A cozy sweater, herbal jars, and a Winter Circle we can gather in together

I’m writing this wrapped in an oversized white-and-black thrifted wool-like sweater, listening to a  YouTube playlist titled “Ethereal Yule ~ Medieval Celtic Music”.

My cat is sitting right in front of me, taunting our new dog to interact (dare I say ‘play’?). I feel so cozy in this moment while drinking a chia tea latte. 

This morning, the sun shone long enough for me to take a photo of my herbal concoctions on my antique baker’s cabinet. Truly, I need to move these jars and herbs somewhere else. And to be real with you . . . I’ve completely run out of space on this cabinet.

I do love looking at them. I feel guilty that I’m not using them. However, as colder temperatures set in and the snowfalls come and accumulate, I will have ample time to tend to projects inside our home. I’m actually looking forward to it. 

The weather has been mild enough that I’m still doing yard and garden work. Just yesterday I dug up some echinacea roots and racked leaves without a jacket on. Unusual times, my friends, this should be frozen-ground time in West Central WIsconsin. 

Even though I’m beginning to huddle in my house more and the darkness settles in around 6pm, I don’t want that to mean less time with people too. The internet is a wonderful tool for keeping us connected to one another, I am grateful for that. 

Which brings me to this question . . .

Would you like to meet up for a Winter Circle this year?

Emily Morrison from Wise Women Witchery and I are collaborating again to offer a season of ceremony, community, and nature-centered spiritual practice held together in an online space.

I’ll be weaving in my plant-priestess work throughout, so herbs will be interlaced into our ceremonies, activities, and supplemental materials.

 

We just wrapped up a similar offering called The Descent, a four-week exploration designed to help participants (and ourselves) step across the threshold into winter’s darkness with intention. 

One of my favorite parts was hearing how participants enjoyed being in community with others practicing nature-based ceremonies.
There was the:

• Playful activity of mixing clay “mud” and painting a sigil onto our bodies

• Guided journey into a cave to meet our ancestors

• Root-based teas we sipped together even though we were on opposite sides of the continent

• Shared reflections on how we were integrating the previous week’s ceremonial visions

• Moments of witnessing each other through those tender “does this make any sense?” moments

• Gratitude for a space where people could speak honestly about intuition, dreams, and grandmothers whispering to one another across realms

What to Expect

• Six live ceremonies aligned with winter themes (deep rest, tending the inner flame, shadow time, ancestral threads, and renewal).
• Herbal practices woven into each session.
• Gentle ritual prompts, journal reflections, and seasonal activities.
• Optional community space for sharing.
• Replays available if you can’t attend live.

Who This Is For

Anyone craving connection in the dark months

Those wanting a slower, more intentional winter

Folks wanting gentle structure around their spiritual or herbal practice

People who feel nourished by story, ceremony, herbs, and community

Why Winter Work Matters to Me

Winter can sometimes feel confining for me especially when it’s dangerously cold outside. I also know that Darkness holds many gifts. I enjoy embracing a slower pace that can accompany indoor living. I enjoy reflecting on the herb harvest as my fingers sort leaves and petals, transferring them from temporary paper bags into their long-term storage glass jars. 

Instead of tending to the flower, herb, and veggie gardens outside; the winter darkness gives me pause to tend to the books, writing, and learning that I set aside. 

Cold winter nights are perfect for a circle of people gathering together. It feels like a warm hearth we gather around.

Your Newsletter-Only Gift

 Because you’re part of this newsletter community, you’re receiving 15% off any of the sliding-scale registration options.

More details about the Winter Circle can be found here: https://wisewomanwitchery.net/winter-circle-2025-5744

• Coupon Code: CIRCLE15

Register for the Winter Circle  

Before I close…

May this winter bring you warmth, clarity, and a little bit of enchantment.

May the herbs on your shelf whisper their wisdom when you’re ready to listen.

And may you feel held by community, by the earth, and by your own inner light.

Take Best Care,

Erin LaFaive