by Nancy Robbins
WINTER SOLSTICE/YULE – Dec. 21-22
The word “Winter” is from a 2000 year old Germanic word “wentruz” to mean “winter” or “wet season”. The Old English language changed it to “winter”, also spelled “wynter” or “wintir”.
The Winter Solstice is the time of the longest night and the shortest day. The dark triumphs briefly, for the Solstice is also a turning point, the dark wanes and the Sun waxes in power. From the dark womb of the night, the light is born. The Winter Solstice represents the Winter Season, the North, the element Earth, retreating to the inner realms and inner Earth cave, stillness, hibernation and deep sleep and dreamtime, and the dark void which contains all possibilities.
This is a great time for meditation, a look within and deep inner connection in serenity and stillness. By giving yourself time to connect deeply within your energy recharges, and you create a space for new ideas to be born – a prelude and necessary step before the first growth of Spring.
Stories of this time speak of the battle between the dark and the light, which is won, naturally by the light. This promise of first light prevents any despair of the finality of the darkness. Many winter festivals celebrate this promise of light as with St. Lucy’s Day, Saturnalia, Hanukkah, New Years, and Twelfth Night. Other traditions record this as the time a savior (the Sun-Child) is born to a virgin mother, a promise of the light.
Yule- First Light of Joy
Yule is the Winter Solstice and is also known as Midwinter. Yule represents the beginning of the season of winter a time of death readying for rebirth. It is the qualities of the cardinal direction North – of rest and contemplation of life’s lessons we experienced bringing wisdom. It is the energies of the Earth element – nurturing, stable and strong. It is from the dark depths of the Earth that life emerges. The word Yule comes from the Norse “Iul” which means “wheel”. Yule marks the rebirth of the Sun – the “great wheel” of the sky. On this longest night of winter – the “dark night of our souls” – there springs a new spark of hope to light the world. This marks the time of growing daylight which represents life.
The Oak tree is a deciduous leafy tree that comes into its full power during the half of the year of growing light moving up to the Summer Solstice when light begins to recede again. The Oak tree is represented by the Oak King whose reign now begins.
Yule also celebrates the child-sun who is born to the white lady, or snow hag of winter. This myth tells how the sun is reborn during the greatest darkness on the night of Yule. Yule focuses on the return of the sun, light, joy and life. Light also shines dispelling darkness in the form of shadows – hidden aspects of ourselves not explored or denied that can become an uncontrollable power. They may be suppressed emotions, personal or cultural taboos, or cultural rigid rules that create behaviors and strong emotional reactions. The light pierces through falsehoods and illusions bringing the clarity of truth.
Winter Solstice Meditation #1: Release What No Longer Serves You
Make yourself comfortable. Take a seat or lay down. Make the room as dark and quiet as possible. As an option, light one candle. If you are seated, make sure the soles of your feet touch the ground. If you are laying down, consider placing a cushion behind your knees to release any tension in your lower back. Being intentional in creating this time and space with purpose and loving-kindness is an important step in signaling to your body and brain that you are ready to meditate and receive the benefits of this practice of self-care.
Breathe deeply and observe how you are experiencing each inhale and exhale. Open your eyes and notice the darkness and light in your room. Notice the contrast between bright and dim. Observe without criticism or judgment. Breathe. Close your eyes and notice the bright and dim spots with your eyes closed. Observe with curiosity, no criticism, no judgment. Breathe. Welcome the darkness of this winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Observe your thoughts about this time of year without judgment. Breathe.
Shift your focus within away from external distractions, and notice what sensations and thoughts are present in this moment. Move towards the darkness and listen to the whispers and messages or sensations arising in this space. Breathe.
Ask yourself “What do you want me to pay attention to right now?”
Listen. Breathe. Take five slow deep breaths. Scan the body. Do you notice any tension in the body? If you notice any tension, send your attention and breath to that body part, and tell yourself “It’s okay to relax. I give you permission to let go.” Take your time. Relax the whole body.
Observe and notice how you feel in this moment? Ask yourself “Is there a pattern or habit or cause of suffering I am ready to let go of right now?” Listen. Breathe. Create your affirmations: “I let go of ____.”
Repeat this out loud 3 times, whisper it 3 times, repeat it silently 3 times. Breathe deep. Observe and notice this experience of letting go.
Repeat this three times out loud or silently: “I release what no longer serves me, I release it into the darkness of this winter solstice. I create space for ease and welcome freedom from suffering.”
Continue in silent meditation for as long as you wish to continue to free your body and mind. The first light of the Winter Solstice begins with your heart glow. Place your hands on your heart and as you breathe deeply, press love, warmth and compassion into your whole being.
Winter Solstice Meditation #2: Giving Birth to Light
From darkness there is light,
As day takes over night.
Let love and joy return,
Let the flame of life burn.
(Have a white candle ready, but do not light it yet.)
Sit in the darkness and close your eyes and visualize being outside on a cold winter’s night. There is a stillness in the deep dark of winter. It is the time when all nature sleeps and awaits new birth. It is the long night of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year when darkness triumphs over all; and yet, in the darkness lie the seeds of light.
When you are in darkness and there is nothing to see, your vision turns inwards. Waiting is the watchword of the Winter Solstice. Seeds and bulbs sleep in the dark ground waiting for Spring, waiting to grow. Babies sleep in the dark womb, waiting to be born, waiting to become. Ideas sleep in the mind’s dark recesses, waiting to germinate, waiting to create. Everything sleeps in the cold dark, waiting, waiting. What are you waiting for? What is waiting to be born from within you? Give yourself time to search deep within for the answer. When you have clarity on what you would like to give birth to – light your candle.
At the Solstice, the Great Mother gives birth to the Divine Child of the Sun, the bringer of hope and joy, the promise of Summer’s warmth. This is a light that transforms darkness, that leads you out of chaos and fear. As you gaze at your candle’s flame in the darkness you recognize this light is within you as well, even when you are in a dark situation. A new hope of your own has been given birth to this night, as well as your own creative idea that will be nurtured with the growing light of the Spring and Summer. You are a Creator and a new light is born.
Yule Activities:
This is a time for honoring nature, the sun, and welcoming the hope and renewal of this season of rebirth. The winter season calls for a time to rest, relax, reflect, and renew. A time to look back over the year and reinvigorate the goals you have for yourself, let go of the old and make way for beautiful new beginnings in the coming months.
- Get some winter blooms for your home, bring some nature indoors. You can use evergreens such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, bay, laurel, or pine boughs.
- Add Yule and Winter touches to your altar – add a symbol of returning light, such as a candle that can additionally burn with a specific intention.
- Write a journal entry about what you feel you have accomplished over the last year, and what you would like to change or manifest for the upcoming year. Add any new intentions for the coming year.
- Decorate a Yule Tree
- Have a cleansing ritual bath and be mindful of letting go of old energy
- Perform an Earth gratitude ritual.
- Sunrise meditation to welcome the light
- Charge and cleanse your crystals
- Wear/Decorate with colors connected to Yule, such as green, red, gold, or white
- Burn incense of Sage, Pine, or Rosemary to purify and reflect.
- Perform a house cleansing ritual
- Perform a ritual to recharge your spirit. Perhaps create a magical self-care routine for winter.
- Make time to rest and relax – give yourself loving care.
- Bake/Cook with seasonal whole foods for winter
- Meditate with Labradorite. Yule is a time of going within and finding your inner light and magic. Labradorite enhances your inner vision to see the unseen and gain information, as it anchors spiritual energy into your body.