Christmas Spirit Rituals
The Spirit of Christmas (Espíritu de la Navidad) festival is celebrated annually as a Celtic tradition on the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, specifically on December 21st (more precisely, between 9:00 pm and midnight). Originating in Nordic countries, it has been adapted and popularized in Latin American countries for many years, becoming an integral part of their Christmas customs.
Some say that in ancient times, an entity would arrive on this day, imparting wisdom and bestowing gifts and blessings upon kind-hearted people. Others say that a magical being would appear in Nordic lands, and this being of light could grant wishes (only to those he visited).
Its physical representation is very similar to Santa Claus, differing in its attire. Instead of the characteristic red robe, the Spirit of Christmas wears a white one, with glasses covering its blue eyes.
As is typical for this time of year, when many of us believe in the magic that fills the air, this tradition is no exception. That's why many people perform various rituals to welcome the Spirit of Christmas.
Many households have diverse rituals, but the most important and central one is undoubtedly the list of 21 wishes (we'll explain how to create this list later).
It's worth noting that the use of mandarin oranges is common in these types of rituals, as different cultures (especially in Asia) associate them with wealth, luck, and abundance.
Some of the most popular and emblematic rituals are the following:
Cleanse your home with mandarins: Before cleansing with mandarin water (since the fruit represents abundance), clean your home from the back to the front entrance, leaving all windows and doors open. Then, boil seven tangerine peels with a little cinnamon and use the water to mop the floor, cleansing your home with the essence of this fruit of abundance.
You can also use tangerine incense to create a more pleasant atmosphere in your home. Optionally, you can decorate your home with flowers and candles (yellow, white, and/or red are recommended).
Other cleansing rituals: Some suggest using only tangerine incense throughout your house, accompanied by the ringing of a bell.
Giving tangerines: This fruit is often given to loved ones or close friends as a gesture of gratitude and to share abundance.
Candle intention: In this ritual (which is not widely known), you can work with one candle or give one to each member of your family. Recommended colors are yellow, orange, gold, red, green, or white (the color you choose is irrelevant; pick the one that resonates most with you).
Anoint each candle with a pleasant-smelling aromatic oil (mandarin essence works well), and assign an intention to each one. Choose one candle for each family member, as the request can be individual, or you can choose one candle for a group intention; it's up to you how you want to do it. Intentions can include love, health, prosperity, peace, happiness, and joy—all connected to gratitude.
After anointing your candle(s) with the aromatic oil, place them on a plate decorated with a pine tree (pine being a tree of protection, cleansing, strengthening, and calming for the soul, and also associated with prosperity and good health). Next, light each candle (with your assigned intention) and place the letter you've written for this wonderful day on the plate with the lit candles (we'll explain how to write the letter later). After the candles have burned down, keep the letter.
Food Table: This is an optional invitation to your home for an intimate dinner with friends and family (who should also be connected to the energy of the Christmas Spirit). Prepare various dishes to share and spread abundance.
If you make a cake, it should be with white fondant, representing the energy of innocence, to connect with the energy of peace and love.
Preparing the Money Bowl: Another optional and less popular activity. In a glass or crystal container, fill it with rice, beans, or corn—grains that represent abundance. Place bills, bay leaves, essential oils, cinnamon sticks, and small pieces of paper with keywords (such as love, health, happiness, harmony, abundance) or small intentions. Mix everything with your hands, giving thanks that all your requests have already materialized.
Not forgetting the most important part (as mentioned before, the core of this tradition): the preparation of the Writing the 21 Wishes Letter:
This is a letter containing 21 wishes, which is recommended to be written as follows:
<<To the beloved Spirit of Christmas:
With infinite love and respect, I greet you, beloved Spirit of Christmas, thanking you for the honor you bestow upon me by visiting this home. I beseech your infinite kindness to grant me the wishes I express here for the good of humanity, my family, and myself.>>
Then write 21 wishes, distributing them as follows: 7 universal wishes, 7 family wishes, and finally, 7 personal wishes.
To conclude, add the following:
<<I bless the requests expressed here and decree their fulfillment, for which I offer my most sincere gratitude, beloved Spirit of Christmas.>>
Full signature.>>
This letter should be kept in a safe place (one you'll remember to keep track of) to be burned the following year as a gesture of having fulfilled these wishes, while also expressing gratitude.
Some rituals differ; some suggest writing the same letter twice on that day: one copy to keep for the following year (to see your wishes fulfilled) and the other to be burned that same night to signal to the Universe that your wishes should be received and heard.
It's up to you which of the two ways you wish to perform the letter tradition.
It's worth noting that white is recommended as the color to wear on this wonderful day filled with rituals and Christmas magic.
Finally, here are some other clothing tips to wear this Christmas: red, the color of success and recognition, is a color of great protection in the ancient art of Feng Shui. Green stimulates and consecrates the energy of integration and good luck. And finally, white, which represents the color of purity and innocence.
Wishing you the best Christmas possible, may the magic of the Christmas spirit reach every heart in your homes.
Sincerely, J.A. - Jsanc32@gmail.com
Bibliography:
-Cedeño, R. The Spirit of Christmas, Ed. Seres de luz, 2020
-Zavarce Castillo, C. E. Rituals of the Spirit of Christmas, Ed. Panapo de Venezuela, 1997
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