Honouring the Winter Solstice, as the light returns

The Winter Solstice, falling on the 21^st December, marks the longest night of the year and the beginning of winter.

At this point in the season, energy might feel a little lower. Mornings are darker, evenings seem to come so quickly and this can leave us feeling sluggish and just… meh. It’s completely natural to feel this way at this time of year.

However, the Winter Solstice marks a time when the light begins to return and from this day, the evenings will start to get lighter, little by little. It won’t be a big change, but the shift will begin.

What is the winter solstice?

The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin sol, meaning ‘sun’, and sistere – to ‘stand still’. It is the moment where the sun seems to stand still above the Tropic of Capricorn, the most southerly latitude it reaches annually.

Technically, it will happen at exactly 15:03 on the 21^st December!

How to honour the Winter Solstice

Here’s a gentle invitation on how you can honour this moment in a way that feels supportive for you.

• Create a moment of warmth: Light a candle, wrap up in a cosy blanket, heat up a warm drink… these small sensory things can help your body relax and settle Save
• Slow down your evening: dim the lights a little earlier, step away from the screens and allow the evening to be restful.
• Take a moment of reflection: consider what this year has taught you, what you’ve outgrown and what you’d like to carry forward
• Welcome the return of light: step outside during the daylight, even briefly. Enjoy the sky, the air, the subtle signs that the seasons are beginning to shift.

Lighter days are coming… we’ve made it beauties!