8 Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
December 21st is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere we celebrate the Winter Solstice, which marks the onset of winter. From this place of darkness, we hold on to hope for the light and warmth to come. We celebrate birth and rebirth of blessings and miracles big and small in our lives.
Solstice celebrations were created to celebrate the return of the sun.
The primary intention of most winter solstice celebrations is to release the dark in favor of the light and welcome back the light as each new day begins to grow longer and longer.
Today, I’d like to share 8 Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice.
- Limit Technology for the day. See how long you can go without it. My challenge to you is to Power Down at night and enjoy the darkest night of the year by candlelight.
- Get Outside and Enjoy Nature. Go for a long walk (again technology free). Go ice skating. If you are lucky enough to have snow on December 21st, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
- Practice Yoga. Enjoy a few Restorative Yoga poses, I HIGHLY recommend it. This is a wonderful way to help your body relax and restore. I like to think of restorative yoga like a guided massage. You use lots of props and it is very therapeutic. Everyone can do it!
- Open up your windows, quickly dust and sweep your house. This ritual is extremely helpful in releasing old, negative or stale energy in your home.
- Reflect, Release and Let Go. Write down everything you want to release in your life. Bad habits, negative thoughts, toxic relationships. What is really draining your energy?
Write it on a piece of paper and make a fire in your fireplace if you have one. If not take your piece of paper outside and light it on fire. Watch the paper burn as you release what is no longer serving your highest good.
- Set New Intentions. Now that you have let go and released your old, stale, negative or toxic energy you have more space in your life for new healthy, positive habits, ideas, relationships.
- Establish a new daily routine. What is working for you? What do you want more of? What do you want less of?
- Pray or Meditate by candlelight. I was recently asked “what is the difference between prayer and meditation?” Simply put, when you pray you ask God for something, when you meditate you listen. Take time to really quiet your mind, be still and listen.
Happy Winter Solstice 2021.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with much Love, Light, Peace and Abundant JOY!