Here’s some Nature-inspired holiday magic for you DIYers out there, whether or not you are into The seasonal solstice, Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. All are welcome here.

I’m a little late on the uptake for myself this year, but still perfectly on time for friends and family! I needed an easy way to use natural holiday decor like wild pinecones to satisfy my ongoing need for endless witchy items – all for fun!

I honored the season by preparing the pine pitch I gathered this fall into a potent alcohol mixture.

Then, I grabbed a glass jar, and will shake it over the next week – its full of grapeseed oil and rose petals. I poured some of the pine resin fluid I made and some cedar (for good measure) into my bedside humidifier.

The most fun I had was gathering up the perfect pine cones for decorating with kids this season and spreading their cheer.

Pine cones can be used as casual decor, room fragrance, for wreaths, centerpieces, ornaments and more! One good one will get hung on an outside bush to honor our birds. I see little yellow finches and giant crows, mainly.

If you’d like legitimate witchy pinecones imbued with holiday magick, straight outta Santa Fe, we can work out a deal! I’d love to send you some of these especially prepared magical items with a dash of wild west energy on the spectacular Santa Fe School of Art and Design campus… or maybe you’d like something a little more personal, like something special from the Sangre de Christo Mountains nearby?

HOW TO PREPARE WILD PINECONES FOR INDOOR USE.

You will need:

• Pinecones
• Vinegar
• Water to rinse
• A towel
• Airfryer

1. Gather pinecones from the ground.

2. Rinse thoroughly with vinegar and water. Set out on towel to dry.

3. Set in 1 layer on the bottom of airfryer with the metal tray in place to ensure proper air circulation.

4. Set air fryer to 200° F for 1-2 hours checking every 30 min. Do not burn!

5. You’ll see them close (if still damp) before they reopen all the way. When they’re open fully again, they’re done. Times will vary based on climate and elevation.

Notes: Pine is cleansing, ruled by Mars, Aries and fire. Roses are Venus’ flowers and are ruled by Libra.

Cedar is good for attracting $.