We’ve come nearly to the end of th e year, to its midnight, to its eldest days. Everything seems old, old, old. This is the season of the crone, of the hag. Hag comes from hagia and means “holy.” The hag is the Holy One. In Northern Europe, hags, called volvas, were sibyls; an important Icelandic text is the Voluspa, “Sibyl’s Vision.” Thanks to the aging of the baby boom generation, we meet crones and sages every day.

Cast your circle and set your altar with gold, silver, and purple candles in holders, plus symbols of the stages of your life so far. Find your favorite agates (representing strength, courage, and longevity) in your collection and set them in the center. Using a feather, wave the energies of the candles toward yourself. Extinguish the candles.

Keep the agates on your altar and carry an agate in your pocket. Be kind to older citizens who may need some help sometimes.