Winter Solstice Altar

Winter Solstice Altar

Reflections from a cycle’s end.

Seemingly ages ago, the longest night of the year befell us once again. Like clockwork, the rhythm of earth and its cycles stays constant in this swirling world. 

December 21, 2019 marked the beginning of winter: the winter solstice. A day celebrated for eons across a myriad of cultures, belief systems, peoples. The longest night of the year, where darkness drags its belly across the sky and the sun pauses its downward movement. 

The solstice is when dark is brought to light. When dark is understood as light. 

The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter and all it represents – hermithood, inward reflection, the void, darkened days, creating your own light. Cold air whistling through bare trees. Grey skies and solitude. The energy shifts from the extroversion of the archer (Sagittarius) into the intensity of the sea-goat (Capricorn – its symbol as a fictional animal only adds to the mystery of winter). 

And while shifting into these winter themes, this world of duality presents us with a seasonal paradox: as winter unfolds, the days begin to grow in length. Even as the hermit emerges, its sight is already set on spring. The universe doesn’t dole out challenges without the gift of lessons. It doesn’t shroud in darkness without the promise of light. 

Wisdom always whispers. 

Winter comes & goes with a whisper. As winter wanes, as the days grow longer and the Spring Equinox looms ahead, the finals whisp of winter still surrounds us. Still ground us. Still ask us to reflect, to review the intentions we set back with the solstice altar. 

Fruit for abundance. Candlelight to balance the dark. Baby’s breath for healing. Obsidian for clearing and guiding – an anchor. And swan medicine magic – the symbolism within the duality of two swan wings, the grace of a long neck, the feet hidden beneath the water’s surface powering such a graceful glide. 

Beneath the water’s surface, there’s a whole world to work with. 

As spring slides our way, we pause. We remember what winter has taught us about our grace, our hidden power, our ability to depend on ourselves, our openness to solitude and gathering, and ultimately, our relationship to our own selves. We honor the student, the mystic, the mother that is winter. Let her rain cleanse our soul, her wind blow our stagnant energies into new life. 

For all the intentions made & manifested,

for all the blockages blessed & released, 

with opened eyes, we look towards spring.

Observe it all, bless it all, release it all. 

There’s only days left till the close of Pisces season. The astrological year is coming to a close, to be born again with Aries on March 20. Begin to monitor the soil for a seed’s growth and water the new buds. Patience – you’ll emerge within your process.