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somewitchymusings · 4 months

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End-of-year witchcraft in the Southern Hemisphere

I've been thinking a lot about how we do end-of-year witchy stuff during the summer. Many of the witchy creators I follow talk so much about winter being this great time to reflect on the year, with the Winter Solstice being this cosy, meditative time for reflection. They then speak to the welcoming of the sun during the solstice, allowing you to dream big for 2024 and set those goals and intentions which get brighter with the sun, etc, etc. Naturally, these kind of descriptions and energies aren't super helpful for me in the Southern Hemisphere. As such, I have been trying to cultivate my reflections and new-year dreamings to move with the unique weather.

I just celebrated the Summer Solstice/Litha. It was sunny, I said prayers to Helios, bought some sun flowers for my home, and did a big spring clean. I feel a big clean before harvest season/Lammas or the "height" of the hot summer makes most sense for my practice. It clears out space for the upcoming year and helps me ground before the busyness of Christmas.

Although that day happened to be sunny, as I write this post a great thunderstorm is rolling in. Living in Naarm/Melbourne (Australia), our weather is pretty inconsistent (yeah the: "melbourne has 6 seasons in 1 day!" comment is pretty true). The Wurrundjeri people and other Kulin nation peoples call this season Garrawang, Kangaroo-Apple Season. It is characterised by changing, thundering weather and long days with short nights. I honestly feel that this chaotic weather suits the "silly season," especially as a queer person when holidays are always that bit trickier. I'm no chaos magician, but I think it would make a lot of sense to harness that in a way that feels good to you. I think this energy is overlooked by trying to fit our experience of weather to the (Celtic, and frequently Americanised) Wheel of the Year - just because it is "summer" really doesn't mean it's all about sunshine magick. Especially in Australia where summers can be a brutal time for many crops.

For me, this shifting weather has been an opportunity to reflect on the previous year of 2023. Not just reminding myself of things I achieved, but things I didn't. Some goals can move into the new year, but many I came to realise were just unrealistic or didn't actually resonate with me and the things that make me happy. I have a tendensy to over-interlectualise my problems - trying to find reasons for not achieving or under-achieving. All of this is, of course, a whole bunch of capitalist brain-rot, but nevertheless the perfectionist in me struggles with the New Year. Instead, I try to reframe and witness that there is a lot that is entirely outside my control. I'll be writing out some of these things on paper, burning them, and blowing them out to the wind for the chaotic weather to take away - a symbolic reminder to go-with-the-flow and that the wheel keeps turning. I don't know about others, but The World and Temperance have been showing up in my readings pretty consistently.

I see this time as very 9 of Wands vibes, like a message of push through: there's more goodness to come! (i.e. the wands court cards, and the harvest season/Lammas/the height of summer). But also, there will there be much change, and change is good (i.e. New Years, this thundering weather, how Autumn proceeds summer). Feels appropriate that the 10 of wands - a card of carrying too many burdens - proceeds this. We then get that lovely playful page of wands, keen to explore and create. End-of-year reflection, to me in the Southern Hemisphere, is not so much a cosy, introspective time; but instead a fiery, chaotic, energetic time. I have to actively cultivate calm moments, because everything else is shifting. And as everything shifts, I'm finding ways to go-with-the-flow and shift with it - honoring what I can't control.

#helios deity #southern hemisphere witch #litha #summer solstice #helpol #hellenic polytheism

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lalka-laski · 3 years

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Do you have a dry erase board? I have one on my fridge but I hardly ever use it

What do you remember most from last summer? The past couple years all melt together in my mind, so I'm really not sure.

Where is the last place that you shopped? Uhh... Amazon. Unless you count the iced tea & chips I bought at a rest stop as "shopping."

What kind of shoes did you wear today? I'm wearing these slip-ons that kind of look like old lady orthopedic shoes, but in a cute way?

Have you painted lately? No but I really should.

Which season has the best clothes? I'm inclined to say fall. Or maybe winter because I love a good, sharp jacket.

Do you know about the many uses of coconut oil? Yeah, but it's overhyped. It's multipurpose in the way that a lot of plants are, but it's not a cure-all.

Do you watch Dr. Oz? Nah. He's a sham.

When was the last time you got balloons? I couldn't tell ya

What color is your favorite purse? I don't really have a favorite amongst my purses. Lately I've been using a brown one, so maybe that.

What are your plans for tomorrow? I have the day off so it's TBD. I think I'm gonna try to clean, maybe grocery shop and cook a nice meal.

How was your past Christmas? All my Christmases since I've been dating Glenn have been magnificent.

Do you prefer the game Sorry or Trouble? I was never a big fan of either.

What color are the sheets on your bed? White

Do you prefer pull-over sweatshirts or zip-ups? Crew necks all the way!

Have you ever had quiche? Yeah. Funny story about quiche. For some reason my mom thinks it's one of my favorite foods, and always buys me one for holidays and family functions as a vegetarian option. The truth is, I don't really care for it. I can stomach it, and I always take a small slice to be polite, but I'd be perfectly fine without it.

Have you ever had a conversation with a priest (etc.) outside of church? Yes, a brief one

What do you order when you go to McDonald’s? Grilled cheese if they offer it, or a cheeseburger without the patty, fries, and an Orange Hi-C.

What do you like to put in your coffee? I prefer it black or with just a touch of cream on occasion

What is a political issue you feel strongly about? Abortion and reproductive rights

How often do you have to charge your phone? Probably too often because it's glued to my hand

Do you have a song stuck in your head? Not at the moment

Do you have any yellow shirts? Yeah but it's not my color

When was the last time you wrapped a present? Umm... last Christmas probably

Do you normally win or lose at rock, paper, scissors? No clue

Do you like Fruity Pebbles? I prefer the Wegmans version "Fruity Rice Crisps." They're softer in texture and don't tear up your mouth.

Do you have any stuffed animals from when you were younger? A few!

What is the craziest thing you’ve heard or seen on TV lately? Oh God, take your pick...

Have you ever hyperventilated? Yes

What was your favorite book to read in English class? I'm a book nerd so I can't narrow it down

Do you wear scarves? Occasionally

Are your nails painted? I just ripped off my press-ons this morning Do you like to dress up? I do! But often the expectation I set in my head pales in comparison to how I look in real life and I get bummed

Are you looking forward to anything in the next week? I have a fun weekend ahead! Although I'm still recovering from this past weekend so fingers crossed I get some energy and pep in my step back by Saturday!

Do you buy lottery tickets? Nah. Sometimes people toss them in my birthday cards or something but I've never bought one myself.

What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade? Lemon-lime, light blue, or red. Honestly I like them all!

What feature do you get complimented on most? Hair

What are you planning to do next? Look for another survey. I'm kind of chained to my desk till 11ish this morning so I'll be doing these to pass the time

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