#Winter solstice chant

[lunasapphire]

Yule chant:

Bless the Mother who gives birth,

Bless our lives upon this Earth,

Above us see the sun returning, feeling the within the fires burning.

Chant from Wicca made easy by: Phyllis Curott

100% recommend the book! Lovely and moving book!✨

[yazthebookish]

Why an Elucien rejected bond storyline would be boring

Years ago Sarah briefly discussed Elain and Lucien's mating bond, she changed her plans from having Nesta as Lucien's mate to Elain since she saw there is a great deal of tension, growth and healing to be found for both of them (together).

In my opinion, we are currently seeing them go through the tension stage where there is this distance and strain on both of them due to recent events. Lucien was sexually assaulted by Ianthe and he is settled in the human lands to support Vassa and Jurian. While Elain has to mourn her human life and also the rejection of Graysen (who used the bond against her) + she also grieved her father. It's pretty reasonable for her to feel that resentment and hostility towards the existence of her mating bond with Lucien.

Part 1: As of ACOSF, does Lucien want Elain or did he move on to Vassa?

He and Lucien did not exchange gifts, though the male had brought a gift for Feyre and one for his mate, who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian's heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien's face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. Elain only shrank further into herself, no trace of that newfound boldness to be seen.

I won't make this part long because it's right there in the text. His longing. He still longs for Elain. He still tries. If he is so occupied and in love with Vassa, what is he doing spending Winter Solstice at Velaris to give his mate a gift instead of the woman he apparently "loves".

"But he lives with Vassa!"

The concept of friends sharing a house does not necessarily mean they're all hooking up, unless Lucien's comment on Vassa and Jurian liking to be at each other's throats is to be taken literal (and he's the third wheel in that scenario). I firmly believe Vassa and Jurian would end up together.

It's clear Lucien has eyes for one female only and that's his mate.

Part 2: Lucien doesn't want the bond and he can't stand it

And that's when arguments are formed based on out of context quotes, because context always matters to get the full picture.

But there she was. His mate. She was nothing like Jesminda. Jesminda had been all laughter and mischief, too wild and free to be contained by the country life that she’d been born into. She had teased him, taunted him—seduced him so thoroughly that he hadn’t wanted anything but her. She’d seen him not as a High Lord’s seventh son, but as a male. Had loved him without question, without hesitation. She had chosen him. Elain had been … thrown at him.

Is it not valid for him to feel conflicted about this entire situation because he is still processing the fact that the female who he fell in love with, who had chosen him, saw him, and accepted all of him, who was beheaded because she loved him, is not his mate? but this stranger is? He is trying to make sense of it. He doesn't know Elain yet.

Looking at her now … She was pale, yes. The vacancy still glazing her features. But he couldn’t breathe as she faced him fully. She was the most beautiful female he’d ever seen. Betrayal, queasy and oily, slid through his veins. He’d said the same to Jesminda once. But even as shame washed through him, the words, the sense chanted, Mine. You are mine, and I am yours. Mate.

His feelings and thoughts and instincts are all clashing at once. That is much evident in this entire scene.

"I can't stand to be in the same room as her for more than two minutes. I can't stand to be in this court and have your mate pay for the very clothes on my back."

This is often taken out of context to point out that Lucien doesn't want the mating bond or he can't stand to be around Elain. As a mated male, it's overwhelming for him to be around her because his instincts clash and he has to keep himself grounded around her. He doesn't know yet how to approach her or what she expects of him. It's extremely awkward and he can't stand it because he still didn't find a common ground with her.

Using this quote to imply he doesn't like her or stand her is absolutely false within the narrative.

I think so. It wasn't just about what he thought—it was the ... feeling. I sensed no ill will, no conniving. Only concern for her. And ... sorrow. Longing.

Part 3: Lucien is responsible for her trauma

Hard disagree on this one.

Even canon points out that the one who told the King of Hybern about Feyre's sisters was none other than Ianthe. This is not to defend Tamlin because he gave her an opening to do whatever she liked and did not hold her accountable in ACOWAR.

Now about Lucien, what power did he have over Tamlin's decisions when we have seen that despite being his friend, there is a power imbalance and Tamlin does lash out at Lucien. Lucien is not a character without flaws, but neither Feyre nor Nesta ever blamed Lucien. Even when Elain says to his face that he betrayed them, Lucien immediately says it was a mistake. He doesn't try to absolve his role in it or explain his actions to her, he calls it as it is.

I disagree with the statement that he is responsible for her trauma, Lucien was nothing but a spectator.

"But, but, he yelled at her and announced that they were mates!"

Cassian again stirred—trying to rise, to answer Nesta’s voice as she held my sister and cried her name again and again. But Elain was staring over Nesta’s shoulder. At Lucien—whose face she had finally taken in. Dark brown eyes met one eye of russet and one of metal. Nesta was still weeping, still raging, still inspecting Elain— Lucien’s hands slackened at his sides. His voice broke as he whispered to Elain, “You’re my mate.”

Right. He yelled at her.

Great reading comprehension.

And it's like we forgot when Rhys said the moment the bond snapped between him and Feyre, if he stayed a second longer he would've damned the consequences and took her with him. As soon as he winnowed back to Velaris the first word he said to Mor after 50 years was "she's my mate".

"Well he shouldn't have said it anyways"

Yeah because it's not like Lucien is a Fae male and the mating bond is something that alters the Fae on a biological level. It overrides their instincts.

Part 4: Elain choosing the mating bond + Lucien will be a disservice to her arc, it won't be a choice unless she chooses Azriel

“but it definitely offers a wealth of things to explore with this concept of freewill and what is true love. Is it something that’s destined? Or is it something that you make? Is it both?”

I like that Sarah briefly discussed the topic of a character's agency when it comes to mating bonds because it's something that has long been discussed in the fandom.

However, I disagree that if Elain chose Lucien it's not truly a "choice" because of the mating bond. We have seen with both Feyre and Nesta that they didn't choose to be with Rhys and Cassian simply because of the bond, the mating bond was just the cherry on top—they loved their mates for who they were.

"Elain's entire journey will be about choice"

Isn't she already making a choice? Isnt she choosing not to pursue the bond? Isnt she choosing to ignore the bond? Isn't she choosing to not reject it? Isn't she choosing how she is living her life in Velaris? Isn't she choosing how she spends her time? Isnt she choosing to garden and help other gardens in Velaris? And I can go on.

Neither Elain or Lucien had a choice in being mated to each other, but the notion that the mating bond left her with no agency over her life is partially incorrect because she is making choices. Yes, the mating does in a way take some of Elain's agency and Lucien's agency since it's something that alters them on a soul-level, but Lucien's agency is often removed from this conversation.

Currently, the ball is in Elain's court and not Lucien's. She currently has the choice of accepting or rejecting the bond.

And in my opinion, "choice" is a theme that is incorporated in the journeys of all the characters, it's not exclusive to Elain. I don't think "choice" is the core of her story because I think Elain's journey should focus on breaking out of the docile and gentle sister mold (not that she stops being gentle, but stopping others from infantilizing her), finding where she truly belongs, realizing who her true found family are, discovering the world (a trip to the continent let's go!).

Part 5: Azriel (warning: controversial)

This will be a bit of a hot topic but I'll do my best to keep it short (it really isn't).

This kind of follows Part 4, but I will tell you why Azriel isn't a "great" choice for Elain.

Yes, they had a sweet companionship and a friendship and that is usually a good foundation for a relationship, but to me there wasn't anything solid or deeper then that. We have to *assume* they had moments off-page, but we also know that they're not spending time together and Azriel confirmed this. So am I going to wait for chapters of flashbacks after flashbacks to see that build up from the past?

Before anyone jumps the gun, I am a hardcore Gwynriel and a hardcore Azriel fan and I fully understand and accept that Azriel is a flawed character who carries so much self-loath. I dont like him with Elain because I believe it's an unhealthy dynamic compared to how lighter and more open he is around Gwyn and this is not something against Elain, it's more tied to how Azriel perceives the logic of 3 sisters + 3 brothers. Dynamics matter and makes a difference between couples because e.g., Chaol and Yrene worked better than Chaol and Celaena. Mismatched pairings exist but it doesn't mean the characters involved wouldn't work out with others.

So how is the male that centered himself in his entire conversation with Rhys instead of prioritizing what Elain wants, is the ultimate choice?

He argued that the Cauldron was wrong because he didn't get the "third" sister while his brothers got her other sisters, and at this point we know Elain is not interested in a mating bond. If she is attracted to Azriel, it has nothing to do with wanting a bond with him because we know how she feels about it but it's Azriel who wants to center the mating bond in it.

So does that mean the relationship from Azriel's perspective wouldn't be complete without a mating bond? Then why is he arguing about this? Wouldn't it be more romantic for him to say I don't care if she is mated or not, I want her for her—but that's not the case here.

Notice that it's Azriel having these discussions about mating bonds and not Lucien who is her mate. and I promise you if it was Lucine having this exact discussion with Rhys, the entire fandom would drag him to no end.

Back to Azriel, so he also says that he hadn't gotten that far with his planning certainly not beyond the fantasies he pleasured himself to + and said Lucien is not good enough for her and she has not interest in him anyways. Again, he is speaking for Elain when we know one of the big problems surrounding Elain is how others speak for her and assume what she needs. If she doesn't want the mating bond, that's her speech and not Azriel's. I still don't get how people were fine with him speaking for her and I'm not even the biggest Elain fan.

Last but not least, he also was against her scrying despite publicly declaring that no one decides what she can or cannot do and wants to help. Is this truly the "ultimate choice" for Elain? But Lucien's only crime is being mated to her?

Part 6: finally, why Elain and Lucien rejecting the mating bond would be bad storytelling.

So we know that a bond can be rejected, only weakened but it will always exist.

"Elain would have our full protection if she rejects the bond. But it will still be a bond, however weakened, that will trail her for the rest of her existence."

"But he'd know if Nesta were dead. In his heart, his soul, he'd sense it. Would feel it. A mate always did. Even if she'd rejected that bond."

1. There isn't enough time to explore a rejection:

It seems there isn't a ritual or a tradition we are told of about a mating bond rejection, if the female doesn't want it then that's that but it does have a worse impact on males.

As of ACOSF, it's evident Lucien still longs for Elain even if they are distant or occasionally see each other. We know Elain resents the bond but we still don't have her POV to really know what she thinks of Lucien.

What do we get out of a rejected bond with Elain and Lucien? That she just doesn't want him and can say "no"? That she finally has a choice? Even though she is making choices as of the current canon to not explore the mating bond or do anything? I gave examples in Part 4.

And then what? Lucien moved on to Vassa or another female in the next book? That despite a rejection being devastating he's all cool and moved on within months.

No stakes. No challenges. No reprecussions. No consequences. Nothing interesting.

"But it's proof that not every mated pairing works" that would be interesting if we had enough time to discover that but not with two characters that barely spoke to each other and readers have no clue to what kind of dynamic they have.

A rejected mating bond would not be a good story to tell because there wasn't much there to begin with. It's underwhelming.

"I don't want it" "okay cool see you around" < and that's it? Groundbreaking.

"It's a big factor to play into a forbidden romance because Rhys is the obstacle here" easily resolved with one word from Elain and Rhys is removed.

I think Elain and Lucien's mating bond would still be interesting to read about because we never had a mated pairing that knew they were mates but weren't in love yet.

It's giving an arranged marriage trope and the best part about arranged marriage is when the spouses get to know to each other better, they fall harder—I think the tension between Eain and Lucien would be quite delicious and fun to read about as they tip toe around each other and the mating bond.

2. Parallel journeys:

I like what Mor said in ACOFAS and it makes complete sense since it reaffirms that both Elain and Lucien are going on parallel journeys:

Mor drank deeply from her glass. "Stay out of She's not ready, and neither is he, no matter how many presents he brings."

I lifted a brow. "Snoop."

Mor leaned back against the steps, utterly un-repentant. "Let him live with his Band of Exiles. Let him deal with Tamlin in his own way. Let him figure out where he wants to be. Who he wants to be. The same goes with her."

3. Promised HEAs:

SJM already stated that each book going forward will follow different pairings and by the end of their book they'll get their HEA. That's the standard traditional romance formula.

A mate rejection, especially in standalone books, are miserable. Not enough time is given to navigate through it or move on and it also sets an unrealistic and cheap outcome that the other mate could easily move on from the soul-level rejection. No, that doesn't entitle a mate to force their other mate to accept the bond because it would affect them personally, it's just something I think that needs more than a book to discover through the POVs of the characters involved.

This is why a mate rejection is a very rare and an unpopular trope in fiction. There was a temporary mate rejection in the Zodiac Academy series that scarred the ZA fandom because it's depressing.

You have Fated Mates authors like Kresley Cole who published around 21 books with each book including the Fate Mate trope. That's one of ACOTAR's trademark.

Till this day, every SJM character that found out about the mating bond ended up with their mate one way or another. It's an SJM trademark at this point.

4. Then which rejected bond would Sarah explore?

In my opinion, the true rejected bond story that would be extremely emotional, tragic and powerful is the story of Helion and Lady of Autumn.

What they had is the definition of a forbidden romance. Lady of Autumn was married to a High Lord from her Court and Helion wasn't even a High Lord of the Day Court then.

The stakes are extremely high they could've triggered a war between Day Court and Autumn Court. Even though a mating bond triumphs marriage, Lady of Autumn still has children with Beron. She chose her children over her mate in the end. She had to reject the bond because everything stood against them.

While this is currently theoretical but it's strongly pointed at in canon that they're mates.

This makes for a better story of a Rejected Mating Bond because enough time passed to see what were the repercussions, the consequences of their actions and how they both suffered. Do they find their way back to each other in the end or does one of them for whatever reason loses their life? Did Helion have to seek other people to distract him from not being with his mate and her not choosing him? Did their bond weaken?

Conclusion:

I didn't expect this to be long but I hope you enjoyed reading this "essay". The rejected mates storyline is controversial and so many readers feel strongly about it. Everything here reflects my own thoughts and why I think a Rejected Mating bond wouldn't be an interesting one to discover with Elain and Lucien.

I deserve another cup of coffee and on my way to get me one haha. I apologize for any typos in advance.

[rs-hawk]

Kinkmas: Day Ten

Your Witch

Your girlfriend always made jokes about being a witch, but you just laughed it off. Maybe she celebrated the Winter Solstice and had an alter but it’s not like she casted spells or anything. At least, not that you saw.

You had come over for the Winter Solstice since it meant so much to her. She had baked goodies, and you had cooked goose, a rare treat for both of you since it was so expensive. As the night dragged on, she tugged you outside, whispering things for you to chant to the sky as she danced and chanted. You couldn’t help but smile as she looked over her shoulder at you, a mischievous grin splitting her face.

You went and collected water from a nearby pond, having to break the ice to do so. She sprinkled the ice shards on the bank, whispering things you didn’t understand, but you didn’t mind. When she said you were done, she tugged you back inside to warm up. Oils and herbs were sprinkled over your head as she insisted on bathing together. An intimate activity you both hadn’t done before.

She washed your hair gently, whispering loving praises in your ear. You leaned your head back, relishing her touch. Her soft hands slipped from your hair to your shoulders, drawing you back so she can dot your neck with kisses.

A low groan escaped your lips as she did this, and another one followed when she dropped her hands to your chest, softly squeezing and teasing your nipples. You turned around, pushing her up against the wall of the shower as you hungrily found her lips. Her arms wrapped around your back as you broke the almost feral kiss to nip and kiss along her neck. Her shoulders. Her collar bone. Taking one of her nipples into your mouth.

She let out a quiet squeak, making you chuckle. You wiped your eyes as the water had started to trickle into your face, but it didn’t stop you from going lower still.

“You’re going to make me fall,” she said in a soft yet teasing voice.

You knew she was probably right by the way that her legs were shaking. So, you hooked your arms under her knees, putting them over your shoulders as you wrapped your arms around her waist. She yelped slightly as you started kissing and sucking on her clit, slipping a finger inside of her. A quiet moan escaped her lips as she grabbed your hair with one hand and your shoulder with the other.

She squirmed and moaned as you played with her, occasionally switching around so you could taste her dripping cunt. As the water started to cool, you finally let her cum on your tongue, which resulted in her nearly crying out from how long you’d kept her edged.

“Thank you, thank you,” she panted, nearly going limp as she came off that high.

You set her gently on the bottom of the tub, washing her hair and body as you told her how much you loved her, and how much fun you had. She hummed happily in response, now leaning back to rest her head on your chest.

[ruknowhere]

Winter Solstice Chant

Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,

now you are uncurled and cover our eyes

with the edge of winter sky

leaning over us in icy stars.

Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,

come with your seasons, your fullness, your end.

- ANNIE FINCH

Winter reminds us that everyone and everything needs some quiet time.

~ Katrina Mayer

The Solstice

They say the sun will come back

at midnight

after all

my one love

but we know how the minutes

fly out into

the dark trees

and vanish

like the great ‘ohias and the honey creepers

and we know how the weeks

walk into the

shadows at midday

at the thought of the months I reach for your hand

it is not something

one is supposed

to say

we watch the red birds in the morning

we hope for the quiet

daytime together

the year turns into air

but we are together in the whole night

with the sun still going away

and the year

coming back

- W. S. Merwin

[rottenpumpkin13]

Genesis to ASZ: It’s YULETIDE, my sweet brethren and therefore time for us to conduct the solstice rituals to garner the blessings of the divine Mother/Goddess upon this dark winter’s eve.

*Genesis accidentally summons Jenova instead*

*Genesis is frantically flipping through a book*

Genesis: The text clearly states we need thirteen pink candles arranged in a pentacle formation on the altar.

Zack: Dude I don't know calculus, but that's definitely a hexagon.

*In the background, Sephiroth is fleeing from a shadow figure that looks like Jenova*

Angeal: Both of you are wrong, it's supposed to be a circle. And those candles are purple, not pink!

Genesis: The goddess demands precision in her winter rites. Now help me arrange these crystals.

*In the background, Sephiroth is slashing at the shadow figure with his sword, which is futile and only angers the shadow more*

Zack: Wait, but these are materia, not crystals.

Angeal: Genesis, this is the LOVELESS book, not a spell book. Where are you even getting this information??

*In the background, the shadow figure has firmly grabbed Sephiroth and is holding him in place*

Genesis: Silence. I must concentrate on the sacred chanting. *clears throat* When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end—

Zack: THAT'S ACT 1 OF LOVELESS.

Genesis: IT'S THE PROLOGUE.

*The shadow figure is now patting Sephiroth's head. He allows her embrace and is starting to feel comfortable*

Angeal: You know what? Forget this, let's just pack everything up and hope whatever spirit it summoned will leave us alone.

Sephiroth, in the shadow figure's lap being bounced: You will do no such thing.

[satureja13]

Jack eventually convinced the others to send him back to the Therapy Game. And even though Vlad had a (mostly) positive experience, they are so worried after Jack broke down when he returned from his last session.

Saiwa: "Be careful. Leave whenever you feel uncomfortable." Jack: "I will." Tiny Can beeped exitedly and started the Game.

Jack was still locked up. But he kept himself from screaming 'OUT!' and tried to get himself together. This. Is. Just. A. Game. Breathe in through the nose and out through the muzzle. Just like Saiwa tought him. He managed to calm down a bit and looked around. There was NPC Barfolomew! And NPC Uncle Stefan on the stands! What a strange place. Is this a court hearing? They won't execute him, will they?

NPC Barfolomew stood up: "Are you ready Boys?" A growl and a rattle from the cell next to Jack answered him ö.Ö' There is another wolf captured here. And from the stand Jack heard the crowd chant: "Wolfsbane! Wolfsbane! WOLFSBANE!!!" Just like last time. Barfolomew is obviously the bookmaker here.

He opened their cells (finally!) and they stepped out. Jack looked around. Of course there is also an NPC Greg! He is so going to have a word with Tiny Can when he's back! At least there's no gallow or pyre.

The Queen hissed: "Who is this pooch and why isn't he greeting his Queen?" Barfolomew: "Forgive him, Your Royal Highness! He probably grew up in the woods!"

And to Jack: "Hey, Moonchild! Get yourself together!" And so Wolfsbane and Moonchild greeted the Queen and her entourage.

Which consisted of no lesser than Noxee, Ji Ho and: Caleb! OMG! (The Boys met Caleb Vatore last Winter Solstice ^^') Even though Jack knows that these are only NPCs, he's so excited. Noxee! And Caleb! He already regrets that he left the game early last time. And Ji Ho looks so beautiful!

Barfolomew went back to his table. Jack Moonchild and Wolfsbane stood opposite of each other. So these are wolf fights! Barfolomew shouted: "The bets are placed. Leeet's get ready to rrrumble!" And the crowd cheered and chanted their 'Wolfsbane!' fan chants...

Wolfsbane hugged Jack Moonchild and whispered: "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!"

Caleb does not seem to like what he sees.

Despite Wolfsbane's promise, it was a rough fight. But Jack Moonchild enjoyed it. He loves a good fight - and he's the Super Soldier after all :3

Neither is giving anything away. Caleb's eyes are locked on the combatants.

'Well, in the Euston Tavern you screamed it was your shout But they wouldn't give you service so you kicked the windows out They took you out into the street, kicked you in the brains So you walked back in through a bolted door and did it all again

At the sick bed of Cúchulainn we'll kneel and say a prayer And the ghosts are rattling at the door and the devil's in the chair, hey'

The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn - The Pogues I can't keep still when I hear this song! ^^'

It was an equal fight but Jack Moonchild won in the end. And Caleb looks shocked. It seems he placed his bets on Wolfsbane.

The Queen stepped down to congratulate Moonchild and extolled them for the enthralling fight. His beloved, beautiful Noxee. Best therapy ever! In this world he is not the damaged, mangled wolf with a bag full of disorders. Here he can show his talents and gather positive experiences in a safe surrounding. Good job, Tiny Can! And maybe, in this game, Noxee is not together with Greg and Jack can woo her and become her King! If Greg were her King, he would sit next to her, wouldn't he? Poor defeated Wolfsbane can't look pouting Caleb in his sulking eyes.

To be continued...

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest 🕹️ 'Therapy Game' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

[gothicfishnetyuri]

Witch's Brew

The cauldron boiled as flames roasted it's iron skin, arcane fuel ensuring the brew inside did but burn too much or too little. It was the night of the full moon, and on a winter solstice no less, the perfect time for a concoction with great power.

Coming by ingredients was difficult. The town by which she settled was not kind to her, their experiences with witches of old being bloody and full of loss. Though, she did not blame them for their prejudice, her own past was filled with demons and devils she thought she could once control.

The towns folk did however, tolerate her presence in the forest, their problems with monsters and feral beasts all but gone. The folk chalked it up to Beatrix frightening them as much as they were themselves, but in reality it was the warding brews -the same as the kind she was crafting tonight- that drove the conflict deep into the forest.

With her preparations all but complete, all she needed to do now was protect the brew, and when the moon was at it's highest in the night, speak the chant that would finalize the enchantment. The night however was quite young and her home was quite safe from beasts. Thus she decided to grab some additional ingredients in the forest, hoping to prepare a few more brews after the main work for the night was complete.

[talonabraxas]

“Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing, come with your seasons, your fullness, your end.” Annie Finch, Winter Solstice Chant art by Alejandro Pasquale

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Smutty Shorts: Christmas Edition

Alpha Steve x Little One

18+ Only Blog

Happy Holidays Everyone

It was meant to be. 

How he even managed to time it just right still blew your mind as you sat back in Steve's bare lap under the giant pine tree that was so thick above you that the ground was covered in an array of soft pine needles while everywhere stretched around you was glistening snow under the full moon. 

You arched up and down his cock slowly, his hand wrapped around the front of your neck to hold you back against his chest, his teeth gently holding you in place where he bonded with you. Of course the ground was still freezing and he refused to let you lay against it after the wolves ran under the solstice full moon, the Alpha leading his Little Wolf here after both were panting with exertion. 

Now it was nothing but you and Steve’s soft whimpers and growls while your hand was pushed into his hair, your head tipped back to his shoulder and your gaze out of focus on the moon and stars above you. 

Soft billows of breath escaped you as you panted, moaning his name out in the quiet winter night. “Steve.” 

He growled, his hand dropping from your throat to palm your breasts, your nipples hard and sensitive between arousal and the winter chill. He pulled and tweaked them, his hand warm against your skin. “So good for me Little One.” He praised while burying his face into the hollow between your shoulder and neck, inhaling your scent while he throbbed deep in your cunt. You had gone still, just flexing around him while you enjoyed how full he made you, even before knotting you, his hips giving tiny jerks just for the friction. 

His splayed hand moved down from your breasts to settle warm over your mound, fingers circling your clit and making you whimper. “Keep riding me Little One.” 

You did as he told you, picking up speed now till your pants became little chants of please, please, please. 

“You can do it Little One.” Steve growled against you, kissing and nipping affectionately as he pounded into you. Your vision blurred even more as tears of pleasure caught in your lashes, making the stars and the full moon hazy lights in the darkest hour of the night. “Just this last one and I will knot you.” 

That sounded so good, be full of Steve, his cock throbbing in you, unable to feel anything else but Steve inside and out. You started to come then, crying out at the intensity of it while Steve roared his own pleasure. 

Afterward he held you tightly against him, his heat keeping you warm as you reclined against his strong chest, watching the night sky shimmering. “Happy Solstice Little One.” Steve nuzzled against you, tucking you under his chin and wrapping his arms around you. 

Somewhere in the bond, you felt the Little Wolf and Alpha singing their love to the winter moon. 

[nottivaghes]

FULL NAME: Cassandra Rosalind Hawthorne SPECIES: Witch AGE: 39 BIRTHDAY: December 12th GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis-woman she & her FACECLAIM: Janet Montgomery OCCUPATION: Head Librarian at the James Family Library (Coven Elder in training)

CHARACTER INSPIRATION: Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins), Prince Zuko (ATLA) Rosa Diaz (Brooklynn 99), Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher), Tasha Ozera (The Vampire Diaries), Morgana (Merlin), Claudia (Dragon Prince)

Cassandra makes you think of... black lace laid with tiny pearls, lilac & gooseberry perfume lingering in a hallway, biting your tongue so hard it bleeds, elderberry wine, a frosted over window pane, the scent of old parchment and the leafing of pages, the long night of the winter solstice, eyes rolling back in your head, a silver pendant against a racing pulse, hatred sewn in every line of your brow, warm wild berry pie on samhain morning, chant-casting for so long you lose your voice, walking barefoot into a lake at midnight, feeling so hungry you could devour the world whole.

And it's my whole heart weighed and measured inside, and it's an old scar trying to bleach it out.

The old house up on Hawthorne hill has a folklore all its own. The elements-stained stone statues seem to be weeping in the sprawling garden, ravens sit vigil atop the lilting stone walls behind the vast metal gates. A historic house, fallen somewhat into disrepair, perches atop the hill like a gnarled beast daring human teenagers to wander up its winding path to touch the terrifying brass hobgoblin doorknocker, fangs and serpentine tongue included.

A witch lives there, they say, it's a witches house. Wryly to herself Casssandra thinks: The witch's house. The Hawthornes have been in town as long as anyone can remember, including the first rise and fall of Brant Hacke, they have several relics from the war that are in prized cases in dark woods giving the air of a museum, deep in the bowels of the house that eats you up in its labyrinthine corridors.

The matriarch resides in the West Wing, ground floor, as the stairs are a thing long past for her. Dianthe, a guardian, 96 years old and blind... in the scientific sense. Though Cassandra would swear her grandmother were lying The Hawthornes were said to be descended from the Brahan Seer, there sits a hagstone pendant around Cassandra's neck. Dianthe can see people as clear as day, or what she says are their auras, though she goes tight-lipped when Cassandra asks what hers looks like.

Dianthe never has a kind word to say about her granddaughter and orders her around like a servant.

Unbenkownst to those bar the most unfortunate of intruders upon the house Dianthe is quite paranoid and there are magical and non-magical traps all around. The portraits will snitch on you and doors will jam you inside of rooms, plus the literal pitfalls of the areas where the floorboards have rotted away in spots.

There is a large greenhouse vivarium at the very centre of the house where the family keeps poisonous and venomous animals whilst also growing exotic plants for spells.

The vampires have their version of events and the Hawthornes keep theirs. A huge tome, inset with an eye with a trap set to immolate any vampire it sees. She loathes and is drawn to vampires in equal measure, absolutely fascinated by them as she has been conditioned to respond with disgust. Almost the entire family was decimated during the war aside from two survivors, though local legend reports they made an equally devastating blow to the vampire ranks.

Three days ago in the family crypt, Cassandra discovered books of blood magic, hundreds of years old and kept by her family to this day. Every spell requiring a devastating cost on a sole caster... or a proxy. Then it clicked, that's why the family had been suffering so much in recent years, they'd been doing sacrifices to ensure prosperity and Dianthe was too ill to carry it on without involving other coven members. Or Cassandra. Is that what awaited her in a few short months when she became an elder?

To be burdened with such a curse, even by a guardian who had the secrets of the universe and as such, knew better and were always above reproach.

She couldn't... could she?

And it's my whole heart: deemed and delivered a crime. I'm on trial, waiting 'til the beat comes out.

Cassandra was an only child to a mother who left the Cove to teach History at Oxford, causing a bristling scandal amongst the coven ranks and besmirching the Hawthorne name forever. Cassandra is still paying for this of course. Her father was a very minor noble in England who never had a job or an interest in her but a bottomless wallet in exchange.

Cassandra herself taught History at Crestle Cove High for six years. Age 25-31. Known to be stern and sometimes cold, she had a reputation for being extremely fair.

Raised by her slightly unhinged grandmother in the middle of the woods, her grandfather lived until she was fifteen but all he ever did was read the newspaper and mind his own business or give her a slightly linty toffee candy now and then.

A bit of a revolutionary in the coven, caused some problems by having ideas 15 years ago when she was young and naïve about how things should be done and that tradition sometimes had to evolve. Cassandra has nary spoken up once since.

She isn't actively planning a coup but...

In recent months Cassandra has started dreamwalking. She can't control it at all and it feels akin to sleep paralysis yet as tiring as being awake, she feels as though she never sleeps. All she does is very slowly float on random paths around the town with no direction or pattern in the dark, confirmed when she saw a tourist's car had dented a lamppost during the night and it was damaged in the same way when she walked down there that morning. It's probably just vivid deja vu... deja vu that gives her nosebleeds every time she wakes up.

Who's a heretic, child? Can you make it stick, now?

[wingedblooms]

Groundings

This is a Maasverse post, and as such, there are spoilers for all Maas series. Proceed with caution.

A mystic is someone who gains a heightened sense of consciousness and seeks to become one with divine beings. The word mystic derives from the Greek word to close the eyes or lips. When Elain uses powers that are reminiscent of mystics, she does this:

Elain again glanced at the map. At me. Then closed her eyes. Her eyes shifted shifted beneath her lids, the skin so delicate and colorless that the blue veins beneath were like small streams. "It moves...," she whispered. "It moves through the world like...like the breath of the western wind." (acowar)

As I mentioned in The Ancients, an oracle, which derives from the Latin word to pray or to speak, was believed to be a messenger, or conduit, for gods. In acowar, Feyre suspects that Elain hears the whisperings of the Cauldron. She is also more inclined to pray than her sisters, suggesting it to honor her father and using it when her younger sister is in mortal danger.

Had she beheld this, in whatever wanderings that new, inner sight granted her? Had the Cauldron whispered of it while we'd been away? I hadn't the heart to ask her. (acowar)

The Cauldron is connected to a divine trio (Mother, Cauldron, and Fate/Forces That Be) like the Three-Faced Goddess. Mystic and oracular powers seem to complement one another, and would suggest a deep connection with the gods. It makes sense for Elain to be able to gain higher consciousness, become one with gods, and act as a divine messenger and protector through her Sight with a combination of these gifts. I believe Nesta's interlude with the Mother was just the beginning. In The Ancients and The sense chanted, I mentioned that the Blueblood witches were known for their rituals in caverns and forests, and were considered oracles, mystics, and fanatics. The priestesses in the Night Court also have rituals in a cavern.

Gwyn huffed a soft laugh. “In part. We honor the Mother, and the Cauldron, and the Forces That Be. We have a service at dawn and at dusk, and on every holy day.” (acosf)

The dusk service helped Nesta scry with stones and bones. But what about the dawn service, a time of day Elain is repeatedly connected to?

Elain had already departed with Feyre, claiming she had to be up with the dawn to tend to an elderly faerie’s garden. Cassian didn’t exactly know why he suspected this wasn’t true. There had been some tightness in Elain’s face as she’d said it. Normally when she made such excuses, Lucien was around, but the male remained in the human lands with Jurian and Vassa. (acosf)

Elain wakes with the dawn to garden or bake, but Cassian suspects she wasn’t telling the truth in this scene. What could she have planned? This occurs after she says she can reacquaint herself with her powers, and that her family can find her when they wish to begin. It’s possible she began experimenting with her powers in earnest at this point. On winter solstice, Nesta suspects she might be training with the twins and/or spymaster, so that is one plausible option Sarah wanted to plant. Another possibility (and these can both be true, so it doesn’t have to be one or the other) is that Elain may have sought out knowledge about her gifts at the library and learned about the dawn ritual. Could the ritual the priestesses perform at dawn help Elain understand and hone at least one thread of her Sight? 

As Gwyn poured herself a glass, she said, “At the temple in Sangravah, we had a set of ancient movements that we would go through every sunrise. Not for battle training, but for calming the mind. We did cooldowns after those, too, though we called them groundings. The movements took us out of our bodies, in a way. Let us commune with the Mother. The groundings settled us back into the present world.” (acosf)

The wording here is interesting: the movements took them out of their bodies, in a way, and they used the groundings to settle back into the present world. This ritual sounds like what mystics might be able to do, and it also seems made for Elain for a few different reasons:

the time of day, as she is compared to the dawn;

the concept of drifting away to connect with the divine, as she sometimes behaves as though she isn’t entirely present;

the earthy term to remain tethered to the world, as she is a gardener and brings forth life from the ground.

What if the priestesses in the library do something similar at dawn through ancient movements rather than ancient songs (or both)? While it would make sense for this ritual to take place underground in the same cavern, there might be a reason reclusive Blueblood witches needed access to the wind. Does it help them become an unseen force, help them travel on the wind? I can imagine Elain with her eyes closed, embracing the song of the wind as the sun rises with her consciousness, her soul.

@silverdreamscape theorized about Gwyn and Elain using their powers together, and I think that’s a possibility given the presence of priestesses in the bonus. They will continue to play a part moving forward and one (or several) of them could be helpful as Elain explores her powers since they may also seek to commune with the divine. Like calls to like, after all.

Elain said to Azriel, perhaps the only two civilized ones here, “Can you truly fly?” He set down his fork, blinking. (acomaf)

She angled her head, hair shining like molten metal. “Do you sing?” He blinked. (Azriel’s bonus chapter) 

These conversations are separated by time and space, but they are eerie in their similarity. It’s like the Harp echoing Elain’s earlier words about reacquainting herself with her powers. And it inevitably brings me back to the two glass caverns: could the priestesses, and perhaps Gwyn specifically, function like sister-glass for Elain, linked in song and dreaming? What would it look like to commune with the Mother, or travel with the Cauldron? Something like this, I'd imagine:

I could not remove my hand. Could not pry my fingers away. I was being shredded apart, slowly, thoroughly. I flung my magic out, desperate for any chain to this world to save me, keep me from being devoured by the eternal, awful thing that now tried to drag me into its embrace. [...] Some tether slipped, and my mind slid closer to the Cauldron’s outstretched arms. I felt it touch me. 

And then I was half gone. Half there, standing silently next to the Cauldron, hand glued to the black rim. Half…elsewhere. (acowar)

Feyre becomes one with the Cauldron through a living bond. She is half there, half elsewhere like a mystic. This is a liminal space, like the time when services occur and the bridge where light and dark meet. It is a time of transformation. Elain's wooden rose is also placed in a liminal space next to the Mother on the mantel, giving us a big hint for her future:

Her gaze shifted to the carved wooden rose she’d placed upon the mantel, half-hidden in the shadows beside a figurine of a supple-bodied female, her upraised arms clasping a full moon between them. Some sort of primal goddess–perhaps even the Mother herself. (acosf)

Now, let's look at how the Cauldron moves through the world to imagine how Elain might move if she communes with it:

Flying through the world. Searching. The Cauldron now hunted for that power that had come so close … And now taunted it. Nesta. The Cauldron searched for her, searched for her as the king now sought her. It skimmed across the battlefield like an insect over the surface of a pond. (acowar)

-

Come, Nesta’s power seemed to sing. Come. The Cauldron caught her scent and hurtled us onward. We arrived before the king did. The Cauldron seemed to skid to a halt at the clearing. Seemed to coil and reel back, a snake poised to strike.

The Cauldron moves like a force, starting as an otherworldly bird of prey and shifting form as it moves. If this reminds you of Elain and Urd, the goddess of fate, you're tracking with me.

Time seemed to slow and warp. The dark power of the king speared toward us. Toward that clearing where I was neither seen nor heard, where I was nothing but a scrap of soul carried on a black wind. (acowar)

A scrap of soul on a black wind, she says? That sounds familiar.

But Mor scented nothing, saw nothing. The tendril of power she speared toward the woods revealed only the usual birds and small beasts. A hart drinking from a hole in an iced-over stream. Nothing, except— There, between a snarl of thorns. A patch of darkness. It did not move, did not seem to do anything but linger. And watch. Familiar and yet foreign. Something in her power whispered not to touch it, not to go near it. Even from this distance. Mor obeyed. But she still watched that darkness in the thorns, as if a shadow had fallen asleep amongst them. Not like Azriel’s shadows, twining and whispering. Something different. Something that stared back, watching her in turn. (acofas)

A patch of darkness between a snarl of thorns. Interesting. Familiar and yet foreign, like Silba’s voice. In Oorid, Nesta hears a mysterious voice and a disturbance in the thorns while she is on a mission to retrieve the mask. This voice attempts to warn her of the danger she faces, just like Elain warned Feyre in Hybern.

Run, a small voice whispered. Run and run, and do not look back. The voice was female, gentle. Wise and serene. 

-

Run. Was that voice merely all that remained of her human instincts, or something more? She gazed at her reflection as if it would tell her. 

-

Something rustled in the thorns of the island, and she snapped up her head, heart thundering as she scanned for that familiar male face and wings. But there was no sign of Cassian. And whatever was in that bramble…she should find another island to head for. (acosf)

The thorns remind Nesta of roses when she first arrives, and that patch of darkness on Mor's estate looked as though it had fallen asleep among the thorns...but it was still watchful, like the Eye of the Goddess. A dark bloom resting among the thorns, a scrap of soul on a black wind. This reminds me of Elain’s hidden movement and her mental gates, where the Cauldron made its deepest mark.

The gates to her mind … Solid iron, covered in vines of flowers—or it would have been. The blossoms were all sealed, sleeping buds tucked into tangles of leaves and thorns. (acowar)

Who would know about Nesta's mission in Oorid, and who would act from the shadows to help and protect her? There's a clear answer that takes us back to the the Cauldron's hunt for its stolen power.

Not again. I could not watch this play out again. Standing by, idle, while those I loved suffered. The Cauldron crept along with Nesta, a hound at her side.

A hound at her side, hmm? Now, where have I heard that recently?

...Az would have told him already if he'd wanted to share what had been hounding him enough to exercise at night, rather than in the morning with them. (acosf)

-

Elain was like a dog, loyal to whatever master kept her fed and in comfort. (acosf)

Feyre senses the Cauldron's surprise when Nesta covers Cassian with her body, just as Elain sensed its anger when power was taken from it. And when hope seems lost, Feyre begs for a divine intervention. And it comes not from the Cauldron, like she expected, but Elain.

Anything, I begged the Cauldron. Anything— 

The king’s hand began to drop. And then halted. A choking noise came out of him. For a moment, I thought the Cauldron had answered my pleas. But as a black blade broke through the king’s throat, spraying blood, I realized someone else had. Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.” 

After hunting her down in different forms, the Cauldron creeps along Nesta like a hound at the end. Elain then appears out of shadow in its stead and snarls like a hound, fast as the wind and loyal to the end. I’ve wondered before if Elain’s Sight functions like this living bond. The Suriel comments on seeing her doe eyes from across the world, so I imagine her form may be fluid like the divine trio when she uses her Sight. Her eyes even shift beneath her lids as she hunts like the Cauldron, the blue veins compared to water.

Her eyes shifted beneath her lids, the skin so delicate and colorless that the blue veins beneath were like small streams. “It moves ��,” she whispered. “It moves through the world like … like the breath of the western wind.” (acowar)

And when Mor explains the difference between faeries and witches at Nesta's request, the focus moves to Elain as she casually observes the tent. The light dances in her mass of hair as it shifts. All before her appearance is glamoured to help and protect others.

Elain silently surveyed the tent, head tipping back. Her mass of heavy brown-gold hair shifted with the movement, the faelight dancing among the silken strands. […] Elain at last slid into the chair near Mor’s, her dawn-pink dress—finer than the ones she usually wore—crinkling beneath her. “Will—will many of these soldiers die?” (acowar)

This dawn ritual, if it is in fact something similar to what priestesses did in Sangravah, might be enough to keep her grounded in most cases. But I can also imagine a scenario where Elain travels in the embrace of that eternal, ancient beast too long or too deep, and loses sight of her body and her home like the forest witch in the Hind's tale. How else might she find her way back if that happens?

"But one day, a warrior arrived in the forest. He'd heard of the monster so vicious none could kill it and live. She set out to slaughter him, but when the warrior beheld her, he was not afraid. He stared at her, and she at him, and he wept because he didn't see a thing of nightmares, but a creature of beauty. He saw her, and he was not afraid of her, and he loved her. [...] His love transformed her back into a witch, melting away all that she'd become. They dwelled in peace in the forest for the rest of their immortal lives." (hosab)

The forest witch had a warrior who found her transformation, her monstrous form and power, beautiful. His love for who she became, not who she once was grounded her. So, who is Elain's warrior? I believe it’s going to be someone who won't flee from a patch of darkness, familiar and yet foreign. Someone who acknowledges the beauty in her mighty power, and hears what she cannot say, sees the heavy burden that she bears. Someone whose gentle voice she can follow in the void, singing her home across space and time. Someone who embraces Elain in all her forms, their hand an anchor in the vast tapestry of the universe.

Series: wise woman. seer. witch.

[pictopye]

TLDR: Current Yuletide 2024 card I'm working on. Card idea based on the tale of the Oak & Holly King. The card will be a standard 5x7" and the top illustration panel is for the oak king with a deer loosely based on Red Deer (Cervus elaphus).

The long (rambley version): I've been working on a Yuletide card for this holiday season (2024) that I've had in mind for a few years now - been fighting the anxiety/brain gremlins that love to chant 'you're not ever going to be good enough' despite having more than enough logical evidence to suggest otherwise. But brains - ya know? So just going to give it my best!

I've gotten the blocking for basic illustration done - as seen above.

I also went full ham & created a short verse piece (in iambic pentameter!) based off the tale of the pagan tale of the oak & holly king aka the establishment of the solstices. Which I'm /currently/ pleased with, but I do want to step away from it to see if there are any other tweaks that catch my eye when I look at it next - as there were some lines I wasn't quite pleased with.

Currently I've been working on the front of the card, and fleshing out the top Oak King illustration panel. The imagery is to elicit the feel of the oaken king - greens, golds, warm, solar, oak. I chose to /loosely/ base my illustration off a Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) but have added elements (mainly the tail) from the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for floof-factor. :P Hence 'loosely based'. I've included the customary green man in oaken leaves, the sun/solar rays to signify the warmer part of the year. I've already changed the background of this from yellow to red to really warm it up & also bring more of the standard 'seasonal' feel to the piece.

My secondary pannel for the Holly King will feature a Reindeer/Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) - as I feel like many other deer hold the visual significance within western culture as they do when thinking about winter/cold seasons of the year. But I've only gotten the basics blocked in on him atm.

[pomegranate-jewitchery]

Some notes I have done on things I could do during the Winter Months for the winter solstice, channukah, and other days. And some rituals I plan on doing for channukah that are linked below.

Winter Solstice

Refrain from drawing water on the winter solstice as it is tainted by demons.

Honor She’ilah, Jephthah’s daughter, by pouring out water for her as a memorial to all who are killed unjustly, and as a sign to fight against injustice even when things are unclear during winter.

The morning after the winter solstice, enjoy the sun. 

Channukah

A feast to honor heroic women.

Give earth centric gifts like stones, shells, herbs, or wood carvings. 

Say a prayer for the return of light to the world on the 1st of Tevet.

Meditate on Channukah lights to revive the spirit, to allow the Shekhinah to awaken more strongly in the coming spring months.

Jewish Winter Solstice Tales by telshemesh Tevet by telshemesh Chanukah/Solstice: Thoughts for 2008 by telshemesh Winter Solstice Take 2 by telshemesh Chanukat haTekufah/Ritual for Chanukah and the Winter Solstice by telshemesh

Chanukah and the Olive Harvest by telshemesh Chanukah Ritual for the Seventh Night by telshemesh Rituals for the Calendar New Year by telshemesh Ritual for the Sixth Night of Chanukah by telshemesh Festival of the Daughters by telshemesh Candlelighting Chant for Chanukah by telshemesh

Rituals for Channukah by JewitchesThe Kabbalah of the Dreidel by Chabad.org

[the-hermit-at-midnight]

Winter Solstice Chant

by Annie Finch Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing, now you are uncurled and cover our eyes with the edge of winter sky leaning over us in icy stars. Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing, come with your seasons, your fullness, your end.

[midwestbramble]

Winter Solstice

"Hold on, hold on through the darkness until dawn" - Starhawk

I've celebrated the winter solstice my entire life... well if you count my dad's birthday falling on the same day almost every year. The winter solstice is the longest night of the year and the shortest day. For me, that means I get just six hours of sunlight, but many more see fewer or none at all. It's important to take in as much of that sunlight as possible, for both our mental and physical health, as well as staying warm.

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Content:

Lights

Greeting the Sun

Hikes

Cooking

Conclusion

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Lights

Decorating the outside with lights is a very common sight in the United States at this time of year, but finding a way to light up the darkness. Instead of using our big overhead lights, we will plug in the lights on the tree and any others strewn about the house, along with a candle or two with a wintery theme. My oldest is still young enough to be weary of the dark (my youngest has no concept of being "scared of the dark" yet) so we hang as many lights as we can to help him get through it.

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Greeting the Sun

In the morning, I head out to the fire pit before the sun comes up. My practice has evolved over the years to what it is now but this little ritual has stayed in some form with me since the beginning. The first solstice I celebrated as a witch I bought the book "Yule: Rituals, Recipes, and Lore for the Winter Solstice" and have changed the solitary ritual from it to fit my practice as it changed. The basics are that I sit out by the fire pit, in the stillness and the dark, waiting for the sun to rise (this is a great time to meditate or think deeply about the earth without the sun and the coldness of the night). Once it begins to come up, I rise myself and begin to light the fire (which always takes me longer than I would like) and begin to dance around it; as a way to celebrate the sun itself and to warm up! You can add music to this, such as Winter Solstice by Donata or chants like We Are the Rising Sun. Often I'll just sing what comes to me in the moment, one year I added külning as the sun was coming but not yet above the horizon (a nod to my Scandinavian ancestors); that was a treat for the neighbors.

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Hikes

I haven't had the chance to go for hikes as much as I like to, I usually try for once a week but recently it seems like I'm only able to get out once a month. I find it even more important in the winter for me to get out and hike, not only to keep the connection to the land but to also keep my body moving. It's easy to become sedentary in the winter, and there's nothing wrong with that (it's winter for cripes), however if I stay in the house for too long I start to get a little down and a bit stir crazy.

Hiking in the winter, I tend to see things that I forget are still around. Such as song birds that don't fly south for the winter. I'll never forget the winter I crested a hill at the same time as a herd of deer, surprising each other. That was the first time I heard what noise deer make. It also challenges me to come up with environmentally safe winter offerings, often I'll choose to leave native seeds (just in case they end up being left until spring).

But on the Winter Solstice itself, a hike can be another reminder of how little time we have. The light is short and I can't get everything done. I have to at least call my dad to say happy birthday, get kids fed their lunch (though this year my husband doesn't work!), etc. So usually I end up going near the end of the allotted sunlight. The sunset on the snow, no matter how little we have, is quite the sight when you're among the trees and everything is quiet.

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Cooking

Once back from the hike, it's time for a warm meal. Beef stew is a fun one as I get to use garden produce and the beef broth I made. Any of the vegetables that don't get eaten are shared with house and garden spirits. Hot coco for the kids (with marshmallows) and cider for the adults (and it ain’t cider without a touch of whiskey). Baking and decorating cookies comes over the next few days as we prepare for Santa’s visit.

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Conclusion

I have a dual faith family, so we keep a lot of the Santa traditions to Christmas day but our Yuletide traditions in general start here at the Winter Solstice. I am lucky that I have a job where most of the time we are closed from this time until after new years, which fits perfectly with my celebrations. How do you celebrate the winter solstice?

[flordivina]

“ ♫ Gods rest ye merry pagan folk, Let none of you dismay… Remember that the Sun returns, Upon this Solstice Day ♫ ”

Embraced by a thick white cloak & a crown of seasonal blossoms, the Matron would lovingly sing across her Rosarium. All the flowers deciding to reshape themselves into Poinsettias, Mistletoes growing all around & the trees turning into Pines as a matter of become far more festive. Funnily enough, this was not her doing, but the living Florae & Foliage portraying an old endeavor after listening to her chanting what the Druids visiting those lands would.

“ ♫ The growing dark is ended now, & spring is on its way… Oh tidings of comfort and Joy, comfort and Joy… Oh tidings of comfort and Joy ♫ ” Some Pixies would also join her, perhaps sounding more akin to jingling bells this time than their usual wind-chimes. Even they loved this season & would wear Snowdown colors for their disguises, if not even tiny sweaters.

& that of course, without counting the one who surely was most happy today.

Gently, her hand would raise to caress the dark fur of Sasha’s snout as he would lower his lovely kitten face to her height— for he was tiny Cat no more; but a giant feline silhouette! The Growing Darkness of Winter was indeed ending now & the Sun will proceed to slowly bright more & more each day, Spring will be on its way! It’s the time were the Magic beneath his paws is most excited & happy, the time his power peaks enough to become what he used to be back when the Night Garden existed.

A familiar & imposing creature, tonight big-enough to compare to Camavorian Dragons on height but still as purring & tender as the sweetest of Critters. He was hungry, however. Emilia had given new clothes to all in her staff & her beloved ones so Sasha wouldn’t accidentally feel the need to eat one or two… Only the All-Mother may had known why the Yule Cat was drawn to those without new clothes, but she had made sure regardless to feed his belly with a lot of her hunts just as equally as those she would keep in storage for Briar.

“It’s nice to see you on your True Form once more, my dear & sweet Jólakötturinn. Go, have fun & remember to mind your Diet... No Legionaries this time; & not Piltovans neither. We promised Caitlyn you'll behave this year~”

A thundering yet blissful purring was his response, making the Enchantress chuckle a bit, before watching him walk away into the lands surrounding her Manor, now covered all in delicate snow.