‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... 

So if you’re Pagan, Wiccan or a Witch, what will you be doing the night before, and during Christmas? The festive season, embedded in our Westernised Christian focused society, is fast approaching and many of us are already preparing for family visits, buying presents and organising our festivities and special celebratory moments. But what does this all mean if you’re Wiccan? 

That’s an interesting question because it raises the ugly notion of how to live through the dominance of a social phenomenon, Christmas, while still remaining true to your spiritual home, Wicca. Personally I don’t find it much of a problem anymore but I know many Wiccans do.  

For us, we still do all the presents for family, the kids and the grandkids but for friends, I now donate the money I would have spent on their presents to charity and let them know that I love them dearly and in their name have contributed my love and devotion to them to someone in greater need than the both of us. Without exception, my friends have loved the idea and in fact many of them now do the same thing themselves. 

I don’t see a problem with giving presents, showing someone you care and that they’re special to you and in celebrating the sentiments of family and friendship at this time (or any time) of year. So I make sure that our Midsummer (December is summer for us in Australia) focuses on family, community, sharing and mutual respect and love. We do the Christmas thing with Christmas day but of course I don’t follow the spirituality behind it but do love the traditions and nuances that makes this time of year so special. At the same time I continue to honour my Gods and Goddesses by making sure I continue to keep them uppermost in my thoughts and don’t get swept away by the commerciality that has taken over what Christmas originally meant. 

As each of you prepare for the ‘silly’ season ahead, spare some thought for how you will meld together the spirit of Christmas with your home grown spirituality of Wicca. Take a few moments to consider if you’ve been seduced by the commerciality and if your traditions reflect the undercurrent of sharing that Christmas should really be about. 

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst