A Slower Solstice
Sunday is the Winter Solstice, marking the midpoint of winter. Some calendars mark the beginning of winter on this date, but if you’re paying attention to the amount of light we are getting in the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps you’ve noticed that the daylight has been diminishing. While it’s been most noticeable since the clocks changed back to Standard Time, the light has been diminishing since the longest day on Summer Solstice in June!
The light begins its return at the Winter Solstice. The ancients welcomed back the sun, celebrating its rebirth in much the same way that we celebrate the birth of the son at Christmastime. The festival of Winter Solstice predates the birth of Christ. Many of the ancient traditions have been woven into the current Christmas traditions. I wrote about that here.
The risk that the sunlight would continue to diminish must have been very scary for agrarian cultures who depended on plentiful harvests for their survival. We do too, but most of us are rather far removed from concerns about how our food gets onto the grocers’ shelves. The return of the sun is still cause for celebration even though scientists assure us the sun will always return when the planet’s tilt reverses itself.
This new turn of the wheel brings a shift of energy from the letting go of Samhain to the Solstice energy of receptivity, waiting, and openness to what wants to emerge next.
This waiting energy is not passive.
Though the land may be covered with snow and ice, the bare tree trunks creaking in the winter winds, and the flowers a very distant memory, there is activity happening deep underground. Although invisible to us, nature is preparing for the next turn of the cycle. This is womb time in nature: full of silence, rest, restoration and renewal.
Our cultural reality is anything but silent, restful and restorative.
As we move more deeply into the Christmas season, the pace of the holiday hustle and bustle grows into a frenzy. More is expected. More is demanded. More buying. More eating and drinking. More events on the calendar.
Loads of Christmas movies and stories tee up the paradox between the commercialization of the holidays and the true meaning of the season.
The truth is that we are part of nature and we were not made for a frantic level of activity during this Solstice season. You may be feeling a disconnect between our innate need to rest and restore at this time, and the siren call to do all the things, buy all the gifts, and eat all the cookies.
If you’re feeling exhausted by all the expectations wrapped up in the holidays, you can do it differently this year. You can seek out more alignment with the natural cycle at this still point of the year. You can respond to your body’s need for more stillness. You can feed your soul’s craving for moments of silence. Give yourself permission to explore more of what you need.
Maybe you would like to sit in the darkness for a few quiet moments and let your senses shhh.
Maybe you could drive your car without Christmas music blaring, and enjoy the silence.
Or, stare out the window and watch the squirrels burrow into snow drifts looking for their buried acorns.
You can say ‘no’ to any party invitation that drains your energy.
Or you could paint a picture of stillness.
In our recent Creative Resistance session, we spent some time considering what slowing down and being still looks like.
What color is silence?
What color is winter?
What does a silent night look like to you?
What words would you use to describe a silent night? Put those words in a Google search and choose “images” to find some reference photos.
Then create an image that speaks of silence to you.
Here’s mine. Before I showed this one to my husband, I told him I found our new home. He looked at it then asked if there was a pub nearby. Everyone has their own version!
Throughout the Solstice season, use the image you created as an anchor point: Hang it up in a place where you will pass it frequently. Every time you notice the image, respond to its invitation to come back to silence, to stillness, to a slower, softer Solstice.
December doesn’t have to be crazy busy!
Give yourself permission to satisfy your soul’s craving for quiet.
Slow down long enough to watch the sun rise on Solstice morning or the morning after that. Turn your face to the sun and welcome her back! Stay in the present moment until your battery recharges and your soul is full. And then go eat a cookie for breakfast!
Sending blessings for a slower Solstice and Christmas, too!