Snow moon Ritual 

This month Herb is Silver Birch - Sure It's a tree but it has amazing healing powers and symbolises renewal, protection, and the threshold between old and new.

My besom is made for Birch for exactly this reason.

Snow Moon Ritual:

The Winter Woman’s Transformation

You will need:

• A small piece of Silver Birch bark or leaves

• A white or silver candle

• A bowl of water (symbolising reflection and renewal)

• A journal or paper and pen

Find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed.

If It possible, perform this ritual outdoors under the moonlight or near a window where the Snow Moon is visible. I Take a few deep breaths, allowing myself to settle into stillness.

Then I Light the candle I then hold the piece of bark, leaves, in my hands and say:

"As the Snow Moon rises, I embrace the winter within. I step into the stillness, the space of deep knowing.

Like the Birch, I shed what no longer serves, and I prepare for what must thrive."

I then gaze into the bowl of water as if looking into the eyes of the Winter Woman. and read aloud:

"When winter comes to a woman’s soul, she withdraws into her inner self, her deepest spaces... Look into her eyes, this winter woman. In their grey spaciousness, you can see the future. Look out of my own winter eyes and I too can see the future."

then I close my eyes and ask myself:

• What old patterns must I shed like Birch bark in the winter wind?

• What seeds of wisdom must I nurture in the coming months?

• What do my winter eyes see in the future?

I then write down thoughts in my journal or on the paper or on the silver birch bark.

I hold the Silver Birch over the candle’s flame (at a safe distance), allowing its energy to absorb the transformation.

And say:

"I walk between the past and future. With the Snow Moon’s light, I release and renew."

I place the Birch into the bowl of water, letting it soak as a symbol of surrender and rebirth. Sitting in silence for a few moments, I feel the magic of transformation settling within me.

When all is done I extinguish the candle and pour the water outside as an offering to the earth. Carrying the wisdom of the Winter Woman with me in the coming days.

“When winter comes to a woman’s soul, she withdraws into her inner self, her deepest spaces. She refuses all connections and refutes all arguments that she should engage in the world. She may say she is resting, but she is more than resting: She is creating a new universe within herself, examining and breaking old patterns, destroying what should not be revived, feeding in secret what needs to thrive . . .

Look into her eyes, this winter woman. In their grey spaciousness, you can see the future. Look out of your own winter eyes. You too can see the future.”

~ Patricia Monaghan, from Seasons of the Witch