Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again,
“It’s simple,” they say,“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.
~Mary Oliver~
Greetings to all my precious people!!
We are in the midst of transition to Winter, the time of deep reflection, inward movement and incubation. For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice will occur on Saturday December 21st, marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This cycle of Nature has arrived consistently throughout millennia, reflecting the natural rhythm of the Universe that is also part of our own rhythms as human beings made of stardust.
The word “solstice” derives from the Latin word sōlstitium and translates to “sun stands still.” This astronomical event has been significant across various cultures and traditions carrying symbolic, spiritual, and celebratory meanings.
Societies across the world have held festivals and ceremonies marking Winter Solstice, the day of the “Sun’s Rebirth.” Most often, Winter Solstice celebrations honored the symbolism of fire and light, along with life, death, the rising sun, and the moon. The Winter Solstice represents a time of transition, renewal, and hope as the days begin to grow longer, inviting the return of light and the promise of a new cycle in nature.
The Winter Solstice holds profound significance in Irish culture, rooted in both ancient traditions and modern interpretations. This day, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, represents themes of rebirth, renewal, and the enduring connection to nature and the cosmos.The Neolithic Site of Newgrange, built over 5,000 years ago, is a massive passage tomb in County Meath aligned precisely with the Winter Solstice. Each year, at dawn on the Solstice, sunlight pierces through the “roof box” above the entrance and illuminates the inner chamber, symbolizing the return of light and life. This alignment reflects the deep understanding of astronomy and the cyclical nature of time held by Ireland’s ancient people. They offer a LiveStream Winter Solstice for those who are unable to attend the ceremony.
Seasonal changes and shifts are important themes in Chinese Medicine. The familiar symbol of Yin and Yang, called the Taijitu, has its roots in Daoist philosophy. Yin and Yang is the basis of Chinese Medicine, a concept of dualism—where opposite and seemingly contrary forces are actually complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world.
They cannot exist apart.
Yin is the dark part of the figure, where Yang is the light part. Though they are separate, they can not exist independently and are in fact, inter-dependent upon each other. They provide context for each other—without dark, there is no concept of light, without cold, there is no concept of heat, without stillness, there is no concept of movement, etc. Note that there is a little circle of Yang within the Yin, and a little circle of Yin within the Yang, reminding us that nothing is completely Yin or completely Yang. Each aspect also contains the beginning point for the other aspect, flowing and changing with time.
The Winter Solstice exemplifies this philosophy. On Saturday, December 21st, Yin will be at its peak. It is the shortest day of the year and the longest night of the year. The Solstice brings forth the Yin—the Earth’s movement toward increasing darkness—transitioning to Yang—the Earth’s movement toward increasing light. In this exact moment of transition, there is believed to be a mysterious blending of the Yin and Yang that opens the possibility of new creation and rebirth.
During this time the seeds of Yang begin to grow, and the daylight incrementally grows a little longer. However, the Winter season is still considered Yin time—a time of stillness to sit quietly and travel deep within ourselves to embrace introspection. Ironically, the holiday season brings forth Yang-type activity. We have a million things to do, people to see, shopping to do, holiday travels, etc. This extroverted expenditure of energy is the opposite of what we need at this time of year!
The Solstices are not seen as endpoints but as midpoints within a greater cycle. For instance, the winter solstice is a time to acknowledge the culmination of darkness, which holds the seed of light within it. This cyclic view reinforces the Daoist principle that all phases of existence are interconnected and ever-changing.
Consider the following to support the natural rhythms according to Chinese Medicine concepts:
- Nourishment: The physical body absorbs nutrients best in the winter. It is recommended to eat nourishing foods, such as bone broth soups with healing herbs, soups and stews, shrimp, walnuts, black beans and kidney beans, and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger.
- Rest: During this time of extreme yin, characterized by short days and long nights, nature reminds us to adjust our sleep accordingly. Align with the seasonal energy by going to bed earlier and waking later.
- Preservation: Set boundaries in your social life, put yourself first and take care of your own well-being. Get acupuncture to help restore balance, tend to dis-ease, and foster rest and relaxation. Clear toxicity from your personal space with decluttering and cleaning.
- Introspection: Look inward to find your potential, overcome fears and recognize the opportunity for hope and renewal. The moments of possibility are endless!
The Winter Solstice is a reminder to honor our connection to the natural world. Let us consider celebrating the seasonal changes without traditional holidays, gifts, or decorations. Instead, we can honor Winter through rituals and self-care, looking specifically to our ancestors and heritage for inspiration. The Solstice is deemed a turning point, signifying the gradual return of longer days and the rebirth of the Sun. It symbolizes hope, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness. Many cultures view this period as a time of new beginnings, reflection, and setting intentions for the coming year.
Be aware that this is no ordinary Solstice, according to many astrologers. The global world and our own small worlds are about to be shaken into new patterns that are indecipherable, unimaginable but deemed necessary in these extraordinary times of evolution. As the Solstice in the sign of Capricorn approaches, check in with yourself: are you tuning into the cosmic downloads or are you immersed in seasonal consumerism?
If you prefer to be distracted rather than introspective and quiet, by all means enjoy the outer noise!! It is fueled by the social media frenzy about how to spend more money you don’t have on stuff you don’t need. But if you are feeling the call to withdraw and incubate, consider this: Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is the archetype of winter-–bleak and skeletal yet beautiful in the stark truth and revelations of what lies beneath. It is during these moments when we can find our way to the Source of our Self and align with what is most meaningful in our life. Remind your Self that during these last days of December:
There is nothing to do, be, practice or ritualize.
There is no need to try hard, to be clever, or grind yourself to dust.
Simply deal with what is in front of you, then take the next step, and the next.
Spend time doing things that soothe you with people you choose to be with.
Presume your needs are reasonable and your feelings are signals of something important.
Undo, unhook, untie and unravel yourself from whatever belongs to the old.
Reframe this interlude as a brief moment of rest and re-set to understand where you have been, where you are now and where you are going…
Look for the sparks of light in the darkness.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are some of the tools I use to support the health and wellness of my patients, but the healing that occurs is always prompted from the inside. The answers to health and wellness reside in your heart. Treatment in my healing sanctuary goes beyond the needles—they simply serve to prompt the body to do its own mysterious and miraculous work.
I help people learn how to listen to their body’s wisdom and reconnect the unconscious mind to nurture the mind-body connection. This work allows people to realize their full capacity and choose to live a life aligned with their values, nourished by their dreams and desires. Together, we co-create opportunities for healing as the process unfolds.
I offer compassionate, attentive care. I see you. I hear you. I celebrate your journey. As an experienced clinician, I support patients as they come home to themselves, reconnecting the mind, body and spirit. This is my greatest passion: to serve as a facilitator, navigator and coach as you transcend old patterns and come into alignment with your best self. Are you ready to choose your Self and celebrate your gifts? Are you ready to manifest your Authentic Self that is abundant with health and vitality? Commit to being present and living your life with intention. Schedule your consultation today!
