In December 2023, subscribers met the Deer.
As the Solstice approaches and the days grow darker, the Deer grow wilder. Their mature antlers will no longer fit through doorways. The Deer delve deeper into the Forest, seeking clearings which allow them to contemplate the stars.
Here, the balding branches resemble antlers.
The cycle of the year is irresistible.
The Deer Box includes an abundance of beautiful objects; hints and additions to expand the story; a mysterious document; and a lore card.
Some items are available for individual purchase.
- Mysterious Document
- An instructional document is augmented with marginalia which will help you interpret clues. It is available only in the Deer Box.
- Lore Card
- The Deer is introduced in a full-color collectible 4x6 inch lore card. The artwork for this month's lore card was created by Joanna Rzepecka, a Warsaw, Poland-based illustrator. She says, "My work is inspired by biodiversity, mainly animals. Through my work, I'm trying to capture moments where nature is untouched by humans. Peaceful scenery, colors, and rough textures are some things that I enjoy the most."
- The Briefest Light - Acorn-Cap Candles
- You float an acorn-cap candle in a chalice of wine. It guides you to a spot where several Deer have gathered. These tiny handmade beeswax candles burn for about a quarter of an hour. Float them in a vessel of water during intention-setting rituals or as a focal point while glimpsing. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Offering for the Deer - Lump of Pink Salt
- You are prepared with a gift for the Deer: a glassy rock of mineral-rich salt. It sparkles like the stars which are beginning to emerge overhead. Set your own salt on a windowsill or on your bedside table to purify the space before Dreaming to Birdmoss; use it to quicken a bath; or grate it over a special meal.
- A Year in Bone - Deer Antler Tip
- A Stag approaches you, and you marvel at the strength it takes for him to move so gracefully beneath his heavy rack of antlers. The antlers are at their largest now, representing a year’s growth, and will be shed in the next few months. You receive a segment of last year’s shed. It evokes the cycles of nature: growth and falling away. Carry it for good fortune, use it to craft a handle for a tool, or add it to your curiosity cabinet.
- Charm of Instinct - Golden Deer Pendant
- The Deer tell stories of the Golden Stag and the Golden Doe, legendary ancestors who are valorized for their wildness and their unfettered instincts. This real gold-plated charm is a discreet reminder that you, too, are untamed and connected with the natural world.
- Upon the Frozen Lake - Blue Kerchief
- A tremendous frost has hardened the surface of the Lake. The Deer traipse to its center, then regard their starlit reflections, waiting for a glimpse of the year to come. You look, too. At first the reflections seem mundane, but then you notice that the mirrored stars are moving across the ice. Your kerchief, which has been quickened under the stars, captures the ice-glimpsing tradition. Wear it as a bandana or use it as a table cover.
- Crystals Fall - Embroidered Ornament Kit
- A few clouds muffle the starlight, but they bring their own magic. Glittering snowflakes resembling stars drift to ground. Recreate their crystalline patterns with this simple embroidery kit. Add your ornament to a seasonal altar or hang it from a tree.
One-time box purchases include shipping costs. They usually ship within 3 business days of purchase.
"If you have any issues with your purchase, please reach out to me at shannon@birdmoss.com, and I'll personally do everything I can to make it right."
- Shannon, Birdmoss Curator and Liaison