By Vicki Patterson
The Winter Solstice is Both an Ending and Beginning
On the shortest day and longest night of the year we celebrate the light.
The return of it and all the warmth it brings.
The world 'solstice' comes from the Latin solstitium meaning 'Sun stands still', because the apparent movement of the Sun's path north or south stops before changing direction.
At the winter solstice, the apparent position of the Sun reaches its most southerly point against the background stars.
The light of the Sun begins a new solar cycle at Winter Solstice.
Celebrate The Winter
When we observe nature, we discover that winter is a time of reflection, rest, hibernation and going within. In winter everything lies dormant in the silent earth, a time of letting go of what no longer serves us.
In Ayurveda
Winter is Both Vata & Kapha Season
Which means, it’s important to keep our bodies in balance during this mix of the doshas.
In the early Winter Vata, which is cold and dry. Light and airy quality.
Nourishing your body with root vegetables. Focusing on local and what’s in season foods. Enjoy soups, stews and roasted veggies.
Invite your body to a slower, supportive, restorative yoga practice, allowing your body to rest.
In the late Winter it's more Kapha in nature - wet, dense, moist, earthy.
Think warming and grounding foods. Foods to stoke the fire ~ spices and seasonings. I love making Chai this time of year. I drink it almost daily!
Knowing that Kapha Dosha is a slower moving quality it’s important to get your body moving during this time with a more vigorous Vinyasa flow, brisk walks or run.
Set Intentions For The New Year
Celebrate the season as a time to what you have accomplished on your journey and what you would like to manifest in the coming year.
The planning and preparation that you do in winter, will naturally lead to the energy and focus of acting on your goals come springtime. Taking stock of the past year is something I do every year.
Here are a couple journal prompts to get started.
What are you grateful for over the past year and why?
How did I grow from my experiences?
What lessons do I want to learn from Winter?
How can I connect more with my Self?
You and The Moon
We are also affected by the moon. Did you look at the morning sky today?
On 12/21/2022 the moon phase is the waning crescent and about 1% illumination.
The waning crescent corresponds with cleaning, clearing, diving deep and going within.
The entire waning moon phase facilitates all growth around internal work when the light of the moon fades many of us can process and connect to self more deeply as the light of the moon fades our inner knowing grows.
Check out my other blog for a deep dive on the phases of the moon!
I love helping to guide you to a Holistic Ayurveda approach to your intentions through yoga, journal prompts, grounding meditation and seasonal care!
Wishing you a beautiful, restful solstice and winter!