Winter Solstice 2020 & Ways to Celebrate During COVID by Michelle Chua

Winter Solstice is on Dec. 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s the longest night of the year.  It marks the first day of winter, after which days of sunlight grow longer into spring.  As with seasonal transitions, it’s an opportunity for self-reflection and setting intentions for the months ahead.  Uniquely on the winter solstice, colder weather and darkness invite introspection about the darkness, or what some may call our shadow self, that resides within us, under the belief that we are intrinsically connected with the natural world and its changes.  This inner darkness refers to the qualities, thoughts, beliefs and emotions that may cause us or others suffering, and they are often vulnerable parts of ourselves we have yet to make peace with and discover our personal strengths awaiting on their flip side.  For example, someone who is constantly jealous of others’ happiness may realize they are longing to feel happy within themselves, and through consistent inner work, can learn self-confidence, a strong sense of security and ways of perceiving the outside world from a state of alignment to inner joy.   The harmful jealousy was a signal for needed change to enable continued expansion or evolution.  
 
Through self-inquiry, meditation, journaling and personal ritual, we can build self-awareness and awaken inspiration for any needed purification, release and redirection.  Here are some practices to consider for your celebration of winter solstice:
 

1. Sit or walk silently in nature, mindfully aware of your natural surroundings through all your senses.  Observe the metaphorical ways Mother Earth teaches us about change and life transitions, especially about the winter season.
2. Contemplate the following questions: 
   • What has the past season taught me?
   • What am I ready to release to allow life force to flow freely through me?
   • What is my inner being drawn to create or welcome in this new season ahead?
   • What am I grateful for?
3. Meditate on a quality you’d like to cultivate within yourself, something that inspires you or a self-inquiry.
4. Create a peaceful home sanctuary that nurtures warmth and rejuvenation for your senses, perhaps with aromatherapy, candlelight, newly cleaned uncluttered space, inspiring visuals in art or words and relaxing music.
5. Gather with a conscious community to practicing slow mindful movement that opens the body restfully and allows sustained moments of stillness for deep listening to body wisdom, breath and insight. Consider joining Root 2 Rise Yoga’s Zoom Community Slow Flow + Yin/Restorative + Meditation Yoga class on 12/21 @6-7pm PST by donation here.

 
However you may choose to celebrate, keep in mind the tone you are intentionally setting and how genuine it feels to you.  May you enjoy peace, clarity and pure love this winter 2020 and beyond.