SM 40: Winter Solstice — Your Ritual Guide to the Dark Night of the Soul

In this Winter Solstice Special Episode we help you get through the longest, darkest night of the year and the soul (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), together. Well, not just get through it, but cherish it and revel in its beauty. We talk about the astrology of the season, the psychology of the longest night, what this season means for you, AND, most importantly, we’ve got a ritual guide to help you make the most of all of it.

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Win A Free Session With Amanda (by submitting a review of Initiated)

To enter to win a free tarot session with Amanda (and get a downloadable altar prayer PDF, guaranteed), all readers of Initiated need to do is review Amanda's book on Amazon or Goodreads + their Instagram Feed and then submit a screenshot via email here (guardian@oracleoflosangeles.com). For each review (Goodreads, Amazon, or Instagram) you will receive a separate entry. 3 reviews = 3 entries to win. Good odds for a good cause! Thanks for your participation!! Offer ends December 18th.

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Grab some incredible gifts for the Modern Women in your life by shopping Sarah's shop. She's got an incredible array of shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, zines, art and more. Support Sarah's small business this holiday by CLICKING THIS LINK.

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Amanda References:

• Adam Elenbass of Nighlight Astrology
• The spiritual ecology book "Coming Back to Life" by Joanna Macy and Molly Brown and the concept of Positive Disintegration
• The poem by Marie Howe called "What the Living Do"
• Amanda refers to an essay in The Atlantic by Emily Esfahani Smith
  about rituals for dealing with grief.
• The book The Spiral Dance by Starhawk.

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YOUR SOLSTICE RITUAL GUIDE

Text for the candle lighting ritual (by Amanda Yates Garcia)

I am _____. [Describe who you are, i.e. artist, lover, friend, etc.]

Example: I am Amanda Yates Garcia, witch, writer, artist, and Oracle of Los Angeles.

This year I have lost ______ to the night. [Describe what you have lost, be it personal or political].

Example: This year I have lost a lot of time to internet vampires, and countless hours worrying over the fate of our world under kyriarchy.

And by the powers of the Goddess within me, from the darkness of this, the deepest night, I call forth the light of ______. [Describe what you want to call forth into the world and why]

Example: And by the powers of the Goddess within me, from the darkness of this, the deepest night, I call forth the light of generosity, to use my words and actions to empower people to create a more beautiful, loving and compassionate world.

Chant While Burning Your Solstice Herbs

The text for the chant is by Starhawk from her book The Spiral Dance. Please buy this book! Please note I do not include the full chant so as not to infringe on copyright. If you want the full chant buy Starhawk's book or visit her website.

A great way to do this chant is to go around your circle and name your losses, toss the herbs into the fire, and then everybody chants the text together and you keep going round until you feel satisfied.

[whatever you lost] is lost to the night

[whatever you lost] is lost to the night

To fall and rise again

To die and be reborn

What more must [you/I/we] lose to the night?

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Links:

Amanda Yates Garcia (art witch, healer, writer):

www.oracleoflosangeles.com

To sign up for Amanda's newsletter, CLICK HERE.

To order Amanda's book, "Initiated: Memoir of a Witch" CLICK HERE.

Amanda's Instagram

Amanda's Facebook

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Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs (musician, artist, producer):

www.carolynpennypackerriggs.com

Carolyn's Instagram

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CONTRIBUTORS:

Amanda Yates Garcia, Sarah, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs. With editing help from Jiha Lee.

Learn More About Your Host Amanda Yates Garcia

To join Amanda's MYSTERY CULT on Substack click here.

To order Amanda's book, "Initiated: Memoir of a Witch" CLICK HERE.

Amanda's Instagram

To book an appointment with Amanda go to www.oracleoflosangeles.com

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Original MUSIC by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs

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Are you an artist or writer looking for structure, support and community? Check out Carolyn's project - Homework Club -with with arts consultant and author, Beth Pickens:

Homework Club offers creative people strategies for keeping their projects and practices a priority with monthly webinars, worksheets, live QnA’s, accountability pods, and actual homework (that you'll never be graded on. Ever!).

Make 2024 a BIG PROJECT year - first month free with code: YourArt

Mind Your Practice is our podcast.

You can visit https://www.bethpickens.com/homework-club for more details or listen wherever you stream Between the Worlds.

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Get in touch with sponsorship inquiries for Between the Worlds at betweentheworldspodcast@gmail.com.

CONTRIBUTORS:

Amanda Yates Garcia (host) & Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs (producer, composer). The BTW logo collage was created by Maria Minnis (tinyparsnip.com / instagram.com/tinyparsnip ) with text designed by Leah Hayes.