Satanic Self-Care: Winter Solstice Ritual
There are many ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice, but as we Satanists enter the end of the decade, I’m using it as an opportunity to symbolically clear away the accumulated gunk that has built up over the years and create an opportunity for new beginnings.
As I discussed in Satanic Self-Care: Holiday Edition, the holidays can be an especially difficult time for Satanists. On our Satanic journey, many of us come to uncomfortable realizations about family, tradition, and personal relationships - realizations that tend to be magnified during holiday interactions. We often realize that we need to affirm our identities and make big changes — at times cutting off toxic relationships and ridding ourselves of limiting ideas.
I’ve used burning rituals to great effect over the years both in my personal life and for rituals I’ve created for TST Headquarters. I’ve created this ritual as a way to help provide an opportunity to identify those things we want to part with and create a space to heal. I hope this ritual helps you this winter! If you’re interested in learning more, get on the mailing list to find out about the next release of my book, The Devil’s Tome
īnflammō
A Winter Solstice Ritual
Tools: A fire bowl, strips of paper, pen, matches or a lighter, dead flowers, candle, music player
Sacred Space: A private dark room in your home
Preparation: Perform this ritual on the Winter Solstice (December 21) or before the years end. Prepare a playlist that puts you in the mood for the cleansing work ahead. Allow yourself at least an hour of time. If you’re working through deep and painful issues, identify a friend that you can check in with before and after the ritual to provide support and aftercare
Ritual: Begin your playlist
Create a circle of dead flowers and repeat ‘I cast a circle of protection where I sit in my power’ as you lay the circle
Put the fire bowl, candle, paper, pen, and lighter in the center of the circle
Step into the circle and sit
Take 3 deep breaths and allow yourself to sink in to your body. Relax. Become aware of the space you occupy
Light your candle as you say, ‘Through the darkness of winter, I commit to my illumination. I shed light on that which does not serve me and burn the bridges leading to nowhere’
Begin to think of people, ideas, beliefs, relationships, and thoughts you want to part with. As they arise, write each down on a separate strips of paper. As you write each down, allow yourself to feel any emotions that come up. Give yourself space and time to process those emotions. Understand you’re in a safe space. Cry, scream, grieve as necessary
After you write each strip, light it on fire saying, ‘I free myself through the flame.’ Imagine yourself separating from that person, need, or thought as the fire consumes it. Watch it burn to completion in the fire bowl
After you finish lighting all your strips of paper on fire, say ‘It is done. Non Serviam’
Collect the ash, dead flowers, and other remnants and dispose of them as you like
Additional Resources
If you’re having a rough time this holiday season and need professional support, please also consider these resources (special thanks to Kathleen Koski for encouraging me to write this ritual + the resources below):
Crisis Text Line - 24/7 text line where every texter is connected with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.Vets can press "1" to be connected to VA specialists for resources
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline - Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers
The Trevor Project - A free, confidential service that provides live help to LGBTQ youth 24/7 via hotline, chat and text service
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