The Winter Solstice has been honoured across cultures for thousands of years. It marks a powerful celestial moment – the point when the Earth tilts furthest from the Sun, bringing us the shortest day and longest night of the year.
This is much more than an astronomical event, however. It’s a sacred invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and reflect on the journey we’ve taken and where we’re heading next.
The Longest Shadow
Step outside at the exact moment of the Winter Solstice, and you’ll cast your longest shadow of the year. It’s a beautiful metaphor. This time of year invites us to look at our own shadow – what we’ve outgrown, what we’ve overcome, and what still lingers in the darker corners of our hearts.
It’s a time for introspection; a space to acknowledge what needs to be healed, released or transformed.
Whether through a quiet moment of meditation, a shamanic journey, or a ceremony under the stars, the Solstice offers a powerful threshold – a moment to let go and step into a new phase of transformation.
Dark Night of the Soul
For many, this season brings emotional and spiritual challenges. What some call a ‘dark night of the soul’ can feel like life unravelling. Old wounds resurface. We begin to question why we’re here, why these things are happening, and whether we’ll ever feel whole again.
But beneath the discomfort, a deeper truth is unfolding.
This breaking down is part of a sacred process. It’s a dismemberment of the old self, so the true self can emerge. As uncomfortable as it may be, the darkness holds the seed of transformation. It allows us to strip away the ego and the mind and return to the deep knowing that we are made of love.
Reclaiming the Light Within
The key to moving through these darker times is to connect with your spirit, your soul, and your inner wisdom. Remember: all storms pass. And as your spiritual practice deepens, so will your resilience. You’ll realise that the only way out is through. Your light was never lost, only hidden for a short time.
You Already Hold the Answers
True healing begins by turning inward. The answers are already within your soul and you were born with the wisdom to return to balance.
Let go of the past. Return to this moment. Not five minutes ago. Not one second ago. This moment. And from here, begin to imagine the life you want to create.
Here’s a simple practice you can try, inspired by the teachings of shaman Sandra Ingerman:
- Sit quietly with some calming music and ask your power animal or spirit guide to support you in this meditation. (Even if you’ve never connected with them before, simply ask and they’ll hear you).
- Imagine removing the ‘robe’ of your current identity – your roles, your burdens, your story.
- Feel what’s underneath. Let that essence, your true self, soak into every cell of your being and feel your inner confidence emerge.
- Then, envision yourself walking out of the room you’re in and onto a path in nature. With each step, fell yourself receiving love and energy from the Earth, and sending it back in return.
- Begin to visualise the life you want to live moving forward. Focus on any area – your relationships, your home, your finances, your work – and let your imagination fill in the details.
- Most importantly, feel yourself experiencing this new life – not from a place of wanting, but from a place of already living it.
- When you feel complete, gently return to your body and open your eyes. You may wish to journal your experience.
When we fully inhabit the present moment, the soul begins to speak, and the spirit begins to grow. Your inner light, long obscured, begins to shine again.
Writing a New Story
The Winter Solstice is not just about surviving the darkness, it’s about remembering the light. It’s about rewriting your story, imagining something new, and creating a future from a place of truth and power.
This is your invitation to stand in your light. Let go of what no longer serves you and keep walking forward. Your spirit is your compass, and it knows the way.
There is no separation from source. You are source. You are the light. And your journey is sacred.