Book Review: The Rag & Bone Man by Lee Morgan

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I was first asked to review The Rag & Bone Man by Lee Morgan, I was intrigued by the premise. Unlike other occult books, this one combines fiction and non-fiction, blending new and old ideas to create something unlike anything else I have come across in all my years of reading and reviewing books. Morgan is a prolific writer, but is probably best known for his work A Deed Without a Name, which is highly recommended among practitioners of traditional witchcraft. Knowing this, I wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to review his latest book.

As mentioned, The Rag & Bone Man combines both fiction and non-fiction, which Morgan refers to as "a story that has a head, a heart, and two working hands." What does this mean exactly? Well, the head refers to the first part of the book, which lays the historical foundation of the story (heart) that follows it. In this section, Morgan heavily focuses on the history of the Spiritualism movement, complete with footnotes and citations. As someone who studied the Spiritualism movement's impact on literature in college (yes, I was a science major, but I took a heavy load of English courses as well), I loved that it was the central focus of this section, and included major literary works that incorporated such fantastical elements. It is not something that is normally discussed in occult spaces, which is wild to me because much of the folklore and practices many of us use and practice today originated or spread widely during this time period. The introduction or "head" alone is well worth the read.

The "heart," as Morgan calls it, is a fictional story that takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of Henry and his interactions with the Rag & Bone man. The Rag & Bone man is a collector of memories, thoughts, and emotions, taking stories and transforming them into new things or repurposing them. I don't want to give too terribly much away, because you really need to read the story for yourself, but it explores themes of memory, identity, folklore, and our relationship with the inhuman. It ties in heavily with Spiritualism, which, as mentioned before, is the main focus of the introduction. I will say that the story heavily dominates this book. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, given what Morgan is trying to do, but out of 275 pages, the story takes up 238 of them, or 86.5% of the book. For some of you, I know this may be the determining fact as to whether or not you give The Rag & Bone Man a try. Not everyone wants to go on a literary adventure to explore witchcraft, and that is perfectly fine. For the rest of you, especially those that struggle to find context or meaning in their work, there is a very good chance this will be exactly what you are looking for.

Finally, the book concludes with "two working hands" or the practical grimoire. This section takes what we learned in the head and heart and turns it into actionable items such as "alignment with the fetch" and even conducting séances. This is not a straightforward grimoire, however, but a more intuitive guide. It is not bogged down with lists of ingredients and steps. The grimoire reminded me of Dulsky's works, which take a very similar approach to teaching the occult. She too likes to weave stories, followed by actionable items to develop your craft. Morgan's work is no different, albeit slightly less lyrical and easier to follow. While I enjoy this style, it is not the most accessible format for a grimoire, and is definitely not something you can easily flip open and find what you are looking for. If you like Dulsky's works, you will probably enjoy The Rag & Bone Man too.

Overall, The Rag & Bone Man is a unique combination of historical context, storytelling, and practical application woven seamlessly into a"new tradition. While I wish the story itself was shorter, I was impressed with Morgan's work, and know there is definitely a market for such a tale. I found a place for this one on my shelf, and will likely return to it again in the future, especially when I am navigating my own winding path through the dark.

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A Complete Guide to Sowilo, the Sun Rune

Today, we continue our runic study journey by looking at Sowilo (SOH-wee-loh), the Sun rune from the second ætt. Sowilo (ᛊ, ᛋ) is associated with fire, energy, victory, success, illumination, and vitality. Being part of the second ætt makes it part of Heimdall's ætt, which is the ætt of nature, unexpected challenges, and transformation. 

As seen in my previous runic guides, today's post will include a deep dive into the runic poems, Sowilo's cultural significance, its correspondences, how to work with it, its meaning in a spread, and its relationships with runes. Also included is a free printable for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire!

Sowilo's Portrayal in the Rune Poems

Sowilo (ᛊ, ᛋ) is the final rune of the second ætt, making it the sixteenth rune in the Elder Futhark. Like Wunjo, which marks the end of the first ætt, Sowilo represents success and glory, but unlike Wunjo, it does not mark the end of the journey. Sowilo, being associated with the Sun, is associated with movement and therefore change and transformation. Sure, you have been successful and triumphant, but the universe is transient and ever-changing, and therefore, we must be too. You have won one battle, but there are more that lie ahead.

Sowilo, like most of the runes of the Elder Futhark, is found in all three runic poems, which helps us understand its meaning within the context of the runic alphabet as well as Nordic life.

Icelandic Rune Poem                                  Translation:

Sól er skýja skjöldr                                       Sun is the shield of the clouds

ok skínandi röðull                                         and shining ray

ok ísa aldrtregi.                                            and destroyer of ice.

rota siklingr.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem                            Translation:

Sigel semannum sẏmble biþ on hihte           The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers

ðonne hi hine feriaþ ofer fisces beþ,            when they journey away over the fishes' bath,

oþ hi brimhengest bringeþ to lande.            until the courser of the deep bears them to land.

Norwegian Rune Poem                               Translation:

Sól er landa ljóme;                                       Sun is the light of the world;

lúti ek helgum dóme.                                   I bow to the divine decree.

All three rune poems refer to Sowilo as the sun, and all three present Sowilo in a positive light. In the Icelandic poem, the sun is the destroyer of ice, a reference to Isa, which is found earlier in the second ætt. Being the final rune of the second ætt, Sowilo represents triumph, in this case, over winter and its hardships. The second ætt heavily focuses on the cycles of the year, beginning with winter and ending with summer, so it only makes sense that it would be referred to as a "shining ray and destroyer of ice." The sun is what causes the shift from winter to summer, bringing with it new life, represented by Eihwaz, and the harvest, represented by Jera.

We see a similar theme in the Norwegian rune poem, where Sowilo is referred to as "the light of the world." In this case, the sun is viewed as the supreme source of illumination, bringing with it life and vitality. As such, Sowilo often reveals hidden truths, strengths, or other masked messages in a runic spread. However, referring to it as "divine decree" sets the sun apart from other life-giving earthly attributes, placing it as the supreme or ultimate life-giver and marking it as sacred. This isn't surprising considering the landscape in which the Norse lived. Long, harsh winters were often deadly, and the sun was what brought an end to these hardships, bringing with it nourishing foods and fairer weather. Like most cultures, the sun was a prominent figure within Nordic mythology, which I will discuss in more detail in the next section, Sowilo's Cultural Significance. Needless to say, it was reliable, a "shield" and "shining ray" against the darkness of winter.

The Anglo-Saxon poem, however, takes a slightly different approach to the sun's power, heavily focusing on its use as a navigational guide for seafarers as they "journey away over the fishes' bath." Summer was raiding season, meaning clans would embark on seafaring journeys to discover new lands, trade, and even raid coastal settlements. It should come as no surprise, then, that the Anglo-Saxon poem would refer to such journeys during the summer months and the sun's role in navigation. As such, Sowilo acts not only as a source of illumination and warmth, but also as a guide through difficult times.

Taking into account all three runic poems, we see that Sowilo is treasured not only as the Sun rune, but also for its ability to illuminate, bring warmth and energy, nourish new life, and bring success and victory. It is a "shiny ray" and "destroyer of ice," but also a "divine decree" and a "joy...[that] bears them to land." As in every culture around the world, the sun is viewed with reverence and honored as a driving force of life and strength.

Sowilo's Cultural Significance

The only verifiable use of Sowilo and the other numerous runes is that it was part of a writing system used by the Norse and other Germanic peoples. Sowilo represented the s sound in the Elder Futhark, its literal meaning being "sun." Surviving archaeological evidence shows Sowilo carved into stones, leather, arm rings, and even surviving wooden and bone staves or rune sticks. The Bryggen inscriptions, which were discovered in Bergen, Norway, are one of the most important runic finds of the twentieth century. The some 670 runic inscriptions found on mostly pine and some bone confirm, beyond a doubt, that runes were used to send everyday messages and even mark belongings. Some of the inscriptions are believed to be business letters, orders, and short religious inscriptions that may have been used as amulets.

Apart from the Bryggen inscriptions, we also see Sowilo featured prominently on runestones. Interestingly, while it does appear on navigational runestones, it is also very commonly found on stones to mark graves or in memorium of loved ones, such as the Jelling stones from the 10th century that were raised in memory of King Gorm the Old's wife, and later by his son in memory of his parents.

Jelling Stone

Another enlightening use of Sowilo is on silver arm rings or "hacksilver" found with the Galloway Hoard. The arm bands were found toward the surface of the hoard, having been hacked at each end and folded in half, showing that silver arm rings were used for commercial transactions. Most of the inscriptions are believed to mark who the hoard belongs to (the community) and what it contained, further supporting the fact that the runes were most often used to communicate and record important information.

Runic inscriptions on four arm-rings, found in the larger lower deposit of hacksilver in the Galloway Hoard.

Apart from its use in writing systems, Sowilo would have held significant cultural value as it represented one of the most revered elements, the Sun. In Norse cosmology, the Sun, known as Sól or Sunna, is described as riding across the heavens in a chariot pulled by horses while being chased by the great wolf, Sköll. Sköll is fated to eventually catch and devour Sól during Ragnarök, thus bringing an end to the world. However, not all is lost, as the world is said to be reborn, with Sól's daughter rising to take her place in the sky. 

Sól is mentioned throughout the Eddas with reverence and respect, as she is the bringer of life and the banisher of winter's harsh conditions. However, she is also known for her destructive nature. In Grímnismál, Odin references a shield by the name of Svalinn that is carried by Sól and says that if it were to fall from its frontal position, the earth "would burn up." Here we see that the Sun can be a destructive force, not just by burning up the land, but also by potentially causing heat sickness and death.

Unfortunately, Sowilo is another rune that was appropriated by the Nazis. In 1908, Austrian occultist Guido von List developed and published his own 18-rune alphabet he called the "Armanen Runes." His alphabet became part of various cultural movements to promote Germanic purity, including the Nazi movement just years after his death. von List reinterpreted the Sowilo rune as "Sig," meaning victory, which the Nazis doubled to turn into the infamous SS emblem used by the Schutzstaffel. The lightning bolts were supposed to communicate absolute power, dominance, and strength, and potentially acted as a battle cry: "Victory, Victory!" Neo-Nazi's continue to use the Sowilo rune, including in Thule-Seminars ' emblem, which combines Sowilo with Tiwaz.

SS Insignia

Thule-Seminar Emblem

As with all things, context matters. Sowilo is not a racist or hateful symbol; it's simply one that has been co-opted by hate groups. Using it in your magical practice does not mean you support or agree with these hate groups. However, it is important to recognize that Sowilo is a dog whistle, especially when tattooed on someone's body, so I would avoid such uses and be mindful of its presentation.

Sowilo's Correspondences

It should be noted that general correspondences are not mentioned in any Nordic text. Instead, these are a best guess based on experiences from both myself and others. In fact, most of these are of modern invention, pulling inspiration from Wicca. As with all correspondence lists, you can add and subtract based on your experiences.

• Upright Meaning: achievement, victory, illumination, good fortune, celebration, success, positive energy, abundance, fruition, warmth, clarity, vitality, triumph, growth, enlightenment
• Reversed Meaning: none
• Letter: S
• Element: Fire, Air
• Zodiac: Leo
• Planet: Sun
• Animal: hawk, eagle, falcon, golden pheasant
• Colors: yellow, gold, white, silver
• Deities: Sol, Baldr
• Plants: juniper, willow, sunflower, calendula, marigold, St. John's wort, mistletoe, goldenrod, saffron
• Crystals: ruby, diamond, citrine, amber, sunstone
  
  

How to Work with the Sowilo Rune

Incorporating runes into your magical practice can be incredibly rewarding and bring new energies to spells and rituals. But how exactly can you use Sowilo in your workings?

1. Use Sowilo in spells or rituals focused on success, confidence, vitality, and achieving goals.
2. Meditate on Sowilo to understand your purpose, strengthen self-confidence, and reconnect with the light that guides you forward.
3. Carry or wear the Sowilo rune to encourage optimism, personal power, and resilience during difficult times.
4. Include Sowilo in rituals during midsummer, sunrise observances, or moments when you seek clarity and renewed inspiration.
5. Draw the Sowilo rune in sunlight, sand, or with incense smoke to bless your workings with illumination, success, and protection.
6. Sit with the rune during times of uncertainty to cultivate faith in your abilities and trust in the direction your life is taking.
7. Sleep with Sowilo beneath your pillow to invite dreams that reveal your strengths, illuminate hidden opportunities, or offer guidance on your path.
8. Chant Sowilo to raise energy for victory magic, especially when overcoming obstacles or pursuing something that requires courage and perseverance.
9. Use Sowilo in healing magic aimed at restoring vitality, renewing motivation, or supporting recovery after burnout or exhaustion.
10. Incorporate Sowilo into shadow work focused on self-worth, overcoming fear, and healing beliefs that keep you from embracing your own power.
11. Draw Sowilo on paper and write a goal, dream, or intention beneath it, then place it beneath a candle, crystal, or altar object to empower the work with solar energy.
12. Journal with Sowilo to explore where you are being called to step into your strengths, claim your victories, or shine more authentically.
13. Use in spells and rituals centered on leadership, ambition, recognition, or achieving long-term aspirations.
14. Place Sowilo on charms, talismans, or protective objects to attract good fortune, guidance, and strength in times of challenge.
15. Trace Sowilo over yourself before important conversations, journeys, or endeavors to invoke courage, confidence, and success.

Sowilo's Meaning in Rune Spread

What does it mean if Sowilo appears in a rune spread? Sowilo holds various meanings depending on its position and relation to other runes in the spread.

Below are some examples of how to interpret Sowilo when it's next to or near other runes:

• Next to Fehu suggests prosperity, success, or resources gained through confidence, right action, and sustained effort.
• Near Uruz indicates renewed vitality, strength, and the courage to overcome challenges through resilience and determination.
• Paired with Raidho points to journeys aligned with purpose, forward movement, or success achieved by following the right path.
• In proximity to Wunjo, it suggests joy, fulfillment, and victories that bring lasting happiness and peace.
• Near Isa indicates delayed success, the need for patience, or light waiting beneath a period of stillness and stagnation.
• In proximity to Mannaz suggests personal growth through self-awareness, leadership, or discovering your place within a larger community.
• Combined with Eihwaz indicates endurance during times of change, emphasizing inner strength and trust through periods of transformation.

Sowilo's Relationships with Other Runes

Sowilo generally interacts with other runes in an illuminating and empowering way, as seen in the previous section. Where some runes introduce uncertainty, stagnation, or hardship, Sowilo often sheds light on their deeper purpose, emphasizing clarity, vitality, and the possibility of success. When Sowilo appears alongside other runes, it frequently strengthens their positive qualities or reveals the direction in which their energies are meant to unfold.

When found with runes associated with prosperity or fulfillment, such as Fehu or Jera, Sowilo often points to rewards that are becoming visible after periods of effort and patience. Success, abundance, or recognition may be approaching, particularly when one's actions are aligned with long-term goals. Near runes of movement, such as Raidho, or partnership, such as Ehwaz, Sowilo highlights progress through purposeful action and cooperation, suggesting that the right path becomes clearer through shared effort and steady forward momentum.

Despite its association with the sun, victory, and wholeness, Sowilo is not limited to easy or favorable meanings. Too much sunlight can scorch as easily as it can nourish, and unchecked confidence can become pride or overconfidence. In some contexts, Sowilo may point to excessive ambition, burnout, or a need to temper one's desires with humility and self-awareness. When paired with more challenging runes such as Hagalaz, Nauthiz, or Isa, Sowilo does not necessarily remove hardship but instead reveals how adversity can become a source of strength, wisdom, or eventual transformation.

Ultimately, Sowilo teaches us to trust in the return of light, even when circumstances remain uncertain. Its presence among other runes reminds us that clarity, victory, and wholeness are not always immediate gifts but qualities cultivated through perseverance, right action, and the willingness to continue moving toward the light.

***

Sowilo is the perfect rune to begin working with during Summer, as outlined in my post Runes for the Bright Season, as it is the Sun rune. You can't get more on the nose than that. No matter how you choose to work with Sowilo in your own practice, it is sure to bring strength, illumination, and success to your life. Below you will find a printable cheat sheet that includes a summary of all important information that you can incorporate into your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

Click the image below to download your free cheat sheet for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

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Tarot Chimera by Nitasia Roland Review

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this deck in exchange for an honest review.

I love unique tarot decks, even though I really don't practice tarot. It's a beautiful expression of creativity wrapped in esoteric lore, which is excellently represented by one of Weiser's more recent decks, Tarot Chirmera: The Arcana of Doilon Redon by Nitasia Roland.

In this deck, Roland uses the art of French Symbolist painter, printmaker, and draftsman, Odilon Redon, to create a unique tarot deck. His work has been referred to as "dream terrors," "beyond anything imaginable," and "inconceivable apparitions," which is very apparent when looking at the art Roalnd chose for this deck. There are floating heads, mythological creatures, and unsettling locals throughout, making this deck unlike anything else I have seen thus far...in a good way.

As with all tarot decks, Roland includes all the major and minor arcana, with a guidebook to help new and old tarot readers alike. This guidebook includes a breakdown of the cards, but also gives some much-needed history about Redon and the use of the chimera in the deck. And that is where this deck becomes unlike most others on the market. Roland includes 6 oracle cards, one of which is the chimera, to help focus, elaborate, and clarify a reading. The meaning of these oracle cards can be found in the guidebook as well, although you can always look for your own symbolism. My favorite among these is the Genis Loci, which is not only a fascinating inclusion for a witch that works locally, but the artwork is also captivating.

Furthermore, this is one of the best constructed decks I have seen in a while. The cards are incredibly sturdy, but not so much that you can't easily shuffle them. They will wear out incredibly well, lasting you for many, many years if taken care of. The gold detailing on the edges is particularly beautiful, but like all gilding, it will likely fade with time.

If you are looking for a truly unique tarot deck, Tarot Chirmera: The Arcana of Doilon Redon by Nitasia Roland is for you...or your artsy friend. If my mother were into tarot, this is a deck she would likely pick up. While she prefers Impressionists over Symbolists, she loves art of all kinds and would appreciate the care and thought that went into compiling such a deck.

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Harnessing Summer's Magic: Herbal Allies for Health and Witchcraft

Working with plants is one of the key tenets of my magical practice, just like the hedge witches who came before me. The relationships I have built with the plants in my garden and around my home are precious, allowing me to cast spells, develop rituals, and create healing medicines. As the seasons change, so do the plants I work with. Part of practicing local, animistic witchcraft means shifting with the seasons and relying on what is available. That isn't to say I don't bring in some plants that aren't necessarily prevalent this time of year, but I am definitely more cognizant of my choices each season.

Seasonal plant allies are an excellent source of magic and healing, bringing a potent natural element to your work. But what is a plant ally exactly? 

A plant ally is a plant with which you have a close relationship, much like that of a close friend. Just like real friendships, your plant allies shift and change as you grow. Some will be fair-weather friends, while others will stick with you through the thick of it. They come into our lives to guide us, challenge us, and encourage us to face life's challenges and adventures.

How you connect with your plant allies is entirely personal and a topic for another post, but developing these relationships is critical for those interested in working with plants in their magical or healing practice. We are but one spirit in the cosmos, no greater or smaller than others. Respecting others is paramount to an ethical practice, and I take it quite seriously.

Summer is a time for growth, creativity, joy, and romance. While much of the summer was spent engaging in foraging, hunting, and agriculture, there were several causes for celebration, most of which focused on the fruits of the community's labor and the strength of the sun. After all, the sun is what brought the nicer weather and caused fruits to ripen on the bough. This abundance was celebrated and stored away for the harsher months to come. But with the return of the sun and its abundance came heat, which could be deadly if not managed properly.

In today's post, we will journey together to get to know the plants I rely on most during the summer months for witchcraft and healing. I have grouped the plants based on need and offered alternatives where possible.

For Cooling the Body Beneath Summer's Blaze

The rising of the sun brings warmer weather, and warmer weather means increased risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and inflammation. I don't know about the rest of you, but summer is my least favorite time of the year. I am extremely sensitive to heat, which has caused many a heat-related rash, and I have suffered from heat exhaustion on more than one occasion. As such, I spend most of the hot and humid months indoors with the AC turned on full blast. When I am tasked with outdoor activities, I take care to ensure I am properly hydrated, shaded, and prepared with herbs that help cool the body.

The herbs on this list are magically and medicinally associated with cooling, hydration, calm, and healing, making them perfect for treating heat exhaustion, dehydration, and inflammation.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa): Hibiscus is a rather large genus of flowering plants that produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant colors between mid-spring and late fall. The exact blooming period depends largely on the variety, but most, like Hibiscus sabdariffa, bloom during the summer months. Packed with anthocyanins and polyphenols, hibiscus is great at fighting oxidative stress, thus lowering inflammation and potentially restoring energy levels. It is also widely celebrated as a "refrigerant," as it is able to lower body temperature, reduce fevers, and even alleviate the symptoms of heatstroke. Magically, it is associated with harmony, passion, and the heart, as well as healing. Add to spells, rituals, and remedies to release stress and fears, cool tempers, and bring balance.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus): This beloved summer-time vegetable is well known for its hydrating capabilities. It is packed with vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium, making it perfect for replenishing electrolytes lost while sweating. Like hibiscus, cucumber is also a naturally cooling anti-inflammatory, having been proven effective in treating swelling, itching, and sunburn pain. Magically, cucumber is associated with water, and is often used in spells for beauty, healing, harmony, and balance due to its cooling nature and ability to "absorb" sickness and blemishes. As such, cucumber is the perfect summer ally for spells, rituals, and remedies related to cooling, stress relief, healing, glamour, and balance.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Like hibiscus and cucumber, lemongrass is also a natural refrigerant. However, it is also a diaphoretic. These two properties combined help lower your body temperature through cooling perspiration, but too much can cause dizziness, fainting, and confusion if taken in excess. As such, lemongrass is best used in conjunction with fluid intake, as the last thing you want to do during the summer months is accidentally dehydrate yourself. Magically, lemongrass is often used as a road opener, clearing obstacles and negative energy while attracting luck and good fortune. These magical and medicinal properties make lemongrass perfect for spells, rituals, and remedies for dispelling heat and exhaustion, attracting luck and vibrancy, and protection.

Other potential plant allies for cooling, hydration, calm, and healing include peppermint, lemon balm, catnip, nettle, raspberry leaf, chrysanthemum, and alfalfa.

For Calming the Skin After Sun and Sting

More sun means more UV radiation, which causes burns and cancer. If the sun doesn't get you, the insects certainly will. In both cases, prevention is the best medicine. Wearing sunscreen, insect repellent, and protective clothing are the best preventatives we have to sunburns and insect bites, but even the best protections can fail, leaving us with skin that is screaming for help. This is the perfect time to turn to your plant allies, inviting herbs that help calm skin irritations caused by sunburns, insect bites, rashes, and other skin irritations.

The herbs on this list are magically and medicinally associated with healing, shielding, resilience, and protection.

Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata): The leaves of plantain are harvested from spring through early autumn and used fresh or dried to soothe insect bites, stings, sunburns, rashes, cuts, and other minor skin irritations. Rich in mucilage and anti-inflammatory compounds, plantain draws heat from the skin, reduces swelling, and promotes healing, making it one of the most beloved first-aid herbs in folk medicine. Historically, it was carried by travelers and applied to wounds and bites encountered along the road. Magically, plantain is associated with healing, resilience, and protection. In Anglo-Saxon tradition, it was praised in the Nine Herbs Charm as a mighty healer and companion of roads and pathways. As such, plantain can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies not only to calm inflamed skin, but also to provide protection and encourage recovery.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): The bright petals of calendula are gathered throughout the summer months and infused into oils, salves, and washes to soothe sunburns, rashes, minor cuts, scrapes, and irritated skin. Possessing anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and vulnerary properties, calendula promotes tissue repair while reducing redness and discomfort. For centuries, it has been treasured as a healing herb for wounds and skin ailments. Magically, calendula is associated with solar energy, joy, protection, and emotional healing. Its golden blossoms have long been used to invite blessings, strengthen the spirit, and bring warmth and light during difficult times. As such, calendula can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies to mend skin touched by sun and sting, promote happiness, protection, and to renew vitality.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis): A must-have plant ally for summer, the cooling gel contained within the fleshy leaves of aloe vera is harvested year-round and applied directly to the skin to relieve sunburns, insect bites, minor burns, and other forms of irritation and inflammation. Rich in polysaccharides and antioxidants, aloe vera hydrates damaged tissue, reduces redness, and supports the skin's natural healing processes, offering quick relief after long days spent beneath the summer sun. Magically, aloe vera is associated with healing, protection, luck, and warding away negativity. Traditionally grown near doorways and homes, it was believed to absorb harmful influences and safeguard those living within. As such, aloe vera can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies to cool and soothe the skin, encourage renewal, protect against misfortune, and foster peace within the home.

Other potential plant allies for healing, shielding, resilience, and protection include yarrow, witch hazel, chamomile, chickweed, peppermint, and lavender.

For Easing the Burdens of Summer Feasting

The sun's return brings a return of life, and with that life comes bountiful harvests. Over the next couple of months, trees, vines, and stalks will be weighed down with the burden of ripening fruits and vegetables. Our ancestors celebrated this time with large feasts, feasts that many of us continue to celebrate today, along with more 'modern' cultural holidays such as Memorial Day or July Fourth. I love food, and feasting holidays are popular in my family. My stomach, however, doesn't always like the rich, excess food, which can put a damper on everything. As such, summer is a great time to work with herbs that will help ease these digestive discomforts and support healthy movement.

The herbs on this list are magically and medicinally associated with purification, strength, cleansing, and gastrointestinal health.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): The aromatic seeds and feathery leaves of fennel are harvested from late summer into autumn and have long been used to ease indigestion, bloating, gas, cramping, and sluggish digestion. Rich in volatile oils and compounds that relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, fennel helps dispel trapped gas and soothe discomfort after heavy meals. It has been given to infants suffering from colic and enjoyed after feasts throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East to promote healthy digestion and even freshen the breath. Magically, fennel is associated with protection, longevity, courage, and purification. It was traditionally hung above doorways to ward off malevolent spirits and carried to strengthen resolve and dispel negativity. As such, fennel can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies not only to ease digestive complaints and support gut health, but also to protect against harmful influences, encourage vitality, and bring balance after periods of excess.

Dill (Anethum graveolens): Dill is one of those plants that behaves erratically in the summer heat. While the leaves are best harvested in early spring, while they are still tender and the weather is still cool, the seeds do not become available until the summer months, after the plant has "bolted." Dill is medicinally used to calm indigestion, relieve bloating, reduce cramping, and support healthy digestion as it possesses carminative and antispasmodic properties. As such, dill helps relax the digestive tract and dispel gas, making it particularly useful after rich meals and summer feasts. Magically, dill is associated with protection, prosperity, luck, and harmonious relationships. Folk traditions placed dill in sachets and charms to ward off envy and ill intent, while its pleasant aroma was thought to bring peace and good fortune. As such, dill can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies not only to settle an overburdened stomach and support overall gut health, but also to invite abundance, preserve harmony, and safeguard against negativity.

Caraway (Carum carvi): Caraway is one of those plants you either like or loathe. Its distinct anise flavor and fragrance make it a controversial ingredient, with some (including myself) describing its flavor as soapy. Despite my disdain for the seeds, they make an excellent magical ally during the summer. The seeds are usually harvested from midsummer through early autumn and have long been used to relieve indigestion, bloating, gas, and digestive spasms as they are rich in essential oils and bitter compounds that stimulate digestion and soothe intestinal discomfort. Caraway has traditionally been enjoyed after meals and incorporated into breads, cheeses, and liqueurs to aid digestion. In European folk medicine, it was particularly valued for calming colic and restoring balance to an upset stomach. Magically, caraway is associated with protection, memory, fidelity, and safeguarding what is cherished. Use caraway in spells, rituals, and remedies to ease digestive discomfort and support healthy digestion, preserve harmony, and guard against loss and misfortune.

Other potential plant allies for purification, strength, cleansing, and gastrointestinal health include ginger, peppermint, turmeric, chamomile, and licorice root.

For Supporting the Traveler's Journey

I have always associated summer with movement and wandering, a season of journeys both great and small. Whether visiting distant places, gathering with loved ones, or simply spending more time outdoors, summer invites us beyond the familiar rhythms of home. Yet travel and disrupted routines can take their own toll, bringing motion sickness, fatigue, restless nights, and the unease that often accompanies unfamiliar places. Our ancestors knew that the road demanded preparation and relied on the plants around them to ease discomfort, restore strength, and provide a sense of protection far from home. Though our journeys may look different today, we still benefit from plant allies that help us remain grounded, resilient, and at ease as we navigate the season's many paths.

The herbs on this list are magically and medicinally associated with safe passage, protection, restoration, and maintaining balance during times of travel and transition.

Focus on motion sickness, fatigue, jet lag, disrupted routines, and travel anxiety with plant allies like sweet cicely (motion sickness), rosehips (fatigue), linden (jet lag),

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata): Traditionally gathered from spring through early summer, sweet cicely has long been used to ease nausea, settle upset stomachs, and calm digestive disturbances, making it a valuable ally for those prone to motion sickness and travel-related discomfort. I am one of those people, and unfortunately, I do not get along with ginger...like at all. Sweet cicely, despite its anise flavor, tends to be more palpable when I am feeling under the weather. Magically, sweet cicely is associated with harmony, gentleness, and smoothing life's rough edges. It can help ease difficult transitions and bring comfort during times of uncertainty and change. Add sweet cicely to spells, rituals, and remedies to calm nervous stomachs, ease the discomforts of travel, and encourage peaceful and pleasant journeys.

Rosehips (Rosa canina): Though the fruits are harvested in late summer and autumn, rosehips dry and store exceptionally well, providing nourishment long after the season has passed. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, rosehips are used to combat fatigue, support the immune system, and restore strength after periods of stress, exertion, or disrupted routines. Magically, rosehips are associated with love, healing, protection, and resilience. They offer comfort during times of separation and foster a sense of belonging when far from home. Add rosehips to spells, rituals, and remedies to replenish depleted energy, strengthen the spirit, and cultivate connection and protection while traveling near or far.

Linden (Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, or Tilia americana): The fragrant blossoms of linden are gathered in early summer and used as a gentle nervine to calm anxiety, soothe tension, and promote restful sleep. Linden is particularly useful when in unfamiliar surroundings and disrupted schedules make it difficult to unwind, especially related to jetlag, as linden encourages relaxation without dulling the senses. Magically, linden is associated with peace, love, protection, and harmonious relationships. Sacred to many European folk traditions, linden trees were often regarded as places of refuge and gathering, offering shelter and comfort to weary travelers. Add linden to spells, rituals, and remedies to ease travel anxiety, encourage restorative sleep, and foster feelings of safety and belonging when journeying beyond familiar places.

Other potential plant allies for safe passage, protection, restoration, and maintaining balance include comfrey, mugwort, plantain*, rosemary, and dill.

*Plantain was known in Anglo-Saxon tradition as "waybread" because it grows wherever people travel. Few plants are more strongly associated with roads, paths, and journeys.

***

As the wheel turns toward summer, these plant allies can help ensure you are happy and healthy for the coming months. Magically, they can empower and enrich your spells and rituals, timing them with seasonal changes and encouraging a bright and prosperous future. How you work with these plant allies is entirely up to you, but remember to always ask them for their assistance and thank them for whatever they provide for you in return. Maintaining these relationships is important and worthwhile.

Is there a plant you like to work with during the summer months that I failed to include on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

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Magical Properties of Unakite

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Book Review: Ancient Spells and Incantations by Enid Baxter Ryce

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I love a good historical text or research paper, especially when it comes to the occult. Our magical history is rich, but sometimes inaccessible to the general public. There are a large number of resources that are hidden away in museums that have yet to be digitized, and many never will be. Unless you know where to look and know the right things to say, these are documents that are going to go unseen by most. Thankfully, we have people like Enid Baxter Ryce, who work tirelessly to bring these works to light, and that is exactly what she did in her most recent work, Ancient Spells and Incantations: Echoes of Magic Through the Ages & Across Cultures.

In Ancient Spells and Incantations, Baxter Ryce describes her process to uncover magical spells for our past. This included viewing the original texts and translating them before stylizing them for modern readers. I am glad she was honest and upfront with her methodology, which has its very own section at the end of the book, complete with a bibliography so you can do your own verification research. There are many authors who attempt to pass off their translations as the original versions, failing to account for changes in language, tone, and culture. Baxter Ryce makes it known that she has done her best to maintain the original integrity of the spell while modernizing it for today's readers. I appreciated her candor and dedication to ensuring these spells are not completely lost.

The book is divided into chapters based on types of magic. There are spells for manifesting, love, healing, protection, and even cursing, coming from a wide array of cultures, heritages, continents, and time periods. There are Greek papyri from 100 BCE to American Hoodoo spells recorded in 1931, and everything and anything in between. If you are of a particular culture, there is likely at least one spell or incantation to be found. I love that she took such a diverse approach to her research, including a wide breadth of knowledge, instead of focusing only through a Eurocentric lens.

While there is a wide variety of expertly translated spells and incantations to be found, there are some things I wish Baxter Ryce had included. Context is key, and it is completely lacking here. How and why were these spells used? Where were they found, and how does that impact their meaning? Removing these translations from their context deprives them of their true meaning, making it difficult to implement them into modern practices. Sure, there would be a lot of speculation, but that speculation could have been scholarly. There are plenty of experts who have written on these topics over the years. While this is one of my largest complaints about the book, it doesn't negate the inherent value of the work, especially if you are interested in incorporating such spells and incantations into your own practice.

Now you'll notice I said "complaints" above because I have another. I did not like Baxter Ryce's approach to cursing, binding, and 'vengeance' spells. She says in the introduction for the chapter that we should focus on healing and that these spells are a sign of someone "not at their best." Well, no shit. Some of these people were living in severe poverty, starving, sick, enslaved, or unduly punished simply for existing. Cursing and hexing are valid magical practices under the umbrella of protection. To say otherwise is to misunderstand history and is a very colonial view. She further goes on to say we should send love to the ancient targets of these spells. Shut up. I will not be sending my love to bigots. If someone took the time to curse them, they very likely deserved everything that came to them.

With that said, I don't think Ancient Spells and Incantations: Echoes of Magic Through the Ages & Across Cultures by Enid Baxter Ryce is a terrible book, and it will certainly have its place on many a witch's bookshelf. This is one I plan to hold onto for future research purposes, especially because her bibliography is so wonderful. However, unless you know how to read critically, you might want to forego picking this one up for the time being. I do not suggest Ancient Spells and Incantations for the novice witch; you definitely need to have years of practice under your belt before picking this one up.

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Camellia

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Wealth

Magical Uses and History: The genus Camellia contains about 230 species found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. The genus was named in honor of Georg Kamel, who spent his career collecting, describing, and studying the flora of the Philippines and signed his correspondences with other botanists, Pater Camellus. While Kamel never actually saw a camellia before his death in 1706, his work nevertheless impressed future researcher, Carl Linnaeus, who insisted the group be named in his honor.

While diverse, the genus is characterized by glossy evergreen leaves with colored flowers that are solitary or grouped in groups of 3. Included in this genus are many of the teas we know and love, which have a unique history all their own. For the sake of this article, I am going to focus on Camellia japonica, an ornamental variety commonly referred to as camellia in the West.

Camellia is native to China and Japan, which is where much of the more ancient folklore and magical uses arise, as the plant was highly sought after and regarded for its beauty and symbolism. The first known documentation of this ornamental variety appeared on porcelain and paintings from China around the 11th century. The red variety is most often depicted, but the scroll of the Four Magpies of the Song Dynasty features the white variety. One of the most famous stories, however, involving the camellia, arises from Japan. 

Commonly referred to as tsubaki, the camellia is associated with the shapeshifter Furutsubaki-no-rei or "old camellia spirit. This yōkai, according to Toriyama Sekien's Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki, is said to inhabit old camellia trees. Taking on the appearance of a beautiful woman, the spirit uses its beauty to trick and bewitch its victims, usually to scare them away from the tree or garner sympathy. There are some rare reports of victims disappearing with the spirit, and it is said that hearing its wailing cries is a warning of impending doom. 

The symbolism here is two-fold, with the camellia being associated with beauty as well as danger or death. Some scholars have attributed this duality to the flower's nature, which falls all at once, similar to a person's head falling off their neck during an execution. For warriors, to see one fall was said to foretell decapitation in battle. Because of its association with death, it is taboo to bring camilla flowers into a sick room, as doing so is said to bring death to the sick person. Either way, the camellia is associated with both beauty and death and can be used in spells and rituals for such purposes. Use camellia oil in beauty spells and rituals to anoint yourself or magical objects, or add to body products to enhance your radiance and power. Add fresh red or pink camellia flowers to bath water to amplify your beauty or to pouches and bottles to attract admiration. For death-related rituals, add white camellias to ancestral altars or funeral arrangements to honor your loved ones.

More modern associations, however, link the camellia with wealth and prosperity. During the 16th century, Europeans attempted to import living camellias to grow their own tea, without success. Live plants couldn't survive the journey, and with only herbarium specimens and imported paintings to represent the plant, confusion among Europeans grew. What were the tea varieties, and which were not? In the end, the first successful live plant to be brought to Europe was the ornamental variety in 1739. Despite not being usable as tea, the variety grew in popularity among the wealthy elite for its beautiful blooms. Ornamental plants, especially those that were exotic, were highly sought after by the wealthy, specifically because they were not used to make money. This proved to others that money was of no consequence to them and that they were more sophisticated than their peers because of their taste in beauty. According to historian Tamaka Plankins Thornton, "the treasuring of a flower's beauty or a fruit's perfection was prima facie evidence of an ability to appreciate what had no material value and no apparent use."

In 1862, the camellia arrived in the United States and quickly became popular among the elite. They became so popular by the 1870s and 1880s that the time was referred to as the "Boston camellia boom." Like in Europe, the camellia became a symbol of wealth in the United States. Not only did you need to be able to afford such a plant, but it also required hothouses in northern states, as it could not survive the harsh winters. Like in Europe, the Boston elite wanted to prove they did not value money and could value something that would not make them money. Like in the North, the camellia was a status symbol in the South, despite it not needing a hothouse to survive. As such, it was planted everywhere and anywhere, becoming so popular that it became Alabama's state flower. All of this is to say, the camellia is highly regarded for its association with wealth and luxury and can be used in spells and rituals for such purposes.

Add camellia petals to money jars, spell pouches, or poppets to draw money and financial abundance to you. Add to your altar on Thursday to bring good fortune and encourage blossoming opportunities. You can also carry camellia petals in your wallet, purse, or cash register to ensure a continuous flow of riches. If you have the space, grow camellia in your garden to ensure wealth and prosperity in your home.

Camellia can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Glamour Spells

      Beauty Spells

      Prosperity Spells

      Wealth Magic

      Ancestral Magic

Medicinal Uses: While largely prized for its ornamental value, Camellia japonica has been used to treat a variety of ailments due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, as it is rich in bioactive compounds such as triterpenes, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids. Topically, camellia can be used as a deep moisturizer to treat pigmentation, burns and scalds, control bleeding, and reduce redness caused by rosacea. There are some studies that also suggest the use of camilla to protect dermal cells against mitochondrial damage and premature ageing caused by air pollutants. Rich in oleic acid, camellia can lower cholesterol if ingested. While camellia is generally considered safe, it does contain saponins, which are toxic in large doses.

Preparation and Dosage: To create a floral infusion, combine a handful of fresh flower petals with 1 cup of hot water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 5 to 7 minutes before straining. Drink up to three times a day. To create a 'green tea' style infusion, combine 1 teaspoon of dried, young leaves with one cup of hot water. Allow the mixture to infuse for 3 to 4 minutes before straining. Drink up to three times a day. Topically, camellia seed oil can be applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation, irritation, and pigmentation.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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Book Review: Container Conjure by Starr Casas

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a witch living in the South, conjure has always fascinated me. It gives such deep insights into the culture and folklore of the area, which is unique from other regions in the United States. With increased globalization and the loss of small towns and communities, the practices of conjure have been on the decline. Instead, we are ending up with a mix of watered-down practices as our elders take their expertise to the grave. Starr Casas, a practicing conjure woman, has continued to try to fight this loss through her several publications, including her latest Container Conjure: Crafting Magic with Jars, Bottles, Bags & More. 

Casas always offers such wonderful insights into the world of conjure in a highly accessible way. Like her other books, Container Conjure feels like a conversation instead of a dense guide. She provides a basic introduction to her practice, making sure the reader understands that not everyone comes from the same background, so if some of this information is not new to you, it may be new to others. This is an excellent approach as it makes it so you don't have to read her other works in order to jump into this one. I will say that the repeated information from her other books did not bother me, but the repeated information within the same paragraph did. Sometimes it felt like Casas was rambling, but, having seen her speak, this is just how she talks, lending to the book's conversational feel.

Casas covers a wide variety of container magics in this A to W guide, complete with detailed instructions, real-world examples, and tips & tricks. I marked more than one recipe to try out in the future, and look forward to incorporating her wisdom into my own practice. One of the strongest points of this guide, however, is the fact that you really can jump around to find the container you wish to work with. However, I highly recommend reading Container Conjure from front to back before attempting to throw yourself into the middle. Casas hides a ton of golden nuggets deep within the text, so I recommend having your annotation supplies and Grimoire handy. This information builds on itself, so its imporant to read everything before starting any real work.

Container Conjure: Crafting Magic with Jars, Bottles, Bags & More is a wonderful resource for all witches, whether you are interested in conjure or not. It helps explain many of the practices we see infiltrating other modern witchcraft practices. It is important to honor a practice's roots and the ancestors who built the foundation, instead of just stealing. Context is key, and without context, there is a high chance your spells will fail. I highly recommend picking up this gem if you incorporate any container magic in your practice or plan to in the future.

PS: I have one last thing to mention that made me laugh. There is a brief section of herbs and roots (which I wish included scientific names), and all the items on the list are actual plants and roots EXCEPT for dirt dauber's nests. I did a double-take when I saw its inclusion, but it isn't wrong to include it here. Roots is a colloquial term for a spell or curse itself, and is often used to describe the ingredients used, meaning the nests are technically roots. I still laughed out loud reading it and hope it brings a smile to your face, too.

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Runes for the Bright Season: Guidance from Sowilo, Jera, and Berkana

I'm not going to lie, summer is my least favorite time of year. Living in the South, summers are hot and humid, often reaching a level of sticky that I have no desire to endure. I am a fall and winter witch, thriving in the season of dark skies and freezing temperatures, but there are definitely magical strengths to be found in summer.

Summer is a time of growth and abundance as the sun reaches its zenith and the land comes alive with blooms. Our ancestors historically used this season to plant, gather, build, travel, and strengthen the bonds that sustained their communities throughout the turning of the Wheel. Fields ripen beneath the long hours of sunlight, gifting us with an abundance not seen in the fall and winter months. To thrive during this season, however, required effort and wisdom, just as thriving in winter does.

In the language of runes, this season's lessons are beautifully personified by Sowilo, Jera, and Bernaka. I am not going to lie, it was difficult to narrow my choices down to three runes, because many of them reflect abundance, growth, and strength, strong symbols of summer. However, I felt these three best represented the poetic map of the season, as they form a triad of strength, growth, and fruition rooted in patience.

In today's post, we will explore how to work with these runes during the bright season, including their symbolism and their use in meditations, spells, rituals, and mantras.

Sowilo, the Sun Rune

I think Sowilo (𐌔) is going to be the next rune I dive into, because the language of this rune is so beautiful. Sowilo is the Sun rune and the symbol of achievement and victory, making it the perfect rune to work with during the bright season. 

As summer reaches its height, Sowilo burns across the landscape. Life bursts forth under its lingering gaze, bringing abundance and vitality not seen in the dark months. Sowilo teaches us the power of illumination, strength, and vitality. It reminds us that there are seasons for standing fully in our strength and allowing ourselves to be seen clearly. In modern magical practice, Sowilo can represent success, personal power, clarity of purpose, or the courage to move forward despite fear.

Meaning: Sun, Victory, Vitality, Success, Warmth, Illumination, Confidence, Wholeness

Working with Sowilo:

• Spell: At sunrise or beneath the warmth of midday light, light a gold, yellow, or white candle and trace Sowilo above the flame. Hold your hands over your heart and focus on a challenge, goal, or struggle you wish to overcome. As you do say, “I rise with the strength of the sun. I claim victory through courage and strength.” Sit quietly for a few moments, imagining sunlight filling your body with confidence and determination. Visualize yourself achieving your goal or overcoming the challenge. When ready, snuff out the candle or allow it to burn out completely. Make one intentional action toward your goal before the day ends.
• Magic: Use Sowilo for confidence, creative breakthroughs, empowerment, and calling vitality back into your spirit after long periods of exhaustion or doubt. It can also be used to reinforce goals by ensuring victory.
• Journal Prompts: Where in my life am I being called to step forward with greater confidence and trust in myself? What fears or doubts keep me from fully embodying my own power and light?
  
  

Mantra: “I carry the sun within me. I shine with strength and power.”

Message/Gift: Sowilo’s gift is strength. It teaches us that victory is not always conquest over others, but the courage to rise, endure, and even trust ourselves enough to move forward without fear.

Jera, the Harvest Rune

Jera (ᛃ) is the very first rune I covered in great detail on my blog, and for a good reason. While it is often associated with autumn as it is the rune of harvest, Jera is also a prominent rune of summer. If Sowilo is the radiant force that drives us forward, and Berkana is the tender growth, Jera is the season of harvest itself. Its name means "year" or "harvest," reflecting an ancient understanding that all things move in cycles of planting, tending, death, and rebirth. Jera reminds us that nothing meaningful appears overnight and that every reward is won through hard labor and patience.

In many ways, Jera is the rune of earned abundance. It teaches that the bright season is not simply about enjoying the fruits of our labors, but also about recognizing the effort it took to achieve said goals. What we nourish grows, while what we neglect ultimately withers. During the bright months, Jera often appears when long-term work finally begins to bear fruit, whether in our relationships, creative practices, spiritual growth, or personal healing. It asks us to trust the timing of our lives instead of forcing results before their season has arrived.

Whenever Jera appears in my rune readings, I see it as reassurance that growth is unfolding even when I cannot fully see it yet. It reminds me that every season, even those I do not like, serves a purpose and that the work I put into myself, my relationships, and my path will eventually return to me in some form. Jera teaches patience, but it also teaches hope, the understanding that what we lovingly cultivate today may one day become the harvest that sustains us. It's a powerful rune to work with, and one I find myself ever drawn to.

Meaning: Harvest, Cycles, Progress, Endings & Beginnings, Reward, Completion, Seasonal Change

Working with Jera:

• Spell: Gather a small bowl of seeds, beans, or coins (or other material that represents prosperity to you). Trace the Jear rune over the bowl with your finger while speaking your goals aloud. End by saying, "What I nurture returns to me." Leave the bowl on your altar or plant the seeds/beans. As you nurture the new seedlings or view the bowl on your altar, you will be reminded of your goals and the work you need to do to continue manifesting.
• Magic: Use Jera for long-term goal setting, prosperity magic, and manifestation work, especially that which honors the seasonal rhythms.
• Journal Prompt: What have I been cultivating that is now ready to bear fruit?

Mantra: “I trust the rhythm of cycles. I harvest what I have lovingly tended.”

Message/Gift: Jera's gift is fulfillment. It teaches us that abundance is rarely sudden but instead built through repeated persistence and actionable steps.

Berkana, the Birch Rune

Berkana (ᛒ) is the birch rune, one of the first trees to reclaim the land after long winters. It carries the energy of renewal, healing, growth, and regeneration, teaching us that transformation is not always dramatic or destructive, but sometimes gentle and steady. During the bright months, Berkana often manifests as new beginnings, creative growth, or emotional healing, its energy encouraging us to tend to both ourselves and those around us.

I wrote pretty extensively on Berkana recently, where I explored how this rune interacts with others in a nurturing and developmental way. Where some runes introduce conflict or disruption, Berkana softens the surrounding influences, emphasizing growth and perseverance. Unlike other types of transformation, however, Berkana is gentle, reminding us to take our time instead of rushing forward to force an end.

Meaning: Growth, Creativity, Development, Regeneration, Healing, Gestation

Working with Berkana:

• Spell: Place fresh leaves, flowers, or a small branch in a bowl of water. Trace Berkana over the surface and ask the rune to bless new growth within your life. As you do so say, “I welcome what wishes to grow with tenderness and strength.” Use the water afterward to nourish a plant, pour at your doorway, or offer back to the earth. This spell is about opening yourself generally to new growth, but it can be altered to be more specific. Instead, focus on what you wish to grow in your own life and speak it into existence.
• Magic: Use Berkana for healing, creativity, fertility in all forms, nurturing relationships, personal transformation, and tending new ideas or beginnings with care.
• Journal Prompt: What part of me is asking for gentleness instead of pressure? What new growth deserves protection and patience right now?

Mantra: “I am deeply rooted and trust in the wisdom of my becoming. I nurture what is sacred within me and bloom in my own time.”

Message/Gift: Berkana teaches us growth through tender care. It reminds us that we cannot force growth into existence. Instead, we must be patient as life is fragile.

Bright Season Rune Meditation

One of the best ways to connect with any rune is to spend time working with it, and the first step in this process is through meditation and opening yourself up to the messages the rune has to offer you. This runic meditation is designed to do just that, allowing you to connect with each rune individually and with the story they tell.

Find a bright place to sit comfortably, such as near a window or outside. Lay these three runes out in front of you in the following order: Sowilo, Jera, Berkana.

Sit quietly before the runes, breathing in their energy of warmth, change, and growth. Feel the warmth the runes exude, not only as the heat of sunlight, but also as movement, growth, birdsong, green leaves, and blooming things that teem with life.

Take another deep breath and close your eyes. Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a golden field at dawn. The earth beneath your feet is warm and alive. Ahead of you, three runes appear one by one, glowing softly in the summer light.

The first to arrive is Sowilo. The rune shines bright like the sun itself, but does not blind or burn. Instead, it reveals the hidden corners of your spirit, illuminating the parts of yourself that are ready to emerge from the shadows. Feel the warmth spreading through your chest and radiating outwards toward your face, hands, and feet. Pause for a few breaths, visualizing this light encompassing your being. Make a mental note of any patterns, feelings, messages, or epiphanies that arise. Is there an area that takes longer to brighten? What changes are begging to be made? When ready, whisper, "I allow myself to shine honestly and fully. I accept the change to come."

Next comes Jera, turning like a wheel. Around it, the field blossoms, quickly turning to fruit that swells on the branches, before decaying and returning to the earth, just for the cycle to repeat itself. You feel yourself as part of this living cycle, but remember that nothing meaningful blooms all at once. Continue breathing deeply, reflecting on the changes you see unfolding before you. Make a mental note of any patterns, feelings, messages, or epiphanies that arise while you watch Jera turn. What lessons can be learned by accepting that all things must end only to be reborn again? When ready. whisper, “I trust the timing of what I am becoming. I am open to beginnings and endings.”

Finally, Berkana appears, lush and green. It rises like young trees in summer forests, reaching for the light of the sun. Its energy is soft and nourishing, yet deeply alive. Feel it wrapping tenderly around your dreams that are still growing and the healing that is still unfolding. What areas of your life is it seeking? Are there places that require more tenderness and care than other areas? Make note of these areas and any other messages, feelings, or epiphanies you have. When ready, whisper: “I tend my growth with care and devotion.”

Now imagine the three runes surrounding you together: The light of Sowilo. The rhythm of Jera. The nurturing embrace of Berkana. Feel yourself within the bright season, invited to participate in growth, reciprocity, joy, and becoming without the pressure to produce endlessly. When finished, say, "From the sun, I learn courage. From the harvest, I learn to trust in the cycle. From new growth, I learn gentleness. Thus, I walk the bright season rooted in strength, abundance, and becoming."

When you are ready, open your eyes slowly. If you wish, leave a small offering of water, herbs, flowers, or gratitude to the land around you.

I encourage you to work through the following journal prompts to help put everything into perspective.

1. What part of myself is ready to step into the light after a long season of hiding or hesitation?
2. Where in my life am I being asked to trust natural timing instead of forcing outcomes?
3. What seeds (spiritual, creative, emotional, or practical) have I been nurturing that are beginning to show signs of growth?
4. How can I practice gentleness with myself during periods of transformation and expansion?
5. In what ways can I live more reciprocally with the living world during the bright season, rather than simply consuming its abundance?

Dark Season Rune Spread

I have been trying to come up with more rune spreads as of late in my attempt to better connect with my Nordic ancestry. While we cannot be certain if or how runes were cast, it is clear they held meaning to the Norse. This spread is built around the meaning of Sowilo, Jera, and Berkana, with the runes you draw for those locations helping you to reflect on what is unfolding during the bright season and your path forward.

As with all divination, begin by cleansing and consecrating your space and grounding and centering yourself. If you feel called to, cast a circle and invite any deities, spirits, or ancestors you wish to guide you to join you. Hold your rune bag in both hands and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and slowly in and out, focusing on your intention to understand what is awakening, what is being cultivated, and what needs care and protection moving forward. With your intention firmly in your mind, say, "Through light, through harvest, through growth, I seek the wisdom of the bright season." Draw three runes and place them in the configuration featured below:

Rune Meanings:

1. Rune One: The Light Within- This position illuminates the parts of yourself that are growing strong and more visible during this season, highlighting the parts of your life that are ready to step fully into the light. This could be talent that is ready to be shared, a trust you are finally prepared to embody, or a victory that is slowly unfolding through your own courage and determination. Sowilo reminds us that illumination is both a revelation and an empowerment. Knowing where you stand is an important step in moving forward.
   Write it down and reflect: What within me is ready to shine? Where am I being called to move with greater confidence and courage? What victory am I moving toward?
2. Rune Two: The Harvest- This position exposes the cycles currently unfolding in your life and what is beginning to ripen. It may point toward rewards, manifestations, relationships, creative work, or personal growth that are coming into season. In the end, however, you must remember that abundance is cultivated through persistent work and trust in the process, not force.
   Write it down and reflect: What am I cultivating in this season of my life? What is beginning to bear fruit?
3. Rune Three: The Bloom- This position points toward what must be nurtured gently in order to continue growing. It may represent healing, creativity, a new beginning, or a vulnerable part of yourself asking for protection and compassion. It is essentially about recognizing what you must continue to tend, but without pressure or speed. Just as plants are often slow to bloom, so too are your goals and aspirations.
   Write it down and reflect: What within me still needs gentleness and nourishment? What growth or beginning deserves my protection? How can I care for myself as I continue growing?

Like my previous rune spread found in Runes for the Dark Season, this rune spread also tells a story. In position one, Sowilo illuminates what is awakening within you, while position two, Jera, reveals the harvest that is unfolding from your efforts. Finally, position three, Berkana, shows what still needs to be tended to so that things may continue to flourish. Whatever runes you draw fill in this story and help answer the question: How does the bright season call me into growth, abundance, and becoming?

You can download your free copy of the journal prompts below.

Sowilo, Jera, and Berkana remind us that the bright season is just as sacred as the dark. It is a time to stand in our strength, to recognize the fruits of what we have nurtured, and to care for the fragile new growth taking root within and around us. These runes teach that true abundance, however, is not endless consumption or constant productivity, but a relationship built on reciprocity, patience, and trust in the cycles of becoming. As the days continue to stretch and the world bursts into bloom, I hope you find the courage to let yourself be seen. May the bright season bring you not only growth, but a deeper connection to yourself, the land, and the living rhythms that guide us all.

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