The concept of winter solstice comes from the earth religions, the indigenous people who live by the cycles illustrated through the ever-changing forms of nature. It’s a natural, organic celebration of ongoing change, like the spring equinox, the summer solstice and the fall equinox.
I celebrate each of these dates because they help me deepen my awareness of the organic, natural flow of birth and growth and death that’s so apparent in nature. Attuning my personal rhythm to that of nature deepens and strengthens my awareness of my inner being and I find myself drawn more deeply within to look for answers and guidance.
I learn patience. I learn to be present. I learn to let life unfold.
I look within. Not without. As Rumi says, “Everything in the universe is within you. Ask all of yourself.” Within us we have everything we need to change our life and our world.
I use the word “Tao” when I want to explore what cannot be described. I do not call it the Great Mystery, or Universal Mind or even All-That-Is, because those words place the concept outside of myself. If Tao is within me, then I am responsible. I must act. I must choose. And the results of my thoughts and actions and beliefs are manifested in the world around me.
As are yours.
That’s a huge responsibility.
Take your cues from nature
When I choose to celebrate only the winter solstice in December, I can distance myself from many levels that have been layered on the winter season by our human mind. I can sit in stillness and be grateful for the harvest of the year that’s ending. I can reflect on and appreciate what I’ve learned and shared and experienced. I can acknowledge and appreciate the unexpected opportunities I’ve been given and realize how much more I’m prepared to give because of all that I’ve learned during the past year.
I look at what worked, and what didn’t work, and begin to consider what crops I will plant in the coming season.
Winter solstice is a time for inner reflection
Winter solstice is a time for inner work, for contemplation. It’s a time to restore, to heal, to evaluate. Since I live an unfolding life, I no longer vision because I don’t want my human mind to limit the possibilities. But I’m actively seeing and evaluating and interpreting the clues and cues I am being given by Tao, mostly from within my own insights and awareness, but also through some active circumstances that simply show up.
The rhythm of nature is cyclical
Cycles are intertwined. One ends, another begins, still another is at the mid-way point. There’s always movement. There’s always change. We need to be willing to go with the flow and adapt to what shows up. We need to embrace change as our way of life.
Winter solstice is a time for contemplation
Rather than becoming caught up in the increased activity of the human world during this time of year, I move quietly within to evaluate, appreciate and open myself to possibilities.
That’s why and how I celebrate winter solstice.
To Sing a Deeper Song Consider:
Allow Life to Be a Meditation
The Power in a Ceremony of Releasing
Live Like Water
Mindfulness as a Path to Self-Awareness
Embracing Tao
Let the Full Moon Help You Celebrate Cycles of Change
