12/24-1/20
Planet: Venus
Element: Air, Water
Symbolism: Renewal, Protection; The tree of Inception and New beginnings
Stone: Crystal
Flower: Daisy
Birds: Eagle, Pheasant, Egret
Color: White
Deity: Freya, The White Goddess Brigid, Venus, Thor
Sabbat: After the Winter Solstice when the days begin to lengthen again
Folk Names: Beith, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau
Medicinal Properties: Birch Oil: Skin conditions (Please remember: if you are going to use this on your skin, mix it first with a base oil such as Jojoba oil) Birch Sap: Natural shampoo, remedy for dysentery, helps with urinary infections. Birch Leaves: Antiseptic, diuretic
Magical Properties: The wood wards off evil and banishes fears and builds courage. Birch is associated with a heightened tolerance of oneself and others. A birch broom is used to sweep out the old year on the morning after the solstice, the longest night. Add cut birch to spells or drink birch beer if you feel that you under spiritual attack.
Birch, stripped of bark, is the traditional wood that makes the yule log. Birch twigs are used to light Beltane fires and Maypoles are traditionally made from the wood as well. It is also traditionally used for brooms and cradles to protect the children.
Spell For Courage
Relax and meditate. Chant softly, getting louder for about three minutes and courage will come to you. Chant the following:
Burning flame,
Cooling wind,
Summon courage from within,
I call on all my strength and love,
Send me power from above.
Spell to Banish Fear
Needed:
- Stones (plain ones)
Cast a circle and meditate to focus and center yourself. Then turn your mind toward your fears. Think about what exactly your fear is – what smaller fears it’s made of. Then, take each stone one at a time and pour one fear into each stone – for example, fill one with your fear of embarrassment, another with your fear of mistakes, etc. Take the stones somewhere outside where you can throw them. Make sure it’s somewhere that you wouldn’t walk through. Throw each one as hard as you can, as far away from you as possible. As you throw them, say: I cast you off and throw you away. I banish you, you cannot stay.
A Spell For New Beginnings
You Will Need:
- A plain black candle (black is for banishing)
- A plain green candle (green is often associated with success and new ventures)
- A paper and pen
- A fireproof bowl or small cauldron
- Incense of your choosing
Light the black candle, and take a few moments to ground yourself. Meditate on all of the issues holding you back, causing you problems, or making you feel unworthy. If there is a certain deity that you have a connection to, you might wish to invite them to join you at this time, but if you don’t want to, that’s okay – you’ll simply call upon the energies of the universe when it’s time.
When you’re ready, say:
Life is a twisting and turning path, ever changing and flowing. My journey has brought me this far, and I am ready to take the next step. I call upon the energies and powers of [deity name, or simply The Universe] to guide me on my way. Today, I say farewell to all that has prevented me from becoming the person I wish to be.
Using the pen and the piece of paper, write down things that have created stumbling blocks for you. Bad job situation? Unsatisfying relationship? Low self-esteem? All of these are things that prevent us from growing. Write these things on the paper, and then light it in the candle’s flame. Place the burning paper in the bowl or cauldron, and as you watch it burn, say:
I send you away, far from me, and far from my life. You no longer have any influence upon me. You are my past, and the past is gone. I banish you, I banish you, I banish you.
Wait until the paper has burned completely away. Once it has done so, extinguish the black candle and light the green one. Watch the flame, and focus this time on things that will help you grow and change. Planning to go back to school? Moving to a new city? Getting healthier? Just need to feel like you’re worth it? These are the things to think about.
When you’re ready, light the incense from the flame of the green candle. Watch the smoke rise into the air. Say:
It is a time for change. It is time to begin anew. It is time to be a new person, strong and secure and confident. These are the things I will achieve, and I ask [deity name or The Universe] for guidance and assistance. I send my request out into the skies, to the heavens on this smoke, and I know that I will become a better person for it.
Verbalize the things you’re sending out, and make sure you’re using an active voice rather than a passive one – in other words, instead of saying “I wish I was healthier,” say “I will be healthier.” Rather than saying “I would like to feel better about myself,” say “I will believe in myself and be confident.”
When you are finished, take a few final moments to reflect on the changes you plan to see. Also, be sure to consider the mundane things that you will need to do to bring about your transition. For instance, if you choose to be healthier, make a promise to yourself to get more exercise. If you plan to move to a new town and make a fresh start, plan to begin searching for jobs in your destination city.
After you have finished, extinguish the candle and end the ritual.
Learning Wicca and the Tradition of the Craft 