During the Winter Solstice, Wiccans celebrate a deeply spiritual time of year marked by the shortest day and longest night. They believe that this special day holds tremendous energy and power. As such, they engage in devotions and rituals to honor this occasion and connect with the natural cycles of the Earth and the universe. One of the primary devotions during the Winter Solstice is lighting a Yule log. This ancient tradition symbolizes the return of light and warmth to the world. Wiccans also arrange a Yule altar, adorned with seasonal decorations like evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pinecones.
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In Africa no-one would own up to being a witch, the practice of witchcraft is secret and operated at night in hidden locations, their identity is always concealed, he said. In Africa no-one would own up to being a witch, the practice of witchcraft is secret and operated at night in hidden locations, their identity is always concealed, he said.
Wiccans also arrange a Yule altar, adorned with seasonal decorations like evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pinecones. The altar becomes a sacred space to commune with the divine and express gratitude for the cycles of life. Another common practice is casting a solstice circle.
WitchTok: The witchcraft videos with billions of views
But one of the latest trends is focused more on spells, potions and prophecies - witchcraft.
Videos with the hashtag WitchTok have amassed more than 30 billion views, and has made it easier for would-be witches to learn about it.
Creators say it's bringing the community closer than ever before.
TikTok's #witch hashtag has received nearly 20 billion views, #witchtiktok has nearly two billion views, and #babywitch, a hashtag for those new to the craft, has more than 600 million views.
Ayla Skinner, known as Witch in the Wilderness on TikTok, lives in Cornwall and has amassed followers by performing what she describes, as spells and magic.
She says it makes her feel empowered: "Witchcraft, paganism, it all gives you a bit of control back, you can live your life how you want."
"I live my life magically, I do magic every day. It gives people a real sense of individuality and the power to do things themselves," she said.
Image source, TikTok Image caption, #Witchtok has generated over 31 billion views on TikTokAyla believes TikTok has enabled people of all ages, and from around the world, to be a part of the witchcraft community.
"Witchcraft years ago, you had to find a coven and get initiated and trained. Now you can go to your local bookstore and grab a witchcraft book or book about crystals," she says.
"TikTok has changed the way we practise witchcraft, it's so acceptable now to learn from social media."
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WitchTok content includes live-streaming tutorials, educational videos, and documenting the day-to-day lives of witches.
Frankie Castanea is from the USA and identifies as a gender-fluid Italian-American folk witch.
Frankie has 1.4 million followers through their Chaotic Witch Aunt TikTok page and has amassed more than 90 million likes through sharing content about witchcraft.
The 24-year-old said: "Witchcraft in different cultures has different connotations. Witchcraft is not a religion, it's a belief, it's a spiritual practice."
"The term 'witch' is one people elect to use themselves. It's so broad and encompasses so many traditions."
Witchcraft can have connotations of the dark arts, but Ayla believes magic can be "quite misunderstood".
"Hollywood and Disney have created this very dark, very evil character, which isn't necessarily true," she said.
Prof Diane Purkis, from the University of Oxford, is the author of A Witch In History. She's examined the scepticism surrounding witchcraft, which she calls one of the "oldest human societies".
"There are witches in Classical times, in Greek and Roman literature," she says.
Historically, witchcraft was viewed as an explanation of sudden and unexpected ill-fortune, such as the death of a child or a bad harvest.
Dr Isak Niehaus, Senior Lecturer at Brunel University London, specialises in African witchcraft and says it's a form many people around the world still believe to be true.
"In Europe, witchcraft is seen more as the use of magical powers for any kind of purpose, largely for healing," he says.
"Whereas in Africa, envious and jealous people use witchcraft in the purpose of harm.
"In Africa no-one would own up to being a witch, the practice of witchcraft is secret and operated at night in hidden locations, their identity is always concealed," he said.
But Ayla believes the growing popularity of witchcraft is here to stay.
"Just like nature has light and dark so does witchcraft, and it's how you choose to use the light and the dark," she adds.
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Prof Diane Purkis, from the University of Oxford, is the author of A Witch In History. She's examined the scepticism surrounding witchcraft, which she calls one of the "oldest human societies".
This is a ritualistic way to create a sacred and protected space for Wiccans to connect with their spiritual energies and perform spells or divination during the solstice celebration. The circle offers a sense of sacredness and helps to focus intention and energy. Wiccans also engage in meditative practices during the Winter Solstice. This is a time for reflection and inner transformation. They may use meditation to connect with the deeper meaning of the solstice, to release any negativity or fears, or to focus on their spiritual goals and intentions for the coming year. Finally, feasting and sharing a meal together is an essential part of Wiccan devotions during the Winter Solstice. This feast is a time to nourish the body and to celebrate the bountiful gifts of the Earth. Wiccans may incorporate traditional seasonal foods and drinks into their feast, such as spiced cider, roasted root vegetables, and Yule log-shaped cakes. In summary, Wiccans have various devotions during the Winter Solstice to honor the spiritual significance of this time of year. Lighting a Yule log, casting a solstice circle, practicing meditation, and sharing a festive meal are all ways in which Wiccans connect with the energy of the solstice and celebrate the cycles of life and nature..
Reviews for "Embracing Transformation: Wiccan Devotions for the Winter Solstice"
1. Christine - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice". The book promised to provide a spiritual and meaningful experience during the winter season, but I found it to be lacking in substance. The content felt repetitive and didn't offer any new insights or perspectives. Additionally, the rituals and practices described were confusing and difficult to follow. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. Michael - 1 star
I found "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice" to be a complete waste of time and money. The author seemed more focused on promoting their own beliefs rather than providing helpful guidance for the winter solstice. The book lacked organization and coherence, making it difficult to navigate and understand. The content was shallow and offered no in-depth exploration of Wiccan practices during this time of year. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly flowery and lacked clarity, making it challenging to grasp the intended meaning. The book also included a lot of personal anecdotes and stories that felt indulgent and distracting from the main topic. I was hoping for a more scholarly and informative approach to Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice, but instead, I found this book to be disjointed and unhelpful.