Celebrating the Winter Solstice
Most of us think of the winter solstice as just another long winter day that blends into the rest. However, I have started to see this day a little differently as did so many cultures around the world many years ago. Yes, it is the day with the least amount of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, which can be a bummer. but the way our ancestors used to view this day was in celebration. It marked a time of hope for the coming light and warmth. In today's modern world, even though we don't use the sun as our 'calendar' as our ancestors did, we can still hold on to their excitement for such changes in the year!
Winter is a time for rest and building back strength for the coming months. Seeds and plants are dormant while many animals are hibernating. These reminders are great for us as people to take much-needed time to rest and recharge. To really hear what new creations are begging to be birthed. While we are operating at a slower pace we can still find time to be creative and hopeful for the coming days.
Here are some fun ways to celebrate the shortest day of the year either with your family or also on your own. Enjoy 😊!
You and your family can decorate an edible tree for nature's creatures. You can make peanut butter pinecones, seed ornaments, or, the crowd-pleaser, cranberry and popcorn garland. They are all edible for the animals and help to satisfy some much-needed creativity during this cold time of year.
Winter Solstice Lanterns. These are so much fun to make and look so beautiful when they are lit. Here are a few I found super fun to make. Winter Solstice Lantern ideas.
Spend your evening in candlelight. Whether you have children or not it would still be a fun idea to pretend we don't live in this modern world for a couple of hours. Maybe not in every room of the house but light some in maybe your living/TV room. The ambiance would be so magical. So go ahead and light a few candles.
Reflect, release, and set new intentions for the new season. This is a time to honor both the light and dark in us all. It is a time for both reflection and renewal. Write down some things you'd like to let go of that are holding you back. Once you have a list you can then throw them into a fire to alchemize those items into light. You can do the same for things you'd like to bring into your life. Putting them down on paper is another way to get that thought and energy out of your mind and into the universe.
Decorate your home. Decorating your home to make your environment more cheerful certainly doesn't have to be just for the Winter Solstice. We usually do this for the holidays but adding a few more things to your home could be another craft session and a way to spread more joy. A fun idea could be live garlands (ferns, berries, sticks, and pinecones) hung on your doorways. You can also make garland with dried oranges, apples, or popcorn. I made one with dried orange slices last year and thread them together with twine and hung it off my entertainment center. It not only looks adorable but also smells great. Here is a great example of a live garland.
I hope you find some of these ideas fun and find ways to look at December 21st in a new way. It truly is a magical day and marks a time when the sun will be shining more and more each day after. Happy Solstice everyone!
A Winter Solstice Blessing
May you find peace in the
promise of the solstice night,
that each day forward is
blessed with more light.
That the cycle of nature,
unbroken and true,
brings faith to your soul
and well-being to you.
Rejoice in the darkness,
in the silence find rest,
and may the days that follow
be abundantly blessed.
-Anonymous
