This has been a busy week at The Wild Hunt!

Today is Day 3 of Saturnalia!

Saturnalia is a Roman festival held in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture, wealth, and time. It was one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in the Roman calendar, marked by feasting, merriment, and a temporary suspension of societal norms. The festival encouraged gratitude for the harvest and optimism for the future. Saturnalia offered a time of joy and freedom, reflecting themes of abundance, equality, and the overturning of conventional roles.

In ancient Rome, social hierarchies were temporarily dissolved. Activities that were usually frowned upon, like gambling, were openly encouraged during Saturnalia. People wore toga-free attire, exchanged gifts, and selected a “Lord of Misrule” or Saturnalia King to oversee the festivities, issuing playful commands for others to follow.

Today is also Opalia

Opalia is the ancient Roman festival honoring Ops, the goddess associated with fertility, abundance, and the harvest. Ops is often depicted seated and holding a cornucopia or other symbols of plenty, representing the earth’s bounty. She was revered as the consort of Saturn and as a personification of agricultural wealth and prosperity.

The festival celebrated the blessings of the earth, particularly its capacity to provide food and sustenance. Ops embodies the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, making her a central figure in ancient agricultural practices.

Yesterday, December 18, Was the Feast of Epona

Known as Eponalia, this day honors Epona, a prominent goddess in the spiritual traditions of the ancient Gauls. Celebrated as a deity of horses, fertility, and abundance, Epona was unique among Celtic deities because her worship spread into Roman culture, making her the only Celtic goddess officially venerated within Rome.

She was also honored in Britannia and Germania, invoked for safe travels (especially for those journeying by horseback or chariot) and for fertility, prosperity, and agricultural success. Epona’s veneration continues in modern Roman and Celtic spiritual traditions.

Looking Ahead: Yule/Jul

At sunset tomorrow, Yule/Jul begins as we pass through the darkest night and await the return of the sun.

The Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere occurs this year at 09:20 (UTC), 4:20 am (EST), and 1:20 am (PST) on Saturday, December 21, 2024. This marks the moment when the sun moves into the astrological sign Capricorn and, astronomically, shines directly on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Several sacred sites are livestreaming sunrise footage, allowing viewers to experience these celebrations from anywhere in the world for free:

• Stonehenge:
• English Heritage, the charity that oversees and manages a variety of monuments across England, will livestream on YouTube the sunrise from Stonehenge on Saturday, December 21 beginning at stream begins at 07:30 GMT (this is 02:30 EDT/EST), with sunrise occurring at 08:08 GMT.
• Newgrange/Brú na Bóinne:
• The Office of Public Works that oversees Newgrange/Brú na Bóinne wrote: “On Saturday 21 December, the Solstice will be livestreamed from inside the ancient passage tomb at Newgrange. The livestream event allows audiences to witness this awe-inspiring event in high definition from the comfort of their own home. The livestream is accompanied by a wonderful narration that describes the event in detail. Our specialists, Dr. Clare Tuffy and Dr. Frank Prendergast, will guide you through this spectacular event, providing unique insights and perspectives on the significance of the Winter Solstice.” Details are available at Heritage Ireland.

Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere

Meanwhile, our friends in the southern hemisphere are celebrating the Summer Solstice! Known as Midsummer in some traditions and Litha in others, this day marks the peak of abundant light for the global south.

Sunday: The Feast of Sulis

Bronze head of Sulis Minerva at Roman Baths – Image credit: Tristan Surtel – CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85266490

On Sunday, we honor Sulis, the goddess revered in Celtic and Roman Britain. Sulis is primarily associated with the healing waters of the hot springs at Aquae Sulis (modern-day Bath, England). She embodies themes of healing, water, and solar energy, and was syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva during the Roman occupation of Britain.

Archaeological finds, including curse tablets dedicated to Sulis, suggest she was also invoked for justice and protection against wrongdoing. Her veneration remains an inspiring example of the blending of Celtic and Roman spiritual traditions.

And Then There’s Christmas…

Well, let’s skip that for now. Let’s just be kind to our neighbors who are trying to come to terms with all this Paganism happening at once.

It’s a lot to take in.

Bless their hearts.

Speaking of which, our friends at the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights decided to share a billboard that is both a shocking waste of money and a public display of ignorance and neighborly behavior.

Apparently, every year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an organization promoting the separation of church and state, sets up a Winter Solstice display at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

This year, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights are responding with its own message, to remind everyone that the Christmas season is a celebration of faith and tradition. They put up a billboard that speaks for itself.

Image via Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights – Facebook

“We chose Madison because it is home to FFRF, and we wanted them to see it. Call it our Christmas gift to them.” The Catholic League wrote. “They are in for a surprise.”

We agree with that last sentence.

Bless their hearts.

Our awesome colleague, Azure, sent us this recipe for simmer pots to share with the community

Yule is a time of reflection, connection, and the joyous celebration of nature’s cycles. As you gather with friends and family during this magical season, add an extra layer of enchantment to your festivities. Create a captivating atmosphere with a Yule spice simmer pot.

But why not take the simmering sensation and use the mixture for magical purposes? This can be a delightful way to infuse your living space with positive energy, intention, and a touch of enchantment. Simmer pots, often associated with kitchen witchery, allow you to blend aromatic herbs, spices, and other elements to create an atmosphere that aligns with your magical goals. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a simmer pot for magical purposes:

Before you begin, clarify your magical intention. What do you hope to manifest or attract? Whether it’s love, prosperity, protection, or simply positive energy, having a clear intention will guide your choice of ingredients.

Select herbs, spices, fruits, and other elements that align with your intention. Each ingredient carries its own magical properties, so choose wisely. For example:

• Cinnamon: Attracts prosperity and success.
• Rosemary: Enhances memory, protection, and love.
• Citrus (orange or lemon): Brings joy and positivity.
• Cloves: Promotes love, friendship, and protection.

Collect a small pot, water, and your chosen ingredients. Consider using fresh herbs and spices for a more potent and aromatic blend. Ensure that your choices are safe for simmering and won’t cause irritation.

Fill the pot with water, add the chosen ingredients, and place it on the stove. Adjust the quantities based on personal preference, but a handful of each ingredient is a good starting point.

As the water begins to heat, focus on your intention. Visualize the energy of your desired outcome by infusing the ingredients. Stir the pot clockwise to attract or counterclockwise to banish, depending on your intention.

As the base of our spell, the water you use is just as important to setting the energy as the plants you choose. What evaporates into the air is water, making it the vehicle to your spell.

As the simmer pot works its magic, pay attention to the scent filling your space. Be present and meditate on your intention. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the magic at hand.

Once you’ve simmered your magical blend for an appropriate amount of time, carefully strain out the ingredients. Dispose of them in a way that aligns with your magical tradition, such as burying them in the earth or tossing them into flowing water.

Conclude the magical work by expressing gratitude for the energies and elements involved. Acknowledge the magical forces at play and thank the spirits or deities you invoked, if applicable.

For ongoing magical work, repeat the process regularly, perhaps during specific moon phases, days of the week, or when you feel the need for a boost of magical energy.

Keep a magical journal to record your experiences, the ingredients used, and the outcomes observed. This documentation will help you refine your practice and better understand the magical properties of different elements.

Remember that the most potent magic comes from within. Trust your intuition, experiment with different ingredients, and allow the simmer pot to become a cherished tool in your magical repertoire.

Here are two recipes to get you started on your journey!

Yule Spice Simmer Pot:

• Create a captivating atmosphere with a Yule spice simmer pot. Combine cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices, and a few sprigs of fresh pine in a pot of simmering water. Let the aromatic blend fill your home, bringing warmth and seasonal cheer.

Winter Forest Simmer Pot:

• Immerse yourself in the enchanting scents of the winter forest by simmering pine needles, juniper berries, and rosemary. Add a touch of citrus with orange peels, and let the forest magic unfold in your living space.

Tarot of the Week by Star Bustamonte

Deck: Curious Travels Tarot Deck by Amelia Rozear, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Card: Two (2) of Pentacles

This week is liable to require all of the skills and balance one possesses in order to multi-task and stay on top of everything that needs handling. There is also likely to be a marked emphasis on making sure physical and mental health needs are given priority. Failure to do so is likely to result in delays and longer recovery times.

Conversely, continuing to take on more projects or tasks in an already overburdened state is apt to lead to an increasing number of balls being dropped. Establishing limits and maintaining them will be key to staying on top of everything that needs handled. Otherwise, exhaustion and failure will be imminent.