Making Hygge Witchier (cozy winter witchcraft)

I've discussed in my recent posts that I am trying to align myself more with natural cycles, so I am still in my winter hibernation recovery period. A few years ago, I read a book that really described activities I was already doing that appealed to me and how these activities can be done together to really create a feeling. Commonly associated with cold weather and winter holidays, the practice is Hygge (heu-gah/hoo-gah). The book was The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. Hygge is described as the feeling of coziness and comfort. It's often associated with things like candle light or other soft ambient lighting , the smell of fresh baked cookies and cinnamon rolls, having a nice coffee. An overall cozy atmosphere. It is a word and a lifestyle and a practice that is originated in Denmark. And a lot of it was stuff as a witch I was already doing like Lighting candles, creating energy in a space and kitchen witchcraft! So in this video/post I wanted to see if I could make Hygge witchier.

Meik Wiking’s book included 10 rules/tenets of Hygge, and while I will be reordering these numerically and combining a few into one, this is my framework of steps to making Hygge more witchy.

Atmosphere

Creating an atmosphere is a big role in my daily life, especially in my practice. My room and space needs to be clean, cleansed and a whole vibe needs to be set. I often light candles to create an energy. I prefer soy or even better beeswax candles, especially in the winter so I’m not breathing in as much paraffin wax burnout. Having natural elements like plants also creates a comfortable energy for me. AND MOOD LIGHTING! Turn off the big light, lamps and candles only.

Making it witchier: I don’t even really know how to make this one much witchier other than making the atmosphere intentionally witchy. Some grounding crystals to have around you could be obsidian, moss agate, hematite, tiger’s eye, smoky quartz.

Shelter

This is a place of peace and security.

Making it witchier: Protection charms. Now remember, this is Hygge. Don’t exhaust yourself creating a bunch of wards and protection spells. You can do that if you feel it’s necessary but in this instance, finding a way to make the process of magick itself feel cozy is also a key. So I’m going to double up use and make some of these cozy candles protection candles.

Taking a large candle or a jar candle, something you can burn multiple times, carve protection symbols or sigils, or just “protection, security, SAFE” whatever calls to you. Anoint it with an oil. I’m using a protection oil blend I made myself, you can use a kitchen oil like olive or coconut too if that’s what you have on hand.

Presence.

Be here now. Turn off the phone. Especially when actively working on your magickal practice. You don’t want your energy to be disrupted or sent to the wrong place even.

Making it witchier: I’m going to take this one up a level and also add in grounding and centering. Grounding and centering is done before rituals to focus energy, and after to release any excess energy back into the earth or the cosmos. Rooting your energy to whatever your source is can really help make you present in the moment and is a good first step to being in a calmer, more meditative state.

Pleasure

Coffee, chocolate, cookies, cakes.

Making it witchier: Kitchen witchcraft, coffee witchcraft, tea spells… this one is easy! In the Hygge book they talk about how much of a culture coffee is in Denmark. Charm yourself up a latte, make or buy yourself a tasty little treat and savor it. Add any additional spices or kitchen witchery steps as desired!

Of course, pleasure doesn’t necessarily have to be food. A lot of the practices in Denmark also include reading. This could also be a part of the pleasure section but I’m going to say that snuggling up with a good witchy book is an option. It could be things like consciously enjoying the way the sun comes through a window. Or the way your dogs greet you when you come home. There’s magick in those moments too.

Equality, Harmony, Truce and Togetherness

These are based in the concept of hygge being a community effort. I understand that experiencing Hygge socially is essential in the Denmark tradition, but since I am doing this as a solitary witch, and many won’t or can’t share their witchy practices with others, I’m going rope them into one category and reframe them into just “Harmony.”

Making it witchier: In this moment, you are going to make a truce with yourself to be kind to yourself, feel together with the earth, the sky, the world around you. To feel equal, not better than or below any part of the universe because you are one with it. If you do spirit, ancestor or deity work, you can include them in this as well.

The energy of Hygge also calls me to mention deities of home, protection and the spirit of your house. I personally am working on building up my altar to Hestia, goddess of the hearth. Finding harmony and togetherness with any or all of these can also help.

Comfort

Get comfy, take a break. It’s all about relaxation.

How do you make taking a break witchier? Here’s an interesting way…. I’m going to enchant a blanket. I want to make a blanket that when I’m snuggled up under it I am comfortable, I am cozy, I am released from my stress. Pick your favorite blanket, or the coziest or witchiest one.

I’m going to charm this one with crystals, a candle, a ribbon, and a needle and thread. Getting back out some of our grounding crystals I’m going to place them on top of my folded blanket around a candle. Place the candle on top of the blanket on a plate or dish to prevent wax or fire from getting to your blanket (as always, practice the utmost fire safety!). Place your ribbon piece under that too. I’m going to use a birthday size candle because I don’t have the time, it’s getting dark and cold and I want my blanket. Carve, anoint and light the candle. Stitch my ribbon into a corner of the blanket. She’s cozy, she’s warm. She’s comfortable.

Lazy witch edit: you can charm the stitching thread instead of charming a piece of ribbon for an even more discreet, less materials needed version of this.

Gratitude

Take it in, this might be as good as it gets.

I’m ending with gratitude. After you’ve completed your grounding, your protections, your charmed blanket, your latte potion, savor it. Enjoy it. This is why you created this peace. Be present, in the moment and grateful for moments like these. No extra witchiness needed. You’ll literally feel the magick in the air.