What is the winter Solstice?
The Winter Solstice is one of the four solar festivals of the year— a wheel of the year celebration. IT is celebrated on December 21st in the Norther Hemisphere and June 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. It is mirrored by the Summer Solstice which is celebrated on June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Winter solstice is when the path of the sun in the sky is farthest south, at its lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere. This makes it the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year.
The Winter solstice is commonly known as the first day of winter. it is also known as Yule— a time for gathering in darkness and honoring the return of the light. For our ancestors, it was a time of great reverence— when beer and mead had finished fermenting and stores of meat were still full. At the one time, it was full of uncertainty— would the light return? or would the nights continue to get longer? The gratitude for the returning sun was abundance. the winter solstice marked a time to celebrate and honor the sun, to welcome the sun back with open arms. Take a few moments this evening to honor the darkness for what it holds and celebrate the return of the light.
On spiritual side, Yule is a time of death and rebirth. It is a time of deep personal release and renewal. The Winter solstice invites us to slow down and be still as we reflect on the harvest, abundance and path of the past year. Take some time this evening to lean into the darkness, from some space to sit in stillness and in quiet to reflect on some of the forgotten places over the year. It can also be a great time to reflect on what is no longer serving us so we can let go and release.
From this point on in the natural world, the light begins to grow brighter and shine longer every day until we hit the longest day of the year on June 21st. This can be a beautiful reminder that our own inner light might ebb and flow, wax and wane but it is always within us, ready to shine when needed.
How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice depends on what is important to you. Last year, my celebration looked a little different than it did this year because how I feel and what I need are different. This year I plan on:
going to a local holiday lights show
eating nourishing butternut squash soup
performing a candle ritual (I'll share over on IG after I finalize what I will be doing— I like to take my rituals in the moment)
journaling through some things I need to let go
making homemade salt scrubs for friends, family and neighbors
in general, enjoying the warm glow of twinkle lights and incense.
Here are some Journal Prompts you can try out"
Why should I rest and turn inward?
What can I learn from resting?
What shadows am I hiding? What shadows can I embrace?
What is something that I no longer need? What can I let go of?
What can stillness and rest teach me?
The Winter solstice is a beautiful time for reflection and for doing what YOU need? So, what do you need?