New Moon Greetings, December 19, 2025
The focus of Winter Solstice (happening Sunday) is usually on light returning; however it is possible to simultaneously celebrate the light and embrace the darkness. This seems especially applicable today as the new moon is a time of darkness. Also, because I’ve written a number of past blog posts on the return of the light, I’d like to flip the focus this solstice.
Embracing darkness is the other side of Winter Solstice because there will still be many weeks of long nights and abbreviated days. Darkness often gets framed in a negative light, but there are positive attributes to darkness. Starting with the garden, many perennials need hours of dark and cold in order to grow and flower next spring. Humans also may need the dark to rest and regroup.
Darkness encourages us to use our other senses and appreciate the subtleties. Additionally, one of the gifts of long winter nights is the chance to slow down, take a pause, and turn inward. The poetic interpretations of darkness can include things unseen and things unrealized but that doesn’t mean they are negative. With that in mind, here are some ideas for embracing darkness this Winter Solstice.
Mindfulness tips for embracing the literal darkness of winter:
- Be present to the change in seasons and embrace the different aspects of winter and darkness
- Rather than simply hunkering down to survive the winter months, you could choose to experience the season. Head out into the cold and snow and be attentive to how things look and feel. Tap into your inner child and remember how you felt running out to play in the first snow.
- Notice the shifting light. Watch the sunrise and sunset and notice how low the sun is in the sky.
- Find a way to experience the darkness. If you live in a place where you can turn off your outdoor lights, turn them off, give your eyes time to adjust and then look up at the night sky.
- Even if you cannot get away from all the lights – look up at the night sky! Appreciate the vastness. Notice the moon and stars.
Mindfulness tips for working with metaphorical darkness
- Reframe your idea of metaphorical darkness as being something bad, to simply something hidden or hard to see. The darkness can be a place for inspiration and creativity.
- Give yourself space to explore the positive aspects of darkness through contemplation, art, or writing
- Focus on introspection by slowing down and asking yourself what feels hidden from your view and why
- Begin or deepen a meditation practice
- Use journaling as a tool for introspection.
Herbs for Embracing Darkness
Many different herbs can align with our goals to embrace darkness. The three at the top of my list are lemon balm, hops, and chamomile. All three of these herbs are helpful for relaxation and so can assist a person in settling down for introspective work. They are all easily available in the tea aisle and online (and easy to grow if you are planning next year’s garden).
The easiest way to work with lemon balm and chamomile is by making a tea, and then taking time to sip it slowly and inhale the fragrance. You can do this as you write or before you sit in meditation. They can also be used before sleep at night for insightful dreams.
Hops has a strong flavor and is best combined with other herbs for tea, but you can also create a fragrant bundle with a small square
of cotton fabric (5-8 inches square). Add the dried hops and then pull the corners of the fabric together and tie with a ribbon. Gently crushing the bundle between your fingers releases the fragrance.
Essential oils can also be used and some of my favorites for introspective work are clary sage and ylang ylang. You can add them to a diffuser or simply open the bottles and inhale the fragrance.
The idea with any of these herbs or essential oils is that they can help you turn inward. Be open to finding the ones that work best for you.
Exploring the Darkness
As we welcome this season of light, remember that darkness has many positive attributes. Taking the time to explore the darkness in whatever way makes sense to you might suprise you with gifts of insight and inspiration.
Solstice and New Moon Blessings!
About this Blog Post & and Qigong Practice
This post is part of my lunar blog series. I post each new moon as it is a great time to begin projects and set intentions with the increasing light. Topics are related to related to plants and ideas featured in my book, Growing Mindful. . Other topics are related to mindfulness, gardens, qigong, and intentional living. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here.
About Qigong – I lead qigong at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver on the last Sunday of each month(except for January and February). You can find the schedule in announcements on the home page. I have also partnered 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.
