The Winter Solstice: Return to light

Let’s unite in brilliant darkness and celebrate the return to light!

The meaning of Solstice

According to its Latin roots, the word Solstice means “sun standing still,” and for millennia the Winter Solstice has been celebrated around the world – acknowledging the shortest day of the year as a return to light. The Solar New Year marks the end of a cycle as the Earth begins her return to innocence – the rebirth that is Spring. 

A time for reflection

Pre-Christian Scandinavian Yule, Iranian Shab-e Yalda, the Roman Empire’s Sol Invictus celebration, the Pagan festival Saturnalia, ancient Egypt’s January 6th and Christianity’s Feast of the Epiphany all honored sun gods or winter’s arrival – eventually metamorphosing into Christmas, the return of the sun, or “son.” 

In all of the celebrations revering time, darkness and protection, there is also a simple yet profound observation of the stillness between the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. This is a time to reflect and assimilate all of the wisdom, thoughts and feelings that have been cultivated in the dark, and bring them into the light.

An astronomical event

The most ancient civilisations knew that the sun’s path across the sky, the length of the days and the location of the sunrise and sunset all shifted throughout the seasons. To follow the sun’s annual journey, mysterious monuments, including Stonehenge, in England, and Machu Piccu, in Peru, were built.

Today, with access to the vantage point of space, we know that the Solstice is an astronomical event caused by Earth’s twirling dance through the universe. 

Her elliptical orbit around the sun is not a perfect circle, and when we’re closest to the sun (in early January) our world moves fastest. Right now we are moving faster than our average speed of about 18.5 miles per second (30 kilometers per second).

As Earth orbits tilted on her axis rather than upright, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres trade places in receiving the sun’s most direct light and warmth. Summer and winter are caused by the tilt of the Earth.

Astrological meanings

Winter begins as the Sun moves into the Saturn-ruled, tropical zodiac sign Capricorn. Saturn rules aspects of the Earth that feel predictable, steady and grounded in reality. It offers slowness, the wisdom that comes with time and clues about our life’s purpose.

In an elevated expression, Saturn sets clear boundaries and strong commitments. Its detrimental side may be judgmental or cold. Capricorn is known for its pragmatic ambition and discipline, but watch out for stoic pessimism.

This year, there is a great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter – a constellation that last occurred 400 years ago! This rare encounter, called The Christmas Star, lights our way into a new era.

Setting intentions

This cycle is a perfect time to realign with our goals and ideals in preparation for the year ahead.

By clarifying and setting intentions during this significant solar standstill, we receive the support of ambitious earth sign Capricorn’s persistent energy and Saturn’s responsibile maturity. Both remind us to dream big whilst keeping our grand visions rooted in reality.

Contemplating and refining intentions leads us to our path and illuminates our way along it – from the faded past, through the darkness of winter, toward the bright future.

A Winter Solstice ritual

Activate your intentions for the new year by turning inward and awakening your inner fire with this Solstice ritual:

Create a cozy meditation nest — dim lighting and candles, soft blankets and pillows, ambient music… Brew your favourite tea or cacao… Light some sage or incense, or put a few drops of earthy sandalwood in your diffuser… Gather paper and a pen… Settle in and…

• Connect to the energy of the Earth. With your eyes closed, visualize roots growing from the soles of your feet, your tailbone, or whichever parts of you are connected to the ground. Down to the center of the Earth around which you wind your roots and your awareness. You’re pulled a bit tighter into your seat. Breathe deeply and allow your body to relax and experience the sensation of being completely supported by the Earth upon which you sit.

• Reminisce about the past year, allowing memories to surface effortlessly. Write down all that arose which you’d like to bid farewell to or let go.

• Burn the paper, to symbolize those energies being transmuted into creative passion for your adventures to come.

• Visualize the year ahead, dreaming up everything you’d like to manifest. Write down all of your hopes for the coming year. Add, “this or something better,” as the Universe often has more magnificent plans than we could possibly imagine.

• Fold this paper and bury it, to represent the seeds of these intentions being planted in your future path. And then release, be patient, these seeds need time and space to sprout.

A Winter Solstice Prayer 

– by Edward Hayes

In the heart of every person on this Earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.

May we who have celebrated this winter solstice,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.

Ignite your fire

Synchronise your breath to strong, intuitive movement with this dynamic, core-powered yoga class to amplify your practice.

How Meditation Can Help You Through the Winter

In the cold, dark days of winter, many of us may wake up later, leave our houses less, and struggle to stay motivated. These months are likely to feel longer and more stressful than sunnier seasons, which is why prioritising mental health and turning to meditation for its mood-boosting benefits may help.

“Meditation provides an island of sanity in an otherwise chaotic and tumultuous reality,” says Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD, co-founder and chief learning officer of the Happiness Studies Academy.

Meditation has many known health benefits. Mental health and meditation experts share more about the best ways to use this tool to get through the difficult winter months.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation

While there are many techniques worth trying, mindfulness meditation is highly recommended for decreasing worried thoughts, improving mood, and stress management. Best of all, you can use this technique at any time throughout your day. 

Dr. Ben-Shahar explains the four leading guidelines of mindfulness meditation and how they can help you in your daily practice. 

• Allow the mind to rest on a single object. The object can be anything: a physical posture, a bodily sensation, a word, a visual cue, a sound, or even another person. When we rest our mind on an object without trying to change it, without criticising it—just observing it with friendly curiosity—we begin to see clearly.

• Return to focus. Mindfulness doesn’t require ongoing concentration. Our mind inevitably wanders and when we catch this happening, we should bring our focus back to whatever our object of meditation happens to be.

• Breathe slowly, gently, and deeply. While this applies to most meditation practices, though not all, breath is often the foundation of a practice. Deep, slow, and gentle breaths open us up to positive change.

• Practice non-judgement acceptance. The key when you meditate is to rid yourself of expectations. There are no expectations to be calm or joyful or focused. When meditating, give yourself permission to be human. By assuming the light and gentle quality of a calm breath, life can become easier.

“Whether you managed to focus for 20 minutes straight, or caught your mind wandering often and immediately, or were constantly distracted for 15 minutes—it doesn’t matter,” says Dr. Ben-Shahar. “There is no good or bad meditation, there is only meditation.”

Meditate Often for More Benefits

Like writing, running, or cooking, meditation is a skill that should be practiced. The more you practice, the more you improve. But be aware that over-practicing can lead to burnout. 

Meditation is meant to ground you where you are, bringing you back to the present and allowing you to recognise all of the senses that surround you. If you’re new to meditation, start slowly and know that short meditation sessions offer just as many benefits as long ones.

Chris Lemig, CHT, contributor to Choosing Therapy, recommends meditating in short, manageable sessions over a long period of time, starting with just five minutes every morning. Gradually, as it becomes a habit, you can add time and even increase the number of sessions you do each day.

“Ten minutes a day, or even three minutes once in a while, can go a long way in resetting our nervous system,” says Dr. Ben-Shahar. 

Build a Sustainable Practice

Meditation can be practiced anytime, anywhere, but everyone’s practice looks different. What works for someone else may not work for you, so if you’re new to meditation, listen to your body and be patient with yourself. 

If you’re starting a meditation practice or looking to improve your current practice, these suggestions may help.

• Listen deliberately. Meditation is present-moment awareness, so we can simply focus on the sounds around us. Rather than perceiving them as distractions, we can perceive them as the object of meditation itself, says Dr. Ben-Shahar.

• Sit in silence. Paul Greene, PhD, director of the Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, recommends meditating at a time when you won't be disturbed. It's understandable to want some stress relief when things are chaotic at home, but he believes that's not the right time to meditate. Wait until things are quiet and you know you'll be left alone for a while.

• Focus on your breath. The key to meditation, and lowering stress levels, is the breath. Dr. Ben-Shahar recommends taking slow, gentle, and quiet inhalations and exhalations, ideally through the nose and all the way down to the belly.

• Avoid over-meditating. Meditation is beneficial, but doing too much of anything can be problematic. By meditating for just 10 minutes per day, Dr. Ben-Shahar says you can change the structure of your brain, ultimately supporting your overall well-being.

• Try guided meditation. There are dozens of free meditation videos or recordings online. You can also download an app such as Headspace, Calm, or Sattva. These can be helpful when starting out, says Dr. Greene, but you’ll benefit more from meditating alone.

While meditation can help lower stress levels, Dr. Ben-Shahar says it’s important to realise that stress, in and of itself, is not a problem. Stress can actually help us become stronger, more resilient, and healthier. We just need to incorporate recovery time.

“Think about stressing our muscles in the gym,” Dr. Ben-Shahar says. Doing so makes them stronger. But when there is no recovery, we get injured. Recovery is necessary for gaining benefits, he explains, and meditation provides the recovery we need.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to meditation, you’ll gain the most from a consistent practice. Even if your mind shifts away from your chosen focus or your time gets cut short, you can still enjoy the benefits of meditation. 

Be mindful of how you’re feeling this winter. If you’re building a healthy meditation practice but still experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety, consider additional methods of self-care such as individual or group therapy. Meditation should be used as a mental health tool, but know it’s not the only one available to you.

Winter Solstice Rituals - The Ideal Winter Routine

Winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs in June each year, marking the shortest day of the year with the longest night. From this point onwards, the daylight hours start to lengthen and the nights shorten. 

Many cultures have celebrated, and continue to celebrate, the winter solstice and the lengthening of daylight hours as a time of rebirth - organising festivals and other community events bringing people together. However, as the winter solstice is accompanied by the cooler weather of the winter season, it also brings a great opportunity to slow down, restore and reflect inwards. With this in mind, we have chatted with members of our yoga community to find out what rituals and self care activities they like to undertake to get through and to relish the cooler months: 

Journaling

As mentioned above, the winter season is a great time for reflection. Whether you write down your thoughts on paper, or simply spend some time alone, it can be a great opportunity to recalibrate and to reconsider what you want for yourself, and what it may be time to let go of.

Tea + hydration

Tea is a great way to keep warm, to provide comfort, and also some nutritional benefits! Our skin also has a tendency to become quite dry in the winter season and we often experience less thirst, so tea or warm water with lemon can be a great way to help keep hydrated, whilst keeping warm. 

Massages + treatments

Whether it is an at home treatment, or splurging on a salon treatment, the slower pace of winter can be the ideal time to indulge a little and treat yourself. 

Keeping up with physical activity routines but also being kind when rest is needed

Often the cooler weather makes us want to hibernate and stay in bed a little longer, or head straight home after work! However, seasonal changes do not make movement any less important. As many people can experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) to some degree, it is important to maintain healthy activity habits and connection with your community. That being said, know when to be kind to yourself and rest instead.

Yin classes and kirtan

The winter season can be  a lovely time to incorporate some yin or kirtan into your schedule. These practices are less about physical exertion and more about breath work, calming the mind and a sense of community. Plus being warm and cosy!

Walks and hikes

Nothing beats a crisp winter hike! Getting out of town to explore a different area such as the Blue Mountains can be a great way to do this. 

Spending quality time with friends and family, staying in more

This is a big part of winter solstice rituals traditionally. Coming together with loved ones to share a meal, or whatever it may be.

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