Are you interested in celebrating the winter holidays with more meaning, mystery and delight? Let us show you how . . .

Dear Friends,

Many years ago, I was invited to the legendary Lucia Christmas Parties hosted each December by Helen Farias, creatrix and editor of the original Beltane Papers (one of the first journals of women’s spirituality). I had never attended anything like it, where a Christmas party with all its revelry was in full swing, then suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a magical figure with a story to tell and gifts to distribute. She or he then vanished into the dark night. These mysterious appearances brought everyone there closer to a sense of the numinous, an experience sorely lacking in most modern Yuletide festivities. Helen died in 1994, but her parties go on, hosted by friends in Boise, Bellingham, and Seattle.

My spiritual community has continued the tradition every year since 1997 by throwing a large party in St. Lucia’s name. We love Lucia because she is a strong, beautiful, female icon of the Christmas season. The sight of her unexpected appearance in the midst of a bustling party, head crowned with blazing candles in the darkened room, never fails to thrill the assembled guests.

Like many of us, you may feel alienated by the commercial Christmas season and disconnected from mainstream religious observances. With this party, you can carry on the ancient tradition of kindling light and fire at the darkest time of the year, while gathering together in community with your family of choice.

I wrote this eBook to inspire you to create your own celebrations full of mystery, magic and joy!

I’ve included everything I can think of to ensure a successful Lucia Party of your own, including:

• Suggestions for party activities, like the game of Snapdragon
• Invitation art you can download and use
• Unusual, enchanting song lyrics and staff music
• How to choose and prepare the “Lucy Bride”
• How to make a Lucia crown with real candles and fresh greenery
• How to make the lussekatter (the saffron rolls that Lucia gives to the guests)
• The Sweet Room (a room dedicated to cookies and candies)
• Scripts for the various Numinous Beings (like the Holly King and La Befana) who might appear throughout the party
• Presentation of the flaming plum pudding
• Checklists
• Timelines
• Menus
• Mouth-watering recipes
• And much more! (See the Table of Contents and sample pages below.)

Even if you don’t plan on throwing a Lucia Christmas Party, you can use the ideas in this ebook for other celebrations, rituals and ceremonies.

And — this is more than just an eBook! When your purchase is complete, you will receive access to the companion website, where you will find downloadable art to frame, checklists and invitation art to print out. There are videos and links to special music. There’s a resource section with books and websites that will point you toward things like good sources for beeswax candles, where to find Lucia decorations, and alternative lyrics to familiar Christmas carols.

I will be updating the website with new resources and new party ideas every December when we throw our annual Lucia Party.

And — best of all, you will be able to post your own ideas, stories, photographs, and videos of your parties. It will be a virtual Lucia Party community!

(And no, I’m not charging an extra fee for membership in the website. It’s included in the price of the eBook.)

Check out these sample pages, including the Table of Contents!

The PDF eBook is 92 beautifully designed and illustrated pages, decorated with my artwork and photographs from our parties over the years. It’s a visual delight!

You can download it immediately after purchase. You can read it on your computer, or on your iPad or Kindle (of course Kindle doesn’t show off the gorgeous colors, but the iPad does). You can also print it out at home or take it to your local copy shop on a thumb drive or disc, and have them bind it.

Remember — you also get access to the companion website, so you can share ideas with other Lucia Party lovers!

Click on the images below to see sample pages (PDF):

And . . . I have a super-special bonus for you:

My sweetheart Craig Olson and our good friend (my mermaid sister!) Julianne Marx have been sharing sweet Yuletide music at every Lucia Party that I can remember. Last year they recorded “Midwinter Moon,” a collection of our favorite Yuletide tunes. The words and staff music to many of these songs, with alternative or original lyrics, can be found in the Lucia Party ebook.

You can download the entire, delicious Midwinter Moon album for only $9.97 or buy the CD for $14.97.  Such a deal!

A Crown of Candles: How to Throw a Fabulous Lucia Party EBook and Companion Website Membership

A Crown of Candles: How to Throw a Fabulous Lucia Party ebook by Joanna Powell Colbert

Midwinter Moon
Midwinter Moon, a 13 song album by Julianne Marx & Craig Olson, available as Download or CD. Original songs celebrating the Winter Solstice, plus some holiday classics with a new spin. Includes bonus of 4 downloadable Winter Solstice cards by Joanna Powell Colbert.

DOWNLOAD: ONLY $9.97  ~ CD: ONLY $14.97
Click here to order Midwinter Moon!

Make a Gift of A Crown of Candles: How to Throw a Fabulous Lucia Party ebook and Companion Website Membership

A Crown of Candles: How to Throw a Fabulous Lucia Party eBook and Companion Website Membership, makes a great gift! We will need the name and email address of the person(s) you are buying the gift for. Gift purchase links are sent to your giftee within 2 business days or held at your request.

May Lucia bring light and love to your hearts and homes,

Joanna Powell Colbert