Winter Solstice
Northern Hemisphere, 21st - 23rd December
Southern Hemisphere, 21st - 23rd June

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice, or Yule, is known on the Christian calendar as Christmas, the time of the birth of Christ. However, Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere is celebrated in the height of Summer, and the significance and symbolism of the Winter Solstice occurring in the middle of the calendar year, 21st - 23rd June, is all to easily lost.

During the Winter Solstice, the Sun is at its lowest point in the heavens and at it’s weakest in strength. The night of the Winter Solstice is the longest of the year, with the daylight hours being the shortest. The celebration of the Winter Solstice, is symbolic of the birth of new promise and hope as from that day onward, the nights will again become shorter even as the days will become longer.

The Anglo-Saxon word “Yule” means “Wheel” and is said to be a reference to the Wheel of the Seasonal Year. Bringing a young evergreen tree into the home was one of the traditions of Yule. The tree was decorated with fruits, berries and nuts, symbolising the continuity of the Seasonal cycle, and the cycle of life itself. Another tradition linked with trees is the burning of the Yule log, symbolising the return of warmth and light, and celebrating the return path of the Sun.

Personal rituals around the Winter Solstice can focus on what your new plans are going to be for the New Seasonal Year, beginning in the approaching Spring. Through reflection of the previous Seasons of the year, you may receive deep insight into what path you may take in the New Seasonal Cycle. Giving you plenty of time to clear the clutter from your environment, finish current projects, and make preparations for the new plans to be started in Spring.

If you are burning wood logs at the time of the Winter Solstice, look into the flames for a while, clear your mind of chaotic thoughts, and just let the dancing flames of the fire mesmerise you. You may discover images or symbols that can help you choose your true path!

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The Wheel of the Seasonal Year!

The Wheel of the Year echoes an old Celtic myth which marks the birth, life and death of the sun god. In Winter, the goddess gives birth to a baby god who begins his adolescence during the Spring Equinox and comes to maturity at the Summer Solstice. At this time he is at the height of his powers and he plants his seed within the goddess. It is also a bittersweet time as he begins to leave his strength behind, feeling increasingly weaker until he dies, leaving room for his successor, a new born child. From mid summer, the goddesses power is increasing while her child grows within her during Autumn. On the shortest day of the year, at the Winter Solstice, a boy child is again born who carries on the tradition of his father for the New Seasonal year. By celebrating the festivals with the appropriate foods, symbols and rituals, the ancient Celts kept in rhythm with the Seasons, tapping into and understanding the strengths of Mother Nature and aligning their lives with the Natural Earth.

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The Cycle of Winter!

The Seasonal Year begins with the Spring Equinox, 21st - 23rd September, in the Southern Hemisphere, (21st - 23rd March in the Northern Hemisphere). So allowing for the transitions during the Seasonal year, from the beginning of Spring at the Spring Equinox to the Autumn Equinox there are 182.5 days, which brings us to the middle of the Seasonal year at the start of Autumn.

The Autumn Equinox is a time of balance and harmony and when the day Light hours equal the night Darkness hours, and signals the start of Autumn. Whilst Autumn is a time of reflection - the deeper purpose for this reflective state is to emphasise... What we need to complete projects (those started in Spring and followed through during the Summer, although unfinished or incomplete), and What we require to resolve personal and relational issues during the contemplative energy of Winter.

So for example, if you have a “To Do List” - Autumn was the time to reflect on that list, and make note of ‘What You Needed’ to complete and get things done during the course of Winter - sourcing and acquiring all your needs by the end of Autumn for the start of Winter, (just like a squirrel gathers his food to store during the cold Winter months).

During Winter preceding the Winter Solstice, this reflective energy of Autumn slowly deepens to a more contemplative energy. So at the start of Winter, having compiled your ‘To Do List’ and gathered What you need, time should be taken to complete tasks on the
‘To Do List’ as well as completing and finishing projects. [ Read More Winter Mental Energy ]

Winter is also the time for our body’s to Recuperate from the frantic pace of Summer activities. It’s time to slow down, rest and relax and allow our body the time it needs to recuperate. [ Read More Winter - Body Power ]

Having cleared as many tasks from your ‘To Do List’ and completed as many projects as possible before the Winter Solstice, time should be taken during the Winter Solstice to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments and achievements. For those issues that are now resolved and dealt with, it’s especially important to acknowledge your progress, and let go of these issues from your mind and heart, ensuring that there is no reoccurrence of the same events and circumstances that initially caused these issues.

During the Winter Solstice the contemplative energy of Winter is at it’s deepest, allowing for personal introspection that brings understanding and clarity of those things that concern you the most. As each task is completed, allow yourself to let go, physically, mentally and emotionally. As each issue is dealt with, allow yourself to let go, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Sometimes, no matter how we try and no matter what we do, projects just fail to get completed, some tasks are still on our ‘To Do List’ and issues remain unresolved, so really the only thing to do, is let them be, and take a step back. Literally, take a time out from those unresolved issues and things that are incomplete, and do something else. Allow yourself a holiday from all your concerns - at least a day or a weekend, to have fun, rest, relax and enjoy yourself. Take a weeks holiday from your ‘problems and issues’. Pamper and indulge in self-care and nurturing during the week of the Winter Solstice.

Once you feel rejuvenated, re-look at the issue that remains, and consider if it can be left for a little longer, or if it needs to be dealt with immediately. Consider if you require help from family members or an expert, then get the help you need, to just get on and do what’s required. During this contemplative energy, consider the projects you are busy with and if you are making steady progress. Re-evaluate and re-access how productive you are and how necessary and fruitful your current projects are. Re-plan your strategy and streamline your time. There will be those projects that need to be shelved, put to one side to allow you the time to complete and finish other more important tasks.

After the Winter Solstice it’s time to prioritise.... as the energy becomes less contemplative and it transforms into a time of clearing and preparation for the approaching Spring.

So, even as Spring is for, well Spring Cleaning, the time of Winter after the Winter Solstice is for clearing and preparation for that Cleaning!

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Winter Clearing and Preparation - [ Read More ] 
Clutter - “Distracts and Detracts” - [ Read More ] 
Clearing Clutter and Embracing Change! - [ Read More ]