Winter Solstice – Beauty in the Darkness

Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, has been celebrated and honored as a sacred time of renewal and rebirth since neolithic times. As the Gaia continues on her magical orbit, the days grow longer and the nights get shorter. The sun is now dawning, following the seasonal recurrence of increasing darkness. The Winter Solstice is nature’s physical equivalent of a spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

Re-Discovering the Meaning of Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice has been celebrated throughout the world, in all times and all places. It is the darkest time of year, when the days are short and the nights are long. One of the old words for this season is Yule, which means wheel, meaning the wheel of the year. In the time of greatest darkness, humanity waits for the rebirth of the Light and of the Sun/Son of God. Many cultures light fires on the longest night of the year in a form of sympathetic magic to help the Sun return and push back the darkness and cold.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun has moved south below the equator as far as it can go, and now it will stand still (solstice means sun stand still) for three days before it starts on its journey back up north.  

I do enjoy understanding how the planets and sun move through the heavens, but I love the magic of the season even more. And I know I’m not alone in that. So here are some traditional ways to reclaim the holidays and bring some of their magic back into your life.

On Saturday, December 21, consider beginning the seasonal celebrations with a fire – inside or outside, it makes no difference. Begin in darkness, something we modern people rarely allow ourselves with all our electric lights. Feel the darkness, the cold, the aloneness. Then light the fire and feel the warmth and light and joy that it brings. This is the real meaning of Winter Solstice and Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. It is our present from our Mother, the Earth. It is the gift of Light and, ultimately, Life. 

Then tell stories, give thanks and gather to eat and share gifts, good conversation and hopes for the future.  

So, meditate on the meaning of Winter Solstice. Open yourself to your hopes and wishes for the New Year. When you look at your Christmas tree, remember that the tree itself symbolizes Life, the lights on it represent the Light of the World being reborn, and the decorations symbolize the hopes and wishes you have for the New Year. Infuse meaning into everything you do this holiday with all your heart and the openness of a child’s imagination. You’ll rediscover new meaning in the joy of the season.

The Spiritual Meaning of Winter Solstice

Every ancient culture had a similar spiritual meaning for Yule, and almost the same interpretation: that humanity always cared about the rebirth of light. The Sun was important in all cultures because it gives warmth, and its warmth gives life. Spiritually speaking, the rebirth of sun is rebirth of our hope and goodwill.

My wish for you this Winter Solstice is that you awaken to the sheer brilliance of your being, the very essence of Life that you are, your inner most nature. And, that with this new found strength, you delve deep into the darkness, deep into your shadows and fears, and shine on them the light of awareness with love and compassion. Nothing is more powerful, bigger, or more healing than this light and love. Like the sun, the light of awareness and love overcomes any darkness. It is simply it’s nature!

Please join us this Yule for a Shamanic Journey as we enter into the deep peace and calm power of Winter’s nurturing silence. It will take place at Heartwood, upstairs in the Shrine Room on Friday, December 21 at 7:30.

Wishing you a Very Merry Yule! 

Grandmother WinterJade Forest

My extraordinary mentors of four different shamanic cultures showed me how to connect with Spirit, my purpose, and the power to improve my life. They put me through rigorous trainings and demanding initiation rites. They taught me their ancient healing traditions and trusted me to carry them on. I was ordained into the Cherokee priesthood in 2014 and began using my Medicine Name.

The NEW Medicine of the Old Ways takes into account that many people desire to connect more powerfully to their capacity for personal strength and happiness, but don’t have the option of leaving work and family to take part in the rigorous rituals of the Old Ways. So I created less demanding ways for people to absorb the wisdom teachings of Journeying, Totems and Guidance.

It is a blessing beyond measure to have been called to this work . . . and an honor to share it with you.

Credentials:  ABT, CI (AOBTA)

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