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Winter Solstice Magic

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Tinkinswood Long Barrow

Tinkinswood Long Barrow on the morning of the Winter Solstice. (2022)

The winter solstice, the longest night of the year, has long been a time of deep spiritual and magical significance. Occurring around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, this celestial event marks the turning point when the darkness begins to recede and the light gradually returns. For centuries, cultures around the world have celebrated this moment as a symbol of rebirth, hope, and renewal.

Spiritually, the winter solstice is a powerful time for reflection and inner transformation. The darkness invites us to slow down, turn inward, and examine our lives with quiet contemplation. You might try journaling to explore your thoughts, emotions, and intentions, allowing yourself to process the past year and envision what you hope to cultivate in the months ahead. Alternatively, guided meditation in a calm, darkened space can provide clarity and peace, helping you connect with the stillness of the season and your inner self. Much like nature, which appears still and dormant during the winter months, we, too, are encouraged to rest, release the burdens of the past, and plant the seeds for new beginnings. In this way, the solstice becomes a bridge between endings and fresh starts, reminding us of the cyclical nature of existence.

Magically, the winter solstice is steeped in ancient traditions that honour the interplay of light and darkness. Many spiritual practices involve lighting candles, bonfires, or lanterns to symbolize the triumph of light over shadow. For a simple and modern ritual, you can place several candles of different sizes in a circle, representing the balance between light and dark. As you light each candle, pause to reflect on a specific aspect of your life where you wish to bring more light—such as hope, love, or clarity—and set a small intention for the season. This practice creates a gentle, contemplative space to honour the return of light. These rituals illuminate the physical world and represent the light of hope, love, and wisdom within ourselves. In pagan traditions, such as Yule, evergreen boughs and holly are brought into homes to celebrate life’s endurance. At the same time, the burning of the Yule log is believed to banish negativity and ensure prosperity in the coming year.

The solstice also carries an air of mysticism, as it is considered a liminal time—a moment when the veil between worlds is thin. To honour the beauty of both darkness and illumination, one might perform a simple light ritual. Begin by sitting in a darkened room with a single unlit candle. As you sit quietly, consider the lessons and growth the darkness has offered—the challenges faced, the strength gained, and the wisdom uncovered during this time. take a moment of gratitude for the stillness it offers. When you are ready, light the candle, watching the flame as it flickers and grows. Allow the light to symbolize hope, balance, and renewal, and visualize it dispelling any lingering shadows in your life. You can sit with this quiet illumination, meditating on your intentions for the brighter days ahead.

In essence, the winter solstice is a celebration of light in its many forms: the light that returns to the earth, the light that dwells within us, and the light of spiritual awakening. It is a time as we move forward into the brighter days ahead. In the stillness of winter, we discover a quiet magic—one that whispers of renewal, transformation, and the eternal rhythm of life.

Octarine magic, a concept introduced by Peter Carroll, is often described as the colour of pure magic and the energy of personal inspiration, creativity, and transformation. In the context of the winter solstice, Octarine magic aligns beautifully with the themes of balance and renewal. As the solstice marks the return of light and the triumph over darkness, it is a potent time to tap into this unique magical current, often connected to an individual’s deepest connection with their magical essence.

You can enhance this practice by combining Octarine energy with scents that evoke both stillness and transformation. Essential oils such as frankincense, myrrh, and cedarwood can be diffused or anointed during meditation, ritual, or reflection. These scents are believed to open pathways to higher understanding while grounding the spirit, harmonizing perfectly with the solstice’s call to honour both darkness and illumination.

To practice Octarine magic during the solstice, find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably. Light a candle and burn some incense that resonates with you, or add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser. Close your eyes and visualize Octarine—a shimmering, otherworldly hue representing pure creative potential. Octarine often envisioned as a vibrant, shifting hue that defies traditional colour perception, serves as a bridge between the physical and the magical. It embodies the essence of creativity, transformation, and personal power. When visualized during solstice practices, it can act as a conduit for channelling inspiration and sparking inner transformation. Imagine this light illuminating both the shadows and the pathways ahead, connecting you to your inner magic. Allow yourself to receive insights and inspiration for the months to come, embodying the solstice’s promise of renewal and hope.

 

Octarine Magick, Baphomet & Winter Solstice

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Twice a year, on the winter and summer solstice, a very unique portal reveals itself. Through this opening, we are given the opportunity to explore both the chill, yet still spirit of tranquillity and the effervescent radiance of brightness. The deep, indigo night sky of the winter solstice is reminiscent of Saturn, Lord of Time. There is something special about its seemingly timeless journey; almost as though time actually has stopped. The winter solstice marks the occasion when the Earth’s axis reaches its highest angle away from the Sun. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is where we observe the least amount of sunlight, leading to a day that’s shorter than any other of the year and a night that’s longer. This day mirrors the symbolic death and rebirth of the Sun— with daylight hours beginning to grow again afterwards. 

Octarine is the so-called Colour of Magic or King Colour, only perceivable by magicians and cats. According to Discworld texts (see Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic), it is a combination of fluorescent greenish yellow and purple, mixing all primary colours, and serves as a representation of imagination.

The Octarine power lies within us, kindling the spark of the magician self in our inner being. When this flame is lit, we become familiar with various god forms, such as Baphomet, which can be summoned to inspire our magical creativity. 

The essence of Baphomet restores the balance of our universe.

I see Baphomet as a symbol of equilibrium between all living things. This consciousness allows us to recognize and embrace the connection between humans, mammals, reptiles, fish, angels and demons, heaven and earth. It also encourages us to accept the innate cycle of life and death, plus the concept of

eternity. Light and dark, left and right; these are all balanced by Baphomet’s equanimity. I found it easier to identify with Baphomet consciousness when I think of it as a model for a unique and original thought, a primal idea of balance. This concept once initiated, will ignite the flames of a passionate heart and open a clear passage for communication with our higher selves. 

Using Baphomet perfume oil on the Winter Solstice or Kapalini’s nights will help us surrender and let go of old attachments that bind us and prevent us from moving forward.

Check out AROMAGICK  for more information about the magical ingredients of Baphomet perfume oil. The Winter Solstice coincides with Nitya-Nitya night this year, ‘She who is timeless, the immortal goddess’. I will put an additional rare fragrance into the mix, to embody the essence of Nitya-Nitya.