Its almost time for Winter Solstice, and I want to talk about some crystals for the winter solstice… falling on Dec. 22 this year. For the last four years I’ve been doing an annual Winter Solstice Meditation using garnet as my focus-friend. Garnet is THE gemstone to have in your sacred space for Winter Solstice; specifically, Almandine Garnet. Here it is in all its red-delicious glory:

And here’s a vid on did on LUSCIOUS garnet not too long ago. Yum, yum. yum…:

Why garnet? Garnet has a sumptuous-smoldering inner fire (mmmmm) that rebels against even the most bitter cold winter days & seasonal melancholy (should you have any this time of year in the Northern Hemi.), especially for those of us who may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder…brought on by the diminished sunlight. ((HUGS))

Almandine garnet’s gorgeous deep red color reminds me of the sacred Yule berry; holly! How perfect! Its known to bring courage & sweet vitality during dark winter months. Its also great for spiritual devotion.

So my Winter Solstice Meditation goes like this. I go into my sacred space, light a few candles, hold a piece of garnet & work on going into alpha brainwaves with deep breathing and counting backward. Then I stare at my garnet until my eyes go out of focus. I go into the garnet in my mind’s eye….it sure is GORGEOUS in there! I have the most amazing meditations when I do this. TRY IT! You won’t be disappointed. 🙂

Now, I used to be a bartender back in the day. Paid my way through college…great job! So, of course, I have a Winter Solstice Gem Elixir Cocktail!! Here’s my personal recipe. Makes one cocktail:

• 1 1/2 oz. of Crystal Head vodka (do you know about this vodka? Whoa, Baby…let me tell you about it…made of deep glacial aquifer water, quadruple-distilled then filtered over 500-million year-old Herkimer diamonds with NO additives at all, making this the ultimate in gem elixirs! Excited yet?
• 1/2 oz. orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
• 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Ice cubes made of Garnet Gem Elixir!!! Now, this is gettin’ good!
• splash of chilled club soda
• splash of cranberry juice
• 1 raspberry, for garnish

And now its time for the Famous WPIX Yule Log (used to be looped on Christmas Eve & Day on WPIX in the NY-metro broadcast area back in the ’80s! Cozy.) This is so much fun!:

I don’t follow any religion, but Winter Solstice; is a time of ceremony for me, a time when the night is the longest, giving me plenty of time for contemplation. Besides being a time of giving to others, this is a time of inner reflection for me & of thinking up new goals to focus on for the coming year. That’s always good stuff, right there.

Crystals & stones help me to focus on my goals while also helping me resonate with Mother Earth’s seasonal frequencies as they ebb & flow. Crystals for winter solstice can be such blessings at this time of year whether you celebrate the Solstice, Kwanza, Ramadan, Christmas, Chanukah, or any other winter holidays I haven’t thought of yet!

I luv to make a Solstice Sachet chockfull of solstice goodness. I take an evergreen colored organza bag & toss in a mix of Winter Solstice dried organic herbs; comfrey, mistletoe, whole cloves (the last 2 are not pictured) & frankincense resin chips. Then I infuse the herbs & resin with organic Scotch Pine & Fir Needle essential oils. And of course, I include 2 large tumbled Garnet gemstones along with 3 quartz crystal points to pump up the garnet-energy.

So what do you do with a mojo bag such as this one? I do several different things with it depending on what strikes me at the moment.

I may first charge it on my sacred meditation altar to help imbue the correct energetic frequencies.   I’ll leave it there for a day or two & then I may meditate with it (the crystals and aroma put me in the perfect Winter Solstice meditative state…gets me right where I need to be). I may choose to lay it by my bedside or sleep with it under my pillow. I usually end up carrying it around with me in my purse, holding & sniffing it whenever I need a Solstice Pick Me Up. Teeeeeheeeee. My little Holiday Secret.
And lastly, a video clip from my last year’s winter solstice complete with mischevious Topaz-Kitty!:

This year, I’m really going to focus on my intentions for the new year…I have some big dreams coming to fruition just around the corner! Do I just make a resolution? Ppp-shaw! Noooo, I do a crystal grid of course! Should you feel called to do one yourself or if you’re looking for last-minute instant gift ideas, you may be called to take a look at my Crystal Grids Template Package.

Please share your Solstice/Holiday rituals & crystally goodness. I love hearing what others do!

Solstice Blessings! Mwaaaaah!