A Celebration of Light, Magic, and Nature’s Gifts – The Herb Society of America Blog

Written by Beth Schreibman Gehring

Every year, my sister and I gather friends and family to celebrate the Winter Solstice at her charming log cabin nestled in the woods. With its warm brick fireplace in the kitchen and the woods and glen always surrounding us, her home always feels like a portal to another time—a place where seasonal mysteries unfold. The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, is a time to honor the silent magic of darkness and the return of light.

One of the most precious traditions of the evening is the lighting of the Yule log. Before it touches the flames, we pass a piece of last year’s log around the circle, each of us holding it for a moment to include wishes, hopes, and intentions for the coming year. This year, I will be decorating the log with rosemary sprigs for remembrance, bay leaves for protection and wisdom, and cinnamon sticks to invite warmth and abundance. To add a festive touch, I’ll also place bowls of orange pomanders and cloves nearby, their spicy aroma mingling with the crackling of the fire. As the fire comes to life, aromatic herbs and spices will release their magic into the air, filling the room with a sense of reverence and possibility. It always feels like we are weaving ancient threads into the fabric of the present, connecting us to the wisdom of those who came before.

This year, I’m excited to share another beloved Solstice tradition with my grandson, Wolfie. He is finally old enough to join us in “Owling,” our wonderful nighttime walk in the woods that I have shared with my son and nephew since they were little boys. Wrapped in coats and scarves, we will enter the illuminated silence, listening to the eerie hoots of great horned owls, and if we are lucky, the occasional snowy owl, which lives in the trees behind the barn. The forest at night feels alive with an ancient presence, bare branches decorated with the sky, and a sharp cold wind with the scent of pine. Their silent flight and echoing calls are amazing, and I can’t wait for Wolfie to experience that wonder for the first time.

Every year, our Solstice feast is a celebration of winter comfort and the ancient rhythm of the Earth. My bourbon-spiked egg, clouded with whipped cream and dusted with peanuts and allspice, will take center stage. This year hearty soups, seasonal salads, smoked fish, ham, crusty breads, and aged cheeses will round out the meal. For sweets, we’ll have fruitcake, tarts, Christmas cookies, and Bûche de Noël, but I’m more than happy to serve my Tudor-style mulled wine—a rich, spiced drink steeped in medieval tradition and full of warmth and charm. .

This blended wine is perfect because it draws inspiration from the festive drinks of Tudor England, combining historical authenticity with rich, warming flavors. The addition of ale or cider reflects the traditional “wassail” drinks of the season, often served at winter festivals as a symbol of abundance and merriment. Luxurious spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, which were highly prized and symbolic of wealth, evoke the festive spirit of Tudor holiday traditions.

Citrus fruits, another luxury of the Tudor era, add brightness to the drink, while honey or brown sugar provides a natural sweetness. The decoration of the toast—a traditional item in wassail—is given a personal touch in my version: I’ll butter the toast and sprinkle it with cinnamon and brown sugar, adding a warm, festive flavor. This little twist enhances the historical appeal of the drink while making it even more delicious.

Tudor-Style Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine (a hearty wine such as Claret or a Tudor blend)
• 1/2 cup ale or cider (optional, for authenticity)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar or honey
• 1 orange (cut into circles)
• 1 lemon (zest grated and juice reserved)
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 for extra warmth)
• 3-4 cloves
• 3 all star anise pods
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 sprig rosemary (optional, for a touch of wood)
• 1/4 cup brandy or mead (optional, for extra richness)
• Toasted bread (traditionally used), buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar (my addition)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Base: In a large pot, pour the wine and ale (or cider if using). Heat it gently over low heat, being careful not to boil it.
2. Add Sweetener: Add brown sugar or honey until completely dissolved.
3. Spice It Up: Add orange slices, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, ground ginger, star anise, nutmeg, black pepper, bay leaf, and rosemary . Mix well to combine.
4. Toss and Toss: Allow the mixture to simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors.
5. Add Brandy or Mead (Optional): Add brandy or mead for a stronger drink.
6. Live and Serve: Strain through a fine sieve to remove the spices and citrus. Serve warm in cups or bowls.
7. Garnish Tudor-Style: Float a slice of toasted bread, buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar, over the wassail before serving. For another traditional touch, you can also float slices of small baked apples.

On the eve of the Solstice as the mulled wine fills the air with notes of citrus, cinnamon, and clove, I am constantly reminded of the timeless ties between herbs, traditions, and festivals. Rosemary and bay leaves in the Yule log, orange pomanders and cloves, aromatic spices in wine, and even nutmeg in eggnog connect us to the ancient magic of honoring the seasons and natural cycles.

The Winter Solstice is a time for reflection, connection, and magic—a moment to honor the quiet beauty of the season and the light within us all. It reminds me to appreciate cultures old and new, and to find joy in the simple, mysterious moments I share with those I love.

How do you celebrate the Solstice or mark the changing of the seasons? I would love to hear about your rituals, herbs, and traditions that bring magic to this holy season.

Photo credits: All images courtesy of the author except the great horned owl (Public Domain)

Beth Schreibman Gehring is a lover of all things green, sweet, growing, beautiful, magical, and fragrant. She is also a lifestyle blogger, storyteller, and occasional party planner who uses an ever-changing seasonal palette of love, health, and food to help her readers and clients get crazy into their lives! Beth lives and works with Jim, her husband of 40 years of marriage, and has 17 full bowls, hundreds of books, two cats, one dog, a horse, a swarm of wild bees, a garden full of herbs, fruits. , greens, and old roses, lots of old perfume bottles and soon, a flock of heirloom chickens! He is the author of Stirring the Senses: How To Fall In Love With Your Life And Make Every Day Candles And Wine Day (available on Amazon) and is currently working on a new book, Roses of Beauty, Fragrance, and Fragrance. Join her in her gardens at beth.gehring@stirringthesenses.com.