Welcome Winter Solstice

Wednesday, December 21, 2022, marks the winter solstice – the “sun stopping” – at 9:48pm. Our North Pole is at its maximum tilt away from the sun. (It must be how Santa’s sleigh gets the extra boost to take off into the sky!)

The December moon is at its highest, brightest and purest this month. In the year round wrestle for domination, the moon is winning now, shining high, bright and strong, just as the sun stays low and weak. December brings the solstice, the moment at which the pendulum swings back the other way.

In Pagan times, this was the moment when the Oak King slayed the Holly King, and, like the sun, started to build strength. (Don't they remind you of Snow Meiser and Heat Meiser?) And by the new year, our days will be about 5 minutes longer. Springtime starts its slow rumblings below the earth!

If you are currently trying the forgiveness meditation, go ahead and meditate in the evening (as well as with the group in the morning).

You can also try this  solstice candle ritual! If you’re celebrating the 4th night of Hanukkah, you can consider that your solstice ritual haha! Or, go ahead and light more candles — you can never have enough!

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WINTER SOLSTICE REFLECTION RITUAL

Supplies needed: candles (minimum 3)

Journal/notebook and pen

🕯 Gather up whatever candles you have at home. (Or go buy some at the dollar store). Count how many candles you have, and subtract 1.

🧡 Arrange your candles on a table or surface, with one candle, the largest or most colourful, in the centre. If your candles are all the same size, you can raise this candle up, put it in a holder or on an overturned mug.

🌞 Light the centre, sun candle, and admire the movement of the flame!

💡 Now, go turn out the lights in the room so the sun candle provides most of your illumination.

📓 Take a few moments by the flame, and reflect on your intentions for the coming season and our slow return to light. Make a numbered list for each surrounding candle on your table. For however many candles you have around your sun candle, create an intention or a focus, and write it down. This could relate to your forgiveness practice and your relationships, or it could be something else you want to bring into the next season. Reflect on and write about these intentions for a moment in your journal.

🕯 Next, light each of the other candles you’ve placed around it — and as you light them, speak or whisper your intention (or just a single word related to it), to imbue the candles with your desires.

🔥 Sit by the flames for as long as you like, continue journaling if you're inspired, and enjoy the return to light!

❄️ Happy solstice!