Rounding the Year: When Do You Start Thinking of Yule?

My publisher, Moon Books, just created this lovely Seasons Greetings image. I think it's such fun I couldn't wait to share it, even though it's perhaps a bit early for full-on Yuletide cheer. I don't actually have my tree decorated yet this year. The photo in the middle is one of me with my cat and a copy of my scrying book taken in a Christmas past. I am eating a mince pie as I type this though.

When do you start thinking of Yule? Please leave a comment.

Share your seasonal photos

Since Rounding the Wheel of the Year  came out I've been inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, as well as other seasonal journalling, musings, drawing, painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

My book offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon, find it at esoteric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous Related Posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/09/rounding-year-when-do-you-think-autumn.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/08/rounding-year-whats-your-lammas-harvest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/07/rounding-year-wheel-turns-july-is-here.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/rounding-year-damsons-first-harvest.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/07/rounding-year-hollyhocks-with-minds-of.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/10/rounding-year-my-book-is-two-years-old.html

Rounding the Year: Wintery Bare Trees in Betts Park

I took this photo of a wintery scene in Betts Park, near where I live, just before 4pm and the sun is low in the sky. It is less than a month to the Winter Solstice. I still enjoy getting out and going for a walk in my local parks and observing the changes as the wheel of the year turns. This time of year can still be beautiful. 

Betts Park was once ancient common land called Penge Common, so walking here also helps me feel a connection to my ancestors of place. You can read more about it here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/06/green-london-betts-park-tales-of.html

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've sharing seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. 

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

You can order both the ebook and the paperback of all my books from publisher Moon Books' website as well as view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/09/rounding-year-rosehips-and-raindrops.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/rounding-year-fallen-leaves-in-my-local.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/10/rounding-year-mushrooms-in-my-local-park.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/11/rounding-year-first-frost-of-winter.html

Rounding the Year: Autumnal Michaelmas Daisies

The flowers I most associate with late September and early autumn are Michaelmas daisies. They are blooming profusely in my garden and I photographed them, as you can see above.

Sandra Lawrence, in her book The Witch's Garden, writes that Michaelmas daisies are flowers of farewell - and this time of year is when we bid goodbye to summer. They’re named after the Archangel Michael, whose feast day is September 29. 

Michael is honoured by followers of many spiritual paths and magical traditions. According to A Dictionary of Angels by Gustav Davidson, Michael was originally worshipped as a god in his own right by the Chaldeans. In ceremonial magic Michael can be called upon for protection. He’s associated with the element of fire and can be named as the guardian of the southern compass point when casting a circle for magic, along with Raphael in the east, Gabriel in the west and Uriel in the north.

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in my book Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've sharing seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. 

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

You can order both the ebook and the paperback of all my books from publisher Moon Books' website as well as view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Other previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/09/rounding-year-rosehips-and-raindrops.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/rounding-year-mugwort-in-country-park.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/wonderful-weeds-nettles-cleavers-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html

Rounding the Year: Rosehips and Raindrops

Early September has been wet in London where I live. I took this photo of rosehips in my garden after a rain shower. Rosehips have traditionally been picked in the autumn to make syrup and jelly. They're also used as folk remedy to help prevent colds because they're high in vitamin C. Here's a link to a recipe for raw rosehip syrup from the Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/07/raw-rosehip-syrup/

You can pick rosehips as soon as they turn red, but a forager friend of mine told me it is best to wait until after the first frost as that makes them softer and sweeter. If you cut them open for any reason, please be aware that they contain fine hairs which are very itchy, so wear rubber gloves and remove them. I'll admit that when I was a kid it was well known that these could be used to make a nasty itching powder. 

Magically, rosehips, like roses, can be used for love spells. Put them on your altar as they are or dry them to put inside poppets or spell jars. Rosehip tea is also supposed to help with psychic work, particularly divination. I'd say it would be ideal if you are scrying for the answer to a question about romance. I guess you could also use the itchy hairs in curses, if you're into that kind of thing.

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've sharing seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. 

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

You can order both the ebook and the paperback of all my books from publisher Moon Books' website as well as view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links. Nothing on this post is medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional before taking herbs to treat ailments.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/rounding-year-mugwort-in-country-park.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/11/rosehips-and-autumn-roses.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/wonderful-weeds-nettles-cleavers-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html

Rounding the Year: Mugwort in a Country Park

I spotted this mugwort plant growing in a country park. Sometimes called Artemesia, it flowers from July through to September. Foragers pick it to flavour cooking, but witches also value it as a protective herb that helps with psychic work. You can dry it and burn it in loose incense as well as use it in washes to cleanse things like crystal balls before scrying. A cup of mugwort infusion is a traditional drink before doing psychic work too, but should be avoided by anyone who is pregnant. If you don't have any growing near you and want to try it, don't worry. Dried mugwort can easily be ordered from pagan stores.

(The usual warnings apply about this not being medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional before taking herbs to treat ailments)

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've sharing seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. 

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

You can order both the ebook and the paperback of all my books from publisher Moon Books' website as well as view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. (Note: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-equinox-picture-puzzle-spot.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/wonderful-weeds-nettles-cleavers-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html

Rounding the Year: Hollyhocks With Minds of Their Own

Hollyhocks are among my favourite flowers of summer. They appear in my garden every year, but have a mind of their own where they want to grow. 

The one in the photo self-seeded by the back wall of my house near the kitchen door. I've tried collecting seeds and sowing them in flowerbeds, but they rarely take root there. Instead I find them popping up through cracks in paths. I let them flourish even if it means I have to walk around them. This isn't only because I like them, it's also because the bees love them too. 

What's in bloom in your area that you love?

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my book

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view the book on Amazon, find it at estoeric bookshops including Treadwell's at 3, Store St, London, WC1E 7BS, or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/06/rounding-year-brief-flowering-of-wild.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/rounding-year-english-bluebells-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/06/rounding-year-elderflower-and.html

Rounding the Year: The Brief Flowering of Wild Roses

Early June is the brief flowering time for wild roses, and they are blooming in my garden at the moment. I photographed the one above at the weekend.

The wild rose, or dog rose, has just five pale pink or white petals. It was the basis for stylised roses of medieval European heraldry. The origins and meaning of its name are unclear - although in the 18th century dog roses were used to treat the bites of rabid dogs. I can't imagine it was successful. Another name for the dog rose is witches' briar.

Symbolically, all roses represent love, but Margaret Pickston in her book Language of Flowers says the dog rose symbolises love's pleasures and pain. It has lovely flowers, but sharp, barbed thorns.

Share your seasonal photos!

I'm inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view the book on Amazon and find it at estoeric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/craft-witchcraft-wands-and-wild-roses.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/06/rounding-year-elderflower-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/rounding-year-english-bluebells-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html

Rounding the Year: Elderflower and Blackberry Blossom

It's early June, and blackberry blossom and elderflowers are in bloom in my local park. The photo above is one I took earlier this week. Elderflowers have oodles of uses and looking back at my older posts, I noticed I blogged about seeing them in early June right back in 2008. You can read that post here: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/06/elder-lore.html

In autumn, both elderberries and blackberries are wonderful fruits to pick, and young blackberry leaves can be infused to make tea, but I didn't know if blackberry blossom had any lore or uses, so I did a bit of research (admittedly just Googling). Apparently the petals of the little pink flower are good for magic to help with achieving your goals if you have an idea and want it to come to fruition. However, as the blossom is a good source of nectar for bees and will eventually become lovely berries, you might prefer to leave the blossom on the brambles! 

Share your seasonal photos!

I'm inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view the book on Amazon and find it at estoeric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Please note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/05/rounding-year-english-bluebells-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html

Rounding the Year: English Bluebells in Early May

Here are English bluebells, which I photographed this weekend at the Arlington Bluebell Walk in Sussex.

Bluebells are a quintessential May flower. In England the native species is sadly hybridising with non-native Spanish ones, so English bluebells are getting rare. One way to tell the difference is that in English bluebells the flower stem droop to one side and almost all the flowers are on one side of the stem. Spanish bluebells are more upright with flowers all the way round it. 

Share your seasonal photos!

I'm inviting people to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can view the book on Amazon and find it at estoeric bookshops or via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

(Note: I earn commission from some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/01/rounding-year-sharing-seasonal-pictures.html

Rounding the Year: Time to Get Out & Smell the Lilac

The beautiful photo of lilac in bloom at the top of this post was taken by my witchy friend Jane Mortimer. She sent it to me with the message: "Just thought I'd send you a snap I took of the lilac blossom in my back garden before it goes over. It smells absolutely divine, and each time I go out there I just have to bury my nose in it. I wish I could bottle the lovely scent.  The dried flowers don't smell anything like as good as when they're fresh, so I just have to accept that lilac blossom is one of the fleeting pleasures of April!"

I replied: "Just the other day I was walking through my local park and stopped to enjoy the scent of lilac growing there!" 

You can see it on the right in the photo I took, but I think smelling spring flowers can be even more lovely than seeing them. In fact, lilac scent is said to help raise the spirits and alleviate depression. I can well believe it. Artificial perfume just doesn't compete. 

Lilac in folklore and mythology

In Greek mythology, lilac is associated with sound too, as the branches can be hollowed out and turned into pan-pipes, as used by the god of nature: Pan.

You can use lilac flowers in love spells, both to attract a new love and revive an old one. However, in parts of Eastern Europe, lilac is commonly picked to adorn rooms in times of mourning and at funerals,  perhaps because they symbolise remembering loved ones who have passed on.

What's in bloom in your area? Is it early or on time this year? 

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my book

My book offers more ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at esoteric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-new-leaf-buds-at-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/07/spells-making-peace-dust-from-foraged.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/09/the-triple-tree-seeing-and-hearing.html

Rounding the Year: A Milestone for my Book

Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year,  which was published exactly 6 months ago, has reached a milestone! My publisher, Moon Books, has told me it's sold more than 500 copies.  A big thanks to everyone who bought it, left reviews, or told me they've enjoyed reading it. In the book I go into the history behind seasonal folklore, annual customs and modern pagan traditions as well as offering practical suggestions for celebrating the turning of the year. Here's the description:

"Every month is full of magic, each day has its own energy, and the seasons rotate as part of the cycles of nature. Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year looks at ways to honour each month with folkloric customs, herb and plant lore, traditional crafts, spells, visualisations, and pagan rites that go beyond the eight festivals of Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, Lammas, Autumn Equinox, Samhain, and Winter Solstice. The wheel of the year turns smoothly, it doesn’t bump over eight cogs, and that’s the meaning of the title of this book. Inside these pages you will find the history behind some much-loved folklore and modern pagan customs, as well as practical suggestions for ways to celebrate the turning of the year."

Sharing seasonal photos

Inspired by ideas in Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I've started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting. The photo to the right shows bluebells flowering in my garden this spring.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

Where to find my books

You can order both the ebook and the paperback of all my books from publisher Moon Books' website as well as view Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. (Note: I earn commission from advertisers for some links.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-too-soon-for-silver-birch.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-equinox-picture-puzzle-spot.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/wonderful-weeds-nettles-cleavers-for.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html

Rounding the Year: Too Soon For Silver Birch Catkins?

My silver birch tree has new leaves and catkins. I'd normally be delighted at this sign of spring, but actually it worries me a bit because it's a month earlier than it was a decade ago. We're still in March, but my post for April 25 in 2013 showed the same tree in this stage of budding.  You can find that post here.

What's in bloom in your area? Is it early or on time this year? 

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear
  

Where to find my book

My book offers more ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/rounding-year-new-leaf-buds-at-spring.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html

Wonderful Weeds: Nettles & Cleavers for Food & Spells

My friends who go foraging tell me love the spring for it's bounty of edible green shoots. I photographed this patch of nettles and cleavers on an overgrown bank beside my local DIY store, and might pop back to pick some. You can make nettle soup and nettle pesto or use the young tips as a subsitute for spinach in quite a few recipes. I like nettle and mint tea sometimes too. Magically, nettles can be used in protection and banishing spells. Do wear gloves when you handle them though!

Cleavers can also be put in soups and stews. A friend recently told me the shoots are nice boiled as a veg on their own, but apparently they taste best with butter on them. My doctor recently ordered me to cut down on butter, so I might not be trying that. Cleavers have long sticky stems, so magically they are great for bindings.

Both of these plants are normally considered weeds. To be honest, they can both grow profusely and tend to take over a flowerbed if left completely unchecked. However, insects and caterpillers love them, so it can be good to leave a patch in your garden for wildlife as well as for harvesting.

If you go foraging, make sure you've identified plants correctly, only take what you need, and leave plenty for insects to enjoy.

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book offers more ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/03/spring-spellcraft-growing-herbs.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-camelia-forsythia-blossom.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html

Spring Spellcraft: Growing Herbs & Manifesting Wishes

Early March is a great time to sow seeds indoors. Even if you don't have a garden you can grow herbs from seed in pots for your windowsill. 

Here’s a spell you can do to manifest your wishes for the year to come as well as grow some lovely herbs. It uses the energy of spring to boost your magic and empower your intentions. I planted basil because it's associated with prosperity, good health, good luck and abundance, and tastes lovely in pasta sauces and  tomato dishes, but you can use other seeds if you prefer. 

You will need: 

• Seeds (the photo shows my basil seeds)
• A pot, propogator or seed tray plus something to put it on for drainage
• Lightweight potting mixture or compost
• Clear plastic to cover the pot while the seeds germinate. (You can reuse a clear plastic bag).

Put the potting mixture into the pot or seed trays. Sow a few seeds 1inch or 2.5cms apart in big pots or 1 or 2 per tiny pot. 

Here's the Magic!

As you plant your seeds, visualise what you want to manifest in your life. You can say something like: “As I sow these basil seeds, so I plant the seeds of what I wish to manifest in my life.”

Water the seeds, but don’t overwater them. The compost should be damp, not soggy. Visualise pouring your desire and emotional energy into your wish as you do so.

Put the plastic cover over the pot or tray and place it all in a warm, sunny window but out of direct sunlight. Visualise the warmth and light of the sun energising the seed and your wish.

Seeing Results

You should see the seeds sprout in a couple of weeks. You can then transfer them to larger pots, tubs or window boxes. When they’ve grown tall and produced a lot of leaves, harvest a few at a time to use as you desire. Putting them into your cooking or salads adds to the magic, if you grew edible herbs like I have.

You will hopefully experience the benefits of your spell in the weeks or months to come.

Rounding the Year

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity, so please leave a comment or share a photo of what you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns. You can find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author or share on Instagram or X with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

You can also view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links, this helps support my blog at no extra cost to readers. This post is for information purposes, it is not medical advice.)

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/rounding-year-flowers-birds-pancakes.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/10/spellcraft-making-what-you-desire-come.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/02/spring-herb-lore-greater-periwinkle-or.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2020/08/magical-books-treadwells-book-of-plant.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-green-wiccan-book-of-shadows.html

Book Review: Seasons for the Soul - Spells of Nature

A gorgeous book full of art and insight about the natural world is published this month: Seasons for the Soul - Spells of Nature by Julia van den Bosch. Julia creates wonderful embroidered versions of flowers, leaves, butterflies, and mushrooms. This gorgeous hardback shows her creations as full-page colourful pictures that I've really enjoyed examining. It also offers oodles of information on the folklore and magic of plants, together with recipes and suggestions for ways to use them. 

This is how publisher Unicorn describes Seasons for the Soul:

"The beauty and magic of nature seen through the eye of a needle. Colours of flowers and shapes of plants; bleached grass and golden cornfields at harvest time; spiders webs on the structures of decayed seedheads; a metallic green chafer beetle landing on a deep crimson rose; a shooting star. Beguiling discoveries that are part of the world full of secrets, minute details and the sumptuous colours and textures of nature lend themselves to their translation into rich embroidery. This embroidered path of the seasons uses hand embroidery in its traditional role of storytelling to share nature’s gifts. Each stitch holds the emotion of the moment and keeps a record. The book tells the story of the companionship and healing offered by the seasons during the enforced isolation of the pandemic, and how it enabled the artist to find beauty in solitude."

The book follows the seasons from spring through summer and autumn into winter, showing the yearly cycle in all its glory, but focussing on the small things such as petals and insects. Julia includes crystals in her embroidery, and a chapter on what they mean. There's also a section on the history of embroidery, explaining how people from all times and cultures have depicted nature through stitchcraft.

On my blog and in my own book, Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I encourage people to spend time outdoors, and use art and craft as well as photography to record what they see. Like Julia, I believe creating beautiful things inspired by plants and animals is a way of tapping in to their magical energy.  Julia comes from a part of England I'm familiar with and love: Kent, which is an added reason I love her delightful book. 

You can view Seasons for the Soul - Spells of Nature on Amazon. 

(Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers.)

Rounding the Year: Camelia & Forsythia Blossom

The sight of forsythia blossom in my front garden fills me with joy every spring. It reminds me of my mum, who planted it there many years ago. It also shows me that things don't always turn out as badly as I fear they might. Back in 2016 I was told the forsythia would have to be removed so a crack in my garden wall could be fixed. I blogged about how sad I was about that, and you can read that post here. 

In the end, the wall got mended and the forsythia was spared. The bricks are starting to crack again, but I think I can live with a crack in the garden wall if the alternative is losing my lovely hedge that blossoms so cheerfully.

Camelias are also starting to bloom in my garden - early this year. They bring back memories of my mum too, as we planted that bush together. I always remember my mum when I see the forsythia and camelias in bloom, more than I do on Mothering Sunday, which is generally a few weeks later. 

English Mother's Day is on Sunday, 10 March in the UK this year, and has a different origin from American Mother's Day. We call it Mothering Sunday, and it takes place three weeks before Easter Sunday as part of traditional Lent customs.

You can see photos of my forsythia and camelia on this post. 

Join me for an online talk on spring folklore tonight

I'm giving an online talk called The Magic and Folklore of Springtime this evening, Tuesday 27 February, via the College of Psychic Studies. It starts at 7pm, with a recording available later. Tickets are £16/£14.  You can find out more details and book tickets here: https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/talks/myth-magic/the-magic-and-folklore-of-springtime/

Share your seasonal photos!

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book offers more ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Spring Herb Lore: Greater Periwinkle or Sorcerer's Violet

I spotted this periwinkle flowering on a roadside verge as I was walking home from the shops the other day. I think its more accurately a greater periwinkle, or Vinca major. 

I've blogged in the past about Madagascan periwinkle being used in herbal medicine. You can find that post here. Greater periwinkle has been used by herbalists to treat skin conditions, but the purple flower that blooms in early spring is also used in European folk magic. According to the website Botanical an old name for the plant was  "Sorcerer's Violet" and it was used for making love potions as well as for getting rid of "evil spirits"

The flower grows on long vines which can be used to make really pretty spring garlands or wreaths. However, don't let your pets eat the plant as it is poisonous to cats and dogs. 

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity, so please leave a comment or share a photo of what you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns. You can find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author or share on Instagram or X with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year offers more ways to celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

You can also view Rounding the Wheel of the Year on Amazon. 

(Notes: I earn commission from advertisers for some links, this helps support my blog at no extra cost to readers. This post is for information purposes, it is not medical advice.)

Rounding the Year: Flowers, Birds, Pancakes & Valentines

There are so many things to celebrate this week, including three widely celebrated festivals: the start of the Year of the Dragon, Pancake Day and Valentine's Day. Those events might not be pagan but, as I mention in my book Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year, I'm happy to enjoy most seasonal customs. However, what's really making my heart sing is the sight of more first buds and blossoms as spring flowers return. 

Over the past two weeks I've shared photos of  snowdrops just beginning to bud, and now there are little white flowers all over my garden. On Friday I saw daffodils in my local park (pictured left). At the weekend I spotted pink and white blossom appearing on several trees, and today the first primroses flowered in my front garden. You can see a photo of them further down this post. 

I've also been noticing birds nest-building. A pair of great-tits have been gathering twigs in my front garden. I've been watching them from my study window when I should probably be working. At the weekend, I went away to the coast where I saw a pair of gulls. I took a photo, but they were quite far away so it's not great. According to folklore, birds choose their mates at around the time of Valentine's Day.

I recently started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book offers more ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Rounding the Year: Snowdrops Finally Flowering

The snowdrops are out at last in my garden, as you can see in the photo I took just yesterday. Although they usually bloom close to Imbolc in London where I live, it can vary from a week or so before to a week or so later. It depends on the weather, which is one of the reasons the standard modern Pagan Wheel of the Year festivals are only a rough guide to what's happening in nature.

Last week I shared a photo of the snowdrops just beginning to bud, and I started prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead, inspired by my book, Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

My book offers more suggestions of ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. You can find it at estoeric bookshops and via my publisher Moon Books: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-rounding-wheel-year

Rounding the Year: Sharing Seasonal Pictures & Words

As the first signs of spring appear I'm starting prompts to share seasonal pictures, art, crafts, words and other creativity. I'll continue this over the months ahead, inspired by my book, Pagan Portals - Rounding the Wheel of the Year. I'd love to encourage readers to record what's happening in nature in various ways including photographs, journalling, drawing or painting and crafting.

Here are ways to share the things you're doing or what you see out and about as the wheel turns:

• Leave a comment on this post about what you're up to
• Find my prompts to share on my Facebook Page: Lucya Starza Pagan Portals Author
• Share on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the tag #RoundingtheYear

The photo at the top captures snowdrops just starting to bud. I took the snap yesterday morning in my garden. They aren't quite out yet, but a few might bloom in the few days before Imbolc. This is time to nurture new ideas, hopes and wishes for the days and weeks ahead, even if they aren't yet fully formed. What's budding where you live or in your life?

My book offers more suggestions of ways to acknowledge the Wheel of the Year and celebrate the seasons in ritual, magic, folklore and nature. If you want to buy any of my books on witchcraft, magic and folklore really cheaply, you can take advantage of a January sale. My publisher Moon Books, which is part of Collective Ink, is offering 50 per cent off all ebooks until January 31st. 

All you need to do is visit www.collectiveinkbooks.com/, choose your ebook or books, click "Add to basket for direct download". Go to your basket and click "Do you have a coupon" then apply the promo code JANSALE24 and Validate.

Here are some links previous posts on seasonal crafts, photos and magic:

• Mandala of Leaves, Flowers and Berries for January
• Candle Magic: A Spell for Springtime Wishes
• A Poem for the Month: January Trees
• Snowdrops Show Spring is on the Way
• How to Make a Brigid's Cross for Imbolc