Welcome to your weekly update about what’s happening in both the forum and the witchy world at large 
Scroll down to read the news for this week 
Please remember that you must be logged into your active Spells8 account in order to view content located in A Sacred Space and the Energy Exchange.
Don’t have an account yet? No worries! You can join Spells8 here
Upcoming Events 
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on these upcoming events and occasions!
[ [ Moon Phase: First Quarter Moon 
] ]
→ Tuesday, December 19
This week we will be blessed by the light of the First Quarter Moon. Note that the exact moment of peak illumination will depend on your location 
The Spells8 Moon Magick Guide to First Quarter Moon Magick notes that this moon phase is an excellent time to take action towards making your dreams become reality and bringing about positive growth. It is a great time for forward movement and healing 
This moon phase is part of the Waxing Cycle 
For more information including history, meanings, and a collection of spells and rituals that work in harmony with this moon phase, check out the Waxing Moon Spell Page
Ready for More Moon Magick? You can find complementary spells and rituals for tonight’s moon on the Spells8 Lunar Spell Page
[ [ Group Ritual 
] ]
→ Thursday, December 21
You’re invited to a group ritual meditation- this activity and discussion is open to all active Coven members 
The ritual has step-by-step instructions that you can join in on your own schedule at any time during the day.
Group rituals are held on Thursday in A Sacred Space and remain open over the weekend. Feel free to check out last week’s group ritual to get an idea about what to expect.
[ [ Witchy Holiday: Sabbat 
] ]
→ Thursday, December 21 *
( * Depending on the tradition, Sabbats may be celebrated across multiple days and nights)
Blessed Sabbat! This week, those in the Northern Hemisphere will be celebrating the Sabbat Yule 
and the Winter Solstice 
Want to honor the occasion? Here are a few ideas and suggestions for how you might celebrate this witchy holiday:
- Yule: Cast Along with this Solitary Celebration Ritual
- How to Celebrate Yule Alone: Rituals and Ideas
- Yuletide Cleansing Ritual
(In the Southern Hemisphere? Click here for Litha ideas!)
Friends in the Southern Hemisphere will enjoy the Sabbat Litha 
and the Summer Solstice
Here are a few suggestions for how you might celebrate this holiday:
Click on the pictures and links above for more information and ways to celebrate!
Want to share the Sabbat fun with your coven? Come join us over in A Sacred Space to share decorations, crafting, cooking, altar pictures and more in:
Witchy Holiday Guide : Want to know more about special pagan holidays? Visit the Wheel of the Year to learn about these keystone seasonal celebrations
[ [ Weekend Divination - Free Readings 
] ]
→ Friday, December 22
Have a question on your mind? Seeking some guidance on how to best approach a problem? 
This is your chance to find some answers, as the talented @MeganB is kindly offering free readings via tarot and oracle cards! 
Look for the post in the Energy Exchange on Friday- free readings will be available throughout the weekend and will close on Sunday. You can check out the previous Weekend Divination to know what to expect when this week’s Weekend Divination post arrives.
[ [ Additional Events of Interest 
] ]
A collection of curious (and perhaps conversation-starting!) events coming up this week:
- Monday, December 18 - Eponalia Festival
- Friday, December 22 - Start of Capricorn season
- Sunday, December 24 - Start of the Celtic Tree Month of Birch
Stay on top of witchy news by printing or downloading the 2023 Pagan Holiday Calendar , the NEW 2024 Pagan Holiday Calendar , and the Spells8 Forum Events Calendar to add to your digital calendar
You can also get the free Spells8 Email Newsletter for even more witchy updates (plus magickal freebies!) delivered right to your email inbox
Ongoing Activities
These activities are open to enjoy whenever you’d like- feel free to participate anytime before their deadlines!
[ [ Weekly Witchy Challenge 
] ]
The current challenge theme is: Candle Divination 
Every week, the forum hosts a challenge exploring a specific area of magick. Challenges are open to everyone and all are warmly encouraged to participate in a way that reflects their unique magickal practice.
This challenge will remain open until Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time). After the challenge closes, a “Props and Presents” post will appear to give recognition and prizes to all participants 
Are you ready? Join the current challenge here:
(A brand new challenge will launch on Wednesday in the public Activities category )
[ [ Spells8 Book Club 
] ]
Calling all book lovers! The Spells8 book club is now in session !
For more information about this session of Book Club and to submit your book, please head over to the current thread in Activities :
Spells8 Book Club XXXIV (Dec 18 - Jan 12) Please note that this reading period will end on Friday, January 12 .
And if you haven’t done so already, please feel free to share and swap your book reviews from last session in the current Reader’s Reviews thread: 
Spells8 Book Club XXXIII - Readers’ Reviews.
Happy Reading!
[ [ Energy Exchange Circle ] ]
Do you have a little extra love and light to share with fellow Coven members? Or perhaps you’ve fallen on hard times and could use a boost of positive energy yourself?
The Energy Exchange Circle is hosted in the Energy Exchange is the place to connect and share love with fellow Coven members going through hard times. To do a good deed and show that you care, consider leaving a note of support in the current thread:
More information about the Coven’s wholesome energy exchange can be found in the Energy Exchange Wiki .
This month’s Energy Exchange Circle will end on Sunday, December 31 .
Thanks for spreading the love! 
[ [ Energy Reports 
] ]
Are you sensitive to energy? Interested in how energy studies and magick benefit one another? Come explore the magick of energy with the talented @Marsha in these insightful daily energy reports!
The Mystic Magick discussion is open for all to see and enjoy in the public Activities category. It will be available throughout the month- please be aware that this month’s reports will close on Sunday, December 31.
[ [ Coven Member Birthdays 
] ]
Come wish your fellow Coven members well on their special days! You can congratulate those with a birthday this month in the discussion:
If you wish to appear in this list, please set your birthday on your profile. Additionally, please note that the birthday list is housed in the private, Coven members-only A Sacred Space.
This month’s birthday discussion will remain open through Sunday, December 31.
[ [ Your Daily Draw 
] ]
Looking for a bit of higher guidance to help you out today? This collection of daily oracle card (as well as tarot and rune) readings is available for you to access and read thanks to the generosity of the Coven 
To enjoy a daily message or to share your own, visit:
Please note that this divination discussion is housed in A Sacred Space and will remain open until Sunday, December 31.
[ [ Tending the Flame 
] ]
Stop by the fire and tend the flame with your Coven- this ongoing discussion invites all to come in, relax, and pick up a bit of motivation and support for the day.
Share a picture of your own flames or simply enjoy the lights of the coven! 
Help tend the flame and visit the discussion in:
The Brigid Flametender discussion is hosted in A Sacred Space and will remain open throughout the year- please feel free to enjoy this activity as often as you’d like.
New Members 
Merry meet to the new members who have joined the Spells8 Forum over the past week!
@april7 - @walter1 - @Beckchair - @asma - @zebrial - @serena1 - @alexandria8 - @jennifer40 - @crystal20 - @jolene - @olivia2 - @sonia - @monika - @julia4 - @christopher4 - @darren - @tracy5 - @JESSICA_BUCKERY - @rachel16 - @savannah1 - @chris7 - @berlin1 - @Bernadette_St_Onge - @chere1 - @jessica14 - @robyn13 - @lisa7 - @elizabeth22 - @lisa9 - @stacey - @ksri - @channel - @kelsey - @bea - @fleur - @sabrina3 - @patrick2 - @chasity5 - @angela9 - @alexis2 - @melanie6 - @jess2419 - @janet - @heather23 - @mischele1 - @ana3 - @daphine - @candace1 - @penny - @sarah24 - @stacey1 - @andrea6 - @anthia - @patreaka - @krystal4 - @tiffany16 - @Azalea - @mariunderthesea - @leonor - @nakia - @nancy2 - @rebecca9 - @lindsay8 - @joni3 - @lisa12 - @kristal1 - @caitlin12 - @larry3 - @abby - @Kyrstyn
If you haven’t done so already, please get started by creating a new topic in Introductions. Feel free to share a bit about who you are and your journey into practicing magick, or simply say a quick hello- we’d love to meet you!
Wishing you a very warm welcome to the forum!
Special Shout-Outs 
Forum Activity
Each week, those who share the most posts and give the most hearts receive a shout-out and thank you for their contributions.
Shout-outs from this past week go to:
(on a three-week streak!)Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and inspiration through posts and your love and support through hearts- your time here helping the coven is greatly appreciated! 
Click here to learn more about Activity Shout-Out Rewards
Anyone who earns a shout-out for three weeks in a row is awarded the special MMM badge (and will not be counted in Activity shout-outs again for a two-month rest period- this is so that others will have a chance to earn the badge too!) .
The legends who have won the MMM badge 5 times will no longer be counted- they have earned their place in the Forum Hall of Fame !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And Thank YOU! 
We’d also like to say a very big thank you to all members of Spells8
Your contributions and presence here help to make this a welcoming and supportive place for solitary witches all around the world. Thanks for being a part- Spells8 can’t exist without you! 
What solstice magick will you be working this week? 
Whether it’s magickal or mundane, feel free to share your plans for the week, chat about upcoming spellwork, or give a shout-out to your fellow coven members in the comments below.
Blessed be! 
It’s a blessing to have you lovely witches here with us! 
That hasn’t happened in at least a few weeks! 
It’s not very cold though, a bit mild to us. Still, quite the stormy day.
I can be lazy with this one! 
I’ll see what I can figure out when I get a chance.