Gift Giving Sage

What does every modern witch need to practice magic? Tools.

While tools are not a necessity to modern spell work, our candles, grimoires, and crystals are all highly symbolic of the energy we put out in to the world. Some of these tools are believed to be embedded with their own special energy, pushing and prodding us towards the manifestation of our goals and desires. Sage for instance, is a powerful tool used in spell work believed to ward off negative energy or "bad juju." It also smells lovely.

With the holiday season around the corner, I find myself searching for the perfect Christmas gifts for my loved ones. Though Pagan's do not traditionally celebrate Christmas- I am neither a Pagan nor am I traditional. I've embraced both the westernized concept of Christmas as well as the age old practices of the winter solstice.

Let us pause for a moment to discuss why you should celebrate the winter solstice. To begin, Winter Solstice and Christmas cross paths in many ways. Some modern Pagan's even refer to the solstice as Christmas- regardless of the odds between Christens and Pagans historically. Every time you find yourself under some mistletoe this season, know that this practice is deeply embedded in Pagan culture- it wasn't invented by a card company! In addition to the two holidays similarities, the winter solstice is a time to acknowledge the changing of the seasons. It isn't just a celebrated holiday, it's an astrological event that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Think of it as the 'new year' of Paganism. It's a great time to cast blessing spells, and to reflect on your goals for the coming year.

With this being said, we believe that a blessing gift is the perfect way to thank our friends and family for their love and support over the course of the year. Smudge sticks are a simple gift for friends and family, presented in a wood burned box and marked with a blessing symbol. I found a wood burner and some wooden boxes at my local craft store to create this gift. I decided to use the image of the skewed crescent moon, which is symbolic for blessing, as well as the image of the two swords to reflect balance (see: Two of Swords Tarot Card).

Make sure to sketch your design in pencil before heating up your wood burner. Testing your burner on a block of wood will help give you an idea of the quality of your burner, how quickly it heats, and how it flows in your hand. Practice precaution when using any item that involves heat. Goggles are optional, but be prepared for your burner to smoke occasionally as you set your design. You can purchase a wood stain or you can leave your box unfinished for a more rustic look. In under thirty minutes, you will have a unique solstice gift for your S/O; a great choice for anyone with the seasonal blues.

Share your witchy Christmas gifts with us on instagram using the hashtag #gsbholiday!

#holiday #diy #craft #christmas