Winter Solstice and Tuning in to Winter Rhythms

Rituals to stay connected to the new season.

Winter Solstice is upon us, and in most ancient cultures being in rhythm with the land and earth means listening to it’s beat and living in tune with that. Early nightfall, crisp clean mornings, wanting to sleep more and eat warm nourishing foods, these are all natural responses to enjoying what winter is. Our society treats ‘the Holidays’ as a time to shop, attend parties, and see family which can burn us out or make us feel depleted. Instead we can use this time to go inward and tune in to the magic of winter. For many throughout the ages Winter Solstice is about reflection and going inward.

Since I have made a conscious choice to be connected to the land, I have noticed an increased appreciation for each season. I feel grateful to be in tune with each of the cycles and look forward to the magic in all Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. There is something unique in each one, and eating foods that are bountiful for that season can enhance that feeling.

The actual Winter Solstice is December 21st the longest night of the year with the shortest day. The earth’s axis tilts the furthest from the sun giving most places less than 12 hours of daylight. This has been marked for centuries by Celts, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Germanics and more.

Rituals to bring in this auspicious time:
~ lighting candles to represent bringing in the light.
~ Bringing the natural world into your home or altar like pinecones and evergreen branches.
~ Lighting a bon fire or fire in the fireplace.
~  Journaling or Setting intentions for the next seasonal cycle and revisiting the list in the Spring Equinox.
~ Gathering with close friends to share in a meal.

Some practical suggestions for the Winter Season:
~ Take more Vitamin D since there is less sun and our moods may be affected by the lack of the hormone.
~ Make more stews and soups to nourish us with the earths bounty from the previous season.
~ Embrace slowing down and feeling a bit more low key. Be able to say no to various invitations and choose to spend your time in places that feed your spirit.
~ Make time to read, snuggle and calming activities.
~ Take calming homeopathic remedies and flower essences to help us with the frenzy of holidays.

Tags:autumn, candles, flower essences, journals, natural, solstice, spring, spring equinox, summer, vernal, vitamin D, winter