A magical diary is an object of great fascination and intrigue. It holds within its pages the power to transport us to different realms and let us explore the depths of our imagination. In the realm of literature, one such magical diary is found in the enchanting book "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel. Set in 16th century England, "Wolf Hall" follows the life of Thomas Cromwell, a key figure in the court of King Henry VIII. As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to a diary that holds the power to reveal secrets, change destinies, and shape the course of history itself. This mystical diary, known as the "Magical Diary of Wolf Hall," is said to have been created by a powerful sorcerer.

Pagan tree topper

Today is the Winter Solstice - the time of year when the days stop getting shorter. Pagans celebrate the rebirth of the Sun and it is one of the most important festivals of the Wheel of the Year.

So, why do so many pagans have stars, fairies or angels on top of their yule trees instead of images of the golden sun?

Although the bringing of greenery into the home is an ancient tradition, dating back to ancient Pagan times. The decorating of Yule or Christmas trees didn't start until the 15th or 16th century in Germany and Scandinavia .

At first things like biscuits were hung from the trees, but decorations grew more and more elaborate. The tree-topper came later, but was originally a Christian symbol for the star of Bethlehem. Of course, it is possible to read more than just that original symbolism into a five-pointed star. If you make it like a pentagram it is very much a pagan symbol too, after all.

Angels as treetoppers generally represent Gabriel, the messenger of God in the Christmas story. In the UK, decorated fir trees with angels on top only became popular in Victorian times. Pictures of Queen Victoria's Christmas tree, complete with an angel, appeared in newspapers and started a trend.

Many Pagans prefer to have a fairy on the top of a Christmas tree as this seems, well, a bit more pagan. According to the book History Of the Christmas Fairy Doll by Susan Brewer, an old pagan belief was that fairies slept in holly during the winter months. Holly has a very long history of being used to decorate homes for the winter festival, presumably bringing fairies with it.

Victorians loved fairies as much as angels, so the use of them as Yule tree decorations became interchangeable - and sometimes almost indistinguishable.

There are, of course, plenty of secular things you can top your tree with - from traditional finials to bows to darkly humorous Cthulhus.

But should pagans perhaps have an image of the sun on top of their trees, as that is the spiritual significance of this time of year for us? You can get golden treetoppers that look a bit sun-like, including the one pictured, from Four Seasons Liverpool. What do you think? And what do you usually have on your tree?

The photos show a 1950s fairy that is still used on the top of my family's tree, a star treetopper that I made and a gold sunburst treetopper decoration.

Pagans and Christmas Trees

Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.

Every year around the winter holidays, people new to Paganism start asking the question about whether or not they can have a Christmas tree — or a holiday tree — in their home. The short answer to that question is: it's your house, you can decorate it any darn way you like. If a tree makes you and your family happy, then go for it. The slightly longer answer is that a lot of modern Pagans find a way to blend the Christmas traditions of their childhood with the Pagan beliefs they've come to embrace as adults. So yes, you can have a family Yule celebration and still have a holiday tree, roast chestnuts on the open fire, and even hang stockings with care by the fire.

Did You Know?

• The tradition of decorating green trees during the winter solstice goes back at least as far as the Egyptian and Roman civilizations.
• Decorate your tree with things that represent your Pagan spirituality and the themes of the season — lights, sun symbols, magical items, and natural objects.
• There are some Christian denominations that object to the adornment of a tree to celebrate the birth of Jesus, so Christianity certainly doesn't have a monopoly on the holiday decorating season.

This mystical diary, known as the "Magical Diary of Wolf Hall," is said to have been created by a powerful sorcerer. Through its pages, Cromwell discovers a hidden world filled with magical creatures, sorcery, and ancient prophecies. The diary becomes Cromwell's guide and companion, helping him navigate the treacherous political landscape of the Tudor court.

History of Indoor Trees

During the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrants often decorated their homes with clippings of shrubs, and hung metal ornaments outside on trees. Typically, the ornaments represented a god — either Saturn, or the family's patron deity. The laurel wreath was a popular decoration as well. The ancient Egyptians didn't have evergreen trees, but they had palms — and the palm tree was the symbol of resurrection and rebirth. They often brought the fronds into their homes during the time of the winter solstice. Early Germanic tribes decorated trees with fruit and candles in honor of Odin for the solstice. These are the folks who brought us the words Yule and wassail, as well as the tradition of the Yule Log!

There a number plants that are associated with the winter solstice season, in a Pagan context, if you don't have the space for a full tree, or if you want a more minimalist approach. Boughs of evergreens, vases of holly branches and yew, birch logs, mistletoe, and ivy are all sacred to the winter solstice in many Pagan traditions.

As Cromwell delves deeper into the diary's secrets, he uncovers a prophecy that foretells the downfall of the monarchy and the rise of a new era. Faced with this knowledge, Cromwell must tread carefully, for his actions could hold the key to the future of England. The "Magical Diary of Wolf Hall" not only serves as a tool for Cromwell but also acts as a mirror of his innermost desires and fears. As he pours his thoughts and emotions onto its pages, the diary becomes a confidant, absorbing his hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. Throughout the novel, the diary's magical properties are displayed through its ability to transport Cromwell into vivid visions and alternate realities. It connects him with mystical beings, such as the powerful diaty wolf, who guide him on his journey. These encounters blur the lines between reality and fantasy, making the reader question what is true and what is merely a figment of Cromwell's imagination. In the world of "Wolf Hall," the magical diary becomes an intricate part of the narrative, weaving together history, fantasy, and the inner workings of the human psyche. It serves as a symbol of power, knowledge, and transformation, leading the protagonist and the reader on a mesmerizing journey through time and space. As the story reaches its climax, the diary becomes a vessel for redemption and revolution. Cromwell learns to harness its magic for the greater good, ultimately shaping the destiny of an entire nation. In conclusion, the "Magical Diary of Wolf Hall" is a captivating element of Hilary Mantel's novel, adding an enchanting layer to the already rich narrative. It draws us into a world where reality intertwines with the supernatural, where dreams become reality, and where the power of words holds unimaginable possibilities. Through this magical diary, we are reminded of the transformative power of literature and the boundless limits of our own imagination..

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