The Silence Between Seasons: How to Embrace Stillness as a Magical Act Through Tea, Meditation, and Journaling

As the winds turn sharp and the days begin to wane, the world seems to take a long, inward breath. The fields lay bare, trees stand skeletal against dark skies, and even the spirits grow quiet, lingering in the hush between harvest and rebirth. This is the silence between seasons, a threshold in time where life pauses for the briefest of moments.

In a world driven by capitalism and the constant need to hustle and bustle, it can be difficult for many to embrace this silence. We are often viewed as lazy or unmotivated during times of rest, leading many to continue working even after they have reached total burnout. In witchcraft, this silence between seasons is not a time of emptiness or laziness, but instead a time ripe with potential. This is the perfect opportunity to rest, recharge, reflect, and plan for the future. It is in the dark that we are able to find ourselves and plan the road ahead. When we resist the modern urge to fill every quiet moment, we can rediscover what the ancestors knew well: the soul speaks most clearly when the world grows still. Stillness becomes an act of rebellion instead of a sign of laziness, allowing us to take back control over our lives.

Furthermore, to pause is to honor the cycles of death and rest that sustain all life and growth. It honors the mystery or rún of our world, helping connect us to the cycles of change and recharge before life is reborn anew. Within Norse mythology, this quiet stillness is represented by Odin hanging from the branches of Yggdrasil seeking enlightenment, where Hel keeps her cold dominion, and the time the völva takes to listen before she speaks a prophecy. I find myself leaning more into my spirituality as the winter months come, relying on that silence to bring comfort and peace.

There are many ways we can connect with this silence and embrace stillness in our magical practices, from meditation to teas to spell work. Today I offer a tea recipe, guided meditation, and journal prompts to invite the magic of stillness, peace, and silence into your own practice and engage in shadow work. I find combining these methods, particularly the tea with the meditation, works best. These can also be added to your daily practice during the winter months to better connect with the magic of the season.

Ritual Tea for Stillness

The tea recipe below is designed not only to promote calm and stillness but also to open you up for reflection and shadow work. I have included a series of shadow work journal prompts at the end of the post to help guide your reflection and intuition. Chamomile and lavender bring calm and tranquility, mugwort enhances your psychic ability and spiritual connection, and rosemary stimulates your memory and cleanses away stress. I encourage you to sweeten this tea with your favorite sweetener, as mugwort tends to be rather bitter when brewed.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

1 teaspoon dried lavender

1 teaspoon dried mugwort

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Sweetener of choice

Instructions:

Combine the herbal mixture with warm water (200° F) and allow the tea to infuse for 7-10 minutes. While the tea infuses, stir in your sweetener, stirring counterclockwise while saying, "In silence's brew I release all stress; The stillness speaks and I shall listen." Breathe in the aroma of the tea before enjoying. As you sip, visualize tension leaving your body, your heart rate slowing, and your mind quieting.

This tea pairs incredibly well with the following guided meditation or a relaxing ritual bath.

Guided Meditation

Find a comfortable position to sit or lie. Close your eyes and take several slow breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel your body settle, your heartbeat steady, and your mind begin to slow. Continue breathing until you feel relaxed and centered enough to begin the guided meditation.

When ready, imagine yourself standing in a winter forest. The trees are bare, their branches etched against a pale, misty sky. A slight breeze blows, but the snow muffles all sound. The air hums with silence.

You begin to walk. The world feels suspended in time. There is no past, no future, only now. You reach a clearing where the snow lies smooth and untouched. You stand or sit upon the earth. Beneath you, the land sleeps and dreams of warmer days, but for now, it is content to revel in the stillness of winter.

In that stillness, listen. What you once thought was nothingness is actually the slow pulse of life, hidden away beneath the snow. Roots, sleeping seeds, resting spirits breathe deep and exhale, the promise of tomorrow alight. Their silence is not absence; it is potential waiting to be born. 

Breathe with that rhythm. Let it seep into your bones. Open your heart and mind to any messages the earth, spirits, and land wish to convey to you. Sit in the stillness until you feel numb, allowing messages and relaxation to flow through you.

When you are ready, whisper to yourself: “I am the quiet between seasons. I am the space where magic waits.” When you return, carry that calm within you as you work through the journal prompts below.

Shadow Work Journal Prompts for the Silence Between Seasons

1. When I sit in silence, what parts of myself try to fill the quiet first? (Notice the thoughts, worries, or memories that rush forward. These often reveal what your shadow most wants to avoid.)
   
   
2. What emotions or truths arise when I stop distracting myself with motion or noise? (Describe them without judgment. They are your soul’s whispers, not intruders.)
   
   
3. If stillness feels uncomfortable, what might that discomfort be teaching me? (Shadow often hides in resistance, so be sure to explore what silence threatens to uncover.)
   
   
4. What part of me craves rest but fears being still? (Write from that part’s perspective. What does it believe will happen if you slow down?)
   
   
5. What has the “winter” of my spirit been trying to teach me? (Reflect on the cycles of withdrawal, endings, death, or inner cold. What wisdom lies beneath them?)
   
   
6. What truths have I drowned out with noise, busyness, or external validation? (Be honest here. What message keeps echoing in the background, waiting for quiet to be heard?)
   
   
7. What am I holding onto that silence asks me to release? (This could be guilt, control, fear, or grief. Be sure to name it, thank it, and imagine setting it down.)
   
   
8. What does “rest” mean to me beyond physical sleep? What does my soul’s rest look like? (Define what true restoration means for you  beyond productivity or spiritual performance.)
   
   
9. What part of my shadow is ready to be held, not fixed? (Consider one wound, insecurity, or regret that needs presence more than healing right now.)
   
   
10. What wisdom does the silence between seasons want to share with me right now? What messages did you receive from beyond? (Let the answer come as an image, a feeling, a single word, or a whisper from your deeper self.)

I find brewing a second cup of tea while working on the shadow work journal prompt helps me recall my journey and opens myself up to being more honest and reflective in my answers. I end my stillness ritual and reflect with the following mantra: "In stillness, I find my power. In silence, I remember who I truly am."

You can download your free copy of the journal prompts below.

The silence between seasons is not a void to be feared or shunned with more work. Instead, it is a sanctuary to be honored and respected. In this quiet season, let yourself rest without guilt. Engage in radical self-care by resisting what the overculture insists upon. As the night continues to lengthen and the frost gathers, I invite you to find beauty in the pause. It is in winter's stillness that we can listen to the whispers of fate and deepen our magic through reflection and rest.

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Black Pepper

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Clarity, Courage, Exorcism, Protection, Strength, Wealth

Magical Uses and History: Often referred to as the "king of spices," black pepper has a long and rich, yet mythical history. Much like misinformation is spread today to sway public opinion, it was used to convince the public that black pepper was more than it seemed. 

While black pepper was historically a rare commodity,  available only to the nobility, it remained in demand through the use of myth. According to legends, black pepper could only be harvested by setting the pepper trees on fire to drive away venomous snakes that guarded the delicate spice. During the burning process, the otherwise white peppercorns turned dry, shriveled, and black. Because so many trees were lost during the burning, the cost and time to replant them had to be factored into the price. This legend spread quickly through mainstream culture, and while we cannot be sure where it originated or if it was entirely believed, it was enough to keep the price high. The cost of black pepper was so high that it was often used as currency to pay rent, taxes, doweries, and even ransoms, as seen during the 5th century AD when Visigoths demanded it after sacking the Western Roman Empire. Because of its value, it became known as "black gold," symbolizing wealth and power. As such, black pepper can be added to spells and rituals for wealth, money, and prosperity. Add whole peppercorns to your wallet, purse, or cash register to attract wealth. Add to spell bags and bottles for wealth and prosperity, keep in your kitchen to ensure abundance flows freely, or steep in oil to create a success-attracting oil.

Apart from being a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance, black pepper was also used for protection. Due to its sharp, fiery qualities, black pepper is thought to drive away evil and unwanted spirits and has even been used to break curses. In hoodoo, black pepper is often added to Hot Foot powders to bring an uncomfortable "heat" to the target's life or to salt to prevent evil or unwanted guests from entering or returning to your home. Keep a jar of black pepper corns near your hearth or entrance to guard the home, sprinkle along thresholds to prevent unwanted guests from entering, burn to banish unwanted energy, or add to other spells and rituals for banishment, hex breaking, or removal. Black pepper combines well with other banishing herbs to create a potent incense or banishment oil.

Finally, black pepper was also a symbol of health and medicine, used to treat a wide range of ailments from digestive issues to respiratory problems and even pain. In ancient Greece and Rome, black pepper was used to stimulate the digestive system, helping aid in digestion, reduce excess gas, and alleviate stomach pain. In Ayurvedic medicine, it was believed to help balance the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As such, it was revered for its general digestive and respiratory aid, helping to clear congestion, support the immune system, and bring overall wellness to the user. Across cultures, black pepper was also widely used to treat fevers due to its warming nature that was thought to promote sweating and therefore "break" a fever. Today, black pepper is used much the same way, and therefore can be used in spells and rituals for healing, health, and general wellness. Due to its warming nature, black pepper can also be used to bring heat to a spell. Add black pepper to teas, tinctures, baths, spell bags or jars, or burn with other spices such as sage or rosemary for similar purposes.

Black pepper can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Money Spells

      Protection Spells

      Exorcism

      Strengthen Spells & Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Black pepper contains piperine, the alkaloid responsible for black pepper's well-known flavor. Piperine is an antioxidant and a bioavailability enhancer, meaning it helps with the absorption of other compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, and other minerals and vitamins. It is also an anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and has been found to increase digestion through the stimulation of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. As such, it is often used to treat indigestion, bloating, and gas. As an anti-inflammatory, it has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with arthritis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Piperine may also help with the regulation of blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing blood sugar spikes. As an expectorant and decongestant, black pepper can be used to treat colds, cough, asthma, and mild flu symptoms. As an antimicrobial and antibacterial, black pepper is effective at improving overall oral health and reducing gingivitis and gum disease. 

It should be noted that despite black pepper's ability to help with the absorption of certain nutrients, it can interfere with the absorption of certain medications. Please consult your doctor or a credible herbalist before including it in your herbal remedy practice.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine one cup of boiling water with 1/2 teaspoon of crushed black pepper. Allow the infusion to steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 0.5 to 1 mL in water or tea up to three times a day. Black pepper combines well with honey, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. Externally, black pepper essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and used as a massage oil to reduce pain and inflammation.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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Book Review: Entering Hekate's Cauldron by Cyndi Brannen

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cyndi Brannen is one of the few experts on Hekate, having started with a blog and Facebook group (Keeping Her Keys) and later transitioning to a traditionally published author, podcaster, and teacher. I have deep respect for Brannen and the work she has done over the past decade, watching her small corner of the world grow exponentially as more and more people turn to the dark goddess for insight, self-reflection, and strength. More recently, Brannen has started publishing books centered around Hekate's "tools," including entering her cave, garden, and now cauldron. While I have not had the opportunity to read all of the aforementioned books, I have no doubt they are inspiring. Luckily, however, Wesier reached out with the opportunity to read Entering Hekate's Cauldron: Spells, Spirits, Rites & Rituals, and there was no way I was going to turn down the opportunity. As the Wheel turns toward winter, this is the perfect time to enter Hekate's cauldron and see what mysteries she has in store for us.

The cauldron is traditionally associated with magic and mystery, as well as wisdom and self-reflection. This makes it a wonderful tool to get to know during the winter months as we spend more time indoors, resting, reflecting, and even learning new hobbies. Entering Hekate's Cauldron delves into using the cauldron in Hekatean witchcraft as both a teacher and a tool. Unfortunately, there is the assumption that you have read or will read Brannen's other works, referencing spells, rituals, recipes, and journal prompts outlined in previous texts, particularly Entering Hekate's Garden. Because of this, I do not suggest skipping the other books as I have, as they apparently build on each other. There is also the assumption you have experience with Hekatean witchcraft, so again, I wouldn't start with Entering Hekate's Cauldron as your first encounter with the dark goddess. Despite the need for prior knowledge and understanding, Entering Hekate's Cauldron offered up wonderful and ingenious spells, rituals, and recipes that can be easily adapted into anyone's practice, making it well worth the read, despite your beliefs.

Entering Hekate's Cauldron is broken down into four parts: The Foundation, The Knowledge, The Craft, and The Mystery. I felt this was an excellent way to approach such a topic, but Brannen failed in some aspects to keep the book cohesive. Some chapters and information were completely out of left field, leaving me confused as to how the knowledge and work built upon itself as the reader progresses, as it was suggested in the beginning of the book. That isn't to say there isn't any structure, just sometimes things felt awkward or forced, like Brannen had a lot of say but wasn't sure where exactly to put the information she wished to share.

Now I hate that I opened this review with two criticisms, despite rating the book very highly. Brannen redeems the structural issues and the need for prior knowledge with some of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright ingenious spells, rituals, and remedies I have ever encountered, on top of well-researched insight into the spirit world and spirit communication. The Craft and The Mystery sections really redeemed this book for me, making it one of my top recommendations for the year for hedge witches, whether you follow Hekate or not. There are incredible recipes for spirited oils, guides to enlivening and renewing sacred objects, letter writing to communicate with the goddess, recipes for magical glues/fixatives and paints (which blew my mind completely!), talismans, incantations, and even shapeshifting. The list of rites, rituals, spells, and spirits is listed right at the beginning of the book, making it super easy to go back and find any that caught your attention during your first read through. I am going to have to dedicate time in the future to rereading the content to continue digesting all of the incredible information and insights Brannen has to offer.

Part of Brannen's ingenuity comes from her ability to weave words into magical spells, a talent she teaches the readers in Part III: The Craft through the use of acrostics. These then get added to talismans, knot magics, spell bags, and even turned into sigils, creating potent spells unique to their creator. You really have to read this work for yourself to understand where I am coming from. I could spend the next several paragraphs espousing Brannen's work, and I still don't think I could do it justice.

However, it's Part IV: The Mystery that I really enjoyed. In this section, Brannen breaks down the different types of spirits, offering a wonderful guide to all that you could encounter as a witch, especially hedge witches. For each spirit type, Brannen offers a brief description of each, how to connect with different spirit types while staying safe in the process, and even has a breakdown on meeting your spirit guide and making a spirited mirror for scrying. The ritual to meet your spirit guide is a pathwalking ritual, which Brannen refers to as a meditation. I prefer to hedge ride to meet guides, but it is possible to meet them during a meditation or path walk if you so choose.

Part IV also includes working with animal allies and how the different animal attributes can be used in one's magical practice. This is also where Brannen includes a brief guide to shapeshifting. I really wish this chapter alone was longer than it was, but I realize that would have been outside of scope of this book. Entering Hekate's Cauldron is about Hekatean witchcraft, not animal allies and shapeshifting, but I hope that one day someone will pick up the mantle and right a more detailed book on this exact topic.

My favorite chapter, however, was Chapter 17, which delves into mystical and shamanic experiences. While there is no hedge riding mentioned here, it does include looking into your past lives using Hekate as a psychopomp and helping to guide souls to the other side. These are all roles a hedge witch can easily fill, and are well worth the time and care to read through, even if you do not follow Hekate. The rituals and information can easily be paired with deities from other traditions, such as Freyja. That is one of the great things about this book. Despite it being specifically about Hekate, the foundation is witchcraft and deity worship, skills that are easily applied to anyone's practice.

While I deeply enjoyed Entering Hekate's Cauldron overall, there are two other things that 'bothered' me that I haven't already mentioned. The first was the inclusion of the modern Wheel of the Year. I understand the need to modernize witchcraft, but it felt off, knowing what I know about Brannen, that she still follows the Wheel of the Year. It doesn't seem to jive with Hekatean witchcraft, but that's probably just me. Last, but certainly not least, there were some points in the apothecary chapter where some alt-right pipeline rhetoric was used, specifically in suggesting that you can't use iodized salt or chemically treated tap water in your magical practice. I have never found there to be a difference in the salt varieties, unless of course we are talking about pink vs black salt, and while water does have different properties based on its source, chemically-treated tap water is fine in almost all cases. I may be overreacting, but I would rather err on the side of caution than potentially continue harmful, dated rhetoric.

Overall, I deeply enjoyed Entering Hekate's Cauldron: Spells, Spirits, Rites & Rituals by Cyndi Brannen and believe it is one many of you will enjoy having on your shelf. A word of caution, though: I recommend picking up Brannen's earlier works before jumping into this one. I know you will not be disappointed!

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Vetrnætr/Winter Nights Altar 2025

Winter Nights begins (-ish) on the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and lasts three days during which three blots, or sacrifices, occur: Alfablót, Disablót, and Haustblót. Last night was the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and therefore the first day of Winter Nights! Others chose to celebrate 28 days after the Autumn Equinox, which this year falls much closer to Samhain, or on November 5th because there are 13 full moons this year. I considered postponing my celebrations by a couple of weeks, but considering everything that has been going on, I figured I needed to celebrate earlier rather than later.

Alfablót and Disablót were believed to be celebrated more privately, while Haustblót was a community event. There is some suggestion that Disablót was also celebrated publicly, and in some parts of the world, it still is. I, however, have chosen to make this a private celebration. Alfablót and Disablót are both celebrations of our ancestors, local spirits, and deities, each focusing on a different group. Alfablót celebrates our male ancestors, spirits, and Álfar, while Disablót celebrates our female ancestors, spirits, and Dísir. Haustblót, on the other hand, is more of a thanksgiving celebration to acknowledge the abundance of the final harvests, express gratitude, and honor the spirits and deities that made such a bountiful harvest possible. One last hurrah before the cold sets in and the earth withers.

The themes and symbols represented by this holy tide are the harvest, abundance, cycles, family, heritage, and sacrifice. This is a time to give thanks, celebrate the fruits of our labors, and request continued protection and abundance. With these themes in mind, I created the base altar featured below. Please know that this is the base, not the complete altar. Each night, I added new items and conducted short spells and rituals not featured for privacy reasons. This year, I had many more photos and items to add, as I have lost several people in my life in the last year. I've included an expanded note about this at the end of the post to give you a better idea of what you won't see pictured and why.

1. Harvest Candle Holder with Blue Candle- Like last year, I placed my harvest candle holder in the center of my Winter Nights' altar as it represents the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns yet again toward winter. While in previous years I have used a green candle, this year I chose blue. Blue is associated with calmness, communication, spiritual awareness, truth, and healing, perfect for honoring one's ancestors. It was also the favorite color of the person I lost last December, so it is an ode to them as well. Nestled around the candleholder are sunflowers, representing the final dying strength of the sun, as well as joy, abundance, adoration, and loyalty. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Incense Holder with Stick Incense- Incense has been used across cultures to communicate with the gods and send messages to the Otherworld for centuries. It is one of the best ways to trigger a magical response in your brain and let it know it's time for ritual. Furthermore, incense is commonly used as an offering, a gift to those we wish to commune with. For all these reasons, I have incense on my Winter Nights altar. I picked a scent that resonated with me, that felt 'right' for the season. Each night of Vetrnætr I lit new incense to carry my prayers, stories, and thoughts to those I was speaking to. I used it to cleanse and clear the space around my altar and to summon the spirits of those I wished to honor each night. (Where did I get it: Five Below; Cost: $3)

3. Clear Quartz Tower, Bloodstone, and Carnelian- Clear quartz is a natural amplifier and has often been used to communicate with one's ancestors. I placed it next to my offering dish to attract spirits, amplify my prayers, and protect against unwanted entities joining in my festivities. Around the offering bowl as also carnelian and bloodstone. Carnelian is associated with the sun and strength, as well as memory and warmth. As the nights get cooler, carnelian reminds us that the sun will return. It also stimulates memories of our loved ones who have passed over. Bloodstone represents grounding and protection as well as the blood that ties us to our ancestors. I placed these around the offering bowl to honor the changing seasons and my ancestors, spiritual guides, and deities. (Where did I get it: Various; Cost: ~$8.50)

4. Jera, Othala, and Mannaz Runes- Since this is a Nordic holiday, no altar would be complete without some runes. Jera is the rune of the harvest, representing reward, fruition, commitment, and fertility. It signifies the cycle of life, from birth to death, and abundance to come. As Winter Nights is a celebration of the final harvest, it only makes sense to pay tribute to the harvest through Jera. Othala, however, is the rune of heritage, inheritance, and home. It represents your family roots, your genetics, and your spiritual heritage. This is incredibly important during Winter Nights, as both Alfablót and Disablót are celebrations of our ancestors and heritage. Finally, Mannaz is symbolic of community, introspection, and awareness. Hausblót, which I celebrate on the final night of Winter Nights, is a time of coming together and celebrating the final harvest together. Mannaz is the perfect rune to symbolize our reliance on each other during difficult times. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

5. Corn Dolly- The corn dolly/maiden represents the harvest and the spirits of the fields. Corn, from which the dolly is made, is also associated with growth, vitality, strength, and fertility, blessing the future and my home with abundance throughout the coming cold months. While there is no evidence that the Norse used or created corn dollies, its strong connection with the harvest and abundance led to my decision to place it on my altar this year, as Winter Nights is not just a time to honor our ancestors, spirits, and deities, but also to celebrate the final harvest of the season. (Where did I get it: House of Rituals Box 2018; Cost: ~$5)

6. Offering Bowl- Blót means sacrifice, and that is exactly what is to occur during Winter Nights. Each night, I make a sacrifice and offering to say thank you to those who have helped me, honor those who have come before me, and connect with those whom I have lost. What I sacrificed each night was different, dependent upon the spirits I was thanking or honoring, but it was made nonetheless. The bowl I used is an earthen bowl gifted to me by my best friend on my birthday two years ago. What better way to use it than to give thanks? (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

7. Fox Skull- The fox skull represents my animal guide or otherworldly familiar. She has been a staunch companion and ally for many years, and this skull is used as a spirit home for her during my magical workings and spirit flights. She is honored here during Vetrnætr as one of the feminine spirits I celebrated during Disablót, and she helps to ferry my ancestors into our realm. I honestly couldn't do what I do without her. Not pictured are her offerings, which shall remain private. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$8.50

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. This altar is more expensive than some of my previous altars because I wanted to include some new items I purchased this year. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

It's important to note this is not my full altar for Winter Nights. Each night, I added new things, the majority of which are very private. This includes pictures of my ancestors, notes, letters, and personal belongings, even cremains, sacrifices, and offerings. These are private and between me and the spirits I work with, hence their absence from these pictures. I encourage you to do the same with your altar. Remember, part of witchcraft is "to remain silent." This doesn't mean not sharing your knowledge and craft, but being wise in what and how you share. Not everyone has your best interests in mind. Furthermore, the connection you share with your ancestors and how you honor them is a private affair. As much as I love all my readers and followers, I do not want you witnessing all my private moments. I am sure you feel the same.

I hope everyone has a blessed winter and that it is nothing but light in the darkness.

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Magical Properties of Amber

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