I always feel like Christmas is a magical time of the year – but I never thought about why. Joining me is author and master herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman, who is sharing her latest magical book, The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas: Remedies, Recipes, Magic, and Brews for the Winter Season.     Ellen takes us on an around-the-world tour of ancient Christmas celebrations, Pagan Solstice customs, and magical seasonal plants. She also shares the origins of the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, holiday spirits, Yuletide animals, and why we honor the darkest days of the year.  Plus, how to perform Winter Solstice divinations and make traditional foods and drinks. This is not just a Holiday book; it is a manual explaining the in-depth medicinal and magical properties of the many herbs and plants associated with the Christmas and Yuletide season, like Frankincense, Myrrh, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Hibiscus, Pine, and many more. This episode is a mystical journey through this most magical time of year, I hope you enjoy the wonders of the winter season wherever you may be with an extra sprinkling of magic.  Thank you for listening.    About Ellen: Ellen is a master herbalist and lay homeopath who has been a Druidic initiate since 1984. She is a founding member of the Order of the White Oak, the Archdruidess and founder of Tribe of the Oak, a former professor at the Grey School of Wizardry, and a member of the Grey Council of Mages and Sages. She is the author of Celtic herbals and Druid novels, including Secret Medicines from Your Garden, The Sacred Herbs of Samhain, and Once Around the Sun: Stories, Crafts, and Recipes to Celebrate the Sacred Earth Year. She lives in Massachusetts. https://elleneverthopman.com