Here Comes the Sun!
Winter Solstice 2023 - Thursday December 21 - 1:19am PST
Hello friends. I just refreshed my website last week and this is my first blog. I thought writing about the Winter Solstice would be an apropos first topic since the name of my blog is Illuminations – a play on my last name, Sun.
Time seems to be flying by and I’m so thankful for nature to remind me that it’s time to slow down and go inward to reflect as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer. Across diverse cultures, the winter solstice has been celebrated for centuries with the lighting of candles, bonfires, and other sources of illumination. These acts symbolize not only the physical return of the sun but also the spiritual and emotional enlightenment that happens with overcoming challenges. It is interesting how this astronomical event reveals a timeless narrative of renewal, introspection, and the eternal dance between dark and light.
While modern life may have distanced us from the celestial rhythms that dictated ancient celebrations, the winter solstice remains a perfect time for reflection and renewal. Some of my favorite Winter Solstice traditions include lighting a candle to represent my own inner light, spending time in nature connecting with the earth, the stars, embracing the darkness, and if possible, creating an outdoor fire to represent the returning light. I also use this time to journal about the lessons I’ve learned over the past year with the themes of letting go and setting intentions. To symbolically honor the expression of letting go, I burn the slips of paper with the lessons I want to leave behind. I then spend time setting intentions for the coming year. I do this by updating my personal mission and vision statements. Some years these statements change significantly and some years it is just slight tweaks. Then, to bring my intentions to life (and to have some creative fun), I create a vision board. I cut up magazines and newspapers and begin pasting pictures and sayings on poster board creating a collage. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, so on the Winter Solstice I have people texting me with a request to send them a picture of my newly created vision board so they can see what it looks like for the coming year!
You may have heard one of these sayings “Where your intention/attention goes, energy flows” and “Thoughts become things”. Both sayings infer that we create the life we live and both of them have been inspirational to me over the years. I put these saying into practice by using both my personal mission and vision statement along with my vision board as I sit for my daily morning meditation practice. I truly believe this works and have seen a difference in the years I’ve been consistent versus the years I have not.
I’m interested in hearing from you all. How do you embrace the magic of the Winter Solstice in your life? Are there any rituals that you have utilized that have been effective for you?
Whether through cultural rituals, personal reflections, or connection with nature, the winter solstice invites us to pause, celebrate, and welcome the promise of renewal as we journey through the depths of winter towards the return of the sun. I hope this blog has inspired you to take a moment to embrace the Winter Solstice next week. Maybe observe the natural world around you, go for a winter walk, stargaze, or sit in quiet contemplation to attune yourself to the quiet that exists under the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
If you are interested in learning how to create a personal mission and vision statement or vision board please reach out. I’d love to assist you to Live the Life you Love!
