#solstice tree

[green-garden-witch]

Finished setting up my Winter Solstice altar and I'm ready for nightfall 🕯️

The boughs are native yaupon Holly I harvested from the woods near my house. After solstice I'll dry the leaves to make tea. Yaupon Holly is North America's only caffeine-producing plant.

Still need to string the rest of the dried orange slices to hang above my windows and on my tree.

[indigoelfinspirit]

SIms the Season: Tree pt 2

Prompts by @samssims and @siminycricket

[writingbaseballboheme]

Happy Holidays 2 all! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Winter Solstice!!!(my personal choice of observance)! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Festivus (or whatever you celebrate during the Holiday Season)!

[untamed-wolfenm]

Grootmas Meets The Untamed, 2021 Edition

2020 Edition <- See info about the ornaments (such as what I made and what I bought) there. This year, I added keychains of Suibian, Bichen, and Chenqing (all bought), as well as put Nightstalker M in the A-Yuan cosplay that I made for her (though I bought the wig); added the (full-size) Chenqing I made (although I bought the tassel); added the "wine gourd" I made; and added some bunnies (all bought; the official MDZS bunnies were a gift from a friend). This isn't going to all fit in one post, so I'll have to reblog with the rest of the pics ....

See the reblog for more.

[friendlikeme3]

[ponderousspagan]

Yule Trees 🎄🎄🎄

The Christmas tree has become the iconic symbol that brings us all back to childhood, the imagery of sparkling evergreen trees, perfectly wrapped presents, and a plump little man dressed in red is something we’re all familiar with. But the idea of a Christmas tree is borrowed, much like many other christin holiday traditions. The predecessor to the Christmas tree was the solstice or Yule tree.

Pagans have been decorating Yule trees since around 4th century c.e. They decorated evergreen trees because they didn’t die during the cold seasons. They were usually a few outdoor trees that would be decorated with ribbons, fruits for successful harvests, nuts for fertility, love charms, coins to bring wealth, and candles which represented the sun, moon, and stars. Decorations often served to remember deceased loved ones at the end of each year. The tradition of gift giving began with early pagans leaving offerings to their deities on or under the trees. These trees were sacred but over time that imagery was absorbed and minimized by Christianity.

What kind of tree to use? 🌲

Really, it’s entirely up to you. Fake trees are a great option if you plan to keep it up for awhile, if you have allergies, or even if you have a more daring cat. Real trees that have been cut are classic and give your house that amazing evergreen smell. If you have trees outside your house decorate one of those. I got a small potted evergreen tree at Home Depot and that’s what I’m going to use, it’s maybe 3 feet tall but I love it and when it outgrows it’s pot it can be planted outside. When I lived in the dorms I hung a few ornaments on an aloe plant, not everyone has access to a tree and that’s totally ok your rule tree can be anything you want it to be.

Consecrating the Tree 🌲

If you have a live tree or plant you can water it with moon water. Pass the smoke of sage or incense through the branches and say:

By fire and water, air and earth,

I consecrate this tree of rebirth

Decorations 🎄

You can make all of your ornaments if you’d like, it’s a great activity to do with friends or family and really gets you in the spirit.

String popcorn or cranberries, if your Yule tree is outdoors this is a great gift for the birds and other little creatures.

If you aren’t using a live tree you can buy live evergreen garlands or a wreath if you want.

You can decorate pinecones and acorns with glitter and ribbon to put on the tree.

Make some paper snowflakes, give them 6 spokes like the witch’s rune Hagalaz

You can make stars with cinnamon sticks or use dried orange slices to add some amazing smells to your tree.

Hang bells to call to the spirits and fae.

Use sun, moon, and star imagery on your tree.

Use electric string lights to encourage the return of the sun

[nalamiao]

Helping me decorate the tree. 🎄✨ - The princess loves shiny things! Though she was actually quite well behaved. I wonder what Miao will make of it? 😻🎄✨

[oakmoss-fairy]

✨🎄✨