Author Description

A candlelit journey through the most magical nights of the year. Between Christmas Eve and Epiphany lies a sacred span of time known to our ancestors as the Twelve Nights of Wonder — twelve nights when the veil between worlds thins, when dreams speak, omens whisper, and every flicker of light carries a blessing. In this beautifully written guide to the old European traditions of the midwinter season, Shelly Anderson invites you to walk the ancient path of the Twelve Nights as they were once observed in hearths and villages across the continent. Each chapter unfolds a night of story, reflection, and gentle ritual — drawn from authentic folklore, seasonal spirituality, and the timeless rhythm of the natural world. Discover the ancient customs that once filled the quiet nights of winter: • Candles lit to guide the wandering spirits home • Sacred smoke blessings of juniper and rosemary • Dreams and omens believed to foretell the coming year • The blessing of children and the animals' speech • Offerings to the household spirits and the guardians of the hearth • The purifying night of smoke and the turning of the year • The final revelation of Epiphany and the return of the light Richly woven with history and devotion, The Twelve Nights of Wonder is both a seasonal grimoire and a devotional companion, meant to be read by firelight or candle flame. It blends ancient European tradition with a modern reverence for nature, reminding us that even in the darkest season, light is never lost — only waiting to be remembered. For lovers of folklore, witchcraft, mythology, and sacred seasonal living, this book is a treasure to return to every winter.