Witches Of New York – Page 68 – Everything about witches and witchcraft in New York City from modern pagan perspective

Winter is always hard on city pagans as chilly weather forces them out of the parks and squares into tiny studios rented per hour around the city. Last and first Sabbaths of the year are the toughest ones, as they are, well, in winter. Although, here is the photo I took last year on my way to the Ostara ritual (end of March)– remember that unusually cold NYC Spring 2015 we had?

But back to Yule: Winter Solstice, the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun, Saulė, Sól as she brings back the light and warmth to the world by shining longer a couple minutes each day. Or in the Wiccan tradition: honoring the Shining God’s birth and recounting his tale on this eve of the re-birth of light and anticipation the coming warmth. Light, love, laughter…and of course gifts – would not be the celebration without them!

This Yule I went to as many rituals as I could. All 4 of them! Three of them were held in small midtown studio spaces as bigger must have been all rented out for holiday performances. And as we know, midtown is always buzzing with tourists and locals looking for last minute gifts during this time.

First one was Greenwood Coven’s Yule at Producer’s Club where Lord of Misrule was invoked by making fun or so called “Deity Roasting” of Thor and Skadi or any other god you have good standing with (enough to make fun). Oh poor Thor! He probably got roasted the most! Even “moving meditation” was more like being silly and making fun out your own body or the norms of how your body should perform. The ritual was full of laughter, humor and marry-making and it truly felt like a little ray of sunlight during midst of winter in your heart. This was my first visit to this coven so I was a little shy of pulling out my camera and taking photos as nobody else wasn’t, although, I am sure those joyful folks wouldn’t have minded. Next time…

The second ritual was hosted by Wiccan Family Temple where I took my daughter to give her some Yule celebration experience as well. Michael and Mandy brought their own gang so it has been much fun for her. The space they rented, from what appears to be immigration help office by day, was also located in midtown.

The altar also had a huge wreath for everyone to pass through during the ritual, as a gateway from the old cycle to the new. Here you can see kids made a use of it as well.

Also who doesn’t like to hold a burning candle and make a wish for the new year!

And of course photo session with the Yule log!

And when gift were given and unwrapped the real party started!

Next day I went to Yulebløt by Kenaz Wicca at Champion Dance studios. I always enjoy their rituals, because there is a lot of singing, although, I can’t sing as well as the most, it is still very uplifting.

Follow me in merry measure
Falala lalala lalala
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Falala lalala lalala

The room was really small but got very cozy as soon as lights went out and candles were lit from the Yule log. The bløt part followed shortly with Amanda’s orange glazed ham as a centerpiece. Also here is the Yule log close-up.

The best thing that happened that night was that I met an amazing person/witch/occult bookstore Elemental Books owner Dominique – she came form Winnipeg, Canada to explore covens, rituals and witchcraft stores in NYC. And because of her got to go to the next and fourth Winter Solstice ritual hosted by Temple of Thelema.

Thelemic ritual was something entirely different! It is initiatory order so they don’t do too much public rituals, but hopefully I will have a chance to attend another one someday and take some photos. Risking to seem not very educated on the matter will try to summarize what I experienced.

Thelemic tradition is based on Aleister Crowley high magic teachings. So it was more invoking of the five elements to bring back the Sun rather than a typical Wiccan ritual. Five performers representing 5 elements led the crowd of spectators through it. In the end everyone could approach each element one by one and light the candle for their own intentions. The performance appeared ideally rehearsed with music, steps and speeches. Afterwards, speaking to Dominique about it, I realized how much symbolism and other meanings I did not catch, because performance alone was mesmerizing. But vibrations were raised, Sun was greeted and I learned something new!

Stay warm, folks! Blessed be!

I met Christine a year ago at my very first full moon ceremony. She stood out from the crowd not only because of pounds of silver bling she was wearing but mostly because of her vivid personality. Her beady eyes (that we determined to be dark green-brown) were always sparkling. After the ritual she was first to come up to me and and start a friendly chat.

Second time I stayed longer and we talked more about her. Christine comes form Stregheria – the Italian witchcraft tradition. Her grandparents, who basically raised her, came from Italy by boat. Christine grew up in Spanish Harlem. She recalls grandmother taking her to Latin mass at 5am and then sage-ing themselves and the house.

“I was a young child when I started seeing people. And didn’t know then, but my grandmother was teaching me herbs and potions. I was always with her. I would be frightened of the voices that I hear. I would clutch my ears and cry myself to sleep always afraid to tell anyone I would see and talk to people. Some I knew, some not and most of them were dead… But as I got older I realized that it was actually a gift, light popped on, so to speak.“

It took me quite a while to convince Christine to do her portrait. She is always up to something – vending in Pagan Pride, Witchfest and other fairs, making oils and and casting spells, moderating Witch Way – her facebook group. But after she decided to sell her house in Brooklyn and move to Tennessee, I finally had a good reason to actually make it happen.

I follow Christine up the narrow staircase to the 3^rd floor of her townhouse in Greenpoint. Here it is – just like in a fairy tale – an attic room filled with little vials, funnels and herb bags – true alchemist’s lair. Dream catchers, chimes and feathers everywhere. She sits down at her work table and starts showing me the herbs she has been working with.

If you ask Christine something about herbs, her eyes would light up as she starts telling you about them. Seems like the whole room lights up with her energy. She picks up basket with lavender that she prepared for sale at Pagan Pride and brings herbs to her nose. Inhales and let’s out the clatter of her pointy shoes against the wooden floor.

Then I glance at her altar and ask to tell me about her tools. Christine gets up and picks up one after another telling me of each their stories.

The Wand.
The Athame. Spell in the bottle (bulb). Crystals to enhance energy. The Book of Shadows, the main and the working one. Tarot Cards gifted to her by the friend.The Altar and small secondary one for certain spells.

In the end I ask her to stand up and pose for me in the hallway, so I could see all the pouches around her belt. Lots of different stuff in there: herbs, stones, some are gifts, some are just witch necessities.

“Come, let’s go outside to see my plants” she says, “don’t worry, my neighbors already think that I am crazy” she adds while opening the door to her backyard.

Yule in Midtown Manhattan and Thelemic Winter Solstice.

Christine Narducci as Bronwlyn La Fae | Portrait of the Witch