Susannah Ravenswing

Tales from the World Tree

Wassail

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The term ‘Wassail’ derives from the Old Norse blessing, Ves heil and the Anglo-Saxon greeting Wes þú hál , meaning ‘Be you hale!’ Often associated with Yuletide, this hot, mulled punch is traditionally drunk from a ‘wassail bowl’. Such wassail bowls or blessing bowls were carved of wood or made from pottery, and could be quite large so that multiple folks might drink from them simultaneously. Originally made with warmed ale or mead, a form of fermented honey wine, the pulp of roasted crab apples and beaten egg whites were added to create a fluffy cap on the hot drink referred to as ‘lambswool’. Later, the drink evolved to become a mulled cider made with sugar, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, topped with slices of toast to sop up the rich, rich beverage.

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Hail, Brother Reindeer!

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No animal is more strongly associated with the winter holidays than the Reindeer.  A member of the Cervidae or Deer family scientifically known as Rangifer tarandus, they are also referred to as Caribou. Occurring throughout the circumpolar region, Reindeer once existed in the billions and formed the largest migrating animal population in the Northern Hemisphere. Humans have hunted them since the Pleistocene Era as a primary source of meat and hides and have used their great antlers for tools, personal ornaments and sacred objects. Even today, people such as the Inuit, Inupiat, Nenets, and Sami depend on reindeer as a primary source of food, clothing, and shelter. The herding of semi-domesticated reindeer is important to numerous Arctic and sub-Arctic peoples, and in some parts of the world, is now managed by helicopter.

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Geomancy: Conscious Relationship with the Land

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The term “geomancy” refers to the study of and conscious engagement with our Earth’s energies and includes techniques for healing land which has been neglected, damaged and abused, or the site of traumatic events (such as battlefields.) It also includes ceremonies for spiritually preparing and blessing building and worship sites. Geomancy was practiced and understood by our ancient ancestors, as is evident in the great megalithic sites of Callanish and Stonehenge and the deliberate arrangement of Egyptian pyramids. Geomantic consultation and services are a significant part of my shamanic practice.

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Dancing With the North Wind

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In the Northern Tradition of shamanism, we cultivate alliances with the spirits of Nature, building friendships based in reciprocity with other Beings. Like any friendship, such alliances must be tended with love and respect, gifts given equal to favors requested. This reciprocity, a sacred partnership, is reflected in the Norse rune Gebo or Gefu, which looks like the letter X.

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Hail The Ancestors!

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Ancestor veneration is a significant and deeply personal part of Northern Tradition Shamanism. As an animist who views everything as enspirited, I am often conscious of the presence of my Dead around me. Their very struggles and journeys are embedded in my DNA, shaping me in a variety of ways. I am the product of millions of years of human resourcefulness, courage, and adaptation, and I have profound gratitude for my Ancestors.

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Sacred Smoke

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It’s become pretty common to hear someone suggest using the smoke from smoldering white sage to ‘smudge’  a person or space. To many Native Americans, this is a traditional sacred practice, one making use of the natural properties of the plant to clear away negativity and hallow an individual or space. There is presently no small amount of conflict over whether this is disrespectful to these cultural practices or an appropriation of their sacred traditions. But the use of hallowed smoke for cleansing and blessing is common to many cultures. The Catholic, Episcopal, and Greek and Russian Orthodox Christian churches have a long history of using the fragrant smoke of incense combining frankincense and myrrh in services, and incense in one form or another plays a significant role in the ceremonies and rituals of many faiths.

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