Happy Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice, an unexpected day of sparkling light and magic.
A quick word before we move into today’s post - *Thank You* to everyone who has joined and subscribed. My Tuesday launch into Substack was made so memorable and exciting because it was full of your encouragement and energy. I am eternally grateful to you all! Please let me know along the way if you have any requests or needs, and I will do my best to fulfill the wishes passed through the ether to me. On we go!
Today is the first day of Winter, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and also the longest night. The most seemingly un-illuminated day of our year. Today is also called the ‘hibernal solstice,’ when living things (including us) might be drawn to settle into their space of hibernation, to hunker down and rest during the coming weeks and months of frigid cold. Bears will go into hibernation, and other animals, too - groundhogs and hedgehogs, turtles and snakes, bumblebees. Plants. It’s the commencing of a time of serious sleep, deep restoration, preparation and recovery for the future. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could hibernate, too?Â
Last year on this solstice night, I went with my dear friend Laura to our beloved Elizabeth Street Garden, where we celebrated the solstice at their annual gathering of lights and bells. I couldn’t have imagined what I was stepping into, and I can say with all honesty, it was completely magical. The energy was joyful and welcoming, and I felt the unexpected grace and softness of everything peaceful. It was a true reminder of magic, with the comforting solidarity of community that the world really craved for and desperately needed. Loving neighbors and chilly passersby arrived through the gates in droves and and settled in, sipping hot cider and marveling at the sparkling delight created by the garden’s devoted volunteers. Then Joseph Reiver, our neighbor and friend, and director of the Elizabeth Street Garden and the non-profit which preserves and protects it, gathered us all into a circle, right there on the grass next to the gazebo, and led us in words of hope and steadiness, surrounded by nature and shimmering light, our musical bells ready in hand.Â
On the darkest night of the year, we bring light, and on the quietest night of the year, we bring sound.Â
As we huddled closely in our winter coats, I brought out my phone and took a video of Joseph speaking, as his thoughts were so touching and I wanted to take them with me going forward into winter. The video is on my phone, and I never posted or shared it, but the symbolic words settled into my consciousness that night and stayed there for the remainder of the season. I just watched it for the first time since this very night last year, and I transcribed the words I was able to capture (among the dancing sounds of handbells and merry laughter) to share with you now:Â
“The solstice today is the darkest day of the year. It's also the shortest day, and the longest night, the start of winter, but also the start of days getting a little bit longer as we shift towards Spring. And so, on the darkest day, we celebrate light, which is a nice thought. It’s welcoming in a new light, which is also important as we get ready to leave 2022 and go into the new year. It’s interesting, because winter has its biological clock, it's in tune with the solstice, and nature itself goes inward in the winter. It moves inward, its energy moves inward. These trees surrounding us, their energy moves inward. That’s why their leaves fall, that’s why their branches are barron. The tree becomes dormant. It’s also a reflective time for us, the holiday season, winter, all of it. It’s interesting how the garden is like a breath inward for the winter, so that come Springtime, it can breathe out, and that’s when everything blossoms and buds. There is this polarity to everything, and the thing about polar opposites, is that you can’t have one without the other. Hot/cold, summer/winter, light/darkness. One is the very reason that the other exists, and with the garden, within the thought that this garden could be gone one day, there is the light of loving it all that much more, and really appreciating every single moment of it. Every year I appreciate this event (the winter solstice) so much, and I appreciate all of you. I’m very grateful for everyone who helps make this garden so special, old and new to the neighborhood. I’m very grateful that everyone came together to share this light, and the light that is the garden.“ Â
-Joseph Reiver, Winter Solstice Night 2022
We all clapped and cheered, and warmed by Joseph’s words, we then continued with a collective ringing of our hand bells, connected together by the collaborative sound we created, and by the unspoken silence too - the contemplative presence of these ideas of polarity and gratitude, of the fleeting potential of the things we love and share. I remember looking around the garden that night, at the brightened faces of strangers and friends, imagining Joseph’s words as a silent connector between us all, as though he had sprinkled these thoughts like fairy dust into the sky above, and they settled into each of our minds one at a time, woven through the air and holding us all together like the copper wire twinkle lights strung throughout the statues and trees.Â
This evening I will walk over to the garden and take part in their celebration once again. I will borrow some festive sleigh bells from my neighbor, will sip the delicious hot cider, and I’ll leave my heart open as it is now, to receive that solstice magic, to experience the symbiotic radiance of genuine caring energy, at this tender time when we all could really benefit from absorbing it like a sponge and sharing it like a gift. It’s energy to help us feel safe and protected, to inspire and propel us forward, something to remind us why we are all here, to make meaning in the chaos, to remind us of community, of purpose, of our responsibility to each other, of self care, and of gratitude. Something to remind us that on the darkest and quietest night of the year, we are not alone. The hibernal coldness and darkness of winter solitude can be deeply restorative, but it can be so lonely at times, too. While other animals are asleep for the whole of winter months, we’re sort of half-hibernating awake, trying our best to navigate these polarities of needs. Winter solstice magic is a beautiful energy to harness right now, to hold strong in our hearts and carry with us in our pockets as a grounded and glowing reminder of possibility into these next days ahead.Â
What will you do tonight for the winter solstice? Does your community have an event you like to attend? Is there a ritual or tradition in your culture or family? Do you have a personal ritual you like to do? If you don’t have one yet, maybe you can start a new personal ritual for yourself tonight, or a tradition for your family, neighborhood or community, or think about ideas for one to plan for and start on for next year. You can do something similar to what the garden does, or look to other cultures and communities for ideas.
Here is an article with some ideas of nice things to do
I really do love the equinoxes and the solstices. They are such a meaningful and peaceful way that we can celebrate both in solitude and communally. Even if we have different cultural and religious beliefs and backgrounds, these equinox and solstice moments are tied in with nature and the cycles of the earth and all living life, of which we are connected and part of. We can gather in our communities, within our families, or we can observe them privately as a way to check in with ourselves. For the planet and all living creatures, these are crucial times of cyclical shifting, of preparation for a new season and adventure, a time to contemplate and get ready. For us as humans, they are beautiful and natural built in check-ins, checkpoints, chances for change. I feel this same way about the new moon and full moon we are given each month. These are incredibly special opportunities to pause, to go inward, to truly slow down time, and that can look differently for us at different months of our year, at different eras of our lives. There is no reason we should wait such a long time to be given these cyclical restart moments, to be told when it’s time to take them. We can claim them whenever we need to. We can be masters of our own invention and reinvention. We don’t have to wait for new year's day or even our own birthday to start anew, to build new habits, change our patterns, or shift our rhythms. We can take a pause or start a new cycle whenever we feel it, and these moments of Solstice and Equinox are beautiful opportunities to do just that.Â
Solstice meaning:Â
The shortest day of the year (winter solstice) or the longest day of the year (summer solstice). During the solstice, the sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky, so ancient astronomers referred to the solstice as the day when the Sun appeared to ‘stand still.’
The word Solstice derives from the Latin word ‘sol’ meaning ‘sun,’ and ‘sistere’ meaning ‘to stand still.’
Equinox meaning:Â
The two times each year (Spring and Autumn) when the sun crosses the celestial equator, when the duration of daytime and nighttime everywhere on Earth are very nearly equal length.
The word Equinox derives from the Latin words ‘aequi,’ meaning ‘equal,’ and ‘nox,’ meaning ‘night.’
Here are the calendar dates for the upcoming year to keep in mind, and maybe to think about where you will be on these dates, and at those particular times when the season makes its shift:
2024 Seasonal Shift CalendarÂ
Winter Solstice - December 21 at 10:27pm EST
Spring Equinox - Tuesday, March 19 at 11:06pm EDT
Summer Solstice - Thursday, June 20 at 4:50pm EDT
Autumnal Equinox - Sunday, September 22 at 8:43am EDT
The solstice itself happens tonight at 10:27pm EST, and ‘1027’ happens to be my favorite number. Because of that, I looked up what that number represents, unsure if I would find anything, and the first thing I read was this:
‘1027 denotes that your instincts will suggest fresh openings.’
I continued to research, and read more words and explanations, angel number meanings and pythagorean numerology, but this simple phrase spoke to me, especially aligned with the winter solstice and all it represents. There is so much life in that simple statement, and so it inspired a new Winter Solstice reflection exercise that I’ll take part in tonight, and if you’re interested and have time, I invite you to join me. We’ll do a writing and reflection exercise, and if you enjoy this kind of sharing space, I invite you also to join for a Zoom call together in the first week of the new year. Information is below, and will continue with more on the way! <3
‘Light of Dawn’ Writing and Reflection Exercise
Tonight after I’m home from the garden celebration, I’ll change into pajamas, do my bedtime routine, and get myself into a quiet headspace. I’ll take my favorite mug and brew a hot cup of a wintery tea, and I’ll set up my writing station for a gentle winter solstice ritual of bright light reflection and inward contemplation. I’ll choose a journal or some paper, some comforting and familiar music to set the atmosphere nicely. I’ll get comfortable and tap into that winter solstice energy, imagining the observances happening around the world - the feasting, dancing, bonfires, laughter, and creativity. I’ll do some slow breathing and close my eyes, ready to reflect on the ideas at hand and the breadth of what they represent.Â
It might be a little bit late, but at 10:27pm, the exact moment of the winter solstice, I’ll light a candle with intention, to bring in and appreciate this precious light, representing health and hope moving forward into winter, the fire of courage within us all, and the glow of fresh openings suggested by instinct and intuition.Â
And then I will journal freely on this idea:
‘1027 denotes that your instincts will suggest fresh openings.’
I like that word, ‘opening,’ as it’s inviting and friendly, suggesting that everything we need is already waiting there for us, we just have to find and tap into it, to connect with what that means for ourselves as individuals in this present moment. The word ‘beginning’ can feel official or action oriented, (its definition is literally ‘the point in time or space at which something starts’) and is maybe too pressuring of a mindset for tonight. So I think ‘opening’ is really nice for this moment right now, because it's more of a suggestion, a welcoming, a hint of dawn in the distance, the open door awaiting you to walk through when you decide it's time. A definition of opening is ‘a beginning; an initial part,’ so it’s like the gentler steps before starting something new, the preparation, a cocoon in its process, a hibernating bud slowly moving towards a new awakening. A chance to ease into our plans and needs with authentic and organic pace, perfect for the inward reflection space that winter brings. ‘Opening,’ is like that open door or pathway in the distance, visible and awaiting us patiently, and ‘Beginning,’ is when we stand in our power and walk courageously through with fire-y audacity, into the next phase and era of our lives. Â
We can freely journal from the statement itself, from this general idea, or here are some options for questions to lead with as writing prompts:
What ‘fresh openings’ or ‘new beginning’ might you be ready for?
Is there anything you would love to do that you haven’t given yourself permission to do yet?
When you listen closely to your own instinct and intuition, what fresh openings are suggested?
Picture yourself alone and still, in the quiet dark of night. You look into the distance and see that dawn is on the horizon, a soft glowing light appearing slowly. You move towards the dawn, and suddenly, you see yourself - there in the future, and you feel so happy and excited to see where you’ve arrived in your life, how you’re feeling, what you’re accomplishing. What is it that you see? What are you up to there? What is different about you out there in that light of dawn compared with here in this moment now?Â
What is one small/doable action step you can take tomorrow to move towards your own light of dawn, to move closer towards the fresh opening suggested by your intuition?
You can also choose to reflect on any of the lines of Joseph’s solstice words that might have resonated with you or sparked an idea, for example: ‘There is this polarity to everything, and the thing about polar opposites, is that you can’t have one without the other. Hot/cold, summer/winter, light/darkness. One is the very reason that the other exists.’Â
Also, you can write simply about what the Winter Solstice means to you, what it's represented in the past, what it represents now, or what you’d like it to represent in the future.
If you feel inspired to do so, please join me in spending some time with any of these thoughts or writing prompts. Maybe they will lead to another stream of consciousness or thought process altogether. All you need is a pen and paper or a computer to type on, and most importantly, to lead with your heart. Allow your intuition and instinct to guide you freely anywhere that feels good at this moment, and follow along with care. Â
A fresh opening is like a flower blooming its petals after the dormant and restorative winter. It takes time and care, water and seed, conditions of light and attention, both patience and effort, and it happens organically as it's meant to. An ‘opening’ we move towards can be anything. Maybe it is a new creative project, a shift in career, reaching out to a family member, deepening your trust in someone, talking with a loved one or partner about something. Maybe it's taking a chance or a risk in a big way or a quiet way. Something about work, something about health. These are all important things, and they can be scary too. We don’t necessarily have to do any of these things right now (unless they are truly urgent and time sensitive), but we can move into this initial process - to think about them, contemplate them, and move closer towards them. Winter solstice can be a gift to ourselves to take a pause, have some slow reflection time - it doesn’t necessarily have to be a big moment of action and change. It can be more about clarity and preparation, it can be whatever we need it to be. And if it doesn’t feel nice to journal or reflect on this right now, we don’t have to do that either. Maybe it feels better to go to sleep early tonight, to meet a friend for dinner, or to call a loved one. Or maybe it feels good to find a solstice community gathering like the Elizabeth Street Garden one, where we can share in togetherness and access that peaceful sensation of shimmering hope and belonging. The most wonderful thing about these days is that we can decide what they mean for us, what we are needing, and listening closely to our instinct and intuition is the best way to do just that.
So here are some options for a writing reflection exercise, as a way to spend your 10:27 seasonal changeover. I really wish you all the most wonderful and peaceful Winter Solstice night. If you’d like to share any of your reflections or ideas, the way you like to celebrate, some ideas for how to spend it next year, or any thoughts at all, please put them in the comments. Thank you so very much for your participation and openness.Â
Happy Winter, everyone! Sending solstice magic to you all.
SAVE THE DATE!
In light of this occasion, I would like to extend a special invitation to my subscribers to join me for an online workshop on the evening of January 4. Just like the solstice, dates are very special and significant to me, and as the year comes to a close and a new year looms close by, I would love to reflect together in a direct and intentional way to prepare ourselves for the year ahead. Â
Join me online for a Remembrance Calendar Workshop on January 4. I will post the link for my subscribers next week. Stay tuned!
Thank you for including Joseph's words. Before I read on, my plan for later this evening is to string sparkling lights upon the Christmas tree with my daughter.
For me, the winter solstice, the day with the most darkness, is a time where we are reminded that we must create our own light in the world, and be that light with those we love.
Happy solstice, Jesse!