Notes on This Winter Solstice

It is time. This is the Winter Solstice. 

Into darkness we plunge as winter draws itself over us. Soon we reach the apex of a dying year in a single night as it lengthens past all other nights -- the Solstice. In our deepest hush we are given pause to reflect. 

The longest and darkest night is upon us, but remember, the sun is slowly making its way back. This is the spiritual significance of this day known as Winter Solstice, marking the beginning of the celebration of Yule. We eagerly anticipate the days that will be lighter and warmer. 

However, this long night is also an opportunity for a cleansing of the soul, just like the New Moon which occurs this Friday, Dec 23. 

Have you ever dug into the history and significance of the dates that mark the changing seasons? It's quite fascinating and provides a poetic glimpse into history and folklore.

Most of what we know about Winter Solstice and Yule celebrations is rooted in the traditional holiday festivities of various northern European traditions, particularly that of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples. When the days grew colder and the nights grew longer, people of ancient times would light candles and gather round fires to lure back the sun.

Yule is symbolized by twinkling lights, bells, snowflakes, sun wheels, candles, wreath, sun and stars, yule log, pinecone, yule tree, and spinning wheels. Winter Solstice colors also symbolize Yuletide folklore with dark green, orange, red, gold and silver and white...colors we see prominently displayed in everything this time of year. 

The celebration of the Yule holiday is a time to clean your home and purge everything that no longer serves you. Doing so will help prepare for this joyous season as well, by creating a space free from any negative energy or memories which may have accumulated over the past year. 

The most important part about celebrating Christmas in our modern lives is cleaning up before it begins! By taking some hours during December’s lead-up period to deeply cleanse both mind and house, we can set ourselves up with an open heart without all that old mental clutter holding us back. 

Winter Solstice is an opportune time for endings and beginnings, as throughout my life several momentous events occurred on the Winter Solstice. On December 21, 1985, I moved back to Lewiston from Sacramento after spending four years of my life living there. Six years later, on December 21, 1991, it marked the end of my life alone, and the beginning of my relationship with Sam. Winter Solstice is a suitable time for rest, reflection, kindness, healing, goal setting, gratitude, peace, renewal, solitude, slumber and celebrating with family and loved ones. 

In an earth's quiet night, how shall we comfort and renew each other's hearts?