Dear Reader,

Ever since I was a wee one, I have been a Collector of Stuff. Sure, there were years in which that Stuff was mostly Barbie items, or books, or stuffies, but there were other things, too.

Seashells and stones. Random bits of driftwood. Sand from the beach in Key West where we went when I was about ten.

And believe it or not, while the Barbie items and books have since been donated, the seashells, that sand, those bits of driftwood, well, much of it remains with me and has a home in my Medicine Cabinet (also known as my Cedar Chest in which all my dearest things are housed, and upon which my Altar rests.)

I reset the Altar in my office during the Winter Solstice. I chose each item with care. What did I want to “call in” during this next Turning? What energies were wanting to support me? What Medicine wanted to walk alongside me right now?

During my years of study with a School of Shamanic Medicine, I was gifted with many Medicine Gifts from animals and birds, and I’ve since added to that over the years as animals and birds have graciously bestowed their gifts upon me – a feather, a tuft of fur, an antler, a bone. And this season, so many animals asked me to share their presence upon my Altar — interestingly those whose furs are especially warm and cozy!  Bear, and Coyote, and Rabbit, and Beaver, and Wolf. Even Squirrel and Lion wanted to join in this Season! (Yes, I happen to have been gifted a tuft of Lion fur when I was on safari in Kenya and no, like all of these gifts, it was not as a result of any unnatural death.) 

And the Winged Ones showed up in full force as well. Eagle and Red Tail Hawk, Blue Jay and Black-Capped Chickadee. My Altar is resplendent with their gifts and energy!

I added Rocks and Candles, Selenite and Jade, a nest from a Hummingbird, and Rattles made from Cow horn. My Altar felt good. It felt solid. It felt Complete.

And then…

The strangest thing happened.

I found a Peacock feather.

Now, in case you’re wondering, Peacocks don’t exactly roam at will around my neighbourhood! How on earth did a Peacock feather find its way to my front lawn?

I still have no idea…and yet…there it was.

“Pick me up,” it said. “Add me to your Altar.”

“Oh,” said I, “and here I thought my Altar was complete!”

“Heavens no,” said Peacock, “for you’ve not an ounce of Starlight upon it and it’s Starlight that I shall bring. So, pick me up, Young One, and place me where I long to be.”

And so, I did.

I brought Starlight into my Home, and placed it with care upon my Altar.

Starlight. Starlight.

I let that sink in.

Starlight to soften my gaze. Starlight to replenish me as the Sun takes its rest here in the Northern Hemisphere. Starlight to remind me of my Home among the Heavens. Starlight to guide me anywhere I might go. Starlight to nurture and nourish my Dream Time. Starlight to keep me safe in my sleep. Starlight for steadiness, for consistency of presence, for glittering and twinkling and smiling and joy.

I added Starlight to my Altar and now – now – it is truly Complete. And I am ever-grateful for its Magick. 

May you, too, find the Magick you seek, Dear Reader, to keep you warm and nourished and safe and sound as the Winter enfolds us.

You can find more from Rebecca at Plaid For Women or connect with her on her website.