Winter solstice Reflections

This winter solstice feels extraordinarily special. For many reasons.

The winter solstice is always a time of reflection as it’s the darkest time of the year. But this year it is also towards the end of the lunar cycle with the new moon in a couple of days. So the sky is dark indeed.

It happens to be my ‘inner winter’ too. The start of my inner moon - which also lends itself to a time of contemplation.

Within that, there are also celebrations

My book, Teaching yoga for the menstrual cycle - an āyurvedic perspective, is out today. On the winter solstice. Which has also been an interesting cycle, or rather cycles of creation. Yet, now it is birthed out into the world which is the ending of one cycle and the beginning of yet another. 

The solstice may be the beginning of astronomical winter and it is also the dawn of a new yearly solar cycle. A natural new year. Which we once celebrated as Yule. In Denmark, this time is still called the traditional Jul rather than taking the name of Christ’s mass although still celebrating the birth of Christ on the 24th of December.

We have the darkness of the moon and the darkness of the solstice. The end of a moonthly lunar cycle and a yearly solar cycle.

There have been plenty of things to contemplate on a global and local scale - aside from the more intimate and personal.

Darkness seems to be the time when we can draw our awareness inside. Instead of external awareness, we withdraw our senses. Rather than expanding energy to the outside world, we take time to nourish and nurture our inner worlds.

Like the trees, shedding their leaves to conserve their energy. Letting go of unnecessary expenditure. So can we let go of unnecessary stressors, anxiety or thought patterns.

What situations and patterns can you let go of? Or perhaps let go of the challenging reactions you have and find ways to respond with more heart and awareness?

Like the animal kingdom (to which we humans belong) that hibernates in the winter. Following the natural cycles and seasons of the natural world and taking time to rest and rejuvenate. So can we enjoy the darkness and coolness of winter to restore our bodies.

Sometimes we need to go to the darker places in our psyche to clean out, look and acknowledge our shadows. To befriend ourselves and understand ourselves better. 

When we have challenges in life, grief, loss, illness, stress and anxiety it can be overwhelming. It’s hard. And it’s easy to get lost in the darkness. Yet, to live and experience life we somehow need to continue learning to navigate these times too. 

I am learning to find more compassion and especially tenderness for myself. To be kinder and respectful when things are challenging. To take it easy, to stop and check-in.

If you can, offer yourself a moment, or as much time as you want, to reflect on the year and month that has past, what nourished and inspired you? What are you ready to release and dissolve into the darkness? How well did you digest the past year or month? 

Sending many solstice blessings,

Anja