We’re in the dark of winter here (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), with winter solstice arriving December 21, 2011 at 9:30pm PST (December 22, 05:30 UT or GMT).
I actually like to know when the solstice is because there is something magical – certainly energetic – that happens at that moment.
I try to create a ritual or spend time in meditation at the time of the solstice if I can. It reminds me to feel the connection that I have, that we all have, with Nature and the consciousness that is held there.
Winter solstice holds a deep sense of devic energy for me — that energy that fuses with human consciousness to create form. There’s a feeling of a new beginning with the winter solstice, a fresh start. An energetic plan moves into place, which we work off of as we move through the seasons ahead.
The energy holds a level of information that I often describe as our building blocks or our blueprints to use as we go forward. In fact Machaelle Wright, founder of Perelandra and who works with and teaches others to work with nature intelligence, describes the winter solstice as a “celebration of the devic level and its role as architect.”
When you begin to connect to the energy at this level, it’s hard not to sense that deep, creative force it holds. This energy has a felt-sense to it too.
You can feel or sense this energy right at the moment of the solstice if you create the space to go within and listen. I often feel a wave of energy move through me. Sometimes it feels more subtle, and other times it’s like a sonic boom! But it always leaves me feeling changed. At some level there are new patterns taking shape that I begin to become aware of.
If you’ve never sat in meditation at that time, I highly recommend you do!
Lately we have been working hard, shifting our energies and letting go of old core patterns. The work that I’ve been doing with clients over the past weeks and months has been a deep releasing of fear and stepping into new energies. I think this type of work will continue on for some time. But my sense of the energy right now is that this solstice brings with it a fairly big transition of energy. And this transition will come easier to us if we’ve been doing our “inner work” and letting go of the old.
Sitting with the energy this solstice can be a powerful experience – it’s holding a lot of energy!
So here are a few thoughts on how you may want to celebrate this solstice and honor the energy.
- Create a sacred space or alter in your home. Collect the things that represent the changes that you have experienced this year and where you are going in 2012. Hold the intention with this alter that with the solstice, and the energy inherent in it, that you release all that keeps you from fully stepping into what you are creating.
Give yourself time to sit in silence with these objects and what they mean to you. And if you can, sit with them and your thoughts at the moment of the solstice. As I said, it’s a powerful time and connecting to that energy with awareness is emotionally and energetically moving!
- Create a vision board or mind map (as I did a few years ago) for what you are creating in your life. Upon completion, spend time in meditation or stillness and connect to that devic energy – that level of conscious intention where you know and trust that the building blocks are coming together. Even if you don’t know exactly what that means, just give it a go and trust that you and your energetic intelligence can find that place where you create in conjunction with Nature. And then… affirm your plans.
Notice what comes up for you emotionally or energetically as areas you may want to do some more letting go. But let this be a celebration of what is to come.You can even do some action to release this energy such as lighting a candle and holding the intention that as the candle burn you let go of all that holds you from your highest creations and creativity!
- Simply honor the light and the solstice itself. Light candles and create a celebration. Invite friends and family to join you as we experience the long dark night and usher in the light. Share stories of your hopes and dreams, have a feast, acknowledge the cycles that you are a part of and toast to each others’ health and well being…whatever moves you to connect to each other and to all that is.
However you celebrate, may you find the light in the dark; as it is always there.
A mind map is a diagram with words and pictures to represent an idea. It’s a great way to tap into your creative brain as you begin to lay out thoughts associated with a certain topic.
