Approaching the Winter Solstice
Are you missing the daylight hours?
Starting and end our workdays in the dark… can make it seem like the daylight didn't happen at all.
As we approach the Winter Solstice, the days (daylight) grow shorter and the nights longer. In nature, it's a time of internalizing and turning/tuning within. Our culture however speaks of other traditions! In and around the Winter Solstice, our calendars and schedules get busy with all of the holiday preparations, get-togethers and festivities.
How do we align and attune to nature when our schedule has us doing more and more?
Get Outside!
This recommendation carries over month after month, but it's truly THE BEST way to attune with nature. We have to get out in it! Even a few minutes in the daylight hours can help you connect (and remember) the light. Maybe it's a quick walk around the block - but every time we do it, the light and the expansiveness of the sky acts as a natural way to harmonize the fullness of our schedule and the shortening daylight hours.
Winter Lights!
Their joy-inspiring sparkly-ness is a lovely way to honour the light! Whether inside or outdoors, this is a fun and lovely way to counter the darkness of winter. And here's my pitch to keep those festive lights aglow throughout the season. I'd love to see our neighbourhoods lit up through to the end of February - anyone with me??
Adjust Your Gaze!
Another wonderful practice is to gaze at the light of a candle.
Light a small candle
Let your gaze be easy, your eyelids soft
Watch and wonder at the gentle movement of the flame
Notice the variations in colour; the whites, the deepening yellow and golds, the blue heat...
The eyes and our sense of sight are connected to the element of fire. The practice of candle-gazing helps us connect to our inner fire - and light within ourselves.
Connecting With The Light Within...
Any, and all of these would make for a beautiful practice to honour the Winter Solstice. In particular, as we connect with our inner flame - the light within ourselves, we cultivate our awareness, our knowing and our internal wisdom. This is at the heart of STRESS-LESS Living.
The Winter Solstice represents the transformation of darkness to light. May these practices support you as you nurture your inner flame 💛
