I’ve chosen light as December’s theme. As the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere approaches, darkness increases each day. As a result, we’re drawn to celebrate light. From ancient times, people from all cultures and religious traditions have honored this yearly gift from nature. This is the time to draw in and rest. It’s a period for reflection and making plans for new beginnings. Moreover, it promotes extended times of meditation and silence.
“Within you is the light of a thousand suns.” – Robert Adams
Winter has a Proto-Germanic root meaning “wet” and this is our coldest, darkest and wettest season. The word solstice, from Latin, has two parts: sol, meaning “sun” and sistere, “to stand still.” Therefore the name itself – Winter Solstice — describes a way to honor this energetic shift and meditate on its significance. This is a time to pause, be still and cease all activity.
Winter Solstice is a time of quiet energy. This is a time to pause and reflect. It’s a time to let go and make new plans.
Light, referring to illumination, comes from the Indo-European root leuk. It means bright, or brightness. This season is spiritually symbolic of death and rebirth. As the light recedes, we even more fervently seek its warmth.
Paradoxically, the ending of the year sees many of us frantic with the commercial demands of this season. We are also pressured with tying up end-of-the-year business. While there’s much joy to be experienced with celebrations and family get-togethers, it’s good to keep this in perspective.
Notwithstanding the hubbub of parties and activities, we are capable of carving out personal time, even in small doses. The following practices can easily be done in three to five-minute increments:
Cultivate the power of stillness and reflect upon the light in your life by…
- writing down, or journaling about that for which you are most grateful.
- reflecting upon your accomplishments for the year and that which you wish to let go.
- setting your intentions for the coming year with clarity and enthusiasm for change.
See related blog on Gratitude: Connect and Accept!
“The winter solstice has always been special to me as a barren darkness that gives birth to a verdant future beyond imagination, a time of pain and withdrawal that produces something joyfully inconceivable, like a monarch butterfly extracting itself from the confines of its cocoon, bursting forth into unexpected joy.” – Gary Zukav
Finally, it’s good to remember even though we are in the darkest of days, it’s really all about light. Light symbolizes victory over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. This is the time to leverage your light and tap into its power. As you raise your vibration, you bring light to the world.
December’s Scent of the Month: Frankincense. Considered “King of the Oils” because of its versatility, the use of Frankincense for healing and ritual has an ancient history. Derived from the Boswellia tree, it has a woodsy and spicy aroma and is used as an anti-inflammatory, a digestive aid, for better breathing and oral health. Frankincense is believed to dispel spiritual darkness, bringing light and truth to your soul. For more information and to order I recommend Doterra and Young Living products.
Suggested Reading: A Little Light on the Spiritual Laws by Diane Cooper
Images: Courtesy of pexels.com/free photo stock source.
