December - The Solstice & Birch Tree


"Winter Solstice is bittersweet. Although the night is long and cold, it represents the birth of the Sun, whose promise is to bring life and plenty in conjunction with the Earth. This Winter Solstice, Robert will be blessed and sacrificed in ritual. Amethysta is born."

Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D. in “Coming Out for the Holidays: A Transgender Winter Solstice“. 2023.


December Tree: Birch

Hey Reader,

How are you doing? As I write I am cozied up with a tea, honey, and sniffles, getting over a flu unlike any I’ve had in a while.

Still, the urge to slow down and mimic nature at this time of year is quite hard for me to do, with holiday parties, dinner gatherings and retail stores getting busier.

Remember you can reconnect with nature at any time with a gentle inhale and exhale. You breathe the same air that giant trees, ancient moss, and beautiful whales have!!!

If that ain’t a gift, what is?

At a time when evergreen trees are popular… this month in the Celtic Tree Ogam we are blessed with the wisdom of Birch.

Birch enables us to peacefully forgive. The feud is done. Start afresh my love. The oracle card I pulled for you is below. A gentle reminder going into what may be some heated holiday gatherings with family...

Before you go into these holiday weeks

There's a few other exciting things to share -- namely that I've been working on our next few nature retreats and how to make them as gender-affirming, queer and witchy as possible!!!!

  • Toronto on Jan 31st;
  • Newfoundland in June; and
  • Somewhere in the Ontario Woods in August

Registrations for June in NL will open very soon, since it will involve flight and accommodation planning! Last year's NL retreat was absolutely stunning and there will be even MORE raw wilderness this year. Keep checking the retreats section of abundance world's website for updates!!


There's still time to register for our Solstice Yule Retreat!

This retreat is online from 6-8pm this Sunday Dec 14th

  • Gather in stillness.
  • Relight your inner flame.
  • Learn more about Yule on the Celtic wheel of the year.
  • Leave with a 12 Nights of Yule practice!

Bare tree covered in frost during winter
Close-up of a decorated christmas tree with lights.
Snow covered trees in a forest looking up
Logs burning brightly in a campfire

Events: Mark your Calendars


Birch / Beith

~ Pronounced "beth" in Gaeilge ~
“Releasing old patterns; welcoming new beginnings; a peaceful resolution; keep innocence, forgiveness and non-judgement in mind; rise from the ashes phoenix connections."

Keep a twig of birch in your pocket when heading into conflict or a tough situation.

- Celtic Tree Oracle by Sharlyn Hidalgo

Birch says: The first of the Ogam Fews. Forgive yourself and others. There is a new you already present. You can move forward with peace.

See to it that you have an abundant December.

~ Big Love // Gra mor ~

Frankie


Abundance World stewards transformative human:nature immersions you crave (retreats, forest baths, sound healing, Celtic & Druid cosmology) for teams and individuals.
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