Winter Solstice Celebration

Winter typically begins on the shortest day of the year, The Winter Solstice.  This year the Solstice falls on December 22 at roughly 6:12PM Central Standard Time when the sun is at its furthest point away from the equator.

  Ancient cultures and many world religions even today celebrate this time of year for the return of the Sun (Son).  It is, literally and symbolically a time when we move from darkness into greater light, from ignorance to greater wisdom.   The Winter solstice is also considered to be a spiritual doorway that provides us with easier access to spiritual energy and guidance from a Higher Power.  It is believed to be the absolute best time to set intentions and make resolutions for the new year.  It is also an excellent time to let go of any "bad stuff" we carry with us from the past. 

We have made it a tradition in my family to acknowledge the solstice with a small ceremony in the yoga room at home.  It is dark outside so I light the room with candles to give it a soft, warm glow and burn sandlewood or Nag Champa incense to create a feeling of peace and tranquility.  A make-shift altar is prepared using symbols that are important to each of us. My daughter might bring her first communion rosary while my son includes his statue of St. Gerard.  I like to display a conch shell that I got in Hawaii.  If you listen closely, you can hear the humming "OMMMM" sound it creates deep within its pink walls.  My husband brings "himself" which is sometimes more than a woman can ask of someone who is still not quite sure what to make of this ritual.  We each meditate or pray silently and then state our heartfelt desires and intentions for the new year.  We then light a large candle on the altar to acknowledge the return of the light and to give energy to the intentions stated.  It is a short but beautiful ritual that I look forward to every year.