Gratitude Rune Spread Ritual

As the final leaves fall and the air sharpens with winter’s promise, the earth begins settling into her long rest. We witness the shift from harvest to stillness, from abundance to reflection, during this sacred threshold. In the United States, November is associated with gratitude and giving thanks. It is a time to honor what we have gathered, release what must fade, and prepare our bodies for renewal. In Norse paganism, this time marks the quiet aftermath of Winter Nights, during which it is not uncommon for practitioners to honor deities, landvættir, and their ancestors.  No matter where you are and what your beliefs are, the time between fall and winter is the perfect time to look back on the seasons that have shaped us and give thanks for their lessons. 

Giving thanks can take many forms, from spells and rituals to more mundane activities such as volunteering and tithing. I like to incorporate multiple magical and mundane ways of showing gratitude, letting actions speak along with my words. This includes working with the runes to weave reflection, divination, and journaling into a single act of devotion. This is where today's rune ritual for gratitude comes in. While I am posting this well into November, this ritual can be easily adapted to your tradition. Use it during Mabon or Lammas, Winter Nights or Yule, or each changing of the season. Incorporate deities, land spirits, and ancestors meaningful to you. If I have said it once, I have said it a dozen times: rework all my spells and rituals to cater to your needs and make the spell/ritual more meaningful and powerful.

What You'll Need

• Rune set
• A candle (gold, green, or white)
• A journal, notebook, or downloadable journal prompt worksheet
• Offerings, such as a piece of bread, an apple, grain, or salt

What to Do

Begin by cleansing and consecrating your tools and space using your preferred method. Call in any deities, spirits, or ancestors you wish to aid in your divination for gratitude.

Light the candle and say, "I stand at the turning of the year. I honor the hands that have fed me, the earth that has held me, The lessons that have shaped me. In gratitude, I listen."

Next, ground and center using your preferred method. For this particular exercise, I prefer to use the candle flame to help me relax, focusing on the flame's movement and my breathing, visualizing myself connecting with the earth and drawing my energy into my core.

Once you feel relaxed, grounded, and centered, it is time to begin pulling runes. If possible, hold your runes close to your heart and close your eyes. Focus on your intention, focusing on what you need to honor, not what you want to know. If needed, repeat the previous mantra: "I stand at the turning of the year. I honor the hands that have fed me, The earth that has held me, The lessons that have shaped me. In gratitude, I listen." When you feel open to what the spirits have to tell you, draw three runes and lay them out in a straight line, using the picture below as guidance.

Rune Meanings:

1. Rune One: The Gift of the Year- What bounty or blessing has this year brought into your life?
   This rune represents the fruits of your labor, aka the abundance you’ve received, whether material, emotional, or spiritual.
   Write it down and reflect: What has thrived within me? Who or what helped me grow?
2. Rune Two: The Lesson of the Shadows- What challenge or hardship has taught you the most?
   Even in struggle, there is sacred teaching. Wisdom often comes through trial.
   Write it down and reflect: What have I learned through difficulty? How has it transformed me?
3. Rune Three: The Seed for the Next Cycle- What energy or intention should I carry into the coming dark?
   This rune holds the potential for the year ahead. It is a reminder that even as we rest, the next harvest is already beginning to dream beneath the soil.
   Write it down and reflect: What will I nurture in silence? What small spark will I protect through the winter?

Write freely about each prompt. Unlike other rune spreads, this is not a fortune-telling exercise, but instead a conversation with yourself and the cycles of your own life. When finished, you may find yourself wishing to explore deeper into the meanings of the runes and what message they are sending.

Some additional prompts to explore include:

• “This year has taught me…” 
• “I am most grateful for…” 
• “I release…” 
• “I plant the seed of…”

When you are finished with your journal exercise, offer thanks to the spirits who have guided you in your reflection by leaving them an offering of your choice. Whisper your thanks to the land, spirits, ancestors, deities, and the fates that have carried you through another year.

Close out the ritual by saying, “May what I have learned feed my spirit. May what I release return to the earth. May what I plant grow in wisdom and light.” If you can, allow the candle to burn down safely or snuff it out.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Altering your breathing can cause a reduction in blood pressure, which can cause you to pass out. It can also trigger seizures in some people and PTSD in others. If you are worried about passing out, begin this exercise by lying down. I also suggest practicing with a friend to ensure your safety.
• If you are unable to light candles, consider a faux candle that flickers as a substitute. It can also be replaced with incense.
• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you do not have runes, this spread can be easily adapted to tarot or oracle cards.
  
• Optional add-ins include incense, amethyst, or mugwort tea/incense to increase psychic awareness.

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

Ritual and rune spreads do not need to be grand or complicated to be effective. It's a practice of presence and patience. This spread allows you to invite ancient wisdom into your reflection, learning to see both joy and hardship as teachers. Carry this wisdom like an ember into the darkness with you, allowing it to light your way.

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Vetrnætr/Winter Nights Altar 2024

Winter Nights begins on the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and lasts three days during which three blots, or sacrifices occurred: Alfablót, Disablót, and Haustblót.

Alfablót and Disablót were believed to be celebrated more privately, while Haustblót was a community event. There is some suggestion that Disablót was also celebrated publicly, and in some parts of the world, it still is. I, however, have chosen to make this a private celebration. Alfablót and Disablót are both celebrations of our ancestors, local spirits, and deities, each focusing on a different group. Alfablót celebrates our male ancestors, spirits, and Álfar, while Disablót celebrates our female ancestors, spirits, and Dísir. Haustblót, on the other hand, is more of a thanksgiving to celebrate the abundance of the final harvests, give thanks, and honor the spirits and deities that made such a bountiful harvest possible. One last hurrah before the cold sets in and the earth withers.

The themes and symbols represented by this holy tide are the harvest, abundance, cycles, family, heritage, and sacrifice. This is a time to give thanks, celebrate the fruits of our labors, and request continued protection and abundance. With these themes in mind, I created the base altar featured below. Please know that this is the base, not the complete altar. Each night, I added new items and conducted short spells and rituals not featured for privacy reasons. I've included an expanded note about this at the end of the post to give you a better idea of what you won't see pictured and why.

1. Harvest Candle Holder with Green Candle- This harvest candleholder has previously graced my Mabon altar for many, many years, but I now find it fitting for my Winter Nights altar, as this is also a time of thanksgiving and celebration of the harvest. It represents the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns yet again toward winter. Like most years, I placed a green candle in the holder to represent abundance, specifically agricultural abundance, as green is associated with plants, luck, and wealth. Green also represents the Earth and the gracious gifts She bestows upon us during the harvest, for without Her nurturing soils, we would not have nutrient-rich foods. Nestled around the candleholder are grapes, which are currently finishing up their growing season. These grapes represent abundance and prosperity, as well as merriment and good tidings, as they would traditionally be turned into wine, especially mulled wine. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Incense Holder with Cone Incense- Incense has been used across cultures to communicate with the gods and send messages to the Otherworld for centuries. It is one of the best ways to trigger a magical response in your brain and let it know it's time for ritual. Furthermore, incense is commonly used as an offering, a gift to those we wish to commune with. For all these reasons, I have incense on my Winter Nights altar. I picked a scent that resonated with me, that felt 'right' for the season. Each night of Vetrnætr I lit new incense to carry my prayers, stories, and thoughts to those I was speaking to. I used it to cleanse and clear the space around my altar and to summon the spirits of those I wished to honor each night. (Where did I get it: Five Below; Cost: $3)

3. Autumn Leaf Candle Holders with White Candles- The leaf candle holders are an ode to the season and the changing leaves that herald autumn. Their orange color represents attraction. In this case, it is used to attract the Sun and keep Him burning bright within the sky for a little while longer so the rest of the crops may ripen. In conjunction with the candles, which represent the Sun, who is slowly waning in the sky, they work together as a sympathetic form of magic to give the Sun continued strength. Candles are also traditionally used to light the way so souls may find their way home. I included these extra candles to call forth my ancestors and my spiritual guides so I may thank them and regale them with tales of my life. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree; Cost: $2.50)

4. Jera, Othala, and Algiz Runes- Since this is a Nordic holiday, no altar would be complete without some runes. Jera is the rune of the harvest, representing reward, fruition, commitment, and fertility. It signifies the cycle of life, from birth to death, and abundance to come. As Winter Nights is a celebration of the final harvest, it only makes sense to pay tribute to the harvest through Jera. Othala, however, is the rune of heritage, inheritance, and home. It represents your family roots, your genetics, and your spiritual heritage. This is incredibly important during Winter Nights, as both Alfablót and Disablót are celebrations of our ancestors and heritage. Finally, Algiz is the stag rune. It represents hunting, as well as honor, nobility, and, maybe most importantly, protection. As the Wheel turns, our ancestors would have relied more heavily on hunting as a source of food and would have called upon their ancestors and gods for protection through the harsh winter months. With this rune, I invoke the same protection upon my home, calling for those within to be protected and never go without, even if times are hard and the weather is harsh. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

5. Fox Skull- The fox skull represents my animal guide or otherworldly familiar. She has been a staunch companion and ally for many years, and this skull is used as a spirit home for her during my magical workings and spirit flights. She is honored here during Vetrnætr as one of the feminine spirits I celebrated during Disablót. She took center stage on my altar each night, as she is an important part of my practice. I honestly couldn't do what I do without her. Not pictured are her offerings, which shall remain private. Not only does she act as my guide, but she also aids me in communicating with other spirits. She helps to ferry my ancestors into our realm for communication and is present on this altar for the same task.  (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

6. Offering Bowl- Blót means sacrifice, and that is exactly what is to occur during Winter Nights. Each night I made a sacrifice and offering to say thank you to those who have helped me. What I sacrificed each night was different, dependent upon the spirits I was thanking, but it was made nonetheless. The bowl I used is an earthen bowl gifted to me by my best friend on my birthday last year. What better way to use it than to give thanks? (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$8.50

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. This altar is more expensive than some of my previous altars because I wanted to include some new items I purchased this year. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

It's important to note this is not my full altar for Winter Nights. Each night, I added new things, the majority of which are very private. This includes pictures of my ancestors, notes, letters, and personal belongings. It also includes some of my ritual tools, sacrifices, and offerings I gave. These are private and between me and the spirits I work with, hence their absence from these pictures. I encourage you to do the same with your altar. Remember, part of witchcraft is "to remain silent." This doesn't mean not sharing your knowledge and craft, but being wise in what and how you share. Not everyone has your best interests in mind.

I hope everyone has a blessed winter and that it is nothing but light in the darkness.

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Crafting Your Own Heathen Wheel of the Year: A Guide to Nordic Celebrations

Earlier this year I mentioned that the modern Wheel of the Year no longer resonated with me. As the years drew on, I felt less and less connection with the sabbats and the celebrations tied to them. I continued to set up altars that felt forced and struggled to connect to the magic I once loved so dearly. After much contemplation, meditation, and conversations with my ancestors, I realized that this feeling arose from a lack of familial connection to these holidays. They weren't mine or my ancestors, at least most of them weren't anyway. 

The modern Wheel of the Year is an amalgamation of holidays from multiple cultures thrown together and presented as a cohesive truth. This is the unfortunate reality of modern paganism and witchcraft, despite what others may lead you to believe, simply because much of our history has been lost with time. I too once believed the Wheel of the Year was ancient and followed by pagans across Europe, but this simply isn't the truth. The Wheel of the Year was created by several Wiccan leaders in an attempt to legitimize their tradition. There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating the Wheel of the Year as many, many witches, pagans, and occult practitioners do. It's important, however, to recognize the Wheel of the Year is a modern invention, and while many of the holidays did exist in the past, they were not necessarily celebrated together, inherently religious (but certainly cultural), given the exact dates we use today, or celebrated the way we celebrate today. This realization explained the disconnect I was feeling. I'm not Wiccan, and while many of my ancestors hail from Scotland, those Scottish ancestors were descendants of Scandinavian (think Viking) ancestry. I wasn't connecting with most of these holidays because they weren't mine to connect with. As such, I set out to find what I did feel connected to. Enter the Nordic or Heathen calendar.

What is the Nordic or Heathen Calendar?

Historical Evidence

Archaeological finds from the Viking Age have produced a number of runic calendars carved onto wood, bone, horns, and rocks known as a primstav in Norway and Denmark and a runstav in Sweden. Primstav is derived from prim meaning "new moon" in Old Norse while runstav means "rune staff." Both of these derivations hint at how the calendars were constructed. 

Photo: Ingvar Bohm / Nordic Museum, Stockholm
Primstav from Setesdal, Norway, 1781.

Lines or notches were used to represent the days of the year while characters such as runes were used to denote the solstices, equinoxes, festivals, and holidays. Unlike our modern calendar, each month began on the new moon thus dividing the year into 12 months of 30 days. Four extra days were added to the third summer month and every seven years a week was added to the end of summer called Sumarauki ("summer addition") to account for leap years. Furthermore, the year was divided into two seasons: winter and summer. Each stav was two-sided with a season being represented on each side. The summer started on the full moon around April 14th while the winter side began around October 15th. As mentioned before, these dates shifted as the moons shifted from year to year. (Dr. Andreas Nordberg, the foremost expert on Nordic holidays and calendars, presents some evidence that the year may have been divided into quarters, but most scholars currently disagree.)

Currently, there are about 650 known Norweigan primstaves dating from the late 15th century to the early 19th century. The oldest documented stav was recorded in 876 in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, but this stav has never been recovered making a 13th-century stav found in Nyköping, Sweden the oldest recovered stav on record. The most famous stav and most used among Norse pagans, however, is Worm's Norwegian stav from 1643 which was carved into a large fish bone, possibly whale. Worm described the winter months in great detail in his book Fasti Danici, which included a drawing, but he neglected to document the summer side, making our record incomplete. Like the documented 876 stav, Worm's stav has never been recovered.

Worm’s Norwegian Runic Calendar, 1643 Fasti Danici

Months

Each month was believed to have begun on the new moon, creating 12 months similar to our modern calendar. The exact dates of each month shifted each year as the moon phases shifted and therefore do not easily align with our modern-day calendar. Ample archeological and historical evidence has allowed modern Norse pagans and heathens to reconstruct the Nordic calendar, which would have varied greatly between cultures. The calendar below is based on the work of Dr. Andreas Nordberg's 2006 work titled Jul, disting och förkyrklig tideräkning.

Summer Months

The Summer months were also known as Náttleysi or nightless days and consisted of

• Góa (April-ish)- Góa Moon
• Einmánuður (May-ish)- One Moon
• Harpa (June-ish)- Harpa's Moon.
• Skerpla (July-ish)- Skarpla's Moon
• Heyannir (August-ish)- Hay Moon, referring to the cutting and drying of hay.
• Tvímánuður (September-ish)- Second Moon. Also known as Kornskurðarmánuðr meaning "time to reap grain."

Winter Months

The Winter months were also known as Skammdegi or the short days and consisted of

• Haustmánuður (October-ish)- Harvest Moon, a time to celebrate the final harvest of the season, the mending of fences, and the repair of walls for the winter to come.
• Gormánuður (November-ish)- Slaughter Moon, known for the annual slaughter that occurred here before winter completely set in.
• Jolmánuður (December-ish)- First Yule Moon. Also known as Frermánuðr or Frost Moon.
• Jolmánuður (January-ish)- Second Yule Moon
• Sunmánuður (February-ish)- Sun Moon
• Mörsugur (March-ish)- Fat Sucking Moon

This is just one interpretation of the Nordic calendar. Other practitioners start the Summer months with Harpa (April-ish) and end with Haustmánuður (September-ish), pushing the Winter months to be Gormánuður (October-ish) through Einmánuður (March-ish). This version shifts all the months to different dates, and while it's not necessarily incorrect, it's not the version I have chosen to use for my path. As I mentioned earlier, there are significant differences in calendar structure based on the culture from which the stav originated. Sometimes these calendars varied widely within the same territory depending on the town or village you were in. There was no uniform system used until Christianization began and even then it was hard to get people to agree.

Holidays and Celebrations

Knowing that the runic symbols represented solstices, equinoxes, festivals, and holidays and that these calendars were updated well into the 19th century, we can reconstruct when sumbels, ritualistic drinking and feasting, would have occurred. Sumbels sometimes occurred during a blót or ceremonial sacrifice. Based on this evidence important celebrations included:

• Sigurblót- Also known as Somarmál or Victory-blót which occurred during the full moon of Goa Moon (mid-April-ish) or the fourth full moon after the Winter Solstice.
• Midsommar (Midsummer)- Midsommer is a newer holiday that was not given a name or date until the 1700s, although variations of the holiday have been celebrated for longer. Midsommar is celebrated around the Summer Solstice.
• Vetrnætr- Also known as Winter Nights, this 3-day celebration begins on the first full moon of Haustmánuður, marking the first day of winter. 
• Alfablót- There is no known archeological evidence that supports the celebration of this holiday, but Alfablót is mentioned in verses 1-6 of the Austrfararvísur and in the Kormáks Saga which both suggested it was a celebration and sacrifice in honor of one's ancestors and Elves.
• Jol/Yule/Hökunótt- While most celebrate Yule on the Winter Solstice, it was historically celebrated on the first full moon after the new moon of the Winter Solstice, making it most often celebrated in January.
  
  

Creating My Heathen "Wheel of the Year"

Using historical documents, modern resources, and communication with my ancestors, I developed a Nordic calendar or Heathen "Wheel of the Year" that works for me. I like the wheel metaphor and therefore appropriate to design my calendar around.

This calendar or wheel includes all the modern months of the year as well as the approximate placement of the Nordic months. Four major holidays are also listed where I will celebrate them:

• Sigurblót during the Goa Moon (mid-April)- celebrated on the fourth full moon after the Winter Solstice.
• Midsommar (Midsummer) during Harpa (mid-June)- celebrated on the Summer Solstice.
• Vetrnætr or Winter Nights beginning on the Harvest Moon (mid to late October). This celebration includes 3 days, each day with its own celebration. I will discuss this in more detail below.
• Yule during Jolmánuður (mid-December)- celebrated on the Winter Solstice.
  
  

You may notice that Alfablót is not listed among the holidays. This is because there is some debate on when exactly Alfablót was celebrated. Some sources state it was celebrated as part of Vetrnætr while others suggest it was celebrated on the Slaughter Moon in Gormánuður (mid-November). I have decided to celebrate it as part of Vetrnætr, along with two other popular Nordic holidays commonly celebrated during Winter Nights, Disablót and Haustblót. The first night of Vetrnætr is Alfablót in which I will honor my masculine ancestors, spirits, and deities, followed by Disablót in which I will honor my feminine ancestors, spirits, and dísir (both similar to Samhain). The final night is Haustblót in which I will celebrate the harvest with a feast and make a sacrifice to ensure a good year to come, similar to Mabon or the American Thanksgiving.

The dates I have chosen correspond with historical documents and modern celebrations and will allow me to have some 'fixed' holidays as well as some moveable ones. Sigurblót and Vetrnætr will follow the moon cycle, while Midsommar and Yule will be celebrated on the solstices. I am currently toying with the idea of moving Vetrnætr to correspond with Samhain/Halloween/Day of the Dead but would like to see how this year goes first before I decide if I want to move things around. I think celebrating October 30th and 31st and November 1st would work very well and correspond with other holidays nicely. I already celebrate Halloween (it's a big deal in my house) so Winter Nights falling during this time would be perfect. Unfortunately, October's full moon doesn't always align with Halloween. This year the full moon falls on October 17th, two full weeks before the 31st. I plan to celebrate starting on the 17th this year and if I feel I need to modify my calendar, I will!

There are a variety of other holidays many modern Norse pagans and heathens celebrate, some of which are Wiccan or Celtic-inspired. None of those holidays resonated with me, and while I toyed with the idea of adding Walpurgisnacht or Walpurgis Night to my calendar, I ultimately didn't because of the deep Christian roots of the holiday. I may add it in the future, but for now, I am content with the calendar I have created. Four holidays, one of which lasts three nights, is more than enough for me, especially once you add other familial and cultural holidays, traditions, and celebrations. 

Again, this is my personal calendar, which I created with the help of my ancestors. I recognize not everyone will agree with it, and that's fine because it isn't yours. I encourage you to develop a calendar and system that works for you, despite what others may tell you. Personalized spirituality is always more fulfilling and powerful compared to a packaged version.

In the coming months, I will dive deeper into these holidays, explaining their historical significance, offering ways to celebrate, and sharing spells, rituals, and altars inspired by these celebrations. I am excited to begin this new journey with all of you and if you have any tips, suggestions, or topics you would like me to cover along the way, please drop them in the comments below.

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Harvesting Gratitude: Harvest Moon Gratitude Ritual

This year, Mabon and the Harvest Moon fall just a couple of days apart, making it the perfect time to express gratitude for the year's blessings. The end of the harvest is quickly approaching and winter will be upon us before we know it. This is a time to take stock of what we have, prepare for the coming winter season, and be thankful for the blessings we have. This ritual is designed to help you express that gratitude and thank the Earth, local spirits, deities, and other otherworldly forces in your life for their continued support and love. Remember, being grateful is essential to attracting abundance. By expressing gratitude, we open the door for continued blessings to enter our lives, as like attracts like all.

What You'll Need

• Altar adornments associated with the Harvest Moon, gratitude, and your deities, spirits, etc
• Candle (pink or another color you associate with gratitude, the harvest, and/or abundance)
• Jar
• Paper strips
• Writing utensil
• Acorns and/or Citrine chips
• Wine/Beer/Cider/Juice or other seasonal offering
  
  

What to Do

During the Harvest Moon or Mabon, begin by finding a quiet place to work where you will not be disturbed. This ritual is best performed outside under the light of the Moon but can be done inside near a window if conditions do not allow you to venture outside. Cleanse and consecrate your space using your preferred method before setting up your altar in preparation for the ritual. You will want to choose items that you associate with the season, Harvest Moon, gratitude, and your deities, spiritual guides, local spirits, Earth, ancestors, or any other otherworldy forces you work with regularly in your practice. This can be colorful dried leaves and flowers, acorns, citrine, runes such as Gebo or Fehu, candles, pictures, statues, antlers, incense, etc. Be sure to leave space for you to safely work your spell as this ritual does include a candle.

When your altar is complete, place your spell ingredients and offering in the center. If you wish to cast a circle and call quarters, now is the time to do it using your preferred method. When ready, light the candle and begin invoking the otherworldly forces you work with regularly in your practice one by one by saying, "[Insert name and descriptors here] I invite you to this rite to give thanks and pay tribute to all those who have helped me. I ask that you be present to receive my gratitude on this night. May the moon and stars bear witness to this sacred act." If you do not feel them come immediately, repeat this invocation, adding more descriptors as you go. Remember, no spirit, deity, ancestor, or other entity is required to show up when called, so if they choose not to join you, do not be deterred. You can still honor them and give your thanks.

Stand or sit before your altar and take time to reflect on the blessings and abundance in your life using the candle's flame to enter into a mild trance if needed. Write down each thing you are grateful for on each strip of paper. Be specific and heartfelt in this thanks. It could be a person, a moment, an accomplishment, or anything else that fills you with gratitude, hope, and happiness. Once complete, read each blessing aloud saying, "I am thankful for [insert blessing.] Thank you [insert entity name] for this blessing." before folding the paper toward you and placing it in the jar.

When all the blessings have been placed in the jar, add your acorns and/or citrine and seal the jar. Hold the gratitude jar gently in your hands and offer a closing prayer or expression of thanks, acknowledging the blessings you have recorded and sealed within. This should come from your heart, so what you say is entirely up to you. I encourage you to speak in the moment until you feel you have sufficiently expressed your thanks.

Close the ritual by offering the entities you work with wine, beer, cider, juice, or another seasonal offering they may prefer, such as milk, corn, tobacco, whiskey, or incense, by saying "With this [insert offering] I express my undying gratitude for the gifts you have bestowed upon me. May you accept this offering of love and thanks and continue to bless me in the future." Take a few moments to pour your gratitude into the offering in whatever way you see fit before releasing the ritual and snuffing out the candle. Place the gratitude jar somewhere you will see it every day.

For the next several weeks until the next full moon, choose one strip from the gratitude jar to read. Let the feelings of gratitude wash over you and continue to give thanks to those who have assisted you on your journey. Continue to make regular offerings to express your gratitude. If possible, make a donation to or volunteer at a local charity or give back to your community in some other way, such as picking up trash, cleaning up local a river or stream, or handing out blessing bags to the unhoused.

Under the next full moon, you may release the jar's contents by burning the strips of paper and giving thanks once again or continue to add to the jar's blessing to watch your abundance continue to grow. I encourage you to continue adding to your jar each month for the next year to cultivate a daily practice of gratitude and appreciation for the blessings that surround you. Over time, this jar will fill with notes of thanks, serving as a tangible reminder of the abundance in your life as it continues to bring more blessings to you.

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First, this spell is conducted during the Harvest Moon or Autumn Equinox, both of which are deeply associated with gratitude, appreciation, and the giving of thanks, particularly for the bounty of the harvest. This association was further perpetuated by your choice of altar decorations, which work sympathetically to increase the ritual's potency and attract the entities you work with. The full moon is also associated with celebrating the fruits of your labors, being a time to appreciate what you have accomplished and honor what you have created. As such, this is the perfect time to create a gratitude jar that you can add to all year as the moon's beams further infuse the spell with its own potent energies.

Next, a candle was lit to light the way for the entities you work with so they could find you calling to them in the dark. It also helps you focus on your goal, as the flame can be used to calm and clear your mind so you may focus on that which you are grateful for. The entities you work with were invoked using their name and descriptors so that they could witness your expression of gratitude and receive the offerings of thanks you wished to gift them with. Thanking those who have helped you is the foundation of a healthy relationship, and strengthens the bond you both share. It also ensures the entity will continue to work with you in the future, as there is little worse than working with a thankless witch. Continued offerings and expressions of gratitude also ensure future blessings, as like attracts like. When we express our gratitude, the Universe hears it and continues to send blessings our way. This is further expressed by writing and saying our blessings out loud and continuing to express gratitude over the next month or year.

Added to the jar were citrine and/or acorns, which are both associated with abundance and luck. These were added to the jar to enhance your blessings and bring more to you over time. I think we all wish to continue to grow our blessings.

Finally, the spell was sealed with further thanks and preferably charity work. Giving back to the community that you are a part of, whether it be caring for the Earth or her creatures, is a great way to pay tribute to entities that have helped you and show those entities you are willing to share your blessings with others. Giving thanks takes many forms and requires constant work, but it is well worth it in the end.

Wish to break this spell? When you feel the ritual is complete, either at the end of a moon cycle or at the end of the year, you can release the contents of the jar by burning them. This released those blessings back into the Universe so that they may return to you again in the future. You can also choose to bury the contents close to your home, including planting the acorn to watch your blessings grow.

Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.

***

No matter what you decide to be thankful for or how to express those thanks, gratitude is the foundation of good witchcraft. I hope you have a blessed Harvest Moon and thank your future be full of continued luck, fortune, health, and happiness.

Interested in learning more about the Harvest Moon or gratitude? Below are some resources to get you started.

Harvest Full Moon Worksheet

Moon Phase Correspondences

Monthly Magical Moons

Importance of Gratitude in Witchcraft

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A Mabon Spell for Balance

Mabon, sometimes referred to as the Witch's Thanksgiving, is a celebration of the harvest and a time to express gratitude and thanks for the boundless blessings in our lives. For our ancestors, this was not only the time to celebrate the fruits of their hard labor but also a time to put away excessive stores in preparation for winter. While there is yet another harvest on the horizon, many of the most bountiful crops have slowed production, many of which will be turned into sauces, soups, and other canned goods. While it doesn't feel particularly autumn-ish here in Georgia, there is a noticeable change in the air. My flowers have begun to die back, the Sun spends a little less time on the horizon, and the nightly temperatures are ever so slowly dropping.

Not only is Mabon a time to give thanks, but it's also a time of balance as it is the Autumn Equinox. Night and day are equal during this time, after which our days will quickly shorten until the Winter Solstice. As such, this is a great time to find balance in your own life and realign, which is where this simple spell comes in.

What You'll Need

• Two candles, one to represent the light and harvest, the other to represent the dark and winter, such as white and black or yellow and blue.
• Matches or lighter
• Small piece of paper or bay leaf
• Writing utensil
• Tongs or tweezers
• Fire-safe dish
  
  

What to Do

During Mabon, or the days surrounding the Autumn Equinox, begin by cleansing and consecrating your space using your preferred method. If you wish, cast a circle and invite any spirits or deities associated with balance.

After your space has been cleansed and consecrated, place the candle representing light/harvest to your left and the candle representing dark/winter to your right, but close enough together that your piece of paper can reach both flames. Light the harvest candle and say, "I light this candle to represent the abundance and light in my life." Stare into the candle flame, contemplating on the areas in your life where you have abundance and blessings abounding. Feel your heart rate slow as your body relaxes.

Next, light the winter candle and say, "I light this candle to represent the darkness and introspection in my life." Again, star into the candle flame, contemplating on the areas in your life where you seek balance, the areas for growth. It could be work-life balance, emotional balance, or any other aspect that resonates with you. Visualize these areas of growth and how you would like to change them for better balance in your life.

With this visualization firmly in your mind, write down your intentions for achieving balance in the areas you've identified. Be specific and positive in your wording. For example, "I achieve a healthy work-life balance with ease and grace." Hold the piece of paper between your hands and visualize the energy of balance infusing your intentions. See yourself in a state of perfect equilibrium. You may wish to recite your intention over and over until you feel the energy shift around you.

Using your tongs or tweezers, hold the paper over the light/harvest candle, being careful not to burn it. Allow the energy of the flame to infuse your intentions with the light and abundance of the season. Finally, light both ends of the paper on fire, using the harvest candle to burn the left end and the winter candle to burn the right end. Drop the paper into the fire-safe dish while saying, "As day and night find balance, so too shall my life be in perfect equilibrium." As the paper burns, imagine your intentions being released into the universe, ready to manifest.

Allow the candles to burn for a while as you continue to visualize your intentions. When you are ready, or the candles have completely burned down, draw Gebo rune on your forehead or over your heart depending on your desired outcome using the ashes of your intention as you say, "I am balanced in all that I do." Release any lingering energies from the spell into the Universe and store the ashes in a safe, yet prominent place to remind you of your intention.

Whenever you feel you need an extra push to achieve your goal, use the ashes to draw another Gebo rune on your forehead or across your heart as needed. When your goal has been achieved, or you feel the spell is complete, dispose of the ashes in running water or bury them close to your home.

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs and helps guide you to write your own. It's my intention that by providing these explanations, you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First, this spell is conducted during the Autumn Equinox, which is a time of balance between night and day. This makes it the perfect time to cast spells related to balance, equilibrium, or past versus future. The spell is best performed the night of the Autumn Equinox, but it can be performed around the holiday as the balancing energies peak a few days before and a few days after the equinox. Like many spells, this one requires maintenance, hence the use of the ashes for multiple days after the initial casting of the spell.

Next, a candle was chosen to represent light and one for dark, which is perfectly balanced during this time. The colors you chose are completely dependent on your personal correspondences, I went with a golden candle to represent the harvest and light and a dark blue candle to represent darkness and winter because those are the colors I associate with those particular energies. The harvest candle is placed on your left and the winter candle on your right to show the flow of time from present to future, as well as the progression of your intention over the course of the coming seasons.

After lighting each candle and visualizing your intention, it was written on a piece of paper to allow you to infuse and then release the energy into the Universe. Holding the paper in your hand and then over the harvest candle helped infuse it with the positive energy required for long-lasting change. Burning, and the smoke produced from the act are associated with releasing and sending messages to the Universe, so by burning the message you release the energy you put into the visualization and send your message out to any forces that can help you with your spell.

The Gebo rune written using the ashes of your intention represents balance and allows part of the spell's energy to remain with you to encourage you to put in the work required. The rune was drawn over your forehead for matters associated with the mind, work, or communication, while a rune was drawn over your heart for matters associated with relationships, love, and emotions. This is repeated as needed to further inspire you.

Finally, the ashes were buried close to home to bring things to you or placed in a running river to let things go depending on your particular needs.

Wish to break this spell? If you no longer seek balance, dispose of the remains down the toilet or in the trash can and promptly remove them from your property while stating, "The spell is done. I no longer need assistance in achieving balance in my life. I release you."

Remember to record this ritual on your ritual/spell worksheet or in your Book of Shadows for reference later.

***

I hope you each have a blessed Mabon full of good food, good friends, and good fortune.

Interested in learning more about Mabon? Below are some resources to get you started.

Mabon History and Lore

Mabon Correspondences

5 Things to Do This Mabon

Spirit Work for Mabon

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

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Mabon/Fall Equinox Altar 2023

So, I managed to completely miss Lammas this year as the beginning of the school year was absolutely crazy. Between teaching a new subject and a significant schedule change, I've been struggling to keep my head above the water. Thankfully, I am beginning to tread more easily and able to catch up on some witchy work that I have let fall by the wayside. That means celebrating Mabon with a beautiful altar and some much-needed spell and ritual work.

Mabon, which is sometimes referred to as Pagan Thanksgiving, is a time to celebrate the harvest and the fruits of our labors since the beginning of the year and give thanks for the bounty we have received. While this is not the last harvest, many agricultural crops are slowing down with excess being stored away for the upcoming winter months. The Sun is slowly losing his strength and there is a slight chill in the air as the leaves begin to change. This is also a time of balance, with day and night being equal in length. After Mabon, night will continue to grow in length until Yule. With these themes in mind, I created this year's Mabon altar featuring greens, purples, yellows, and oranges.

1. Harvest Candleholder with Green Candle- This harvest candleholder has graced my Mabon altar for many, many years at this point, and for a good reason. It represents the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent the beginning of autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns another quarter. Like many years, I placed a green candle in it to represent abundance, specifically agricultural abundance as green is associated with plants, abundance, luck, and wealth. It also works to sympathetically encourage the continued growth of the crops lest the harvest's bounties not last through the Winter months. Green also represents the Earth and the gracious gifts She bestows upon us during the harvest, for without Her nurturing soils, we would not have nutrient-rich foods. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Wooden Acorns- These lovely wooden acorns were gifted to me a couple years ago by my mother, who found them while out thrifting. She honestly knows me all too well as these have made a perfect altar decoration for several years, especially this time of year. Acorns symbolize success, good luck, and prosperity, themes associated with Mabon. Acorns are also the fruit of the mighty Oak, which is associated with strength and vitality, energies needed to finish bringing in the harvest and to encourage the Sun to hold out a little longer so we may finish tending the fields. Acorns also represent the Oak King, who is slowly dying this time of year, and are a tribute to his aid during the spring and summer months. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

3. Leaf Candle Holders and Golden Candle Holders with White Candles- The leaf candle holders are an ode to the season and the changing leaves that herald autumn. While we don't get much color-changing here in Georgia, a girl can certainly dream! Their orange color represents attraction. In this case, it is used to attract the Sun and keep Him burning bright within the sky for a little while longer so the rest of the crops may ripen. In conjunction with the candles, which represent the Sun who is slowly waning in the sky, they work together as a sympathetic form of magic to give the Sun continued strength. Furthermore, having two of them represents balance as during the equinox both day and night are balanced. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree 2017; Cost: $5, $1 each)

4. Smokey Quartz, Hematite, Pyrite, Red Calcite, and Citrine- There is an abundance of crystals adorning my altar this year, each symbolic of Mabon. Citrine and red calcite represent the Sun, strength, and vitality, working to lend their strength to keep the Sun full in the sky so we can reap the last of the crops before winter. Red calcite is also associated with change, which is heralded in during Mabon. Pyrite, on the other hand, represents wealth and the Sun and His golden rays. Hematite and smokey quartz represent balance and are naturally grounding. Furthermore, there are 6 hematite pieces and 6 smokey quartz pieces. Six is associated with balance and equality, which further symbolizes the balance between light and dark during the equinox. (Where did I get it: Metaphysical Stores; Cost: ~$8)

5. Enoch Tarot Card- If you know, you know. If you don't know, I can't help you. You must venture into the Unknown yourself and see what lessons it has in store for you. I purchased these tarot cards earlier this year, along with an oracle set, signed by the artist. These beautiful cards are collector editions, and therefore I don't use them, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pay tribute to the season by featuring Enoch, the father of the harvest, on my altar as Mabon is a harvest festival. Don't be surprised if someone else makes an appearance at Samhain. (Where did I get it: Etsy; Cost: ~$30)

6. Corn Dolly- The corn dolly/maiden represents the harvest and the spirits of the fields. While traditionally placed on a Lammas altar, I put her on my Mabon altar to represent Mother Earth and the spirit of the harvest and fields. The effigy is sacrificed the following spring to ensure a bountiful harvest the following year, but I keep mine year to year to bring abundance into my life. Corn, from which the dolly is made, is also associated with growth, vitality, strength, and fertility, which are needed for at least another month while the fruits finish ripening in the fields. (Where did I get it: House of Rituals Box 2018; Cost: ~$5)

7. Sunflowers and Grapes- The sunflowers represent the Sun. Most sunflowers are blooming at this time, and when done, will produce hundreds of oily black seeds which provide valuable food for animals and humans alike, especially in the coming winter months. These unique flowers follow the Sun throughout the day and are thought to lend Him strength through their movements. Grapes are beginning to be harvested during this time and represent abundance and fertility. While grapes are more deeply associated with Mabon, their inclusion here is to ensure a continued fruitful harvest later in the season. (Where did I get it: Dollar Tree; Cost: $2)

TOTAL COST: ~$25

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget! You will also notice that I brought back my labeled altars. I strongly feel this type of breakdown is helpful to beginner witches who are learning correspondences and to seasoned witches looking for inspiration.

I hope each and every one of you has a fantastic, blessing-filled Mabon. I am celebrating this year with an at-home date featuring a seasonal 4-course meal and spooky movies. I can't wait to go to the local farmers market to pick up some in-season produce and spend the day cooking good food. May your Mabon be filled with good food, friends, and family.

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