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

By Beth Schreibman Gehring

Every year, my sister and I gather friends and family to celebrate the Winter Solstice at her enchanting log cabin nestled deep in the woods. With its warm brick hearth in the kitchen and the forest and glen stretching endlessly around us, her home always feels like a portal to another time—a place where the mysteries of the season unfold. The Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, is a moment to honor the quiet magic of darkness and the return of the light.

One of the most treasured traditions of the evening is the lighting of the Yule log. Before it touches the flames, we pass a piece of the previous year’s log around the circle, each of us holding it for a moment to infuse it with wishes, hopes, and intentions for the year ahead. This year, I’ll be adorning the log with sprigs of rosemary for remembrance, bay leaves for protection and wisdom, and cinnamon sticks to invite warmth and abundance. To add a festive touch, I’ll also be placing bowls of orange and clove-studded pomanders nearby, their spicy scent mingling with the crackle of the fire. As the fire comes to life, the fragrant herbs and spices will release their magic into the air, filling the room with a sense of reverence and possibility. It always feels as though 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 especially excited to share another beloved Solstice tradition with my grandson, Wolfie. He’s finally old enough to join us for “Owling,” our magical nighttime walk into the woods that I’ve shared with my son and nephew since they were little boys. Wrapped in coats and scarves, we’ll step into the starlit silence, listening for the haunting hoots of the great horned owls, and if we’re lucky, the occasional snowy owl, that make their home in the trees behind the barn. The forest at night feels alive with an ancient presence, the bare branches silhouetted against the sky, and the cold air sharp with the scent of pine. Their silent flight and echoing calls are mesmerizing, 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’s bounty and the ancient rhythms of the Earth. My bourbon-spiked eggnog, with clouds of whipped cream and dusted with nutmeg 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 a Bûche de Noël, but I’m especially excited to serve my Tudor-style mulled wine—a rich, spiced drink steeped in medieval traditions and brimming with warmth and charm.

This mulled wine is particularly appropriate because it draws inspiration from the festive beverages of Tudor England, blending historical authenticity with rich, warming flavors. The addition of ale or cider reflects the traditional “wassail” drinks of the era, often served at winter feasts as a symbol of abundance and good cheer. Luxurious spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, which were highly prized and a mark of wealth, evoke the celebratory spirit of Tudor holiday traditions.

Citrus fruits, another Tudor-era luxury, add brightness to the drink, while honey or brown sugar provides natural sweetness. The garnish of toasted bread—a traditional element 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 small twist enhances the historical charm of the drink while making it even more delicious.

Tudor-Style Mulled Wine Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine (a hearty wine like Claret or a blend for a Tudor feel)
• 1/2 cup ale or cider (optional, for authenticity)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar or honey
• 1 orange (sliced into rounds)
• 1 lemon (zest peeled in strips and juice reserved)
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 2 for extra warmth)
• 3-4 cloves
• 3 whole star anise pods
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf (optional, for depth)
• 1 sprig rosemary (optional, for a woodsy touch)
• 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). Warm it gently over low heat, being careful not to boil.
2. Add Sweetener: Stir in the brown sugar or honey until fully dissolved.
3. Spice It Up: Add the orange slices, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, cloves, ground ginger, star anise, nutmeg, black pepper, bay leaf, and rosemary. Stir well to combine.
4. Simmer and Infuse: Allow the mixture to gently simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors.
5. Add Brandy or Mead (Optional): Stir in the brandy or mead for a more potent drink.
6. Strain and Serve: Strain through a fine sieve to remove spices and citrus. Serve warm in mugs or goblets.
7. Garnish Tudor-Style: Float a slice of toasted bread, buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar, on top of the wassail before serving. For another traditional touch, you can also float slices of small baked apples.

On Solstice eve as the mulled wine fills the air with notes of citrus, cinnamon, and clove, I’m always reminded of the timeless ties between herbs, rituals, and celebrations. The rosemary and bay leaves on the Yule log, the orange and clove pomanders, the fragrant spices in the wine, and even the nutmeg in the eggnog connect us to the ancient magic of honoring the seasons and the cycles of nature.

The Winter Solstice is a time of reflection, connection, and magic—a moment to honor the quiet beauty of the season and the light within us all. It reminds me to cherish traditions 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 turning of the seasons? I’d love to hear about your rituals, herbs, and traditions that bring magic to this sacred time. 

Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of the author except the great horned owl (Public Domain)

Beth Schreibman Gehring is a lover of all things green, delicious, growing, beautiful, magical, and fragrant. She’s also a lifestyle blogger, storyteller, and occasional wedding and party planner who uses an ever-changing seasonal palette of love, life, and food to help her readers and clients fall madly in love with their lives! Beth lives and works with Jim, her husband of 40 years, and is owned by 17 full sets of vintage dishes, hundreds of books, two cats, one dog, a horse, a swarm of wild honeybees, a garden full of herbs, fruit, vegetables, and old rambling roses, too many bottles of vintage perfume and very soon, a flock of heirloom chickens! She is the author of Stirring the Senses: How to Fall Madly in Love with Your Life and Make Everyday a Day for Candles & Wine (available on Amazon) and is currently working on a new book, Roses for Beauty, Flavor, and Fragrance. Join her in her gardens at https://bethschreibmangehring.substack.com/, or contact her at beth.gehring@stirringthesenses.com.