Rowan Berry Winter Banishing
Four old coffin nails left to rust in winterās rain, to bind the earth to break the bond of winterās bitter chain.
Three snail shells, harvested from the owlās roost, a must. traced upon the floor, but first we grind them down to dust.
A mad march hareās shoulder bone, taken in springās twilight, to inscribe the names of those to who the charm will work its might.
Then we laugh as laughter can, to make the goblins leave this land, chant twice the words to follow, for the days are short and hallow:
āWe see thee, for seeing is true sight. We hear thee, for hearing is but right. We know thee, for past and present are but one. We sow thee, that the new year has begun.ā
A bit of red sealing wax, to mark the shape upon the door, whence the visitors will knock and bring Yule tidings of yore.
A clutch of mugwort flower buds, taken under the summerās moon, burned to cleanse the air of spirits foul, yet banished soon.
That string of rowan berries red, dried in the autumnās sun, hung above the door through which oneās guests will surely come.
Then we laugh as laughter can, to make the spectres leave this land, chant twice the words to follow for the days are long and callow:
āWe touch thee, for touching is true passion. We hold thee, for embrace is but compassion. We know thee, for the future we are from. We are thee, that the light will once again come.ā
