Embracing the Cailleach at Winter Solstice.

The owl calling in the distance. Can you hear her? her horse voice   gliding on her icy breath beckoning you to her.  Holding out her bony ancient hand as you sit by the fire. Her stories, ancient and sacred, are lined on her face, every one telling a story of how time began. What is it child ? Tell me  a  story of your woes , tell me of the past year?. Your fears , your burdens speak and release them into the flames of the dancing fire before you .Become at one with yourself,   cleanse and be free to start a new beginning  as the dawning of a new age begins. Remembering your sacredness is where you begin  to learn your inner truth so heed the lesson of this .Tune into the energy of this season and go within  your inner cave that is where you will find the answers you seek. Death , rebirth, transformation,  abundance ,  to death again. These are the cycles that we go through with each turning of the wheel of life and again with the  wheel of the year lean into this .Embrace it , as you go through this year, breathe through the resistance and release what no longer serves you .- Channelled message from the Cailleach.

In the rich and mystic tapestry of Celtic tradition, the figure of the Cailleach stands as a powerful symbol of endings, transformation, and the promise of rebirth. Known as the Bone Goddess, she is the ancient crone who presides over the dark half of the year, a keeper of winter's chill and the wisdom that emerges from surrendering to the cycles of life and death.

As the Winter Solstice approaches the longest night of the year, Cailleach's energy is at its peak. She invites us to reflect on the stories we carry, the burdens we have borne, and the truths we’ve uncovered in our journey through the dark and descent , and to release them unto her so we can travel another cycle unburdened by what is heavy on our heart .

Who Is the Cailleach?.

The Cailleach is an archetype of the ancient grandmother, a figure as fierce as she is wise. She is often depicted with weathered skin, white hair that flows like frost, and a staff that shapes the land. Her breath freezes rivers, and her footsteps form mountains. She is the force of nature that clears away the old, making way for the new.

In Celtic mythology, the Cailleach is a seasonal goddess, ruling from Samhain to Imbolc. As winter’s guardian, she wields the power of transformation through endings, teaching us that death is not an end but a gateway to renewal. The bones she gathers are not symbols of loss but of the enduring essence of life, stripped to its core.

Telling Your Story to the Bone Goddess.

The Cailleach calls us to unburden ourselves, to lay our stories at her feet. These stories of grief, joy, mistakes, and triumphs are the marrow of our existence. By sharing them, we embrace the raw truth of who we are and make space for growth.

In a quiet moment this Solstice, consider invoking the Cailleach. Light a candle to honour her presence, and sit with your thoughts. Speak aloud or write down the story of your year. What have you lost? What have you gained? What truths have crystallized in the frost of introspection? Trust that she listens without judgment, transforming the weight of your words into seeds for the coming spring.

The Winter Solstice: A Time of Transformation.

The Winter Solstice marks the turning of the wheel, the moment when the sun begins its slow return to the sky. In the depths of darkness, there is a spark of light , a reminder that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning. The Cailleach’s presence at this time encourages us to honor both the dark and the light within ourselves.

As we sit in her shadow, we are reminded that the cycles of nature mirror the cycles within. Just as the earth rests in winter, we too are invited to rest, reflect, and release The. Cailleach's wisdom helps us shed what no longer serves, to find clarity and strength in the bones of our truth.

Honouring the Cailleach in Ritual.

• Create an Altar: Adorn your space with symbols of winter, especially items that you find as you walk in nature  ,stones, bones, evergreen branches, and candles. These elements honour the Cailleach and the season she governs.

• Bone Meditation: Hold a small stone or bone in your hand and reflect on its permanence. Let it guide you to contemplate the core truths of your life.

• Storytelling Ceremony: Gather with loved ones or sit in solitude to share your story. Offer your words to the Cailleach, write them down and then burn them in a heatproof dish outside  as an act of release and transformation.

• Thanksgiving for the Dark: Offer gratitude for the lessons of the past year, especially those born of challenges and hardship. Recognize the wisdom in the shadows.

Embracing the Wisdom of the Bone Goddess.

The Cailleach teaches us to embrace the stark beauty of winter and the clarity it brings. In her realm, we find the courage to face the truths we’d rather ignore and the strength to carry these lessons forward. As the light returns in the days after Solstice, we are reminded that the darkest nights birth the brightest dawns.

This Winter Solstice, let the Cailleach guide you through the sacred act of release and renewal. Whisper your story into the stillness of the night, and trust that she will cradle it in her ancient hands, weaving it into the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Blessings on Winter Solstice.

Hail the Cailleach!