"After the longest night, tomorrow we sing up the dawn. There is a rejoicing that, even in the darkest time, the sun is not vanquished. As of tomorrow, the days begin to get longer as the light of day grows. While the gentle winter sun slowly opens its eyes, let us all bring more light and compassion into the world." – Dacha Avelin
Welcome, my friends, to the Winter Solstice – the first official day of winter, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Solstice, derived from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "stand still," invites us to stop, reflect, and honor the darkness that has enveloped us in the past season, while welcoming the gradual return of the light.
Astrological Insights of the Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is not only a moment of physical transition but a deeply symbolic astrological event. When the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, it marks the shortest day of the year. This is the time when the sun appears to “stand still” before changing direction. From this point forward, daylight will slowly begin to increase, though at first, it might feel imperceptible.
This is an important time for both reflection and intention-setting. Astrologically, the Winter Solstice is often seen as a moment of renewal and rebirth. In many spiritual traditions, it’s believed that this is a powerful time to plant seeds for the upcoming year — not necessarily seeds for tangible goals, but rather seeds for personal transformation and spiritual growth. It's a time to honor the quiet, introspective energy that the universe offers as we prepare to rise anew with the coming of the sun.
This year, with the Solstice falling under the sign of Capricorn, we are invited to embrace the energy of the earth — grounding ourselves, staying disciplined, and focusing on our long-term goals. Capricorn’s energy asks us to slow down, reflect, and prioritize what truly matters as we prepare for the light's return. Whether you're ready to set resolutions or simply want to pause and recalibrate, this is the perfect time to align your intentions with the energies of the season.
Rituals and Celebrations: Honoring the Return of the Light
While the Winter Solstice has been celebrated for millennia, it’s also a deeply personal day — one in which we can create our own rituals. Whether you're someone who feels connected to the ancient traditions of the solstice or simply seeking to honor this special day, here are a few rituals and practices to help you connect with the energy of renewal and reflection:
~ Light a Candle: Lighting a candle is a simple yet profound way to honor the return of the light. As the sun begins its return, we, too, can bring more light into our lives. You might want to create a sacred space in your home and light a candle as a symbol of your own personal light. Spend a few moments in quiet reflection, thinking about what you’d like to bring into the coming year. I also love to think of who in my life brings me light and light a candle to honor their presence in my life.
~ Go Outside and Connect with Nature: If you can, step outside to greet the sun/ or moon or simply to feel the earth beneath your feet. Whether it's a walk around the block, a few minutes of mindful breathing on your porch, or sitting in stillness, connecting with the natural world can help you ground and align with the cycles of the earth. Honor the stillness and the quiet beauty of winter. Take time to set your phone aside and be present and observe.
~ Journaling for Reflection: The Winter Solstice invites us to pause and reflect on the year past. Take some time to write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences from the last year. What lessons have you learned? What do you need to let go of as we move into a new cycle? Journaling allows you to reflect and let go as well as identify feelings and emotions that come up.
~ Practice Compassion: Capricorn energy can sometimes feel a little too focused on work and discipline, so balance that with compassion. Compassion for yourself, for others, and for the world around you. In the quiet of winter, there is an opportunity to nurture your own spirit, just as the earth nurtures itself in this dormant season.
The Quiet of Hibernation: Embrace the Darkness
As much as the Winter Solstice is about the return of the light, it is equally about embracing the darkness. In our modern world, there is a constant rush to do, to achieve, to go. But the Solstice offers us a chance to pause, rest, and reflect. Think of this as a time for inner hibernation. Just as animals retreat to their dens, we too can honor the slowing down process. It is okay to rest, to let the darkness envelop you, to pause and let your soul catch up.
The Solstice is an invitation to sit with what feels heavy, to let the darkness teach you, and to find the joy in this rest. The light will return gradually, and when it does, you’ll be ready to emerge, renewed and ready for the next chapter.
A Personal Reflection on the Winter Solstice
For me, the Winter Solstice has always been a day of quiet reflection, but it became especially poignant the year I turned thirteen. That year, I lost my best friend Kristen to an anaphylactic reaction, and with her passing, the Solstice became a day of deep grief and stillness.
Kristen and I had always celebrated the solstices (and equinoxes) together — gathering herbs from the garden, making potions from water and plants, and collecting rocks and dancing barefoot on the earth. Kristen even created a quarterly "paper" called the Solstice, which included facts about current events, environmental issues, and our personal lives. We were obviously a bit odd and quirky but having someone understand the odd parts of me made me feel whole. Being in middle school is hard enough, but losing the one person who's been loyal to you since you were 5 years old was a different kind of hell.
The Winter Solstice that year was exactly 8 months after she passed and her mother gave me a leather-bound journal that year, adorned with beads that Kristen had made herself. The card accompanying it had a message of honoring the darkness and giving space for grief to be felt. I still have the leather bound art journal, 844 months after I was gifted it and tears still stream down my face as I look through the art I created through the years of grief. The Winter Solstice, for me, is a time to honor the grief, the pain, and the loss, but also to recognize that grief is simply love with nowhere to go. It is through the darkness that we come to understand the full capacity of our hearts.
Journal Prompts to Honor the Winter Solstice
To help you connect more deeply with this day and honor your own journey, here are a few journal prompts for reflection:
What darkness or heaviness have you been carrying with you this year? How can you honor it today, without judgment?
In what areas of your life do you feel the need to slow down and reflect? What can you learn by giving yourself space to pause?
What light do you have in your life right now, no matter how small? How can you nurture that light in the coming months?
As the days begin to lengthen, what intentions would you like to set for the coming year? What seeds of growth would you like to plant during this time of renewal?
Take a moment to reflect on your past year. What are you most grateful for? What are you ready to release as you step into the new season?
As the Winter Solstice marks a time of transition, it is an invitation to honor both the darkness and the light within you. Take this moment to slow down, reflect, and find peace in the stillness. As we await the return of the sun, may we remember that even in the darkest times, the light will always return — sometimes in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
Wishing you all a peaceful and reflective Winter Solstice.
❤️🎄