We are knee deep in the Winter Holiday Season … at least here in the Northern Hemisphere. And arguably the most potent of these holidays is culminating … tonight! (Well, technically, tomorrow morning.)
I’m talking about the Winter Solstice (Yule), of course. Solstices occur during moments when one of the Earth’s poles is at its furthest from the Sun. For those who live in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter (hibernal) Solstice occurs when the northern pole is at its furthest from the Sun. This gives those in the Northern Hemisphere the longest night of the year (and, consequently, the shortest day).
It’s a time during which darkness, stillness, and silence naturally dominate.
This is the day the pagan holiday Yule (also called Midwinter) is celebrated. Yule was allegedly the precursor to the Christian holiday we all know as Christmas. And in essentials, they are celebrating the same thing: The joyful return of light at the deepest moment of darkness.
I, personally, like to celebrate both Yule and Christmas. For me, Christmas is more social and collective, while Yule is more solitary and reverent. That doesn’t mean there isn’t space for reverence at Christmas or mirth at Midwinter. Not at all! There are many folks who like to party and feast around the Yule log, and just as many who find a deep, reflective connection to faith at Christmas. It’s just that I view Yule as one of Nature’s holy days, and Christmas as one of humankind’s making. Therefore, I choose to celebrate Solstice a little more privately and solemnly as I feel a more powerful and meaningful connection with Nature that way.
Let’s take a quick look at the astrology of this year’s Solstice!
At this Winter Solstice, the Sun is in optimistic Sagittarius, and the Moon is in practical Virgo. Cheery and efficient! Mars is still retrograde, giving a much-needed moment of rest and stillness (as well as time to reflect on our actions and motivations). There’s also a mutable Grand Cross (involving Moon, Saturn, Mercury, and Jupiter in an orgiastic tangle) creating a spirit of resourcefulness, adaptability, and resilience.
With Black Moon Lilith in trine aspects with both Venus and Jupiter, there’s a good chance everyone will be on their most congenial behavior during this festive time.
As always, your experience will be what you make of it, but the cosmic weather is looking pretty good, IMO.
In the spirit of connection and celebration, I’m sharing some special Solstice treats with you to help inspire your Yule festivities this year. I’ve included a ritual, a recipe, a guided meditation, and a gift! Enjoy!
THE RITUAL
You will need:
A pinecone
Some strips of paper
Peanut butter (or sealing wax)
Pen or pencil
Fireplace/Fire pit/Cauldron (or other large fireproof container)
Matches or lighter
Directions:
Begin by gathering in a circle (whether you are with other people, or are alone in a symbolic/energetic circle). Gather your necessary materials in the circle within easy reach.
Cast a sacred circle. Do this however you see fit. It’s all about intentionally imbuing your ritual space with your energy and putting up a protective energetic barrier to keep you safe while you celebrate.
Take a moment to honor Nature’s wisdom, and the gifts She is sharing with you under the cloak of the long, dark night.
Give yourself a few minutes to meditate on what the Solstice is trying to teach you. (Or you could practice the guided meditation given in this post, below, if you like.)
Once you feel attuned to the energies of the sacred holiday, you can begin to cast your spell. This spell can be worked two different ways: The first way is to use it to call in energies you want the Sun to bring into illumination in your life as His light ever increases toward the Summer Solstice. The second option is to release energies you are ready to sacrifice from your life to be surrendered to the great darkness of this holy night where they might be recycled and repurposed into bright healing energy for another time. Decide which option you’re going to do now.
Gather your cauldron in front of you (or make sure you’re within reaching distance of your fireplace/fire pit. Make sure whatever you’re using can safely contain fire.
Grab your strips of paper and your pen/pencil. On each piece of paper write something you either want to release, or to call into your life. Write out as many things as you want, but for the sake of ease, I’d stick to no more than 10 strips of paper. (You can use both front and back, if necessary.)
Now attach each strip of paper to a branch of your pine cone using the non-toxic adhesive or a little bit of nut butter.
When all your paper strips have been successfully attached to your pine cone, you can place it in your cauldron. Now light it on fire! Choose the appropriate incantation, below, to chant as it burns.
On this holy Solstice night / While the Sun is but a spark / I call these gifts into my life / To shine some light on all this dark
On this Midwinter eve / As the Yule fire’s stoked / I release this old baggage / and am freed from these yokes
Say the incantation as many times as you like, but at least 3 times. As you say the words, envision the result you want. Focus your gaze on the fire engulfing the words you wrote, and therefore either releasing those energies, or magnetizing you to them.
Let the pinecone burn as long as you can. Once the paper is burned, if you are unable to wait for the full pinecone to burn, you can douse the fire, let the pinecone cool, and then take it out to be released somewhere in Nature where it can decompose in its own time.
Take a moment of gratitude for the powerful magick you just created and the divine support you garnered for it.
Release your sacred circle. Your ritual is complete.
THE RECIPE
As another little treat, I thought I’d share a simple, but delicious recipe to add to your Solstice feast! This recipe for fennel + citrus salad takes advantage of in-season produce while also symbolically staying on-theme with nods to the Sun. Here’s my favorite variation of this classic Winter salad. This recipe serves 2-4, depending on the size of the fennel.
INGREDIENTS:
1 bulb fresh fennel
1 blood orange (or citrus of choice)
¼ cup kalamata olives
¼ cup maple syrup
1 T. german mustard (or dijon, if you prefer)
½ T. tahini (can be omitted, if desired, for a lower fat variation)
1 scant pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt + pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make the dressing by combining the maple syrup, mustard, tahini, and cayenne (if using). Whisk until well combined. Set aside.
Thinly slice the fennel, using a mandoline or knife.
Peel the orange, removing any seeds. Then gently remove the segments from the fibrous membrane. Cut each segment in half.
Cut olives in half, removing pits, if necessary.
Place fennel in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.
Arrange dressed fennel on a platter with citrus and olives.
Season with salt + pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!
THE GUIDED MEDITATION
Here’s a guided meditation I created just for you on this dark Solstice night. It’s intended to help you sink into the dark, quiet stillness within to hear what your essential Soul Self wants to share with you during this pivotal and hopeful time of the year.
THE GIFT
As the nights are dominant during this Winter season, you are likely spending a little more time in the realms of your dreams. Dreamscapes can bring you so much information that normally stays locked up in your subconscious vaults. Why not take this opportunity to get curious about those nocturnal transmissions to learn more about yourself and those neglected needs and desires that exist in the Shadow spaces?
During the rest of this month and through the end of January, I’m offering you, my beautiful blog readers, a FREE Dream Analysis session with any purchase of $150 or more (excluding bodywork services). No code needed! I look forward to guiding you through your dreamscapes and helping you uncover the deeper meanings behind them.
There you go, dear readers! I hope this Solstice brings you illumination, enlightenment, and warmth that can carry you through the chilly dark season to come. Much love, reverence, and celebration! xoxo 💋
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