Winter has arrived, and with it another opportunity to practice intention and sacred ceremony while aligning to the seasonal rhythms of nature. We must remember that we are an extension of the natural world. We are not superior, nor to we need to be disconnected to it, but rather, we are an equal and unique product of all of creation. There is no greater teacher than the natural world wrapped in its extraordinary mystery, brilliance and resilience, and there is nothing more beautiful to honor than the Divine, natural beauty uninhibited by the artificial world. By understanding the dynamic transitions of the seasons, we can better understand our own process of adaptation and evolution. Attuning to the subtle changes in nature allows us to more compassionately attune to the subtle changes within.
The winter solstice represents the shortest day of year, and thus the longest night. We are encouraged to remember that when darkness moves in, we will trust that the Sun Gods will birth the light that will bring hope and ease with the promise of a new day. As we honor the sun’s long rest, we honor our own darker shadows and recognize that they, too, are a necessary component to the natural processes of life.
The solstice is a time of introspection and deep contemplation. It is a time to develop intuition and to find comfort in stillness, calm and quiet. It is a time to listen to, and nourish our inner world. Like the Bear, we gather food and fill our bellies, we stay close to family, and we find restoration in cozy, womb-like dens. Begin a mediation practice, and for those of you already practicing, increase the length or frequency. Give your self the gift of observation in nature. Take a hike, but rather than scaling the mountain in a fierce attempt to reach the top, take your time. Really look at the habitat around you, pay attention to the details, the richness. Listen to the rocks and the trees in a new way. Find a place to sit for a while and simply watch the order of the natural world. Consider how you are reflected in it, and it in you.
The solstice brings a time of reflection on the year past and prepares us for the year to come. We are encouraged to be grateful for lessons learned and we are encouraged to remain humble and conscious in our future pursuits. Although we are encouraged to reflect on past and future endeavors, we must allow ourselves to open to the simple, quiet moments that fill the space between.
This is a time of year rich in tradition and storytelling, and has been since the Neolithic ages. I invite you to explore the ways in which other cultures celebrate the solstice. I invite you to become creative in making you own unique ceremony and join in the beauty of making new traditions as well as keeping respect to old customs.
For those of you with children, make it extra special, playful, accessible and age appropriate, and ask your children to participate in the creative processes. My boys and I have decided to connect with our inner bear and also our inner shadows and we have created a relationship between the two. The Bear teaches us to be still and strong with our more complicated feelings. If fear comes in the night, we call upon our Bear. We have studied the Bear in an academic and spiritual sense as well as the Sun and the Moon. We have had beautiful conversations about the two and dressed a nature alter in honor of them. We practiced our skills of observation and sitting quietly like a hibernating bear (much easier than telling them to meditate). And of course we rolled around growling and playing like mama bears and their cubs do when celebrating life.
The power of intention fare surpasses the perfect candle or the ‘right’ ceremony, trust that when you put your heart into this creative process that there is no wrong answer. Make it your own intuitive blend and enjoy the process. Give yourself to the cool, darker moments Winter brings and as you dive deep into the underground of Self, you will witness the beautiful light, wisdom and contemplation with in your own listening heart.
From my inner Bear, to your inner Bear, Happy Solstice,
Robin Afinowich
