Winter Solstice Celebrations

Winter Solstice is upon us. The first day of winter, when we move towards longer nights and shorter days and our energy begins to shift towards darkness during this time of rest and renewal.

Traditionally, the winter solstice is celebrated with lighting candles and burning a bonfire to light up the dark night. Often the house is decorated with seasonal decor, a Yule log, a tree (Christmas tree), ornaments, and treats. Sound familiar? A lot of our modern seasonal traditions are rooted in these ancient practices.

Symbolically, winter solstice shifts us into a mode of rest and contemplation. This is a good time to reflect and make resolutions. As the winter is setting in, it is time to remember to rest and nurture our bodies. Winter is a good time to relax, read, cozy up by the fire, practice stretching, breathing and restorative yoga, cooking and baking nurturing and healing foods, to tend to cleaning and decorating our home, and to take time off to spend time with family and loved ones. It is also important to embrace the seasons and get outside to explore what nature has to offer as the seasons shift.

I will be celebrating the solstice by cooking a delicious dinner, baking homemade bread, a walk in the woods and collecting materials to make a yule log with the kids, practicing a restorative yoga sequence, setting my intentions and writing out my goals and dreams for the coming year, cleaning and decorating my house, and enjoying the darkness with all of my candles and Christmas lights on with a fire in the fireplace. Probably some wine.

Namaste 🧘🏻‍♀️