{"id":20462,"date":"2022-12-16T05:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-16T05:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movementformodernlife.com\/blog\/?p=20462"},"modified":"2024-01-20T15:22:08","modified_gmt":"2024-01-20T15:22:08","slug":"winter-solstice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movementformodernlife.com\/blog\/winter-solstice\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Solstice Rituals: Honouring our Deeper Rhythms | Esmeralda Vere"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The 21st of December, the Winter Solstice has been a time of celebration for humans since the prehistoric era. Esmeralda shares her favourite winter solstice rituals and ways to honour this time of year.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the fast pace of our modern world, we can lose touch with the rhythms of nature, which can leave us feeling disconnected and like we don\u2019t belong. I\u2019ve been exploring the land-based spiritual traditions of different pagan lineages over the past few years in an effort to remember my place in the web of life, and to exist more harmoniously within it. The 21st of December, the Winter Solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, with just under 8 hours between sunrise and sunset here in the UK. It has been a time of celebration for humans since the prehistoric era. Christmas, Saturnalia, Yuletide : all of these traditions take place around the Winter Solstice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Winter Solstice in Yogic Traditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some yoga lineages suggest practising 108 sun salutations <\/a>at the turn of the seasons (for Solstices and Equinoxes) and that can be a beautiful way to mark the occasion (if your shoulders can handle all those chaturangas\u2026) In this article, I\u2019ll be considering the meaning of the Winter Solstice and how we might go about creating our own rituals and traditions to celebrate it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Read more about yoga for stress and anxiety in this complete guide<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Importance of Rest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a culture, we tend to prize ourselves most for our doing, achieving and pursuing, but there is so much value in our rest, relaxation and integration as well. Kat, our founder, has talked a lot about the importance of nervous system regulation<\/a>, and the deeper effects of long-term stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winter solstice offers us an opportunity to pause (Solstice literally means \u201csun stands still\u201d) and reflect. We can take our inspiration from the rest of the natural world, which is also in a state of rest and stillness, in preparation for the return of the sun. If you have the opportunity to, it\u2019s a great day to spend in quiet rest – perhaps with some yoga nidra<\/a>, or a gentle restorative class<\/a>. Let\u2019s reclaim our right to rest, and remember that we have intrinsic value that goes much deeper than our productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Message of Hope & Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Darkness is, according to many early human creation myths, the precursor to all of creation, including light. Think about the spaces where life gestates – eggs, wombs, under the soil – all dark spaces where a spark of life appears, as if from nowhere. The long dark night can be a space of great potential – the liminal space from which anything could happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winter Solstice marks the longest night, but also, the moment just before the return of longer days – the return of the sun. It\u2019s a quieter, more imperceptible change than the arrival of Spring, and a reminder to have faith – even in the depths of darkness and cold, that the sun will return. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A reminder to have faith – even in the depths of darkness and cold, that the sun will return<\/p>\nEsmeralda Vere<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Lots of us are struggling: financially, mentally and emotionally at the moment. If that\u2019s your case, you might consider working elements of hope and nervous system regulation into your winter solstice ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our ancestors in Europe would gather together in their turf houses to sing songs, light fires, and tell stories to get one another through the long nights. You might choose to share your winter solstice ritual with a friend, so that you can remind one another of the value of human connection<\/strong> during trying times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Mindful Moment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you know, here at Movement for Modern Life, we\u2019re always encouraging you to live a more mindful life, and to consider how you might contribute to a better world. I believe that creating a Winter Solstice Ritual can be a beautiful way to do just that – you can use this time to reflect on the year you\u2019ve just lived through, and begin to set positive intentions for the one that\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, we have rest, reflection, intention and connection as our guide-words. Let\u2019s see how we might weave those into a Winter Solstice Ritual. Below are my ideas, feel free to adapt them to better suit you and your life! I recommend setting aside at least an hour – either in the morning or in the evening.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Winter Solstice Yoga Ritual<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Start by setting the Scene<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to give your nervous system a rest, and embrace the depths of this dark night is to spend it by candlelight. Once the sun sets, light your home with candles (electric candles or fairylights make a nice substitute!) We know this might not be practical for everyone, but even a few minutes without bright electric light can do wonders (particularly in the hour just before bed) to soothe and ground your system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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