December is a month of deep magic, transition, and celebration, marking the close of the year and the return of the light. As the winter solstice brings the longest night, traditions of fire, feasting, and spiritual renewal take center stage. This is a time for honoring ancestors, setting intentions for the coming year, and working powerful conjure to clear away stagnant energy. From holiday superstitions to Hoodoo folk practices tied to the turning of the year, December is rich with lore and rituals that blend African, Indigenous, and European influences. In this month’s Hoodoo Almanac Fun Facts, we’ll explore notable observances, seasonal traditions, and the spiritual significance of December’s natural and celestial events.
The origin of the name December derives from the Latin word decem, meaning "ten." In the original Roman calendar, December was the tenth month of the year, as the calendar began in March. When the Julian calendar was introduced in 45 BCE and later refined into the Gregorian calendar, January and February were added, shifting December to the twelfth position. Despite this change, the name reflecting its original place as the tenth month remained.
Kwanzaa (Dec 26–Jan 1): Celebrate African heritage and culture by incorporating principles such as Umoja (Unity) and Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) into your rituals and practices. It’s an excellent time to honor ancestors and celebrate cultural traditions.
Birthstones: Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite, and Blue Topaz
December has multiple birthstones, each carrying unique spiritual and magickal properties. Turquoise, the most well-known, is a powerful stone of protection, wisdom, and good fortune, often used in Hoodoo and other traditions to ward off negativity and enhance spiritual insight. Zircon, another December birthstone, comes in various colors but is especially valued in its blue form for promoting clarity, protection, and grounding energy. It has been used as a talisman for travelers and for attracting prosperity. Tanzanite, a deep blue-violet gem, is linked to transformation and heightened spiritual awareness, making it an excellent stone for deepening intuition and psychic abilities. Blue topaz, another December gem, is associated with calming energy, truth, and communication, helping to clear the mind and strengthen one’s resolve. Whether worn, carried, or placed on an altar, these stones offer powerful benefits for those born in December or anyone seeking their magickal influences.
Herbs for December
December’s herbs align with the season’s need for warmth, protection, and renewal. Fennel is valued for its protective and strengthening properties, aiding in courage, purification, and warding off negative energy. Parsley, often associated with cleansing and prosperity, is used in spiritual baths and food to promote luck and renewal. Evergreens such as pine, cedar, and juniper are deeply tied to purification and longevity, making them ideal for cleansing spaces and offering to ancestral spirits. Mistletoe, a powerful herb of protection and love, has long been used in charms for good fortune, healing, and spiritual blessings. Nutmeg, often associated with money-drawing and luck, is a key ingredient in seasonal recipes and charm bags. Whether used in cooking, ritual work, or home protection, these herbs help align spiritual practices with the natural rhythms of December.
Fruits and Vegetables
December’s seasonal fruits and vegetables carry deep spiritual and magickal significance, offering nourishment for both the body and the spirit. Collard greens and cabbage, rich in protective and prosperity-drawing properties, are often used in money-drawing workings, particularly as the new year approaches.
Sweet potatoes symbolize grounding, stability, and ancestral connection, making them a staple in winter meals and offerings to spirits. Pumpkins and winter squash, associated with abundance and longevity, can be incorporated into both cooking and conjure work to attract blessings. Oranges and lemons, packed with cleansing and uplifting energy, are used in spiritual baths, floor washes, and prosperity workings. Pomegranates, tied to rebirth and spiritual wisdom, are excellent for ancestor offerings and divination rituals. By incorporating these seasonal fruits and vegetables into meals, spellwork, and rituals, one aligns with the natural cycle of December and strengthens connections to both the earthly and spiritual realms.
Flower of the Month: Narcissus
The narcissus is December’s birth flower, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the promise of new beginnings. In Hoodoo and folk magick, it is associated with spiritual awakening, love, attraction, and drawing positive energy for the year ahead. This winter-blooming flower thrives in colder months, reminding us that beauty and resilience can flourish even in difficult times. Narcissus is used in Come to Me formulas. Placing fresh narcissus in the home invites clarity and protection, while dried petals can be added to spiritual baths or sachets to encourage blessings, self-love, and inner strength. As the year comes to a close, the narcissus serves as a reminder of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, aligning perfectly with Hoodoo’s deep connection to nature and spiritual growth.
