The Reawakening of Seasons: How to Embrace Change as a Magical Act Through Tea, Meditation, and Journaling

As winter loosens its grip, the days begin to grow longer. It feels as if the earth has finally exhaled after holding its breath. The weather warms, snow begins to melt, and the first shoots press triumphantly through the soil. What once stood still now stirs with life again. 

This is a reawakening, marking the threshold where the long silence of winter gives way to change. Yet change can be just as difficult to embrace as stillness, especially if you have anxiety like I do. Current societal expectations often frame new beginnings as an opportunity to rush forward or bring about some monumental change in your life. As such, these moments of change, like spring, become another demand to start fresh, reinvent yourself, move faster, and do more. But the natural world tells a different story.

Awakening does not happen all at once, although sometimes it feels like it here in the South, where just a couple of days ago it was in the 20s and today was in the 80s! Still, this reawakening of the earth unfolds slowly, guided by rhythms older than any calendar or deadline. In witchcraft, the reawakening of the land reminds us that change is not something to force, but something to be patient with. Just as the earth warms gradually and seeds split open in their own time, we too must allow ourselves the time and space to emerge slowly from the quiet of winter. When we resist the pressure to transform overnight, we begin to notice the subtle ways life begins again. Embracing change in this way becomes its own form of magic, one rooted in awareness rather than urgency or productivity.

There are many ways we can connect with this reawakening and change 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 change 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 spring months to better connect with the magic of the season.

Ritual Tea for Change

The tea recipe below is formulated to invite or prompt a change in your life. It can also set the stage for shadow work, allowing you to open yourself to your intuition and messages from the Otherworld.  I have included a series of shadow work journal prompts at the end of the post to help guide your reflection and intuition. Peppermint is well known for its ability to awaken the mind and body, helping to shock the system gently. Ginger is a naturally warming root, and, as such, brings warmth to peppermint's cooling nature. It helps to wake up and warm the muscles and get the juices flowing, both metaphorically and literally...it stimulates digestion! Lemon, which is traditionally associated with joy and happiness, helps to open you to the idea of embracing change, allowing for a more positive experience.

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons dried peppermint or 1/2 cup packed fresh peppermint leaves

1 inch of fresh ginger, cut into thin coins

1/2 lemon, juiced

Sweetener of choice

Instructions:

Over a stovetop, bring 1.5-2 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add the ginger slices, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add peppermint, allowing the mixture to infuse for 5-10 minutes. While the tea infuses, stir in your lemon juice and sweetener, stirring clockwise while saying, "In the light's new dawn, I accept and embrace change. In this new awakening, I shall listen." Breathe in the aroma of the tea before enjoying. As you sip, visualize tension leaving your body and energy filling your body, radiating throughout your body with each warm sip.

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 at the edge of a threshold. Behind you are the bare trees, muffling snow, and cold wind you are leaving. Ahead of you is something unnamed, but bright, brimming with new life. You do not need to cross yet. Instead, feel the ground beneath your feet. This threshold is not a demand, but an open invitation.

You begin to walk forward, the world feeling suspended in time. There is no past, no future, only now. You reach a clearing where the snow begins to melt, and the temperature begins to warm. You stand or sit upon the earth. Beneath you, the land still sleeps, dreaming of warmer days. However, you feel it stirring, restless to reawaken and take shape.

In the stillness, listen. What you once thought was nothingness is actually the slow pulse of life, hidden away beneath the snow. Roots, dormant seeds, and resting spirits breathe deep and exhale. The promise of new beginnings is thick in the air. Their current silence is not absence, but a potential waiting to be born anew.

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, soaking in the anticipation of new beginnings until you feel relaxed, allowing messages to flow freely to you.

When you are ready, whisper to yourself: “I am the reawakening of seasons. I am the space where magic blooms.” When you return, carry that initiative within you as you work through the journal prompts below.

Shadow Work Journal Prompts for the Silence Between Seasons

1. What part of me resists change, even when I want it? What does that resistance protect?
2. What am I afraid will be exposed if I begin again? Weakness, desire, hope, or something else?
3. How have I mistaken endurance for identity? Who am I without constant survival?
4. What version of myself am I grieving as I change? What did they give me that I still carry forward?
5. Where do I feel pressure to “be ready” before I actually am? Who benefits from that expectation?
6. What does awakening feel like in my body? Where does it feel uncomfortable?
7. What old patterns try to follow me into new beginnings? How can I acknowledge them without letting them lead?
8. If change didn’t require certainty, what would I allow myself to explore?
9. What am I learning to trust as I step into this new season? Intuition, pacing, rest, support?
10. What kind of change feels sustainable for me right now?

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 ritual and reflection with the following mantra: "I honor what has carried me here. I release what no longer needs to follow. I welcome change without forcing its shape. I trust the rhythm of my becoming."

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

While I much prefer the quiet stillness of winter, with its cold weather and dreary skies, there is something beautiful about spring. I love watching the Earth wake up and how slowly, yet tumultously She does. The Earth does not accept change easily either. She lashes out with erratic weather and storms, but eventually settles into a new normal, as we all must. It's okay to be anxious about change, to even buck at it. But eventually, change will come, and in time, you, just like our Earth, will learn to accept it. Seize this as a learning opportunity, not as a punishment. I wish everyone the best of luck as the pollinating begins, and hope you are not too inconvenienced by the yellow smog of spring.

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Ogham by Jane Matthews Review

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 deck in exchange for an honest review.

You would think spending the last several weeks sick would have left me with plenty of time to read and write, but alas, my mind was so foggy I could do little more than sit up in my chair or lie in bed. I could barely watch TikTok in my stupor. I was hoping to use the time to read several of the books that publishers have recently sent me to review, but without the ability to focus on anything for more than 5 minutes at a time, I wasn't able to. I was, however, able to look through some of the tarot/divination decks they have sent me. Staring at pictures and letting your vision unfocus is easy when you are unwell, at least for me.

Needless to say, that is where today's review comes in. I had the pleasure of receiving a copy of Ogham: Diving in the Celtic Way by Jane Matthews from Weiser/Red Wheel, and while I am not a practitioner of Celtic magic or divination, I do find the deck rather inspiring. The symbols are similar to runes and even have some overlap in meaning.

The deck features 25 cards and a 192-page guidebook. The guidebook is thicker than the cards, but for a good reason. It fully details how to read Ogham, which is vastly different from tarot. In the guide, you will find a brief history of the Ogham and a detailed guide on how to read the cards. Just like runes, the Ogham is broken up into sets, which are known as aicme. Each aicme has a different theme or story it tells, just like each runic ætt. Matthews does an excellent job breaking down each card's meaning and its relationship with others in the deck. And, as with all deck guidebooks, Matthews includes a number of spread ideas and how to read each spread. This is honestly one of the longest guidebooks I have come upon and is perfect for those new to the practice of reading the Ogham.

As for the cards, they are simply designed to avoid distraction and printed on sturdy cardstock. They are medium-sized cards, making it relatively easy to shuffle. The edges are a beautiful green, but it was starting to rub off as I was playing with the cards. They aren't shiny or gilded as previous decks have been, but they are still beautiful nonetheless. Overall, I believe the cards will hold up well over time.

If you are interested in getting your hands on a set of Ogham in card form, I encourage you to check out Jane Matthews's Ogham: Diving in the Celtic Way, available now.

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Transitioning from Winter to Spring: Herbal Remedies for the Season of Youthful Thought

I'm back! I apologize for my absence, but I have been fighting what my mother believes to be the flu for the past 3 weeks. Yes, you read that correctly...three weeks! I have been unable to do much of anything, with most days feeling like I am living in a haze. I haven't been able to focus well enough to read, let alone research, test, and write any articles or spells. I am beginning to feel better, despite the persistent cough and mucus. As such, I am back today with herbal remedies for spring, continuing the series I started in 2024!

Keats famously coined spring "a triple morn" and a time for "youthful thought." In each of these sonnets/poems, Keats is referencing spring as a time for renewal, fresh starts, and intense awakenings. As we shed the cloak of winter, we awake refreshed and renewed, ready to take on whatever trials the world throws at us with renewed vigor. Like all in-between spaces, the transition between seasons is deeply liminal and can leave us feeling tired, drained, and out of sorts, even after a rather restful slumber. This makes it a great time to work with plant allies to bolster and fortify your body, mind, and spirit for the changes ahead, as well as get in touch with the magic of the season.

In today's post, I offer 3 herbal recipes to aid your transition from winter to spring. These recipes can be used to create a variety of remedies, including salves, oxymels, steams, baths, tisanes (teas), or tinctures. It's completely up to you how to use these recipes, but I encourage you to consult with the spirits of the plants, your intuition, and even your ancestors or spiritual guides to determine which preparation method is best for you. While taking it as a tisane may be best for me, you may need to use it as a steam.

For Breaking the Dormancy

Winter has a way of settling into your bones, which in turn slows the bodyand dulls the senses. As spring approaches, you may feel caught between wanting to wake up and wanting to burrow back down. I know many mornings I am hard-pressed to remove myself from the comforts of the nest I have built in my bed. This combination of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), peppermint (Mentha spp.), and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) creates a soothing, yet strong uplift that will help you shed the dormancy of winter.

1 part lemon balm

1 part peppermint

1/4 part rosemary

For the Deep Inhale

With spring comes the reawakening of the Earth in all Her majesty, and that means pollen...a lot of pollen. Thankfully, I do not have an allergy to pollen, but many of my closest friends and family suffer through the next several months, unable to take a satisfyingly deep breath. These plants are specifically used to treat allergies, acting as natural antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and relieving itchy, watery eyes and runny noses. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is well known for its ability to block histamine receptors, while mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) help relieve congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) adds an extra punch of spice, increasing the overall impact of the recipe.

2 parts stinging nettle

1 part mullein

1/2 part eyebright

1/4 part ginger

For Spring Cleansing

Winter has a habit of hanging around well past its time, even here in the South. We experience a number of false springs before the real spring even begins. As such, our bodies often carry the residue of long nights, heavy foods, and slower rhythms well past their time. Since spring is a time of renewal, it only makes sense to spring clean, and what better way to kick off that cleaning than with a cleansing of the body? Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) is a classic ally of spring, deeply connected to the liver and traditionally used to encourage detoxification, balance, and resilience after winter’s excesses. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) brings warming movement back into the system, stimulating digestion and circulation while helping the body process and release what it no longer needs. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), with its golden hue and long-standing association with purification and vitality, supports anti-inflammatory balance and renewal at a cellular level. Together, these roots form a steady, grounding cleanse, one that clears heaviness and invites the body and spirit to feel lighter, brighter, and ready for growth.

1 part dandelion root

1/4 part ginger

1/4 part turmeric

***

As the wheel turns toward spring, these recipes can help ensure you are happy and healthy for the coming months. I personally despise the coming of spring, knowing that in a few short weeks the sweltering heat of summer will be upon us, and I will be relegated to the confines of my air-conditioned home. I take solace in the fact that with spring comes the return of the Georgia Renaissance Festival, which I am excited to attend. I believe this year will mark my 23rd year of attendance, and if you are in the area, maybe you will see me there! Wishing you all the best!

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Mirror Ritual for Enduring Self-Love

This isn't the first time I have written a self-love spell on my blog, and it's doubtful this will be the last one I ever write. I find myself often struggling to love the body that I am in, and it becomes increasingly difficult to love myself wholly in times of stress and uncertainty. Lately, I have not felt much love for myself, and I thought it was about time I got around to changing that.

This spell is not about convincing yourself that you are perfect. Instead, it is about embracing yourself as you are and reminding yourself that you are worthy of love and care, even when you don't feel like it. Self-love takes time and commitment, but it is the first step in spiritual activism. As I state in my book The Green Witch's Guide to Self-Care, we cannot fill our cauldrons (community) until we fill our chalices (self). That means taking care of yourself is required to care for your community, whether that care be through protesting, advocacy, or volunteer work.

What You'll Need

• Bowl of warm water (large enough to fit your hands)
• Pinch of salt
• Towel
• Pink candle
• Carving tool
• Anointing oil (rose-scented is perfect for this)
• Crushed rose petals
• Match/lighter
• Mirror or reflective surface

What to Do

This spell is best performed on a Friday (or Valentine's Day) during the early morning or late evening when you can be alone in a quiet environment.

Begin by cleansing your space and objects using your preferred method. If you feel called to do so, cast a circle and invite any deities, spirits, or ancestors you wish to witness or assist in your self-love rite. When ready, ground and center yourself in this moment using your preferred method.

When you feel grounded and centered, add your salt to your warm water and wash your hands while saying, "I wash away my self-doubt and self-hatred. It holds no power over me. I return to myself in love and grace." Pat your hands dry.

Using your carving tool, carve the word "self-love" into the candle. Anoint it using your anointing oil of choice, then roll the candle in your crushed rose petals to coat. Place the candle in front of you and light it using your match or lighter.

With the candle lit, gaze into the mirror or reflective surface. Do not search for imperfections and faults. Instead, focus on simply recognizing your face and body, appreciating it for carrying you this far. Spend several minutes gazing at your reflection, relearning to love yourself as you go by saying outloud that you are thankful for each part of your body. I always like to begin with what I love most about myself before working toward saying I am grateful for the things I like the least. It is okay to cry during this ritual. In fact, I encourage it. Let out all of your emotions as you remind yourself that this body, in all its glory, is yours and worthy of love.

When you have finished thanking all parts of your body, place your hand over your heart and say, "This is the one who stayed. I am loved and worthy of love."

Next, dip your fingers into the water and touch your forehead lightly and say, "I am not my harshest critic. I am the keeper of myself."

Next, dip your fingers into your anointing oil and anoint your forehead or heart while saying, "I vow to speak to myself with care. I vow to rest when I am weary. I vow to return when I stray from myself."

Hold your hands near the candle flame (without burning them!), say, "I tend my own hearth. My worth does not waver. So I will it, so shall it be." Gently extinguish the candle or allow it to burn down.

Either flush the water or pour it outside as an offering. Before you come at me for the salt being in the water, it is a pinch. That is not enough to cause any ecological harm.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• I understand that mirrors can be triggering, especially for those with body dysmorphia. If a mirror feels too distressing or inaccessible, replace it with a heavy, warm, or otherwise comforting object. Close your eyes and instead of reflecting on how you perceive your body in a mirror, focus on how your body feels. When finished, place your hand over your heart and say, "I do not need to be seen to be worthy. I am loved and worthy of love."
• Because of the potentially distressing nature of this ritual, you may wish to have a grounding crystal on hand, such as black tourmaline, obsidian, onyx, or jet, or a crystal for emotional healing, such as rose quartz.
• If you cannot burn a candle, try replacing it with a tea made from rose petals, chamomile, and lemon balm. Hold it for warmth at the end of the ritual and drink it instead of extinguishing the candle.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

First and foremost, this ritual is best performed on a Friday or Valentine's Day, as these are days traditionally associated with love, whether it be self-love or otherwise. You'll want to do this at a time when you can be alone in the quiet hours of the day because there is a good possibility you are going to get emotional. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of an emotional ritual, and your partner or children come barging in to break your concentration and energy.

Next, a bowl of water with a pinch of salt was used to wash your hands and later anoint your forehead. Salt is naturally detoxifying and therefore cleansing. By washing your hands in warm salt water, you are helping to wash away any self-doubt, lingering blockages, and other energies that may get in the way of this spell. This same water was used to anoint your forehead to dispel your desire to continue to criticize yourself.

Pink is associated with self-love, making it the perfect color to use for the candle in this particular spell. "Self-love" was carved into the candle to represent the overall intention of the spell, then anointed with oil and rolled in crushed rose petals, which are also associated with love. Roses are also associated with protection and emotional healing, both of which are needed during this ritual to help you overcome any self-doubt or self-loathing you may be feeling while looking at yourself.

Looking at your body in a mirror and really studying yourself while thanking it for all it does for you is a great way to override your negative self-talk. This particular exercise is known as mirror gazing meditation, and is known to help foster self-compassion, increase self-awareness, and interrupt negative thought patterns. It also encourages emotional regulation by forcing you to confront your own reflection, allowing you to dismantle internalized criticism. Ultimately, this activity helps to rewire your brain, thus shifting your focus away from your perceived flaws to your strengths. This is followed by a positive affirmation in which you remind yourself, while holding your heart (the center of love), that you are worthy of love and affection.

This ritual is finished with the dispelling of negative thoughts through the anointing of your forehead with the salt water, as previously mentioned above, and the anointing of your forehead or heart with anointing oil while making a vow to be kind and loving to yourself. The heat from the candle's flame is used to close the ritual and bring warmth and comfort.

The water is flushed, thus flushing away unwanted negative energies, or returned to the earth for a similar purpose.

Want to break this spell? This really isn't a spell that is broken, but instead it will naturally wane over time if not reinforced often through this or other self-love rituals.

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

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I know with everything that has been going on in the world that thinking about and caring for yourself may seem selfish. It isn't. We have to remember that self-care is a necessary part of resistance. I am wishing all of you a safe and loving time as winter slowly begins to turn toward spring.

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Book Review: Charm Casting by Tina Hardt

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 deck in exchange for an honest review.

Several years ago, I wrote a series on Bone Magic, and within that series, I discussed creating and using your own "bone tarot" or set of bones for casting. While I largely use bones when I cast lots, I have begun to incorporate more and more trinkets into my sets to help clarify and connect with my readings. In all honesty, I have fallen out of using my bone sets and have relied more heavily on runes as of late, but reading Charm Casting: Diving with Trinkets, Trifles, Baubles, and Bits by Tina Hardt has inspired me to pick the practice back up!

Of all the books I have read over the years about divination, Charm Casting ranks among the best. Hardt offers a complete and comprehensive guide to creating, casting, and reading your own charm casts. She answers every possible question a new or experienced caster could have, from selecting your charms and determining their meaning, to creating or finding casting surfaces, to cleansing and charging yourself and your trinkets before use and after use. All of this is given to us with hilarious asides, quips, and stories, which make reading Charm Casting feel like a conversation with a close friend. I will say that while I absolutely enjoyed Hardt's conversational writing style, it is very millennial-coded, which may give younger readers the ick. You all really need to leave us alone already! It's okay to be quirky or silly or cringe; it doesn't invalidate the information or experiences we have to share.

Apart from offering a tremendous amount of incredibly useful information in a compact space, Hardt also includes journaling prompts and Grimoire outlines to help the reader create and organize their own notes regarding the charms used. Her suggestions go far beyond what I have seen others suggest over the years, ensuring you are left with the best possible guide to your own trinkets so that reading them is easy. I am going to have to go back and add some details to my current notes to make up for the gaps in potential understanding. Hardt also offers craft ideas for creating your own reading space or charm circle, spell ideas, and prayers.

Finally, Hardt ends with real-world examples (with pictures!) to help guide the reader through reading and understanding charms once they have been cast. I have said it once, and I will continue to say it: I live for real examples. Since I cannot see her actually casting and walking through her process in person, the next best way to observe is through written and picture examples. I know many of you rely on such examples to build a strong foundation in your own practice, and you will not be disappointed here. Hardt also includes examples throughout the text, so don't be deterred that the two largest examples are featured at the end. Besides, you really have to learn everything before you can fully understand and appreciate fully-described examples.

If you are interested in getting into or expanding your charm casting practice, I highly recommend Charm Casting: Diving with Trinkets, Trifles, Baubles, and Bits by Tine Hardt. I know I will be consulting this book for years to come, and I am thankful for the opportunity to review it for all of you!

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