in the promise of the sun and that she will always return to us. Believe that there are brighter days coming, soak up the warmth and light energy that she provides.

The meditation can be as long as you wish. Perhaps you only have 10 minutes or you are able to stay and bask in this state for an hour. Either is absolutely fine! What’s most important is to show your thanks, express your gratitude, be mindful, and be joyous. We are celebrating a birthday after-all, the birth of the Sun!

Yule Ritual #3 –  Cleansing Bowl

You will need

  • A bowl
  • 2 cups pure unprocessed salt such as sea salt
  • Lemon essential oil
  • Pine needles
  • Dried Lavender
  • Dried Eucalyptus
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • Mortar and pestle (optional)
  • Rosemary incense
  • Gold, green, or white candle

For this ritual you can begin by performing the same process as with the abundance jar.

Focus your intentions on cleansing negativity and fear from within and welcoming new beginnings and energies, gather your items, and light your candles and incense.

Then you will begin to mix your salts, herbs and oils together. You can do this either in your mortar and pestle or directly in the bowl in which they’ll live.

Once they are mixed and in the bowl, take your three bay leaves and write one thing on each that you are letting go of. It can be anything you would like to leave behind. Once written take each leaf and bury them in the salts. You may state what you have written on each one as you place it in the bowl.

Throughout the ritual focus on releasing the negativity from your body, envision it dancing away into the aether. This will make space for positivity, light, and new beginnings.

The finished bowl smells lovely so feel free to put it in a place of prominence. Every time you pass it, the beautiful scents will serve as reminders to not fall into old habits or thought patterns but continue to move forward.

Make Each Ritual Your Own

For each of these feel free to add crystals, additional oils or herbs, chants, or anything else you feel is needed for your specific practice.

I share this post to serve as inspiration or guidelines but it is always nice to add our own personal touches into our spell work.

There is no wrong way to do these Yule rituals. There is simply your way, and your way is perfect.

Your thoughts!

So tell me, do you have your Yule rituals planned yet? What is your favourite part of the holiday?

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

And remember, if you enjoyed this post, for more Winter magick inspiration you can check out my newly released Winter Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and winter correspondences. Visit my Shop Page HERE.

You can also SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my shop of digital witchy offerings, as well as some special freebies as a thank you!

Sending many Yule Blessings and well wishes for the coming year!

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Easy Winter Simmer Pot Recipes for the Magickal Soul

Each season comes with distinct aromas that help to define them and winter might just have some of the best!

So you all asked and I listened. You guys really loved my Magickal Autumn Simmer Pots post and requested one for winter too, so here we are!

Certain aromas trigger memories, make us nostalgic, and can have us feeling like we’ve just entered a winter wonderland.

Scents like fir tree, cloves, orange, anise, and cranberries can bring the magick of winter right into our homes. And who wouldn’t want that? Simmer pots are the perfect solution to have these glorious scents wafting throughout your home in minutes this coming season.

I’ve sung the praises of simmer pots before, and I’ll do it again lol. They really are an excellent, non-toxic, and eco-friendly way to have your home smelling like the season in a few short minutes. They are also a wonderful way to brew some magick in the kitchen.

So read on and discover a few recipes to help bring the warmth, comfort, and joy of the winter season into your home and your heart.

The Simmer Pot

Simmer pots are basically potpourri in a pot! You choose your ingredients, put them in a pot with water, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and let it do its thing. They couldn’t be any easier, just be sure you don’t let your pot boil dry! If you want to keep the pot going simply add more water when it gets low. And obviously never leave it going when you are not home.

Simmer pots also lack the harsh toxins that are packed into conventional air freshener sprays and many scented candles. Just fresh ingredients from your kitchen! No fake fragrances or toxic chemicals needed.

One more benefit, they can likely be crafted with things you already have in your kitchen making them a convenient and inexpensive solution.

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Simmer Pot Magick

And we mustn’t forget that the herbs, spices, and whole foods housed in our kitchens all carry their own energies and magickal properties.

So let’s use those items to assist us in manifesting our goals. You’ll easily be able to create a simmer pot that aligns with your intentions and smells delicious!

When I do a simmer pot with a specific intention in mind I follow these simple steps to incorporate my magick and mind into the process:

  1. Set your intentions very clear in your mind and don’t lose sight of them for the entire process.
  2. Add ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce to a simmer, stir the pot clockwise. Unless you are doing a banishing or releasing spell, in that case stir the pot counter clockwise.
  4. Visualize your desired outcome or goal for the magickal work you are doing. Are you aiming to create happiness in the home, or more money in your wallet? Whatever it may be focus on what you want the outcome to look like. Continue with the visualization and stirring until it feels right to finish. You’ll know when!
  5. You may recite your goal, a chant, or ritual words while you stir as well. Something pertaining to your desired outcome.
  6. When you finish I would let the pot boil down until there is about an inch of water left and then turn it off. Your work is now complete.

Of course feel free to change this process up so that it suits your own needs and magical practice.

Winter Simmer Pot Recipes

Cranberry Lane – success, strength, and confidence

  • 1/2 cup of cranberries 
  • 3 orange slices or peels (dried or fresh)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg

Winter Wonderland – protection, clarity, and love

  • 3 lemon slices or peels (dried or fresh) 
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • 2 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Winter Forest – abundance, wealth, and renewal

  • A few fir tree sprigs
  • 1 tbsp cloves 
  • 2 orange slices or peels (dried or fresh)

Winter Spice – prosperity, beauty, and luck

  • 2 cinnamon sticks 
  • 1 tbsp whole allspice
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Peppermint Candy – cleansing, healing, & happiness

  • Handful of fresh or dried peppermint leaves
  • 2 lemon slices or peels (dried or fresh)
  • 2 bay leaves 
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

What to do with your simmer pot ingredients when you are finished?

Another awesome thing about simmer pots is that they don’t create any waste. You can simply compost your ingredients or dry them out to be used in future spells or for potpourri.

Final thoughts.

Are you already addicted to simmer pots? If so, do you have a favourite?

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

For more Winter inspiration you can check out my newly released Winter Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and winter season correspondences.

You can also SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List and receive a 20% OFF discount code for my shop full of witchy digital offerings and some freebies as well!

Until next time friends!

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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15 Yule Symbols & Traditions to Make your Holiday More Magical

Yule is coming! Yule is the Pagan holiday that is just filled with  feelings of warmth, coziness and joy. For many anyways. Myself included.

The scents, energies and excitement surrounding this Sabbat are incredibly infectious.

Yule has a rich and wonderful history of traditions that were around for many many moons prior to when Christmas stepped into the spotlight.

So today we are going to go through 15 of these fun customs and symbols that you can incorporate into your own holiday celebrations this year.

And perhaps some you already do! So let’s get to it.

First though, what is Yule?

Yule is the holiday that coincides with the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year before the light once again begins to overtake the dark.

This is a celebration of the birth, or re-birth, of the sun and takes place between  December 20th and 23rd. This year falling on the 21st.

This solstice is the promise of the returning light and warmer days to come. And is widely considered a moment for feasting, merriment, honouring nature, renewal and reflection.

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15 Traditions & Symbols of Yule

Decorate a Yule Tree

The Yule tree is an extremely important and prominent part of the holiday. Originating many many centuries ago. 

For early Pagans this tree was a representation of the Tree of Life. Traditionally it was adorned in pine cones, berries, and fruit. Sometimes also with items such as coins and corn to represent the hope for abundance and prosperity in the new year.

However, it is Queen Victoria that we have to thank for popularizing the modern day Christmas tree. In the 1840’s Queen Victoria came back from a trip to Germany where she saw them and decided she wanted to have one. She made it a trend. Thus, the tradition of the Christmas tree was born. To that I will say thank you Queen Victoria!

Make a Yule Log

The Yule Log was another incredibly important aspect of this time of year.

The tree for the Yule Log was  very carefully selected. The log was meant to protect the home and would be burned in the hearth throughout the 12 days of Yule.

Some may still craft a Yule log but they have largely been replaced with Yule Log cakes or centrepieces. Especially since not many people today are lucky enough to have a working fireplace or are able to go grab a tree from the forest real quick lol. 

And there are some fun tutorials out there on how to craft your own, modest sized Yule log centrepiece, like this one from The Painted Hinge.

Brew some Wassail

Waes hael, comes from old English and means “be well” or “good health”.

The Yule log tree was anointed with wassail and there would be a large bowl put out for the Yule feast. The host would toast to their guests by saying, “waes hael”.

Wassail is traditionally made from apple, orange, honey, spices, and often a form of alcohol such as ale.

Hang Mistletoe

Mistletoe was thought to represent the fertility of the goddess and the seed of the Oak King. The Druids would harvest it and hang above doorways for protection.

The kissing under the mistletoe tradition likely began due to this association with fertility and life.

Honour Nature and Welcome back the Sun

Do a ritual at sunrise to welcome the light and warmth of the sun back to the land.

Honouring nature and this cycle of re-birth is a key element in appreciating and living in tune with the seasons. 

The Season of Giving

Gift giving is an appropriate activity as we are celebrating a birthday. The birth of the Sun! Gift giving at this time is a long-standing tradition.

It is wonderful to show tokens of affection to our loved ones, donate to charities and offer our time volunteering. 

Helping to spread the magic of the season to others is part of what makes this holiday so damn special. 

Bake Gingerbread

Long ago ginger was considered sacred and gingerbread was a real delicacy. According to some it was only allowed to be made during the holidays making it a key symbol of winter and Yule.

Today we are lucky enough to have ginger and all of it’s amazing benefits readily available to us but having gingerbread around the holidays is still a staple tradition. 

Go Carolling

In times past, young children would go from house to house singing Yule songs. They would be rewarded with treats and small gifts.

These small tokens were sometimes considered symbols of prosperity given to children by the Mother Goddess.

Ring the Bells

We all know the carol jingle bells…but why bells?

Bells would be rung in the morning to drive away the demons that arise in the darker part of the year. The bells were meant to chase away the dark and bring forth the return of the light following the winter solstice.

Craft a Wreath

Wreaths represented the wheel of the year. They were often given as gifts as a symbol of friendship and happiness.

Traditionally made with evergreens and decorated with pinecones and berries.

Light Candles

Candles symbolize the light and warmth of the sun. They were also another means to chase away demons.

They were a way to bring the bright energy and light of the sun into the home.

Decorate with Symbols of Yule

Indulge in elements like evergreen, holly, pine, yew, and of course, mistletoe.

Evergreens represented everlasting life and were hung around windows and doorways. Holly was thought to repel unwanted spirits. Pine was said to bring healing and joy and the yew tree was a symbol of rebirth.

Colours as well were a big part of the season. Red, green, white, silver, and gold are the quintessential colours everyone thinks of this time of year. Red for prosperity and love. Green for abundance and the promise of the spring time. White for cleansing and light. Silver to symbolize the moon. And gold of course to represent the sun and the radiant energy that comes along with it.

Nothing makes the holiday come to life quite like incorporating these symbols into your home decor for the season.

Indulge in Traditional Holiday Foods

No holiday is complete without a feast and Yule was certainly a time for one.

Crescent moon cookies, caraway cakes, wassail, eggnog, gingerbread, turkey, and berries were all traditional foods.

See how many you can incorporate into your own celebration this year.

Celebrate the 12 days of Yule

Set up an altar, light candles each evening, honour the god/goddess (if you choose), decorate your home for the season, give gifts, and take a moment to appreciate and honour nature each day.

Fully embrace and enjoy the warmth and joyful spirit of the season.

Refresh & Renew

This is a time of renewal for nature and so should be for ourselves.

Take this time to cleanse your space and your energies. Set new goals and aspirations for the weeks to come. Give into the feeling of freshness and rebirth.

You could even do a ritual to set new intentions and cleanse away negativity.

Listen to Yule Music

Now you may not go caroling, as it is not as common a practice as it once was, but do listen to the songs and sounds of the season.

Music is a wonderful source of joy and does wonders to lift the spirit and wash away stress. Tune in and sing along.

Embrace the Spirit of the Season

Get lost in the spirit of the season, let your soul shine, be present, be mindful, and enjoy every second of this magickal time of year.

When you do it will be easy to enter the new year feeling refreshed and invigorated to take on the rest of the season.

Be in touch with nature and the earth and you will know that reassurance in your heart that spring is just around the corner. The light time of the year is returning a little more each day.

I want to hear from you!

What Yule traditions do you incorporate into your yearly festivities? Do you have one particular thing that is your favourite?

I always love to know your thoughts, so please leave a comment or drop me a line. There are lots of ways for us to connect. And if you want even more winter and Yule inspiration, check out my Shop Page!

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Yule time Blessings pixie dolls.

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Feeding your Spirit, Mind & Body in the Winter

So let’s face it, for most of us feeding our spirit in the winter isn’t easy. And staying positive & motivated during these colder months of the year can be a struggle. This year may even be a little more difficult all things considered. 

It getting dark at 5pm, there will soon be snow and ice, the temperatures will drop, and curling up on the couch will always sound like a good idea.

It’s easy for our moods to become low and motivation to be non-existent.

But there is a beauty to winter that is unique and unlike any other season. We need but open our hearts and our minds to the magick of it all.

2020 Has Been Quite the Year

When you think that, at this point in 2020, we have all already spent more time at home in a year than we would normally do…a lot more time. People are already a bit stir crazy and now winter is on the way! Feeding our spirits, bodies, and minds seems even more crucial.

But why don’t we take this darker part of the year to really feed our souls, be a little selfish with our time, and emerge into Spring like a well rested and spiritually fulfilled goddess?

Perhaps instead of entering the season with dread we embrace the quiet nights at home, taking a little more downtime, and refilling our cups so to speak.

So what things can we do to get our butts off that couch, stay pumped, positive, and spiritually fed?

Here we go, 12 of my favourite ways to tend to my body, mind, and spirit in the winter.

winter mood, positivity, winter blues, practice spirituality, seasonal living,

Take Extra Time Self-Care

Following in the footsteps of Mother Nature and taking our busy lives down a notch throughout these months is a damn fine idea.

Taking some extra time to indulge and pamper ourselves is a most wonderful way to slow down and rest like Mother Nature intended.

Sleep that extra hour, get a massage, read, take a ritual bath; whatever things are going to ease your mind and feed your spirit this winter.

Enjoy the Seasonal Festivities

Yes, there is Yule and Christmas and New Year’s but there are also birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. Mark your calendars and look forward to those days when celebration should occur.

In this global climate we all need things to look forward to. So whether that means getting lost in the Christmas festivities or celebrating your anniversary, be excited about it and really go all out.

One of the best parts of seasonal living is embracing all of the festivities that come with the seasons!

Feed Your Body Well

Nutrition is always important but even more so in the winter.

We should all be vigilant in doing whatever we can to keep our immune systems strong and healthy. Not to mention what we eat hugely affects our mood which can take a beaten this time of year.

Focus on fresh, in season foods high in vitamins and minerals. Especially those that are proven to help boost your mood such as Vitamin D, B Vitamins, Magnesium, and Omega 3’s.

Choosing seasonal comfort foods can also ignite happiness and give us those warm fuzzy feelings. Things like veggie packed stews and soups, porridge, and healthy pastas. Be creative with your recipes.

A little comfort food can go a long way!

Move that tushy!

Find ways to move your body. Exercise is so incredibly important for our total health. Not just the physical aspect but mental and spiritual as well.

Exercise makes us happy! It’s scientifically proven and we all know this and yet it can be hard for us to take advantage of it lol.

So let’s be sure to continue moving our bodies throughout these coming weeks and months. You may not be hitting up your favourite gyms and classes at the moment so use your creativity!

There are a ton of online resources for workouts right now. Do a little research and find something that suits you. Maybe your regular studio is offering online classes right now? Or if you don’t currently have a studio check things out on Instagram and YouTube.

The demand for online workouts has never been greater and people are stepping up with some great offerings.

As an example, currently I take weekly online Bellydance classes with Dragonfly Bellydance and have a monthly membership to Barreworks Online.

These are the types of workouts that make me happy and feed my soul. Reflect a little and try some things out until you find the thing you’ll be excited to do each day.

I also love to bundle up and go for walks, even in the cold!

Start a New Creative Project

And when I say project I don’t mean something you consider work. I mean a project that will be fun for you! Something you maybe have been putting off or haven’t made time for.

Maybe you would like to start a scrapbook, or vision board, paint a picture, or maybe you have been meaning to start your own grimoire or book of shadows.

These types of projects can be incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. And you have a physical item to reference and inspire you as we go through the season. 

If the grimoire idea sounds appealing you can check out my SHOP PAGE for some inspiration and printables to help get you started.  

Get Outside

Yes it might be getting cold but we still need fresh air. With having less places to go and things to do right now we need to make that extra effort.

Make it a point to get outside and connect with nature. Even if just walking around your neighbourhood, be present in your walk and try to appreciate the beauty of the season. And remember to dress accordingly!

Practice Daily Gratitude

It is so important to remember to be thankful, especially when our moods may be down or suffering. Recite what you are grateful for and practice daily affirmations.

This can include things that made you smile, what your goals are for the day, how you want your day to look, things that you are lucky to have like a roof over your head and warm clothing, etc.

Doing these little daily reminders to ourselves are such an integral part of self-care. We can easily forget to think about these things and just go through the motions of our daily routines.

Putting these thoughts of positivity out into the universe will help you to stay positive, manifest your goals, and bring more joys into your life.

Positivity breeds positivity and we all need reminders sometimes that we are awesome and have some truly wonderful gifts in our lives.

Do a Daily Meditation

Do some form of meditation each day to ground and centre yourself. 

Whether it’s just 5 minutes or 45 minutes, taking this time to be gentle on yourself and clear your mind can make a world of difference to how we go through our days.

Cleanse Your Space 

We will be in our homes a lot in the coming months and it’s crucial to keep the energy flowing and balanced. 

You can do a monthly, or even weekly, quick cleansing to rid the space of any negativity that may have arisen. This can be as simple as lighting a candle, stating your affirmations of cleansing, and visualizing the negative energies dissolving and leaving your space. Or it can be a lengthier process, entirely up to you!

Winter Joys

Take a moment and think about all of the things during these colder months that you look forward to. What about this time of year brings you happiness? 

Brainstorm for a moment and then make a physical list of all the things you can think of. You can do this in your journal or on a special piece of paper. 

When you are having a day that is rather blue go back and reference your list to remind yourself the simple joys of the season.

Enjoy the Coziness of Home

Our homes are our sanctuaries and we all have favourite things about them.

Embrace your favourite spaces and elements to your home that always make you smile.

Take some time in your favourite chair and read, put on a simmer pot, cozy up with your most comfy throw, burn some candles and dim the lights. Make your soul feel warm, and safe. These little actions will relax the mind, lower stress, and feed your spiritual self. 

Just Breathe

Instead of wishing away the winter, slow down, take a breathe, and appreciate the stillness of it all. 

Relish in the quiet nights and really take the time to rejuvenate yourself before the world awakens and you are rushing off from one thing to the next. 

Have patience with nature and with yourself. 

There you have it.

This concludes my list of top 12 things for feeding your spirit in the winter and coming weeks.

Perhaps there is nothing ground breaking on this list but it truly is the simple things. These are the things that can bring us such joy and make us happier, healthier humans.

So go for a walk, eat some veggies, and start that craft project you’ve been thinking of! And try each day to add a dash of positivity even if it’s simply just stating one thing to yourself that made you smile.

Final thoughts.

Do you have any coping mechanisms you utilize to help you get through these darker months of the year? 

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

If you enjoyed this post and for more Autumn inspiration you can check out my newly released Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. You can find full details HERE.

And you can SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook, as well as my full Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide as a thank you!

Until next time friends!

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Samhain Ritual: Setting New Intentions and Clearing Negativity

Samhain is but days away and you may still be trying to plan your ritual activities. So for today’s post I am sharing an easy and effective intention setting ritual for Samhain.

Samhain is also the beginning of a new spiritual year, sometimes called the Witches New Year. This makes it a perfect time to focus those intentions on new goals and the things you would most like to achieve in the coming weeks and months.

And with this year also being on the same night as the Full Blue Moon, intention setting and clearing away past negativity will definitely be on my list of magickal workings for the day.

With the energies of these two elements combined you will surely be able to work some of your most powerful magick of the year on this day so choose your rituals wisely.

I would recommend focusing on the things you consider most important for your life at this moment in time and don’t hold back!

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Samhain Intention Setting Ritual

Gather for your altar or work space:

  • Small Glass Jar with Lid
  • Lavender Incense
  • One White Candle
  • Bloodstone, Onyx, and Carnelian Stones
  • Dried Sage, Patchouli, and Rosemary
  • Salt
  • White Ribbon or Thread
  • 3 drops Ginger Essential Oil
  • Pen and Paper

Samhain Ritual Steps

  1. Sit comfortably in your space and take a moment to center yourself.
  2. Light your candles and incense.
  3. Focus your mind on your most important intentions for the coming months.
  4. Breathe slow and deep and visualize yourself achieving these goals successfully. Imagine you are inhaling  positivity and exhaling negativity.
  5. Take your herbs and add them one by one into your glass jar. Amounts are up to you.
  6. Then add in your salt.
  7. Add each stone and then your ribbon or thread.
  8. Now add the three drops of ginger essential oil
  9. Take your paper, write down your top three goals and recite them out loud three times.
  10. Fold the paper into three and add it into your jar. Seal jar with lid.
  11. Focus your intentions throughout and stay in your visualization until you feel your work is complete.
  12. For an extra energy boost bring the jar outside to charge under the Samhain Full Moon overnight.
  13. In the morning retrieve the jar and place it on your altar, or in a special place, until you feel ready to set new intentions. You can then repeat the ritual if you’d like.

Final thoughts

Take your time with the ritual and don’t rush. Try to fully feel yourself reaching these milestones you have set for yourself. And paint a clear picture of what your life will look like when you do.

Putting these thoughts and intentions out into the universe in a positive way is a most powerful kind of magick.

Then of course as we most forward into November 1st and beyond be willing to show up, get out there, and take the necessary steps to make these goals and dreams a reality.

Using our magick to shift energies and assist us in shaping our world doesn’t mean the magick will just manifest things for you while you sit back and relax lol. We still need to be willing to do the work to make it happen. The magick just happens to be a key element in making it all come together.

Samhain Printable Grimoire Collection

If you enjoyed the ritual and want to learn more about Samhain rituals and celebrations you can pick up my Samhain Printable Grimoire Collection from my SHOP.

You will receive this full ritual beautifully illustrated and print ready along with correspondences, history and traditions, oil blend, magickal Samhain recipe, ways to celebrate and more!

All perfectly pretty and ready to be printed and added to your grimoire or book of shadows, or to simply have on hand for easy reference.

Your turn! Tell me your Samhain wishes!

Have you planned your Samhain rituals yet? Do you have anything on your magickal list that you simply must accomplish this Samhain?

I always love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment or drop me a line, or connect with me on socials.

And if you enjoyed the post, remember you can SUBSCRIBE , receive your Mini Autumn Grimoire Bundle for FREE, and be the first to know about new content and exclusive freebies!

Samhain Blessings pixie dolls. 

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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21 Easy Ways to Celebrate Samhain and Halloween

It’s time to celebrate Samhain, and Halloween too! So Samhain and Halloween are but days away and this year is going to be unlike any other for quite a few reasons! Full Moon, Blue Moon, it’s on a Saturday, and oh yeah COVID is still here! 

Samhain is always a highly anticipated night in our house and in the witch community in general, even without all of these extra special touches! Lol.

Now when you think of celebrating such a big Sabbat you may think, oh I need 16 hours, flowy robes, a bonfire, a coven, and a spirit to communicate with in order to do this properly or I may as well do nothing at all. Oh, and is it okay to celebrate Samhain and Halloween both?

Me and this post are here to say NO, you don’t need all of those crazy fixings, and YES, it is absolutely okay to celebrate Samhain and Halloween!

So today I bring you 21 easy ways for you to celebrate the day, remember loved ones, have fun, and get into the spirit of the season without robes, or bonfires, or even leaving your house.

The Spirit of the Season

Samhain is an exceptional night for many. Even if you don’t identify as a witch, but are a seasonal living enthusiast embracing this day is such a big part of it. And it’s filled with so much lore and meaning that it should really be a hallmark in everyone’s Autumn season.

If you read my post on Ways to Live Seasonally, you’ll remember that embracing seasonal activities and holidays, is on there. 

This day is a celebration of life, death, and new beginnings, let’s harness that energy in order to motivate and propel us forward into the darker part of the year with renewed energies, motivation, and hope.

A Note on Halloween

Just a quick note to elaborate my view on this. It is totally fine for one to celebrate Samhain and our more modern Halloween traditions together in harmony.

A lot of people only celebrate one or the other without a second thought which is totally okay too. But, for me, I love both so very much and I don’t believe the fun and joy of one takes anything away from the beautiful and special traditions of the other.

Our modern-day Halloween traditions evolved from Samhain after all. So although they are indeed very different in today’s modern world they are still connected and, at least in my house, both can be celebrated with great enthusiasm.

So regardless whether you celebrate Samhain, Halloween, or a combination of the two there will be ideas on this list to make it a meaningful, thought inducing, beautiful, and super fun night!

Here we go!

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21 Easy Ways to Celebrate Samhain and Halloween

Write a Samhain Journal Entry

Take a few minutes from your day and write down the changes you would like to see moving forward. What things are you ready to let go of and what goals are you ready to really tackle?

Many consider this the Witches New Year and it’s a perfect time for planning new beginnings.

Make a Witchy Bucket List

Make a list of all of the things you would like to accomplish in your spiritual practice in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Perhaps you want to learn more about herbs, kitchen magick, start a Grimoire/BOS, or begin connecting with a deity. Maybe all of those things!

Write them down and check them off throughout the year as you accomplish them. I don’t know about you but checking things off a list always makes me feel accomplished.

Have a Nature Walk

A wonderful way to celebrate Samhain, and any other Sabbat really. Take a few minutes from your day, go outside, and connect with nature.

Autumn is such a glorious season. As you are walking clear your mind and really take in your surroundings, the trees, the colours, the scents of fall, the way the air feels on your face. And during your walk give thanks to mother earth for all that she does for us.

Do a Meditation to Honour Your Ancestors

A meditation doesn’t need to be an hour long. Even if you can only spare 10 minutes from your day for this you will feel good that you took the time to make it happen.

Sit somewhere quiet and take these few minutes to remember your loved ones who have passed on, think of happy memories, their smile, their favourite things and let them know they are in your heart and with you always.

Honouring those who have passed on is an integral part of Samhain and shouldn’t be forgotten.

Do a Quick Tarot Reading for Yourself

Even just a little three card reading can be beneficial to see a glimmer of what may be in store this year and give you a bit to think about in terms of you path and the directions and changes you will make moving forward.

Celebrate Samhain & Halloween with Decorations!

Embrace the symbols and colours of the season.

Surround yourself with pumpkins, skulls, ghosty things, and maybe carve a pumpkin. Decorating is a hugely fun part of the holiday, and a fun activity to do with the little ones if you happen to have any running around.

Bake a Halloween Treat Symbolizing New Beginnings

There is always some baking going on in my house for Samhain and Halloween. No reason not to infuse a little magick into your  treats this year.

Enjoying some special goodies is also a staple part of the season. Most holidays have food involved and Samhain is no different.

Light Candles for Your Loved Ones

Light candles for your loved ones as a sign of remembrance.

You can place them in the window to help guide them on their journey this night where the veil is thinned and spirits roam.

Light a Candle for Yourself

Light a candle and recite affirmations for yourself.

Things you would like to see yourself accomplish in the coming weeks and months. Candle work is a mini fire ritual on its own, no huge bonfire required.

Have a Ritual Bath

A peaceful bath with some candles, maybe some oils and salts, to release negativity is a timely activity to perform on Samhain.

Releasing any negative energies that you have built up in order to enter this new year feeling cleansed and refreshed.

Cleanse Your Space

We don’t want to forget about our homes as well!

Simply burning appropriate herbs and walking through each room of your house will do the trick. Walk throughout your home slowly, focusing your energies and visualizing any negativity lifting away out into the aether.

It’s Not Halloween Without Costumes!

We usually have a party at our place and costumes are required lol. Alas, this year there will be no gathering of friends but that’s no excuse to not really have some fun and get into costume!

And it’ll be fun for the trick or treaters, if trick or treating is still happening in your area. And if not, just get dressed up and have a photoshoot, because let’s be honest that is always a good time!

Tell Ghost Stories

Samhain is steeped in lore about ghosts, ghouls, demons, and the like. All of these otherworldly creatures are said to walk the earth during Samhain when the veil between worlds is at it’s thinnest.

Embrace the spookier side of the season, make a hot bevvy and tell some stories. If you’re brave enough that is!

And you can check out this article from Reader’s Digest to get you started: The 13 Most Haunted Places in the World.

Watch a Scary Movie

What would this season be without some good jump scares. ‘Halloween’ anyone?

Charge Your Crystals

This Samhain is also a Full Moon. Take advantage of that energy and set your crystals outside to charge.

Charging your crystals under a Full Moon is a powerful way to re-invigorate their energies, and doing so under a Samhain Full Moon will be doubly so.

Host a Dumb Supper

During your evening meal leave a place setting empty for your loved ones who have passed and eat your meal in silence.

If you don’t want to do the silent part you can still leave out the empty place setting. This literally takes no extra time out of your day.

Add Some Samhain Pages to Your BOS or Grimoire

If you keep a Book of Shadows or Grimoire add some info in there on Samhain.

If you already have pages on the Sabbat there is always something new you can add in. Some facts you maybe didn’t know or a new ritual perhaps. Be creative!

Keeping one of these is a wonderful outlet for both your practice and your creative spirit.

Create a Space to Honour Your Ancestors or Loved Ones

You can add these things to your altar if you have one but if not, you can simply set up a little space for them somewhere in your home.

You can put pictures, flowers, foods, and some of their favourite things. A simple and wonderful way to show remembrance.

Let Your Hair Down and Dance 

Dance has long been associated with celebration and life.

Crank up your favourite seasonal tunes and let yourself go. Dancing is a wonderful way to release energies from the body and can have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Just what the new year called for.

Make Moon Water

Fill a glass jar with water and focus your intentions on what the water will be used for, take your time with this process so that your focus is clear. Leave the jar outside over night to soak up those awesome Full Moon energies.

Celebrate Life

While this can be a somber day when we are missing our loved ones, it is also a day that should be filled with life and celebration.

This can mean anything that you feel is celebrating and honouring life. Indulge in your favourite foods, read a book, dance around your house, have sex…whatever it may be cherish the moments and really LIVE.

There you have it!

These ideas, especially some of them, should be fairly easy to incorporate into your day if you are crunched for time.

Pick one or two that really call out to you and do them with vigour. Really enjoy the moments, take them in, and savour them.

You can of course do as many of them as you wish or spend more time on any of them if you have it. Take a long luxurious bath, do an hour-long meditation, perform a lengthier ritual, or dedicate your whole day and do 15 different things lol. You do what resonates with you and what your schedule will allow.

If you feel you got the most out of your day and are happy with how you celebrated, that is what truly matters.

You can also check out my full post on Samhain Celebrations and Correspondences for some more ideas and inspiration if you wish.

Your turn! Tell me your Samhain wishes!

Do you normally celebrate Samhain,  Halloween, or both? How will you be celebrating this year? I always love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment or drop me a line. There are lots of ways for us to connect

And if you enjoyed the post, remember you can SUBSCRIBE, receive your Mini Autumn Grimoire Bundle for FREE, and be the first to know about new content and exclusive freebies!

Happy planning pixie dolls.

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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13 Best Witch Quotes to Get You Into the October Spirit

Well the Season of the Witch has arrived! October has begun and I am here for all of it. Halloween, Samhain, cooler weather, sweaters, boots, witches everywhere, and all of the hot beverages. Witch quotes included lol.

Now I may be a witch all year but witchy movies, costumes, and the like are a staple of the Halloween season and I’m not gonna lie, I love it!

So, to help get everyone into the spirit of the season I put together a just for fun post of some of my favourite quotes about, and by, witches. 

Seemed like the perfect way to kick off my October posts! So let’s get into them. 

13 of the Best Witch Quotes for the Season

1. "When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers 'tis near Halloween." ~ unknown

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2. " The first time I called myself a 'Witch' was the most magical moment of my life." ~ Margot Adler

3. " The moon has awoken with the sleep of the sun. The light has been broken, the spell has begun." ~ Midgard Morningstar

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4. " In this whole side wicked world the only thing you have to be afraid of is me." ~ Fiona, (AHS Coven)

5. "For all you know, a witch may be living next door to you right now." ~ Roald Dahl

6. "You have witchcraft in your lips." ~ William Shakespeare

7. "You've always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself." ~ Glinda (The Wizard of Oz)

8. "To me, a witch is a woman that is capable of letting her intuition take hold of her actions, that communes with her environment, that isn't afraid of facing challenges." ~ Paulo Coelho

9. "A witch ought never be frightened in the darkest forest because she should be sure in her soul that the most terrifying thing in the forest was her." ~ Terry Pratchett

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10. "Witchcraft...is a spiritual path. You walk it for nourishment of the soul, to commune with the life force of the universe, and to thereby better know your own life." ~ Christopher Penczak

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11. "Love for life in all its forms is the basic ethic of witchcraft." ~ Starhawk

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12. "Never put your faith in a Prince. When you require a miracle, trust in a witch." ~ Catherine M. Valente (In the Night Garden)

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13. "There's a little witch in all of us." ~ Aunt Jet (Practical Magic)

There you have it!

13 of my of my favourite witch quotes. However, I have to write a little disclaimer. Some of these refer to witch as ‘her’ or a ‘woman’. If these were my quotes they would not tie witch to only women. A witch can be anyone at all. Gender need not apply. 

The sentiment of these quotes however speaks to my little witchy soul. I hope that they sparked a bit of magic in you as well! 

Let me here from you!

Do you have a favourite witchy quote that I didn’t include in my list? 

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials. 

And remember, if you enjoyed this post, and would like some serious Autumn inspiration, you can check out my newly released Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. You can find full details HERE.

And you can also  SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook, as well as my full Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide as a thank you!

Happy October friends! Let the season of the witch begin! 

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Easy and Delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins for Prosperity

Who doesn’t love a good oatmeal chocolate chip muffin? Add in an intention for prosperity and it’s the perfect little magickal filled snack, or breakfast lol. 

And, for a lot of us,  Autumn is a time for baking! Treats that are prevalent throughout the season are just some of the tastiest. Umm hello pumpkin spice lol. 

The ritual of baking also helps to fill our home with those quintessential warm and cozy fall vibes. Not to mention delightful aromas! 

So all that being said,  today we shall indulge in making Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins for Prosperity. A healthier, vegan version of course.

Before You Begin

Infusing your meals and baked goods with intention is at the very core of Kitchen Witchery. Joy, abundance, protection, you name it.

A good tip is to always set these intentions and choose your goal prior to beginning. Even before preparing anything. That way you can have that focus in mind for the entire process, from cleansing down the counters, to the moment you remove your delicious creation from the oven. The whole process should be a relaxing, joy filled ritual.

There are lots of little extras you can add to amp up the power of your spell. It could be burning a candle of the appropriate colour (or white) while you work, placing a crystal that corresponds with your goal on or near your workspace, giving your tools a quick blessing, reciting a little chant or spell, burning incense, or being mindful of the direction you are mixing.

Truly, there are many ways for us to infuse more magick into our meals. However, key elements are to be mindful, relaxed, and keep your intention in mind throughout the full process. And of course the ingredients you choose.

Key Magickal Properties 

Each food carries their own magickal properties and can be used for many different kinds of spells. Here are the key magickal ingredients and their properties for our muffins today.

Whole Wheat Flour – prosperity, money

Oats – sustainability, wealth

Chocolate – love, grounding, prosperity

Cinnamon – prosperity, success, luck, strength

Apples – balance, harmony, peace

Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins for Prosperity

Makes 12 servings – Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 1⁄2 c. whole wheat flour (or gluten free 1-1 flour)
  • 1 c. quick oats
  • 3/4 c. golden cane sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder
  • 1⁄2 tsp baking soda
  • 1⁄2 tsp Celtic sea salt
  • 1 egg replacer (Bob Red’s Mill) or flax egg 
  • 1⁄2 c. non-dairy milk (I use oat)
  • 3/4 c. applesauce
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 c. vegan chocolate chips

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line your muffin tins with paper liners.
  2. Mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together all wet ingredients.
  4. Slowly combine the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
  5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
  6. Pour batter into your lined muffin tins.
  7. Bake the muffins for 15 to 20 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the centre to test. Should come out clean.
  8. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to cool then transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before serving or storing.

Nutritional Info Per Serving:

Cal 200 | Fat 7g | Carbs 35g | Protein 2.6g | Fibre 3g

These muffins are perfectly moist and delicious. Not to mention a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike. So enjoy!

May they assist in bringing you much prosperity in the coming weeks.

Your thoughts!

Do you have a favourite recipe you use for prosperity?

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials. And if you try out the recipe I would love to hear about that as well!

And remember, if you enjoyed this post, and for more Autumn inspiration, you can check out my newly released Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. You can find full details HERE.

And you can SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook, as well as my full Wholesome Kitchen Clean-up Guide as a thank you!

Sending much love and blessings for a beautiful autumn season my friend.

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Easy Gratitude Ritual for Mabon

Mabon, the Autumn Equinox is upon us! Mabon is not one of the larger Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. However, it is highly anticipated by many as it signifies the beginning of the Autumn season. The Season of the Witch. And performing a gratitude ritual is a wonderful way to help celebrate this turn of the wheel.

Mabon is also known as the Witches Thanksgiving. It is a time to be grateful for all we have received throughout the year. And, in times past, to be thankful for the bounty that the seasons harvest had provided to get through the winter months.

Seeing that we are no longer so dependent on the harvest to sustain us through winter, the notion of feeling grateful for the food we eat and all we have is, sadly, often lost.

Yes, we can run down to the super market and get just about any food we could want. This doesn’t mean we should forget to show gratitude. We must remember to show nature and the universe our thanks and appreciation.

Gratitude Magick

Mabon is an optimal time to perform spells and rituals to do with protection, cleansing, new beginnings, prosperity, and yes, gratitude.

For more info and correspondence for Mabon you can check out my full post on the celebration HERE.

I believe it is crucial to put our gratitude and appreciation out into the universe in order to cultivate positivity and prosperity in our lives. We don’t want to be always be asking for things without showing our thanks in return.

Therefore, for today’s post I have prepared a gratitude ritual to be performed on Mabon, or during the week of Mabon.

Mabon Reflections

Mabon is also a time for reflection. Reflecting on all the year has brought, where we are in our lives, and where we want to be. Sizing up what might need changing is an excellent practice for the fall season.

Let your starting point be gratitude. Allow your gratitude for where you are now motivate you and help to propel you towards where you want to be.

Note: This ritual is an excerpt from my Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook. If you enjoy it you can pop over HERE for full details and how to purchase. It’s on special sale until the equinox!

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Mabon Gratitude Ritual

For your altar or ritual space, gather the following:

  •  An offering of fresh fruits or vegetables (this can be offered to a deity you work with, Mother Nature, or the universe)
  • A candle signifying abundance – green, gold, or white
  • Allspice or Ginger Oil  to anoint your candles, wrists, or ritual tools. 
  • Jasmine Incense for happiness
  • 1 Peridot stone to signify abundance and good luck.
  • Items that represent things in your life you are grateful for (photos of loved ones or pets, a shiny coin to symbolize enough wealth for the food on your table and roof over your head, a rock representing nature, etc.)
  • Brown marker to represent grounding and security
  • Piece of paper
  • Small enclosed box. Maybe something pretty that you feel fits into your altar set-up.

Ritual Steps 

  1. Light your incense and candles.
  2. Take a moment to centre your thoughts and get that appreciation energy circulating.
  3.  Close your eyes and begin to imagine the things that you are grateful for. Anything you can think of, be it little or grand. What makes you happy in your life? What things could you not live without
  4. Take the brown marker and make a list of all of the things you can think of that you are grateful for. Really all of them.
  5. Once finished recite the list either out loud or in your mind to put those thoughts out into the universe.
  6. Now fold the list 3 times and thank Mother Earth, the universe, the goddess, whatever feels right, for these gifts.
  7. Place the folded list into the box with the peridot and close the lid.
  8. Place the box on your altar in a special spot of your choosing.
  9. If you’re ever feeling low or find yourself envious of things you don’t currently have, re-read your list or add things to it.
  10. Each Mabon read your list from the previous year and replace it with a new list. This is a great reminder to see where you were and what your mindset was like one year ago. 

After performing this ritual you will be ready to jump into the autumn season feeling grateful for all you have in life at this moment.

But also motivated. Motivated by where you are at now to have you pushing through these coming weeks with vigour. Moving towards your goals and the magickal life you are creating for yourself.

Your thoughts!

Do you already perform gratitude rituals? What else might you do for Mabon this year?

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

And remember, if you enjoyed this post, and for more Autumn inspiration, you can check out my  Seasonal Kitchen Witch E-book Series for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. You can find full details HERE.

And you can SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my Autumn Kitchen Witch E-book, as well as my Daily Witch Planner Pages as a thank you!

Sending much love and blessings for a beautiful autumn season my friend.

Yours in health and magick,

Krystle xo

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Simple Autumn Simmer Pot Recipes for the Kitchen Witch

The Autumn Equinox is swiftly on it’s way and there is nothing quite like the scents of Autumn filling the home. Am I right? Cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, pumpkin spice and apple pie. Autumn has, without a doubt, some of my favourite aromas. And nothing creates a warm cozy atmosphere more than having these wafting throughout your home. Enter the simmer pot.

Now while I am a huge fan of scented candles and room sprays (natural ones of course), there is nothing quite like the way aromas created by a simmer pot fill your home with warmth and amazing energies.

Simmer pots are an efficient and non-toxic way to have your home smelling like autumn in a few short minutes.

And, added bonus, they also have wonderful magickal properties attached to them.

Read on to discover a few delicious recipes to have your home smelling lovely and your kitchen magick brewing this autumn season.

The Simmer Pot

Simmer pots are like boiled potpourri. Which sounds a bit weird, but it’s an accurate description lol.

You choose your ingredients, put them in a pot with water, bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and let it do its thing.

They couldn’t be any easier, just be sure you don’t let your pot boil dry! If you want to keep the pot going simply add more water when it gets low. And obviously never leave your stove on when you aren’t home. Let’s use our common sense here friends.

Simmer pots also lack the harsh toxins that are packed into conventional air freshener sprays and scented candles. Just fresh ingredients from your kitchen! Fake fragrance oils need not apply.

One more benefit, they are economical. Simmer pots are cost effective and can be thrown together with things you likely already have in your kitchen. 

Just Say No to Chemicals

So let’s be real, generic scented candles and air fresheners are some pretty serious toxic offenders. 

Paraffin candles give off toxic fumes on their own and now lets add mystery ingredient fragrance oils on top of that. Cause you know, they can just say they use ‘fragrance oils’ and be done with it. What exactly is in the ‘fragrance’? We really have no idea.

And air fresheners are a whole other ball game. You are literally just breathing in toxic fumes. That are almost always overpowering enough to have you choking on them. How refreshing! Note the sarcasm there. 

My favourite ways to naturally freshen up my space are room sprays (non-toxic that I blend myself), soy essential oil scented candles, using my diffuser, and you guessed it, simmer pots! 

There are so many natural ways to have your home smelling divine. You can most definitely skip the artificial stuff. 

Simmer Pot Magick

Another great thing about a simmer pot is they can be used to assist in your magickal goals. You just need to choose the right ingredients to fit your agenda.

Items that create those autumn vibes have a wide array of magickal properties attached to them that can be used to your advantage.

When I do a simmer pot with a magickal goal in mind, I follow these simple steps to incorporate my magick and intention into the process:

  1. Fill pot with water about 3/4 full.
  2. Add ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce to a simmer, stir the pot clockwise. Unless you are doing a banishing or releasing spell, in that case stir the pot counter clockwise.
  4. Visualize your desired outcome or goal for the magickal work you are doing. Are you aiming to create happiness in the home, or more money in your wallet? Whatever it may be focus on what you want the outcome to look like. Continue with the visualization and stirring until it feels right to finish. You’ll know when!
  5. You may recite your goal, a chant, or ritual words while you stir as well. Something pertaining to your desired outcome.
  6. When you finish I would let the pot boil down until there is about an inch of water left and then turn it off. Your work is now complete

Note: You may also trace runes or symbols related to your goal in the air above the pot if you feel so inclined. Feel free to be inventive and really personalize the experience!

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Simmer Pot Recipes

Apple Pie – for peace, harmony and love

  • 3 apple slices
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp all spice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Pumpkin Spice – for prosperity, success, and wealth

  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 2 orange slices
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

A Taste of Autumn – for protection and releasing negative energies

  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tbsp whole cloves
  • 2 orange slices
  • 1 lemon slice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Witch Spice – for balance and inner strength

  • 1 tsp star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tbsp all spice
  • 1 bay leaf 
  • 1 tsp ginger

These amounts are simply guidelines and ratios that I enjoy. Use more or less to suit your own tastes. Be creative and mix things up!

Love these recipes? Check out my whole seasonal simmer pot collection HERE.

What to do with your simmer pot ingredients when you are finished?

Another awesome thing about simmer pots is that they don’t create waste. You can simply compost your ingredients or dry them out and store in an airtight container to be used in future spells or for potpourri.

A note on using essential oils in your simmer pots. 

Many people recommend essential oils as a good ingredient for your simmer pots. I fully have to disagree for a couple of reasons. 

Essential oils are expensive and why use Lemon EO when you can use leftover lemon rinds? Or Clove EO when you have the spice sitting in your cupboard? 

Another big reason for me is that essential oils are all flammable and have their own flashpoints (point at which the vapours formed can ignite if exposed to spark or flame). This caution is especially true if you have a gas stove. 

I simply don’t use them in the kitchen at all when I have the stove on, call me paranoid, which I most definitely can be lol. Some people use them all of the time for their pots and it’s totally fine.

If you do decide to use them just use caution, common sense, and know well the oils you are working with. 

But really an unnecessary addition to your simmer pots in my opinion when there are so many whole, natural, and affordable ingredients already in your kitchen.

Final thoughts.

Do you already do simmer pots at home? If so, what is your favourite recipe?

As always, I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or connect with me on socials.

If you enjoyed this post and for more Autumn inspiration you can check out my  Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook for recipes, rituals, and autumn correspondences. 

And you can SUBSCRIBE  to The Wholesome Witch Mailing List to receive a 20% OFF discount code for my Autumn Kitchen Witch Handbook, as well as FREE Daily Witch Planner Pages as a thank you!

Until next time friends!

Yours in health and magic,

Krystle xo

P.S. If you enjoyed this post you may also like diving into some candle magic as we enter this darker part of the year. You can check out my Candle Magic for Beginners post to get you started!

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Greetings Friend!

I'm Krystle. Resident kitchen witch, holistic nutritionist, green living maven, breast cancer survivor, part-time forest fairy, and author of The Witch's Guide to Wellness. Interested in holistic wellness and living your best, most magical life? If you answered yes, you are most definitely in the right place and I'm so happy you're here.

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