Connecting with the Elements: Wiccan Rituals for the Winter Solstice

During the Winter Solstice, Wiccans celebrate a deeply spiritual time of year marked by the shortest day and longest night. They believe that this special day holds tremendous energy and power. As such, they engage in devotions and rituals to honor this occasion and connect with the natural cycles of the Earth and the universe. One of the primary devotions during the Winter Solstice is lighting a Yule log. This ancient tradition symbolizes the return of light and warmth to the world. Wiccans also arrange a Yule altar, adorned with seasonal decorations like evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pinecones.

Polymerized linseed oil or stand oil is a pure, 100% linseed oil formula that is food-safe.

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Wiccans also arrange a Yule altar, adorned with seasonal decorations like evergreen branches, holly, mistletoe, and pinecones. The altar becomes a sacred space to commune with the divine and express gratitude for the cycles of life. Another common practice is casting a solstice circle.

Pallmann Magic Oil 2k finish issue

We decided to go with Pallmann Magic Oil on white oak. Did a mixed application (9 neutral to 1 white). But it got into a got into a problem, looking for some advice if there a way to recover from it.

We did buffer application with red pad, then after dwell time removed with red pad, followed by white pad twice over. First coat was with 1 liter on 450 sq.ft. Then went for a back to back second coat (same steps), this time using 0.5 liter. After 12/24 hrs had a very good finish with smooth matte finish.

The issue arose on the application of the third coat; after 24 hrs, we applied the third coat, following the same steps as above. We used 0.5 liter on this application. After the 24 hrs curing period, there is a semi-gloss sheen which looks like a polyurethane finish (so seems like more gloss than there should be). We liked the previous matte finish which we lost after the third coat.

What's the best way to recover from this point?

Have attached picture of the projects.

Two coats is the recommended max according to the manufacturer. Once it isn't penetrating the wood, it's going to sit on top, and that will definitely change the sheen to be more glossy because the oil will be visible. It is also not going to survive that well as a finish in that state.
The matte comes from removal of most of the oil.
They don't list any flattening agents in their MSDS/etc. So if you want three coats this way, you'd probably have to add your own flattening agents.

I would stick with two coats (and 1 on super-dense woods), as the manufacturer suggests.

Anything else is asking for trouble (in bonding, curing, etc).

For all the magic words they use (hardwax oil, etc), this stuff is a basic isocyanate hardened finish. The instructions on the isocyanate hardener (component b) say it can't be reused once opened. You didn't say whether you did, and i've seen it cause this before due to the oil not hardening properly (and leaving a sheen as a result). In practice, if you were religious about having it open for the absolute minimal amount of time (or you used bloxygen), you may get it to last a week or two.

To recover, you need to test the finish and understand what state it is in first. If it was properly catalyzed, it should be stain/scratch resistant by now. Your fingernail should not scrape it, etc.

You are still asking for trouble with three coats, but assuming it is in a reasonable state, you could just buff it back to matte with appropriate pads.

Do not put another coat down hoping it will turn out matte - all you will do is raise the chance of future floor failure even further.

Thanks for the response and the details.

We opened a fresh hardener bottle for every coat, 3rd coat included. The floor holds up for scratch resistance when tested in a few places and it doesn't feel tacky. So I do believe it's fully catalyzed. What went wrong is probably as you said that we should not have done a third coat at all, or we should have used very tiny amount of the oil.

What pads would you recommend to buff it back to matte and using what machine?

Honestly, i'd bug Pallmann.

I've done it on some coffee tables over-finished with pallman before, and just used an orbital and some festool vlies of different grits till it looked right.

But i've never tried to do it on an entire floor with their buffing pads.

Pallmann technician recommendation is to use their Clean N Prep product followed by Magic Oil Care. If that doesn't work, to try maroon pad and follow it Clean and N Prep or Magic Oil Care. Any of it after trying it in an inconspicuous area first.

This is a ritualistic way to create a sacred and protected space for Wiccans to connect with their spiritual energies and perform spells or divination during the solstice celebration. The circle offers a sense of sacredness and helps to focus intention and energy. Wiccans also engage in meditative practices during the Winter Solstice. This is a time for reflection and inner transformation. They may use meditation to connect with the deeper meaning of the solstice, to release any negativity or fears, or to focus on their spiritual goals and intentions for the coming year. Finally, feasting and sharing a meal together is an essential part of Wiccan devotions during the Winter Solstice. This feast is a time to nourish the body and to celebrate the bountiful gifts of the Earth. Wiccans may incorporate traditional seasonal foods and drinks into their feast, such as spiced cider, roasted root vegetables, and Yule log-shaped cakes. In summary, Wiccans have various devotions during the Winter Solstice to honor the spiritual significance of this time of year. Lighting a Yule log, casting a solstice circle, practicing meditation, and sharing a festive meal are all ways in which Wiccans connect with the energy of the solstice and celebrate the cycles of life and nature..

Reviews for "Embracing Transformation: Wiccan Devotions for the Winter Solstice"

1. Christine - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice". The book promised to provide a spiritual and meaningful experience during the winter season, but I found it to be lacking in substance. The content felt repetitive and didn't offer any new insights or perspectives. Additionally, the rituals and practices described were confusing and difficult to follow. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.

2. Michael - 1 star

I found "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice" to be a complete waste of time and money. The author seemed more focused on promoting their own beliefs rather than providing helpful guidance for the winter solstice. The book lacked organization and coherence, making it difficult to navigate and understand. The content was shallow and offered no in-depth exploration of Wiccan practices during this time of year. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to others.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I had high hopes for "Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly flowery and lacked clarity, making it challenging to grasp the intended meaning. The book also included a lot of personal anecdotes and stories that felt indulgent and distracting from the main topic. I was hoping for a more scholarly and informative approach to Wiccan devotions during the winter solstice, but instead, I found this book to be disjointed and unhelpful.

Rituals for Release: Wiccan Practices for the Winter Solstice