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Five Wonders of Winter
It’s easy to get bogged down by winter blues during the frosty months. But we believe that winter is is just as full of myth and wonder as the rest of the year...if not more! From the enchanting quiet of snow falling, to the ancient tales that winter inspires, a bit of cold doesn’t freeze the magic here at Dragonspace.
Not exactly convinced? Here are five winter wonders to warm you up.
A Time for Brewin'
There’s nothing better to warm you up on a frosty day than a hot brew or pot of soup. Cooking might seem like a practical act, but there’s something deeply spiritual about preparing and eating food. It’s a practice that our ancestors have done for aeons, and connects us both with each other, and with the past.
Winter is the perfect time to try something new in the kitchen, and we can help with that! Our Celtic Folklore Cooking book features recipes derived from the Celts, from savoury chestnut soup to hearty cakes. Or there’s our Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook, full of culinary magic! Here you’ll discover foods that encourage peace and love, or ingredients that help with endurance and stability. You’ll find that a thoughtful recipe can be just as nourishing - physically and spiritually - as a well-executed spell. And let’s be honest...the kitchen, with its blazing oven and steaming stovetop, is the nicest place in the house during the cold season!
Winter Deities
You’re probably familiar with Santa Claus and Jack Frost, but there are dozens of other winter legends from cultures the world over to explore.
In Greek mythology, Boreas is the god of the cold north wind and the bringer of snow. His name gives us the word ‘boreal’, meaning ‘north’ or ‘northern’. In the old legends, Boreas falls in love with with Orithyia, the lady of mountain gales, and has a daughter with her. This daughter, Chione, becomes the Greek goddess of winter and sleet.
Norse myths feature Skaði (or Skadi), the goddess associated with bowhunting, skiing and mountains. Skaði is described in some stories as a giantess, and lives in the highest peaks of the mountains, where the snow never melts. Similar to Skaði is Beira, the personification of winter in Gaelic mythology. Beira appears in many forms, but in some folk tales she appears as one-eyed giantess who built the mountains of Scotland using a magic hammer.
Winter deities appear in many other mythologies, from the Great Winter God in Chinese folklore to the Slavic Father Christmas, Ded Moroz. Delve into the vast world of winter mythology this season - it’s sure to keep you occupied for hours in front of the fire!
View our Winter Figures Collection
Fire Magic
Magic, both new and old, is heavily inspired by the elements - earth, air, water and fire. As a hearty antidote to the winter chills, fire reigns supreme during the colder months. This is a time to honour fire in its many forms.
There’s the obvious act, of course - curling up in front of the hearth fire and appreciating the element in its most basic form! But this is also the perfect time for performing fire spells and rituals. In Wiccan practice, votive candles are popular symbols of fire, as is the cauldron bubbling away with a hot potion. Incense is also a powerful fire tool, which can be used for cleansing sacred spaces and divining the future through smoke patterns.
Winter is also the ideal time for practicing aromatherapy. Heated essential oils can be wonderful healers for ailments - be they in the body or in the soul. And of course, the scent of fragrant eucalyptus, rosemary or patchouli wafting through your home brings a warmth all of its own!
Bunkering Down with Books
Speaking of fire...there are fewer winter activities more delightful than curling up in front of the fireplace or heater with a good book!
Have you heard of bibliotherapy? Some people believe that reading is a pathway to healing - that it can make us happier, and even alleviate psychological issues. If you’re the kind of person who gets the winter blues, then bibliotherapy could be just the cure.
We’ve got a vast range of books here at Dragonspace, encompassing mythology, divination, Wicca, and more. Titles like Avalon Within draw on Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend and Druidic lore. Others like Eastern Body, Western Mind look to the East for inspiration, exploring the chakra system, Jungian psychology and more. While books like A Field Guide to Fantastical Beasts are for those who love their mythology and magical creatures. Whether fictional or non-fictional, instructional or inspirational, a good book is a surefire way to warm up this winter.
Winter-Loving Animals
But perhaps you’re the kind of person who’d rather be outside during winter? We don’t blame you...the natural world can be gorgeous during winter, whether it’s a mountaintop glittering with snow or a resilient evergreen forest.
And then there are the animals. While some creatures hibernate during the cold months, others are completely in their element. Beasts like the musk ox, reindeer (caribou), and the snow leopard are well suited to colder climates, with their fur coats and and strong physiques. There are also many beautiful birds to look out for in the winter, like the snowy owl and the northern goshawk.
Wolves are also known as the champions of winter. While these beautiful creatures are adaptable to many climates, from deserts to woodland, they thrive in colder climes. In the soft snow, wolves are able to splay their feet to distribute their weight evenly. They also benefit from all the bears being in hibernation, as there’s less competition for prey! On a spiritual level, there's something deeply mystical about a wolf in the snow, nature at its finest and most divine.
View our Winter Animals Collection
Have those pesky winter blues been cast away yet? Between reading up on winter goddesses, preparing an old-fashioned Celtic stew, breathing in the healing scent of hot peppermint oil, and keeping an eye out for snowy owls, there's no time to let winter get you down! Here's to embracing the magic of the frosty season and turn those blues into shimmering silvers.
The Pagan Origins of Christmas
Christmas has well and truly arrived at Dragonspace, with fantastical ornaments, magical gift guides and plenty of sparkle adorning our physical and online stores!
Since we're fans of mythology and ancient cultures, we wanted to delve into the old origins of this magical season. Popularly regarded as a Christian holiday, Christmas as we know it can actually be traced back to Pagan roots, from the revelling Romans to Celtic Gods.
Let’s take a look at how some modern Christmas traditions were inspired by the nature-worshipping religions of old.
The Plants
Pagan festivals are always closely linked to the seasons and the natural world. Look around you at Christmas time, and you’ll see leafy green and berry red everywhere - Christmas trees, glittery wreaths, holly and more! Not just pretty decorations, many of these plants carry important symbolism.
Mistletoe was a sacred plant for many ancient cultures, particularly the Ancient Romans. The Roman festival Saturnalia - honoring the God Saturn - fell in mid-December. During this festival, "fertility rituals" took place under sprigs of mistletoe...leading to the more modest "kissing under the mistletoe" tradition.
Holly is a plant with ties to old Celtic cultures. The Holly King, a nature spirit, is said to rule the natural world in the winter, while the Oak King reigns in the summer. The Christians also consider holly an important plant, with the spiky leaves reminiscent of Christ’s crown of thorns.
There are also aesthetic reasons for the greenery that bedecks homes at Christmas, of course. As Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere falls in the dead of winter, early Pagans decorated their homes with evergreen trees and other hearty foliage to bring a touch of natural brightness to the bleak winter spaces. This tradition paved the way for the modern day Christmas tree and hanging wreaths.
Carol Singing
Music plays a big part in Christmas traditions, whether it’s an old-fashioned carol or a pop hit. Singing and dancing in general always feature in Pagan Wheel of the Year festivals, like dancing around the May Pole at Beltane. Music is considered a way of outwardly paying respects and bonding with the community.
While we’re more likely to hear carols on the radio these days than at our doorstep, the tradition of carolers serenading their neighbours has ancient origins. In the old Pagan times, wassailing was the tradition of going door to door, singing and drinking to the health of your neighbours. Singing was said to drive away bad spirits, and hot wine and cider were seasonal drinks for health and merriment.
Mythical Figures
Santa Claus is a jolly icon of Christmas, appearing in folk tales and pop culture as a bearded old man who brings gifts to children around the world. There's a concrete contemporary mythology surrounding Santa, traditionally including a toy factory in Lapland, elf helpers and a fleet of flying reindeer. Most origin stories trace the myth back to a religious figure known as Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. But there may have been other influences.
Pagan religions often gave a human form to intangible concepts, like the Holly King personifying winter or the May Queen personifying spring. It was a form of ancient storytelling, bringing an air of imagination and excitement to festivals and helping children understand things they couldn’t physically see.
There have also been links between Santa Claus and the Norse God, Odin. Odin was often depicted as a strong old man with a white beard, like Santa. He rode a great eight-legged horse called Sleipnir, and would leave gifts in children’s boots by the fireplace during winter - sound familiar?
Santa's helpers often appear as magical elves, clearly derived from the "little folk" or "fairy folk" of the old Celtic and Scandinavian cultures. While the original fairy folk were ancient and powerful figures, modern interpretations often seen them down-sized to diminutive cartoonish figures, like Santa's elves.
Ornaments and Festive Decor
If you’re a modern-day Pagan, chances are you have an altar in your home. We wrote about altars a while back, which you can read here.
Christmas is a time of year where many non-Pagans craft a version of an altar in their home as well. Symbolic ornaments decorate Christmas trees, from animals and toys to personal trinkets and mementos. Pine-cones, festive fruits, ribbons and stars might form a centrepiece at a Christmas table. And greeting cards containing well-wishes and photos of loved ones take pride of place. All of these elements are reminiscent of a religious altar, which is a powerful site of positive energy and seasonal reflection.
Yule Logs and Candles
Fire plays an important role in Pagan rituals, whether in the form of votive candles, boiling cauldrons or fragrant incense. Fire is one of the four natural elements and represents heat, light, the sun and more. Candles are often lit at Christmas-time in symbolic colours like red, green and white, keeping with the Pagan tradition. And the fairy-lights that adorn Christmas trees and house exteriors carry the same connotations of warmth and light.
But perhaps the most important festive fire symbol is that of the Yule log. The Yule log is a folk custom across Europe, where people burn a giant log upon the fire during the Winter Solstice to celebrate the impending return of the sun. In the cold dark months of winter, it’s only natural that beautiful bright things like fairy lights, candles, glitter and hearth fires feature so prominently.
The old spirits are always well and truly alive at Dragonspace, and we love that Christmas is a time where they trickle into the mainstream world as well! Let us know your favourite Pagan festive traditions in the comments below. And be sure to check out our 'Top 20' gift recommendations to find the perfect gift for your loved one from our magical treasury!
Magical Gift Guide 2017!
When sparkles of fairy lights appear across town and winter chill fills the air, our minds start turning to holiday gift ideas. While shortbread and socks might be the easy way out, why not try to be a little more magical this year? After all, no one’s going to quickly forget the year they got a dragon for Christmas!
Our little Dragonspace elves have been working hard conjuring unique gift ideas for the holiday season, which we’re happy to share below. And even better - we’re having our first ever Black Friday sale from November 24th - 27th! We’ll be offering exclusive discounts on some of our more special products and best-sellers, with affordable shipping anywhere in Canada or the US AND free shipping on orders in British Columbia over $100. So there’s no better time to tick your myth and fantasy loving friends off your gift list.
A TOAST FOR THE MERRY DRINKER
The holidays are a time for eating, drinking and being merry, so why not do so with flair? Whether it’s mulled wine, eggnog, tea or a magic potion you’re sipping on, we’ve got an enchanting range of fantasy-themed drinking vessels to brighten the dining table.
Wine Holders
Our magical creatures Wine Guzzlers have been an unrivalled hit this year. These thirsty unicorns, wolves and dragons are the perfect gift for the fantasy-loving friend who also has a great sense of humour...and a taste for wine! Pop a bottle of their favourite pinot noir or grigio into the holder and your gift is complete. We’re offering 25% off these as a part of our Black Friday sale, so get in quick!
Teacup Collection
But if tea or coffee is more their style, you can’t do better than our Amy Brown fairy teacup collection. Amy Brown is a popular fantasy artist known for her delicate detailed fairies and fantasy-creatures, and in this collection they cradle sturdy mugs and tea-cups ready for a steamy brew. These pieces evoke warmth and comfort - ideal for the coming winter months!
Goblets & Mugs
In a grander vein, we have sturdy goblets and mugs that wouldn’t look out of place in a medieval feast hall. These unique vessels have a stainless steel interior and polyresin exterior, making them both durable and functional as real drinkware. Featuring beautiful Celtic knot flourishes, these goblets and mugs depict a range of fantasy icons - dragons, wolves, unicorns and more - so there really is a design for everyone!
FOR THE WESTEROS OR MIDDLE-EARTH FAN
Winter is coming...the perfect time to make the Game of Thrones fanatic in your life happy. It might be a while until we get the final season of the hit television show, but we’ve got some stunning Westeros-inspired merchandise to placate fans until then.
Game of Thrones Gifts
If your friend or family member idolises Jon Snow, take them a step closer to their dreams with an awesome replica of ‘Longclaw’, the ancestral Valyrian steel sword Jon wields in the series. The replica is an impressive 42”, made of tempered stainless steel with a faux-leather grooved wrap and a resin direwolf head pommel.
Or in memory of Eddard Stark, we've also got a replica of late Ned's 'Ice' dagger, an heirloom of House Stark. Like Longclaw, this impressive piece is fashioned from tempered stainless steel with a mirror finish and is a bit more compact at 17".
We’ve also got the gorgeous pewter ‘Canterbury Goblet’, used as a prop in the series by characters like Tyrion Lannister and Littlefinger. The goblet has also been featured in BBC’s ‘The Tudors’ and the Blockbuster film ‘Gladiator’. This is an incredibly unique gift for anyone who loves mythology, history or pop culture.
Lord of the Rings Gifts
And speaking of mythology and pop culture, we haven’t forgotten our Lord of the Rings fans. We’ve also got a beautiful replica of Aragorn/Strider’s Ranger sword - the mighty weapon that protected the Fellowship on many occasions throughout the series. Gorgeous when hung in pride of place on your wall, or a great addition to a cosplaying outfit!
The Middle-earth devotee in your life undoubtedly owns all the LOTR books already, but what about some beautiful companion books to complete the collection? David Day is a well-known Canadian literary critic of Tolkien and other children's and fantasy literature. His Atlas of Tolkien is a gorgeous navigational guide to Middle-earth, featuring maps and full-colour images. A Dictionary of Tolkien delves into the wonderful words of the novels - the brand new vocabulary Tolkien created along with his fantastical lands. And The Battles of Tolkien focuses on the wars and conflicts of Middle-earth, with a reflection on real-life history.
Ideal not just for fantasy fans, but anyone with a love of literature, linguistics, history and mythology!
TO START YOUR OWN FAIRY GARDEN
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun in the garden. For the child or grown fairy-lover, we’ve got a range of accessories to start your own fairy garden - a welcoming home for the magical little folk in all seasons. Starting a fairy garden is a gift that lasts beyond Christmas, and leads to a sharing experience for the whole family.
Any garden can become a fairy garden - it just takes a bit of imagination! From adorable woodland creatures like squirrels and fluttering birds, to mushroom houses and fairy doors, our miniature resin figures are the perfect addition to your backyard wonderland.
And our ever-popular mini dragons are roaring to become your new fairy garden residents! Only a few inches in size, these happy little dragons love sleeping, reading and hanging out with their animal friends, and their small stature makes them the ideal size for a garden playground.
Why not top off your fairy garden gift set with a lovely book on how to get started? Titles like Fairy House, Fairy Village and Magical Miniature Gardens & Homes are sure to inspire!
View the Fairy Garden Collection
FOR THE DRAGON’S DEN
“Something for the house” is always a wonderful gift idea - distinctive decor and beautiful knick-knacks are the kind of thing people don’t often think to buy for themselves, but are delighted to receive. And dragon-lovers are no different.
Our dragon letter-openers are always a hit. These Gothic-style resin beasts wield mighty swords, which serve a practical purpose as a letter-opener! You've never felt as fierce opening a letter as when you use these tools, we guarantee.
Our LED dragon figures are also decorative and functional. These vibrantly hued dragons wrap themselves around dragon eyes - powerful symbols of protection. A switch on the base of this figure illuminates the dragon eye, casting a stunning light. Ideal as a nightlight or illuminating accent for the home.
And who said dragons can't be festive? Amongst the angels, stars and baubles, a dragon ornament adds a touch of unique fantasy to your Christmas tree or home decor! These colourful resin figures perch on glass spheres with a gold ribbon for hanging.
As part of our Black Friday sale, we’re offering between 25% - 50% off selected dragon giftware, from lamps to drink coasters. Don't miss out on the delightful discounts here!
CELEBRATE LIKE THE CELTS
If you have a loved one with a Celtic connection - ancestry in the Celtic lands, or a spiritual affinity with this ancient culture - why not gift them with a special Celtic token this Yuletide?
We’ve got a beautiful range of Celtic pewter giftware - practical gifts embellished with Celtic knots and symbols. From elegant fashion accessories like cufflinks and pocket watches, to decorative houseware like trinket boxes and gorgeous clocks, there’s a unique and thoughtful gift here for every Celtic soul. This range is handmade in Britain from the finest sturdy pewter, so is sure to last.
WONDERFUL WANDS
Here’s something truly unique. We wrote a while back about the importance of wands, both in mainstream and magical culture. Why not gift your magically-inclined loved one with a gorgeous gemstone wand? Our wands are handmade by artist Darlene Musser from elegant pewter with gemstone touches. Each wand is distinctive and the gemstones hold individual meaning, so this is a personal present that’s sure to stand out.