Currently I’m behind on a project I’m working on. My online course for Runes made easy was ‘sposed to be handed to my publisher last week. I have not done this, and the week of extra time I’ve brought has fast been eaten up. So, I’m currently working on that.

Just to keep you updated on what I’m doing. As I’m sure you are fascinated.

This time of year, we as a culture are starting to get moving again after the mid-winter celebrations. Some of use. Me. Are finding it hard. Luckily back in the day our ancient Nordic forebears had a ritual for that. Its celebrated on st Cnut’s day. Cnut is a christen saint, with suspiciously similar attributes to Odin. St Cnut’s day is celebrated on the 13th or 14 of the first month after Yule. This is a day that officially ends the Yule celebrations. It’s done in typical Viking style. With drinking bread and cheese.

Here is a ritual to end the Yule celebrations, first. Get some cheese, ale (or wine, or juice) and some home baked bread (see last week’s post). If you can have a fire at home, light one up, and eat the bread and cheese while drinking your drink. Share with the family.

2nd. Either write down or speak the things you are thankful for over the yule period. The lessons learned, the things you’ve accomplished and the victories you’ve had.

Finish your food and drink. Toast the gods, let the fire burn out and go inside.

Complicated right?

Working on a project can be draining. In the case of my online course, I’m finding it a new challenge to write for an auto-cue. And because of that I recognise that I need to refuel my energies. Physical energy is relatively easy. Cake is a thing. The emotional and spiritual energy can be more of a challenge.

One of the things that I’ve realised I need to do more often is to take myself to sacred spaces. In my world view everting is sacred, in some way or another, so that is kind of an oxymoron. What I mean is places of power. In England, and most of Europe, we’ve built churches on lots of power points, as the people there before built temples, and those before built stone circles or rings on power points on the earth. People know a good thing when they see it. It’s one of the reasons churches hold so much power. In the US and Australia people may not have built churches, they tend to have built things like ‘the world’s largest ball of string’ or some other device to show people this area is special. Completely unconsciously though.

One of the ways I approach these power portals (I like an alliteration) is to come to the entrance and stamp your foot or bang your stick three times and wait. You are waiting until something changes, for example a bird flies across your vision, or the wind changes or you hear a new noise. The energy of the place will change to let you know that it is thankful for the respect shown and will let you in. The same is true for barrows, stone circles or ring forts, forests, lakes etc. Old points of power have something called Land Wights or Vetter that live there and they are the guardians of the power.

Somewhere like stone henge where LOTS of people go has interesting land wights. A forest that is not often visited will have more primal spirts, and a secluded glade that may not see a person from one year to the next will be different still.

Its also nice to share food and water with the spirits of the place. Either leaving some of your lunch behind, the animals will eat it, and the energy goes to the spirt. Or some of your drink. Littler or things that don’t biodegrade in a timely fashion is not good. So don’t be a fool.

I find that meditating, walking, playing a musical instrument are all powerful things to do in these portals.

What is your favourite thing to do in power portals?