The Winter Solstice is a favorite time of the year. Also known as Yule. It brings us the longest night of the year and the re-birth of the sun.
The energy around this time is very strong and fertile in both water and earth. If we are to look at both of these elements we will see that water represents the feminine flow, being receptive and open. While Earth represents a certain steadiness, security and solidness and has more of a masculine feel to it.
The Winter Solstice is about light, bringing in more light, your light, and activating all the light in the world for all of the world.It is also the time to acknowledge the darkness in our lives, our personalities, our habits, our losses, our challenges,What we laid to rest at Samhain (Halloween) now stays dead and does not come to fruition and once we acknowledge that we are ready to give birth to something new
Shifting from dark to light, sun to moon and masculine to feminine is how we seek balance. It is a time of rest and quietude. And this is why you may find yourself feeling a little less “festive” or socially ON then you might think-because the winter solstice is about going within.It is important that at this time you find rituals, celebrations and holidays that resonate for you.
The Winter Solstice can also be an emotional time for many as it brings up unresolved issues from the past (after all we are coming to an end of a year and with that comes a totality of the years experiences) so finding a way to work through that, clear that and begin a new is very important to do amiss the hustle and bustle of the season.
You can sit in your favorite comfortable chair with a cup of hot cocoa or tea and write down the following two questions
What things need to come to light for you?
What do you need to have revealed to you?
Close your eyes, place your hand on your heart, and then when you are ready open your eyes and just simple write the answers that come up for you-trust that your heart and soul will lead the way.
YULE PRACTICES AND RITUALS
Yule can be celebrated with candle magick and rituals up to the end of the year if you so desire.
Let’s talk a little bit more of what the winter solstice means to us as a cycle and part of the wheel of the year.
If we were to align our energies with our ancestors we would be resting post-harvest, telling stories by the fire, and actually moving into a semi-hibernation for a deep-winter.-a type of shamanic sleep-dream journey state.
This is when we dream, seek vision, and sit in the quiet, dark, silent space in our dark cave or temple. We turn off the artificial lights that we have so long depended on and allow our circadian rhythm to naturally adjust to the new normal.
Here are some ideas and suggestions on how to celebrate this time of the year taking from my own personal “Honoring our Ancestors” Grimoire pages:
*Anoint candles with a specific oil or scent and burn them with a particular intention
*Carve Sun Symbols on a Yule Log, place it in the fire and chant “bring back the light”
*Honor and give homage to the Oak and the Holly King as the Holly King steps down and gives way for the Oak king to arise with the changing of the guard so to speak.
Setting the Stage for the Winter Solstice:
Colors: Red, Green, White, Gold, Silver
Gemstones: Tiger/Cat’s Eye, Ruby, White Calcite, Snowy Quartz, Black Obsidian
Foods: Roasted Turkey, Nuts, Fruit Cakes, Caraway Rolls, Egg Nog and Mulled Cider
Herbs: Bay, Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Cedar, Chamomile, Ever Green, Frankincense, Holly, Juniper, Moss, Oak
Deities: Kris Kringle, Lucina, Dionysus, Frey,
Blessed Solstice to you and yours, and no matter how you celebrate, make sure it is special and feels right to you.
If you have enjoyed my sharings on the Winter Solstice, You can contact me at reneeguidelli@frontiernet.net to receive more writings and teachings like this one.
Staying Centered for the Holidays may also be quite helpful at this time of the year which you can access here: http://www.reneeguidelli.com/2019/12/19/staying-centered-for-the-holidays-2/
And if you find yourself struggling particularly at this time of the season, I have put together the following resources, tools, tips and techniques below to help with this. I am also just an email away if you would prefer to reach out that way. http://www.reneeguidelli.com/free-goodies-2/
With love, light and peace,
Renee Guidelli
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