Winter Solstice | Saturday 12/21/2024 at 9:20 AM PT
"I pray this winter will be gentle and kind, a season of rest from the wheel of the mind." ~John Geddes
"Dear one, can you hear it? The quiet stillness in the dead of night? Life at rest and the sound of silence during this time of hibernation away from the cold clutch of winter's grasp?"
~Way of Belonging
Winter Solstice | Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 at 9:20 AM PT
The Winter Solstice is a sacred pause, a time to honor the quiet beauty of the longest night and welcome the returning light. It’s a moment to reflect on the year behind us, release what no longer serves, and set intentions for the path ahead. In the stillness of this season, we invite you to find solace and inspiration among treasures that celebrate nature, light, and renewal. Together, let’s embrace the magic of this turning point, spreading warmth and joy to carry us into the new year.
What is Winter Solstice?
"Winter solstice is the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of daylight. Regardless of what the weather is doing outside your window, the solstice marks the official start of winter.
The term “solstice” comes from the Latin words sol (Sun) and sistere (to stand still) because, during the solstice, the angle between the Sun’s rays and the plane of the Earth’s equator (called declination) appears to stand still.
So what does that mean, exactly? Upon the winter solstice, the Sun appears at its lowest in the sky, and its noontime elevation seems to stay the same for several days before and after this day. The Sun’s gradual decrease in the sky reverses upon the winter solstice, marking what many cultures believe to be a “rebirth” of the Sun as the hours of daylight become longer."
~Farmer's Almanac
"Just like the equinoxes, the solstices are entangled with the cycles of sowing, harvesting, and regeneration. Light is life for all agricultural cultures, so this turning point in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun has profound implications for human survival. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice marks a time of hope, miracles, and reverence as we anticipate the resurgence of Sol’s light.
Borrowing this agricultural language, we can consider the “growing seasons” of our own lives. Because the December Solstice occurs so close to the Gregorian New Year, it’s a potent moment to reflect on what you want to take with you into 2025 and what you want to leave behind in 2024. If there are memories, ideas, situations, or relationships that you no longer want to hold on to, set them down."
~Chani Nicholas
Aligning with Nature's Cycles
"We are now shifting into the energy of winter, a time of deep renewal through solitude and inward contemplation. The Solstices and Equinoxes remind us of the ongoing cycles of the world we live amongst. We, as part of that world, reflect these rhythms within our body, mind, and energy. Spring begins the cycle, Summer deepens it, Fall refines it, and Winter renews it so that it can start again. If we look around in nature, we see every plant and animal preparing for this shift. Trees have long lost their leaves and are preparing for the harsh winds of winter, relying on their roots to nourish them. Animals begin to slow down and conserve their energy, some hibernating the winter away. We, as humans, can choose to either go with the flow of nature or resist it. When we do choose to align ourselves with the natural rhythms around us, we make our lives easier and tune our energy into the universal frequencies."
~Spirit Daughter
"In the dark silence and stillness of Winter, all of life returns to the roots. Many animals have migrated to warmer climates or have shifted underground into a period of hibernation. Food sources are scarce and the abundance of Autumn has been stored away. Energy must now be reserved since that which is superfluous is stripped away. For this reason, Winter is a time of rest as opposed to energetic activity."
~Way of Belonging
10 Simple Rituals for Winter Solstice
1. Light a Candle
Symbolize the return of the sun by lighting a candle. Sit quietly, reflect on the year past, and set intentions for the year ahead.
2. Create a Yule Altar
Decorate a small space with seasonal elements like pinecones, evergreen branches, cinnamon sticks, and candles. Add symbols of the sun, like gold or yellow objects, to celebrate its return.
3. Go on a Nature Walk
Take a quiet walk in nature to connect with the stillness of winter. Observe the beauty around you and express gratitude for the cycles of life.
4. Enjoy a Solstice Feast
Gather with loved ones for a nourishing meal. Include warming, seasonal foods like root vegetables, hearty soups, and spiced cider.
5. Reflect and Release
Write down anything you’re ready to let go of and burn the paper in a fire-safe bowl as a symbolic act of release.
6. Welcome the Light
Rise early to watch the sunrise or stay up late to stargaze. Honor the balance between darkness and light in this transitional time.
7. Give Back
Spread warmth and light by giving to others. Donate to a local charity, make a handmade gift, or offer acts of kindness in your community.
8. Meditate or Practice Yoga
Spend time in stillness or movement, focusing on grounding and gratitude. Choose poses or breathing exercises that encourage connection and calm.
9. Create a Winter Solstice Craft
Make a seasonal wreath, an orange-and-clove pomander, or a sun-inspired decoration to hang in your space.
10. Journal Your Intentions
Reflect on the lessons of the past year and write down your hopes and dreams for the new cycle ahead. Use this as a guide for the coming months.
The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us—listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome, Yule!
May we celebrate the light returning and cherish the gifts brought to us under the magical cover of the Solstice darkness!
