We celebrated the Winter Solstice a couple days ago on Dec 21st, which is known as the beginning of YULE in the Wheel of the Year. YULE is a time of celebration as we welcome the returning light.
Winter Solstice falls on the longest night of the year, at the end of a season meant for introspection, releasing, shedding. The word solstice means ‘sun standing still’, which it does for 3 full days, which means tomorrow, Dec 25th, the light starts to return with longer days.
It’s time for us to use that clarity gained as we begin to ‘plant our seeds’ for the coming year. What are we wanting to bring to life next year? The rest of the Winter is meant for quiet, stillness, and germination.
We’re still in a time of YIN, the feminine, a time for being over doing. Now is when we restore our energy reserves. Listen to your body to know what you need.
A fun fact about decorating the tree, it is actually witchcraft!
Pagans would hang items on an evergreen tree during YULE to represent what they were hoping or intending for the year ahead, and candles to celebrate the light returning.
They would also add things like dried oranges and cinnamon sticks for prosperity, and strings of cranberries for gratitude and abundance, finally adorned with a 5 pointed star representing the 5 elements of nature.
MOMENT OF CALM
This can be a difficult time of year, for many different reasons.
Whenever it feels like too much, wherever you are, take care of YOU.
If it’s not convenient to drop and find child’s pose, simply draw a hand up over your heart space, close your eyes, and breathe. Whether it’s for 30 seconds or 5 minutes, just breathe and feel your palm as a salve over your heart.
Finding small moments of calm throughout the chaos can be great management tool to keep you centered. It’s not always easy, just take it one breath at a time.
If you notice some repeating patterns, behaviours, or emotions coming up for you over the holidays, and you’re tired of how it makes you feel, and you’re ready to explore change in 2024, let’s chat about what support could be helpful.
I hold so much gratitude for each one of you in this community.
I celebrate you as I send Yuletide Blessings, with wishes for health, prosperity, and peace for all.
I can’t wait to see what magick lies ahead for 2024!
With so much love and gratitude,
xo
