The Sun Returns
(a republishing of a 2019 Solstice blog)
Winter Solstice happens at 2:20 AM Mountain Time on Saturday, December 21, 2024. That’s the moment the earth’s northern hemisphere stops tilting away from the sun and begins to tilt back as it continues its journey around our fiery star.
Solstice is about light and warmth returning. It is a time to tune into the wonder of life on this small planet dependent on the sun’s energy. We can also tune into the allegorical meaning of light returning – brining personal illumination, inspiration, and hope. Winter Solstice represents all of these concepts.
Mindful Connections
The essence of mindfulness is to pay attention, to notice, to be present. Stopping in our busyness to recognize and appreciate winter solstice is a reminder of our connection with this planet (our home), our planetary system, and the universe.
Mindfulness Prompts for Winter Solstice
One way to tune into the energy of this time is to work with a word or phrase that helps anchor our focus. The phrases below can be used for journaling or walking mindfulness practice. If walking, you can find a rhythm with the words, your footsteps, and breath. Repeat the phrase silently to yourself. But unlike a mantra, where you would repeat the phrase without stopping, when using a mindfulness prompt leave space after you say the phrase to see what bubbles up. If you are using the phrases for journal prompts, one suggestion is to write the prompt at the top of the page and sit for a moment to take in the meaning. Then when you begin to write or draw, avoid censoring yourself. Just write or draw whatever comes to the surface.
Introspective Prompts
Walk or journal with the words:
- “Be A Light Unto Yourself”
- “How am I bringing light to the world?”
- What needs illumination & clarity?”
Prompts for Cultivating Presence
Open all of your senses as you walk or sit in contemplation, look at what is around you as if for the first time, notice sounds, fragrances, and the air on your skin. Walk with the words, “fully sensing this moment.” If journaling, pose the question, “What am I fully sensing?”
The energetic properties of Winter Solstice include warmth, creativity, and transformation. While walking or journaling, consciously breathe the energy of the sun into the center of your being with the words, “Warmth, Creativity, Transformation”.
Trees in Winter
This one is best done as a walking practice. Depending on where you live, the deciduous trees that shed their leaves look barren at this time of year. Yet we know they are alive and hunkered down for winter. As you walk, open your awareness to trees as living entities. They transform the planet with transpiration, cooling, food supply, oxygen, beauty, and more. Notice their shape, branches, and bark, and their ability to stay alive in the frigid cold. Walk with the words, “appreciating trees as living beings“.
Solstice Blessings
We are on a tiny rock circling around a fiery star. And our little rock is being pulled back toward the star in a way that creates more light and all the beautiful accompaniments: gardens, birds, butterflies, hope, joy, and illumination. And of course, in the middle of the cold and the dark, to know the light is coming back is symbolic as well. It’s hopeful. It’s joyous. And it’s a mystery. For whatever explanations the scientists have theorized about why we are here, there is a part of all this that is magical. And profound.
That’s why we take time to recognize winter solstice.
About this Blog Post & and Global Healing Circles
This post is part of my lunar blog series. For the time being I’ll be posting on each new moon (not the new and full moon as I did the last few years because of some other writing projects). Usually, blogs will post each new moon and will be related to plants and ideas featured in my book, Growing Mindful. or on other topics related to mindfulness, gardens, and intentional living. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
An invitation to healing circles. One of my new projects this year is partnering with other graduates of the IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) to offer virtual HeART of Body Compassionate Self Care Practice Circles based on qigong and tai chi. Check out the information here: Global Healing Circles or contact me if you need more information.
