I invite you to honor the Winter Solstice with me. Join me as we celebrate our triumphs, share our experiences, and offer encouragement to each other!
Thought to mark the end of the harvest season, the holiday also has roots in the Chinese concept of yin and yang: After the solstice, the abundance of darkness in winter will begin to be balanced with the light of the sun. An ancient Persian festival celebrates the end of shorter days and the victory of light over darkness. It's a time to rest, celebrate, and breathe at the end of the year
For me, winter is a time to "hibernate", a time of rest and reflection. After the death of everything in the Fall, I find it to be a refreshing time to shed the last of that which no longer serves me, in preparation for what will propel me forward. It’s a time to till the “soil” of my life, and prepare for the coming year. It's a time to consider the intentions I want to set, or the "seeds" I want to “plant”.
As I look back on the year that is drawing to an end, I consider what I accomplished; what worked and what didn't. I look at my growth as a human; where did I struggle, and where did I succeed? What did I learn from my triumphs and tribulations? How can I use my new strength, experience, and wisdom to better myself and my community moving forward?
In preparation, please write down your accomplishments, your successes, your wins, and your joys from 2023 on a piece of paper. On another piece of paper, write down the areas where you struggled, where you met a block or challenge, and the things that in any way held you back in 2023.
I will build a sacred fire, and we will offer these papers to it during ceremony. Please bring a bell or rattle if you are moved to do so. In honor of the victory of light over the dark, I will be wearing white. It would be lovely if we all wore white for this celebration, so if you own a white outfit this is a great opportunity to wear it!
We will begin inside (upstairs) with fellowship, and time to write if you didn't beforehand, from 6:30-7:00. Then we will head outside to Zentopia for our ceremony. After that, everyone is free to hang out in the garden or come inside for more fellowship. There will be snacks!
Please dress appropriately to spend approximately 30 minutes outside in whatever elements Mother Nature provides for us. I will be doing my snow dance, in hopes for a Winter Snowlstice, so be prepared for snow!
If you’d like to attend, please register through my Eventbrite event so I have an accurate head count.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-solstice-ceremony-tickets-769980832397?aff=oddtdtcreator
To waive the small fee I’m putting on the event (to avoid scammers) enter the coupon code MYSTIC to receive 100% off. Donations of snacks to share at the event are much more appreciated than dollars!