2024 Winter Solstice Simmer Pot

Originally published December 17, 2024, on Tumblr.

So, every Winter Solstice, I do a simmer pot to enliven my space, cleanse the air, and enhance happiness and luck for the coldest months of the year. It's also a solid offering to my spirits, giving them a nice boost of energy at this time of year.

I always try to make the simmer pot edible also. I like to be able to drink the results!

This year, I'm switching things up a little bit. I'm gonna be experimenting with ingredients I don't usually use to see how it goes! I'm also doing this in the morning instead of in the afternoon to make more time for feast preparations!

Here's what I'm putting in my pot and what it's for:

• Enough water to float everything safely, adding more as it evaporates throughout the morning
• Sliced apples - Love, happiness, luck
• Sliced oranges - Happiness, sun energy
• Lemon juice - Cleansing, joy, sun energy
• Cranberries - Health, protection from illness and misfortune
• Cinnamon sticks - Happiness, fire energy, wealth
• Cloves - Warmth, fire energy, luck, protection from misfortune
• Brown sugar - Sweetness, happiness, love

If I wasn't planning on drinking some of this, I'd include pine needles -- I don't love the taste, and I want to enjoy this!

The idea is to fill a pot with water and gently add all the ingredients. Then, bring it up to heat and let it simmer on low heat for as long as I like, adding water as it evaporates. Once it's nice and steamy, I'll take a cup of it and carry it around my apartment to flick small amounts of fragrant water here and there.

And even if it's cold, I'll open up the windows for a few minutes to let the air flow. It's so important to keep air moving in the winter; otherwise, it gets stagnant and stale, and it makes me feel worse.

I don't usually, but I think this year, I'll also use it as a wash for my front door. We could definitely use a boost in luck and protection and joy for next year!