Winter Solstice: Nourishing the Soul and Feeding the Spirit
Written by Kesaine
Pristine white snow. Uniformed grey skies. Chilled air. Crisp browned leaves clinging to bare trees. Winter’s here and we’re feeling the magic in the air. The days are shorter and the nights are longer causing some of us to enter into hermit mode, preferring solitude over the everyday hustle and bustle. Preserving our life force energy until it can be revived by the sun in the next few months to come. While winter can be viewed as the season of hibernation, gloom, and freezing temperatures, in the Northern Hemisphere, late December marks the start of one of the most fruitful times of the year, the Winter Solstice.
A celebration of the return of light and of the rebirth of the Sun, the Winter Solstice, or Yule, is a substantial period of meditation, tradition, and renewal. The longest night of the year, for millennia, has been a time for humanity to reflect on the past year, and to spend time thinking about how we can move forward into the light. Observed by many cultures, the celebration of the rebirth of the Sun is deeply rooted in the traditions of ancient Egyptians. For 12 days they honored the return of the deity Horus, son of the divine mother, Isis. To help call in the start of a fruitful year the ancient Egyptians would fill their homes with greenery, mostly using palms with 12 shoots, that were believed to have magical properties. Throughout centuries, other civilizations, such as the Romans and the Celtics, also followed this custom and eventually transformed to Yule in which people gathered, hung mistletoes and gave presents and shared a meal. Today this time of year is traditionally synonymous with Christmas, which adapts many of the rituals and traditions passed down from our ancestors and which also distract many of us from nourishing and feeding our souls in the lead-up to the calendar New Year.
During the Winter Solstice, the cyclical structure of the universe is reflected in the longest night of the year accompanied by a rebirth of the sun, a perfect reminder that our lives are a reflection of the universal shifts, always evolving and always renewing. We can develop a mindset of openness and gratitude by getting back to our roots and starting a personal practice centered around the solstice to help us ground and embrace the cyclical changes happening both internally and externally. This is the best time for a spiritual check-in, reflecting on the past year to see how more light can be integrated into our lives and what we need to release or do more of in order to advance in the new year.
Spending time in solitude is a great way to kick off the celebration of the solstice. Light candles to welcome back the sun and honor the light. Honor the calmness of the day by taking a moment to be still and doing your best to stay in a peaceful state. Slow down your brain and connect to your spirit by putting aside 5-10 minutes for deep breathing. Simply keep your eyes closed (eyes open keeps you in an awakened state), maintain a relaxed upright position, and breath in and out of your nose; breathing in and out to the count of 7. Try repeating this mantra, “I am now in a state of peace and joy,” throughout the day to help you stay centered and to remind you that peace is your nature and it’s always available to you. Things become a struggle when you’re not at peace. When you’re at peace wisdom and power come naturally.
Our diet and food are also key aspects to observing the Winter Solstice as it’s a way to connect with the earth while honoring the restoration of harvest. Seasonal berries, nuts, spices, and vegetables were used to create delicious meals for every celebration. Share a homemade nutrient-rich meal with those you care about most or indulge in a yummy meal for one. Prepare a hearty warm stew with organic vegetables and lintels, drink spiced tea or cider with cinnamon and nutmeg, and finish off with a gingery fruit cake or cookies.
Let’s use this magical time of year to reflect on our growth and plant seeds of light and harmony so that we can bring our best selves into the calendar new year!