December 2025 Grey Matters

Master Meighen
Dec 1, 2025
16 min read

Grey Matters

December 2025

Table of Contents

1. GSW Mobile Site Live

2. New vGSW Scenario

3. Support GSW Today

4. December 2025 Cosmological Events

5. History and Symbolism of Yule

6. Yule Mulled Cider Recipe

7. A Simple Yule Ritual

8. GSW Yule Crossword

9. December 2025 Astrological Forecast

10. An Invitation to Service

GSW Mobile Site Live

By Headmaster Kingsley

Well met Friends and followers all,

We hope that the day finds you in good health and festive spirits!

We're delighted to share that The Grey School of Wizardry’s full mobile site is now live!! This update has been a long time coming, and it will make it much easier for apprentices, faculty, and friends of the School to stay connected wherever they are.

There is no app to download or configure; simply visit GreySchool.org on any mobile device and the site will adapt automatically, giving you a clean and accessible way to keep up with your studies on the go.

As with any first release, this is the beginning rather than the end. If you encounter any oddities or quirks while exploring the new layout, we would appreciate those reports in the bug thread so we can refine the experience as we move forward. The aim is to make sure all GSW pupils can engage with their coursework, and resources in a smooth and reliable way, regardless of where they happen to be.

This enhancement reflects our continued effort to support the modern wizard’s lifestyle and it's our hope that this makes your time with the School even more accessible.

Enjoy the update, and thank you for being part of the Grey School community!

New vGSW Scenario

By Headmaster Kingsley

Well met, friends and followers one and all,

We hope that the day finds everyone in good health and high spirits!

A new scenario experience is now available on vGSW! Set on the outskirts of Whitehall, an aging local resident has asked for help after discovering signs of trespass and unsettling activity at an old family cabin. The structure sits alone along a quiet track and recent disturbances have left him uneasy about what may have taken place inside.

Participants will investigate the site, examine the conditions of the cabin, and determine whether a cleansing is required. Each session is proctored and lasts one hour. Pupils will be provided a wand, a bell, and a sage stick, and are encouraged to rely on solid reasoning and careful observation throughout their work.

Sign-ups are now open within your course catalog. Those who complete the scenario will receive one credit, with an optional bonus merit opportunity available at the end. This is a chance to strengthen your technique, and gain experience handling the kind of real-world uncertainties that working wizards are often called upon to address.

We look forward to seeing you engage with this new scenario and wish you all the very best of luck!

Interested and not Enrolled? Learn more about our school at GreySchool.org

Support GSW Today

By Headmaster Kingsley

Well met Friends and followers all,

I hope that the day finds everyone in good health and high spirits!

As we continue moving through this remarkable year together, I'm pleased to share some exciting news! Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are now only $1,700 away from reaching our annual fundraising goal! This support has been essential as we work to strengthen the foundation of our School and expand the opportunities available to our apprentices.

Already this term, we’ve seen steady growth across our campuses. Apprentices have taken part in real-world investigations at the Highspire Campus and Our return to Skene Manor saw the continuation of research into local lore and reported phenomena, offering practical experience for those studying in the Paranormal.

Meanwhile, engagement continues to rise on vGSW as new activities take shape each week! Apprentices are exploring fresh opportunities to meet, and collaborate, whether through the competitive strategy of our new Wizard’s Duel card game or by joining in the steady rotation of gatherings, clubs, and study sessions.

Our digital presence is also taking another important step forward. On November 26th, we will launch our newly mobile-accessible website, making it easier than ever to navigate coursework, news, and School life from any device. This update marks a meaningful milestone in our ongoing effort to support a growing and global community while improving the experience of every apprentice.

What's more, the Halloween Moot approaches on October 31st which promises a full day of events, and friendly competition as we gather in celebration on the virtual campus. With enthusiasm building across the Lodges, it promises to be a highlight of the term!

Of course, Your contributions make all of this possible. Every gift supports faculty, scholarships, program development, and the continued growth of both Highspire and vGSW. Fundraising also plays a key role in helping us keep tuition as affordable as possible, ensuring GSW reaches a broader community and that everyone can share in this education.

If you are able to help us close this final $1,700 gap, it would be deeply appreciated.

Donations may be made at:

www.GreySchool.org/donations

Let us Strive together into the coming season and Become all that we might be.

I look forward to seeing you around the vCampus!

Wizardly Regards,

Headmaster Nicholas Kingsley ᛞ

December 2025 Cosmological Events

By Grey Matters Staff

The final month of 2025 brings a blend of celestial events and deep winter darkness, complete with one of the year’s most anticipated meteor shows. If you love sky watching, these are the events you will want to highlight on your December calendar.

Supermoon: December 4 and 5

The year’s last full moon arrives as a supermoon, glowing a little larger and brighter when it rises on December 4 and 5. This happens because the moon is swinging close to Earth in its orbit. It averages a distance of about 238,855 miles from us, yet on December 4 it will sit roughly 17,000 miles nearer.

This final full moon of the year answers to many names. The Cold Moon is the most familiar, tied to the arrival of Arctic air across North America. Other traditional names include the Winter Maker Moon, the Long Night Moon, the Moon of the Popping Trees, and the Little Spirit Moon. Each name speaks to the season’s frigid air and long, quiet nights.

Geminid meteor shower: December 13 and 14

The Geminids take center stage in December and remain one of the most dazzling meteor showers of the entire year. The show peaks on the night of Saturday December 13 into the early hours of Sunday December 14. Under dark skies, you might catch more than one hundred meteors every hour.

Unlike most meteor showers, the Geminids get going early in the evening, which makes them perfect for families and casual sky watchers. The prime viewing window runs from about 10 p.m. local time, when the radiant climbs high overhead, until around 2 a.m. when the moon rises and begins to wash out the view.

Winter solstice: December 21 at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Time

Winter officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on Sunday December 21 at 10:03 a.m. Eastern Time. In the Southern Hemisphere, the same moment marks the beginning of summer.

At that exact time, the Northern Hemisphere tilts farthest away from the sun, delivering the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the solstice marks the start of astronomical winter, meteorological winter has already begun on December 1.

Ursid meteor shower: December 21 and 22

The year wraps up with the Ursids, a smaller and quieter meteor shower that peaks on the night of December 21 and 22. This is the first night of astronomical winter, arriving right after the solstice.

The Ursids usually produce around ten meteors per hour. They benefit from the long, dark nights of late December, and your best chance to see them will come late at night and in the hours before dawn, when the radiant near Ursa Minor climbs higher in the northern sky.

Although the Ursids are far gentler than the Geminids, they are still worth stepping outside for. After the brief Quadrantids in early January, the sky stays mostly quiet until April, which makes this soft winter shower one of your last meteor moments for a while.

History and Symbolism of Yule By Grey Matters Staff

Meanings of Yule

The word Yule itself has ancient roots. In Norse, the term for “wheel” is the same word used for Yule, capturing the idea of the great cosmic cycle turning once more. Similar meanings appear across early European languages: Geol in Saxon and Yula in Anglo-Saxon both translate to “wheel,” while the Romans celebrated this season as Natalis Solis Invicti, the “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun.” In the tradition of the Caledonii, it was known as Alban Arthan, or the “Light of Arthur.”

Other Names for Yule

The season goes by many titles: Winter Solstice, Midwinter, Midwinter’s Night, or Yuletide in Teutonic lands, but all point to the same moment on the astronomical calendar: the longest night of the year, usually December 21 or 22. Here, the great Wheel of the Year reaches its low point and begins its slow turn back toward the light. As the days lengthen and the promise of warmth returns, it’s easy to understand why ancient peoples greeted this moment with celebration.

For early communities whose lives were ruled by the rhythm of the seasons, winter was a time of retreat and endurance. After months of planting, harvesting, and storing food, people sheltered in huts, longhouses, or caves, relying on their stockpiles and what little game could be hunted. A successful winter meant surviving long enough to see spring’s renewal. No wonder midwinter festivals brought such joy; they heralded the first hint of light after darkness.

Many familiar winter customs trace back to the Roman Saturnalia, a raucous festival honoring Saturn, the agricultural god, and featuring images of “Old Father Time” with his scythe.

Symbols of Yule

Light

Above all, Yule is a festival of light. As the days begin to lengthen again, candles, hearth-fires, lanterns, and strings of shining ornaments symbolize the returning sun. Cultures around the world echo this theme; Hanukkah, for instance, centers on light during this same season.

Evergreens and Wreaths

Evergreen trees and garlands stand for the living world that persists through winter. Our modern Christmas trees and wreaths descend from these ancient symbols. Holly, ivy, and other evergreens were believed to offer protection, prosperity, and luck: holly with its masculine associations, ivy with feminine ones. The wreath’s circular shape also reflects the Wheel of the Year.

The Yule Log

Traditionally cut from oak (or ash for extra good fortune), the Yule log symbolizes the waxing strength of the sun from Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice. It was lit on Solstice Eve, ideally catching flame on the first try, and encouraged to burn until dawn. Wishes, toasts, and prayers for luck and strength were offered over its fire.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe, sacred to Celtic Druids, was harvested with golden sickles and caught in white cloth before it touched the ground. To them, its green leaves represented the Mother Goddess’s vitality, while its pale berries symbolized the seed of the Forest God. Today, mistletoe still carries meanings of peace, luck, healing, fertility, and protection and is famously hung over doorways for fortunate kisses.

Frankincense and Myrrh

These ancient resins, burned as incense or added to fires, bring purification, spiritual illumination, healing, and inner peace. They also play a traditional role in ritual cleansing before ceremonies.

Images of Mother and Child

Opposite the Summer Solstice on the Wheel, Yule marks the rebirth of the Sun God from the Goddess in many earth-based traditions. Deities associated with this season include Tonantzin, Holda, Bona Dea, Ops, Isis, Lucina or St. Lucy, and Befana. The familiar Nativity scene echoes this ancient symbolism of sacred birth.

Santa and His Kin

Our modern Santa Claus blends centuries of winter gods and folk figures: Saturn and Cronos, the Holly King, Father Frost, Thor with his goat-drawn chariot, Odin on his eight-legged horse, Frey the fertility god, and the Scandinavian Tomte. Each represents a spirit of generosity, winter magic, and the returning sun.

Reindeer

Reindeer often symbolize Herne, the Horned God. Some modern interpretations link Santa’s eight reindeer to the eight Sabbats of the Pagan year.

Traditional Yule Customs

Feasting

Midwinter feasts lifted spirits during the darkest days, celebrating hope, warmth, and returning abundance. The old saying “Eat, drink, and be merry, ”born from winter’s uncertainty, captures this blend of joy and defiance.

Caroling

Children once walked through their villages singing Solstice songs door to door, receiving sweets and small tokens in return. Their voices honored the season and symbolized the gifts of nourishment and prosperity from the Mother Goddess.

Bells

Bells were hung on Yule trees to invite good spirits. A ringing bell was said to announce a spirit’s presence.

Wassail, Glog, and Eggnog

Wassail, an enriched, ceremonial cider, was offered to apple trees to bless orchards, a custom known as saining. Other festive drinks, from mulled wine to eggnog, added warmth and cheer to the season’s celebrations.

Yule Mulled Cider Recipe

By Grey Matters Staff

Here’s an ideal cozy drink for gray afternoons or chilly nights by the fire: mulled cider. It lifts the mood instantly and fills the kitchen with an intoxicating fragrance. When you make a pot, people drift toward the stove, chatting and eagerly wrapping their hands around warm mugs.

Mulled cider is also perfect for gatherings such as Christmas since it yields a generous batch. Below is a recipe with options for both stovetop and slow cooker preparation.

Spices for Mulled Cider

Mulled cider relies on whole spices that infuse the drink with rich, comforting flavor. Fresh apple cider tastes crisp and bright on its own. After an hour of simmering with these spices, the flavor deepens into something warm, aromatic, and festive.

Ground spices tend to cloud the drink, so whole spices are used instead. You will need:

Cinnamon sticks for classic warmth
Cloves for spicy depth in just the right amount
Allspice berries for a subtle peppery lift
Whole nutmeg for earthy richness
Star anise for that unmistakable candle shop aroma

Star anise is shaped like a small star and can be found in most grocery stores.

Tips for Excellent Mulled Cider

A few simple techniques can take your mulled cider from good to exceptional.

Start with unfiltered apple cider. This is the cloudy variety containing natural sediment and a more robust flavor than clear, filtered cider.
Toast the spices first. Warming them in the pot or a skillet for a few minutes helps release their essential oils and boosts the flavor significantly.
Add garnishes at the end. If you simmer the cider with slices of orange or apple, the fruit tends to sink and lose its color. Add fresh slices just before serving for the most attractive presentation.
Strain if needed. Some natural sediment may rise to the top. You can skim it off or simply stir it back in.

Mulled Cider Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Category: Drink

Method: Stovetop

Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

1 whole nutmeg
10 allspice berries
10 cloves
2 star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
1 half gallon apple cider*
1 quarter cup rum, optional
1 small orange, for garnish
Whole cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

Toast the spices Place the nutmeg, allspice, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon in a pot or skillet. Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant.
Stovetop method Reduce heat to low. Pour in the apple cider and heat gently until it is just below a simmer. Keep warm for 1 hour without letting it bubble. Skim off sediment if desired or stir to blend it back in.
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot method Add the apple cider and spices to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Cook on Low for 3 hours or use the Normal setting on the Instant Pot’s Slow Cooker mode.
Finish and serve Add the rum if you choose to use it. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries before serving.

Notes

This recipe doubles easily and fits into a standard slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Storage and Make Ahead

Mulled cider keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in a sealed container or pitcher with the spices removed. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. For parties, you can prepare the cider a day in advance and warm it just before guests arrive.

A Simple Yule Ritual: Return of the Light

By Master Meighen, Master of Studies

Length: 10–20 minutes

Participants: Solo or group

Themes: Renewal, light, gratitude, community, hope

1. Preparation

You will need:

A single candle (gold, red, or green) or one candle per participant and one central candle
Evergreen sprigs, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, bells, or small ornaments
A fire-safe dish or table centerpiece
A moment of quiet

Arrange the candle(s) and optional decorations at the center of the space. If doing this as a family ritual, each person may place something symbolic (pine cone, ornament, evergreen sprig) around the candle to build the Yule centerpiece together.

2. Opening Moment of Stillness

Participants take a breath together.

If alone, simply inhale deeply three times.

Say (or think):

"The longest night gives way to the dawning light.

We pause in stillness, grateful for this turning of the year."

Allow a brief silence.

3. Acknowledging the Turning of the Year

The leader or a designated family member says:

"Tonight we honor Yule, Midwinter, the Solstice.

The Wheel has turned, and the sun begins its climb.

From the depth of darkness, hope is renewed.

As the light returns to the world, may light return to our hearts and homes."

If doing this with children, this is a great moment to explain what the solstice is and why ancient people celebrated it.

4. Lighting the Candle

Hold a moment of darkness before lighting the candle.

Say:

"This flame is the promise of the returning sun.

Where there is darkness, light will come again."

Light the candle.

If done in a group, each participant may light their own candle from the central flame, saying:

"From light to light, we strengthen the warmth between us."

(If children are present, adults may assist with candle lighting.)

5. Blessing of the Evergreen

Hold an evergreen sprig, wreath, or branch.

Say:

"Evergreen is the symbol of life enduring.

May life, health, and vitality remain strong through the winter season.

May our bonds be as steady as green leaves in winter’s cold."

If in a family, each person can touch the wreath or pass the sprig around the circle.

6. Declaration of Hopes for the New Light

Each participant may speak (or think silently):

Something they are grateful for
Something they hope for in the coming year
Something they wish to share or strengthen within the family or community

Scripted option:

"As the light grows, may my life be filled with… [hope, calm, strength, healing, joy, connection]."

If alone, this can be spoken aloud or written on a slip of paper and placed under the candle or in a journal.

7. Bond of Community or Self-Commitment

For families or groups:

"We honor one another and the warmth we share.

May kindness, patience, and joy grow among us.

May our home be a place of peace in the turning year."

For solitary practitioners:

"I honor my journey in the year to come.

May I grow in wisdom, peace, and strength as the light returns."

8. Closing Gesture

Ring a bell, tap on a glass, or simply place a hand on the heart.

Say:

"The kindled light guides us forward.

May warmth fill our days, hope fill our hearts, and love fill our home.

Yule blessings to all."

Blow out the candle or leave it burning safely for a few minutes longer as a meditation focus.

GSW Yule Crossword

By Grey Matters Staff

Complete this month's crossword online at:

https://crosswordlabs.com/view/gsw-yule-crossword

Or download a PDF:

December 2025 Astrological Forecast

By Grey Matters Staff

Sagittarius season bursts into December with plenty of heat, powered by a flurry of planetary activity in the Archer’s realm. Until December 21, the Sun streaks through this bold and future focused sign, calling us to think bigger, live brighter, and maybe take a few well considered risks before the year wraps.

As the holidays gather momentum, there is still time to say yes to one more adventure or finally pursue a dream from your 2025 intentions list. Mars and Venus both camp out in expansive Sagittarius until midmonth, Mars through the 15th and Venus through the 24th, which stirs up enthusiasm for pleasure, possibility, and daring ideas. The first half of December carries that signature Sagittarius flair for wide open horizons and joyful excess. Enjoy the spark.

The year’s final full moon arrives on December 4 as a Gemini supermoon.

This lunation unfolds against the emotional backdrop of a Grand Water Trine linking expressive Mercury, visionary Jupiter, and steady Saturn. Words have extra voltage under these glowing skies. With Mercury newly direct, stalled conversations and overdue messages may finally come rushing in.

Neptune ends its five month retrograde on December 10.

The shift cuts through confusion and delivers long awaited clarity. As Neptune moves forward in Pisces, it begins its final stretch through this sign in our lifetimes. On January 26, the planet glides into Aries for a 13 year stay and will not return to Pisces for over 150 years. In the meantime, truths that have lingered in the shadows may surface as the emotional haze begins to lift. Even if the outlines still look a bit blurred, your direction becomes easier to see.

Do not wait until January 1 to send those big intentions into the cosmos.

The last new moon of the year appears in optimistic Sagittarius on December 19. It is an ideal moment to plant seeds for your most inspired visions. New beginnings linked to travel, education, entrepreneurship, and personal growth are especially favored. Still, read the fine print and pace yourself. This new moon forms a tense square with both Neptune and Saturn in Pisces, a reminder that every dream needs structure if it is going to survive past mid January.

The energy shifts sharply at the winter solstice on December 21.

The Sun steps into Capricorn and turns our attention to goals, stability, and traditions. Mars is already in Capricorn as of the 15th and Venus joins on the 24th, which strengthens ambition as the year closes out.

Capricorn season usually leans toward discipline over indulgence, yet this year allows a blend of both. Business and pleasure can comfortably share the same space. Venus and Mars meet in Capricorn just in time for Christmas Eve, creating a powerful moment for serious conversations about long term plans. Couples may find synchronicity in their visions. Singles might feel drawn to someone grounded and substantial who knows exactly where they are heading in life.

New Year’s Eve brings a lively and social mood.

The moon slips into curious Gemini for the last hours of 2025, encouraging movement and connection rather than anything stuffy or rigid. Try party hopping, gather your favorite people for a spontaneous outing, or keep a cozy conversation flowing with clever games and deep discussions. Whether you are scribbling intentions on cocktail napkins or cooking up last minute plans, let your words set the tone for 2026. Raise a glass to the memories you made and get ready to create even bigger ones in the year ahead.

An Invitation to Service

By Master Meighen, Master of Studies

As the holiday season approaches and the world begins to sparkle with evergreen boughs and twinkling lights, many of us naturally slip into familiar rituals that help evoke the warmth of this time of year. Some begin by setting up a Yule tree, carefully unpacking ornaments that hold years of memory and arranging them with a sense of ceremony. Others brighten their homes with strands of lights that cut through the early nightfall. And for many of us, the season truly arrives the moment the old standbys come on the speakers: those smooth, nostalgic songs by Nat King Cole and his contemporaries that once drifted through our childhood homes and our parents' car radios. Then there are the holiday movies, the ones we return to like old friends. I make no secret of the fact that The Santa Clause remains one of my perennial favorites.

Yet all of these traditions, as cozy and beloved as they are, point toward something deeper than decoration or nostalgia. They help thaw the small cynicisms that accumulate over the course of the year and prepare our spirits for generosity, reflection, and renewed purpose. The rituals of the season are the doorways that help us step into a more open-hearted state of being.

If, however, you find yourself struggling to feel jolly despite the lights and music, there is a remarkably simple remedy: be of service to someone else. Acts of kindness have a way of shifting our inner attitudes. Shovel the driveway for the elderly neighbor who worries about falling on the ice. Volunteer at the soup kitchen where warm meals are needed most during the cold months. Leave an anonymous donation for someone facing a difficult season. In giving, we rediscover the spark that the holidays are meant to kindle within us.

For Wizards, this spirit of service is not a seasonal attitude; it is woven into the very fabric of our identity. One could argue that it is our purpose in the world, our raison d’être. So as you wrap presents, sing carols, attend gatherings, or host celebrations of your own, take a moment to reflect on how you might lend your gifts to your community during these long winter nights. In doing so, you not only honor the season but embody the highest ideals of the Wizard’s trade. To help you begin to get in touch with the season, I share with you this: