Today is Winter Solstice. At noon, the sun will appear at its lowest altitude above the horizon. The name solstice means “Sun stands still.” In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun hugs closer to the horizon than at any other day during the year, yielding the least amount of daylight annually.
Winter Solstice is the great stillness before the sun’s strength builds, and days grow longer. Worldwide, interpretation of Winter Solstice varies from culture to culture but many cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around this time.
Winter Solstice is a time to rest and reflect. It’s the fruitful dark from which new life can emerge. The darkness itself is the spiritual cradle into which the sun is reborn. Everything lies dormant in the silent night, a sacred time of rest before the awakening, and the slow build toward longer days.
The longest night is a fruitful time for setting intentions, to be birthed with the newborn sun. The Winter Solstice presses us to consider and reconcile the realities of darkness and light. Albert Camus wrote, “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”
In Latin, solstice is made of two words: ‘sol’ meaning “the sun”; and ‘sistere’ meaning “to make stand.” Winter Solstice is one the most powerful points of the year as the axis of the Earth pauses, shifts and moves in the opposite direction. For three days around the solstice event we experience the power of the standstill point and the shift of direction.
The sun standing still is a powerful metaphor for the energy available to us at the Winter Solstice to change the direction of our lives with intention and build on this energy as we enter into the new year. After experiencing the longest night and darkest day, the nights grow shorter and the days grow brighter until the Summer Solstice.
Perhaps today you will be compelled to be still and investigate the parts of yourself you have been hiding in the darkness, and offer them the light of your acknowledgement and acceptance. The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to light. Let the sun of your resistance stand still for you to explore the root cause of your own suffering, to take on the personal work necessary to heal a deep wound or repair your relationship with yourself. Consider creating a small ceremony or symbolic act to accompany your new intention and resolve. Light a candle each day to honor the process of your own rebirth.
Albert Schweitzer wrote, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Winter Solstice is also a time to remember that each of us is a light one to another. Our actions of compassion, care, solidarity, and loving-kindness helps spark the flame of hope within others during one’s darkness.
Jim Palmer
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 