The First Light of Change
Weaving community magic
Hey witches,
Happy beginning of the month and beginning of the year. I hope your 2025 treats you with growth, peace, prosperity, and any other energy you might personally need this year.
Weekly Affirmation
"I embrace new beginnings and trusts in the perfect timing of my growth."
❄️ 3 Weeks of Winter Giveaway ❄️
So far we have done 2 of the 3 weeks of Winter giveaway!
This week 2 lucky winners will receive a custom digital bindrune design.
You can tell me what kind of energy you would like to represent, or let the runes choose for you. This will have a transparent background so you can apply it to anywhere you like to take advantage of the rune’s energy.
🌙 Current Moon Phase 🌙
The current moon is a sliver of a waxing crescent. I think it's beautiful that the new year begins with such a new moon, whispering of growth and potential to unfold. Both this phase and time of year brings perfect conditions for setting foundations and nurturing new projects into being - and remember all great things start small.
I recommend using this time to perform simple rituals involving light (such as lighting a candle) to symbolize illumination and progress.
What will you be working on bringing forth into the new year?
Lunar Look Ahead
We will move into the first quarter moon on Jan 6th
The First Quarter Moon represents a period of decision-making and overcoming challenges. It brings the energy of growth and momentum. Remember that the challenges that arise now are opportunities to refine your intentions and push through any resistance.
I recommend doing a short tarot pull or rune reading on the first quarter moon to gain insight into any hidden areas that may need to be illuminated over the coming week, so you can address them.
As we progress to a waxing gibbous over the week, remember that this phase represents refinement and preparation. It’s a time to analyze your progress and ensure your intentions align with your actions. Use this phase to tie up loose ends and make adjustments as needed.
🔮 Reading for the Week
What We Carry (Past) - Mannaz ᛗ (Reversed)
In our past position, Mannaz reversed can speak to a collective disconnection. We've been moving through spaces like separate islands, mistaking independence for strength. We've forgotten the art of true connection, of seeing ourselves in each other's eyes. Those moments we’re in isolation are not speaking personal failures - but are symptoms of a deeper collective forgetting how to truly see and hold space for each other. In this first week of the new year, this rune is giving us a strong message that this is a year we should come together. Be a community. Be a directed force toward change we want to see.
Where We Stand (Present) - Perthro ᛈ
In our present moment, Perthro tells us more about the space we're standing in. Perthro represents that single moment of fate before the action taken and the destiny from that action, collide into being. This is the moment between the breath and the word, between thought and action, where all possibilities still exist. Think of those times when you can feel change coming but haven't yet seen its face - that's where we are now. Not lost, but purposefully paused in a moment's potential. Have you felt stuck or anxious lately? This could be why. We are all holding our breath waiting for the next stage to be revealed.
The Path Forward (Future) - Sowilo ᛋ
The sun rune blazes forward to illuminate everything. Sowilo is a master at bringing all shadows to light to reveal what has been kept hidden. Think of the moment when a beam of sunlight hits a prism, and it explodes into a myriad of different colors. What these colors expose will enable us to grow and seek positive change. We as a society are slowly moving out of that collective space of isolation held by mannaz because Sowilo is shining that light on us, demanding that we see one another
The story they weave:
These runes tell a tale of how isolation transforms into connection through moments of pure potential. From our state of disconnection, through this drawn out pause where anything is possible, and into the light of collective awakening. We're not just changing how we relate, we're remembering how to truly see each other. This may not be a gentle transformation - it's the kind of change that rewrites our understanding of community itself and is necessary for our continued growth together as a whole. But it will be a needed transformation. A transformation that leaves us better than we were before.
🕯️ Wellness Practice: Illumination Bath
I like to enjoy a ritual bath during the waxing crescent phase, I find it helps align my energy with the moon phase. I dont have a bathtub currently so I practice this in my shower, it's all about adaptation!
Benefits:
Energy alignment
Spiritual cleansing
Mental clarity
Physical relaxation
Instructions:
Fill your tub with warm water
Add a handful of sea salt (or use a salt scrub if showering)
Place three white candles safely around your bath (or in your bathroom)
As you light each candle, state:
"I illuminate my path"
"I embrace growth"
"I welcome transformation"
Rest or stand under the water, visualizing a silvery light filling you with potential.
When finished, as the water drains say "As this water flows, so too does my energy align with growth"
For this weeks ritual, I will share with you the new year's ritual we perform as a series of stories I created for my instagram
🥣 Here is a winter recipe for you to enjoy!
Here in Scandinavia, Rice Porridge (risgrynsgröt) is popular around Yule time and New Years. A tradition is to cook a whole almond with the porridge and the person who finds the almond will have a lucky year.
Additionally, we always give a small bowl to appease the Tomte (house spirit) who takes care of your home, but tends to be mischevious when displeased.
An old Swedish tradition is also to roast people using rhymes (kind of like limericks) when serving the porridge. Back in the day there were even booklets of porridge rhymes you could get if you needed a little inspiration.
Recipe:
Here is a family recipe of ours for a porridge with a spiced syrup on top (omitting the almond, so remember to add if you like the idea!)
Ingredients
For the Rice Pudding:
2,5 dl (1 cup) short-grain rice (gluttinous rice)
5 dl (2 cups) water
0,5 tsp salt
8 dl (3,4 cups) milk
optional: a cinnamon stick
optional: almond
optional: vanilla pod (split lengthwise) or 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar.
For the Spiced Syrup:
1/2 cup (120ml) water
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise pods
2 cloves
Zest of 1 orange
For Garnish:
2 tbsp powdered sugar’
Prepare the Rice Pudding:
Rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
Add the rice, water, butter and salt into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer on a low heat for about ten minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Add the milk and vanilla pod or vanilla sugar and bring it to a boil, continuing to stir so you dont scorch the milk
Once it has boiled, put it on a low temperature. Add optional cinnamon stick (and almond if you like!). Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Prepare the Rice Pudding:
Rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
In a large saucepan, combine the milk, cream, and vanilla pod. Heat gently over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
Stir in the rice, reduce heat to low, and cook gently for about 30–40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender and the mixture becomes creamy.
Add the granulated sugar and a pinch of salt, stirring well. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Prepare the Spiced Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and lemon zest.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the mixture infuse for about 10–15 minutes.
Strain the syrup to remove the spices and zest. Set aside to cool.
To Serve:
Divide the rice pudding into serving bowls.
Drizzle the spiced syrup over the rice pudding.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar for garnish.
Have a great 2025!