Winter Solstice 2024
It is the season of Light!
The photo shows sunlight coming through the tree tops. Photo by A.N.
It is the winter season here in the Northern Hemisphere. There are celebrations and gatherings happening right now to celebrate the return of the Light. During the dark days of winter, it seems as if the sun is far away and gone. But then it starts to come back, and that is the Winter Solstice. Winter Solstice is not a single moment in time. Like most things in nature, the Winter Solstice is a gradual shift from the short winter days to the longer days that eventually become longer spring and summer days.
For myself, I find it is time to be quiet and cozy right now. So, I invite you to do a mini practice with me that includes a short three-point acupressure routine at the end to quiet the mind and focus on two questions that I believe are a way to “hold” the Winter Solstice energies that evoke and celebrate the Light. I have been doing this practice during these short days and long nights, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night. As the calendar year comes to an end, and the dark and cold nights might make us feel that we need more rest before the start of a brand new year, it is helpful to take small moments during this time of transition to replenish energy, cultivate peace and recognize that ability to act and align actions with what is most important to us. The light of the sun is the symbol for the Light of awareness, and the Solstice times are times to embody that power to sense and direct the Light of Awareness within. The Solstice times throughout the year are opportunities to recognize that part of you that is naturally drawn to the Light. That Light is the power of existence! It is the Light of the World.
A Mini (10-minute) Winter Solstice Practice
This routine honors that this is a busy and tender time of transition. This little routine is short (ten minutes), but it is also meaningful: first, you energize the body with a little shaking, and then bring the bodymind into a quiet meditative space with the simple exercise called The Flowing Motion where you are encouraged to move slowly and synchronize your breath with your movement.
Then, you end this simple practice with a three-point acupressure routine is as follows:
Three acupoints to focus on are here in order.
First: Yintang or the Third Eye point right between the eyebrows. Touch this point and breathe to settle in and set an intention to listen and focus.
Second: Conception Vessel 17 right in the middle of the breast bone. This is a great point for finding your experience and feelings in the middle of the busyness. There can be emotions here. Contact this point lightly and acknowledge any feelings.
Third: Governing Vessel 26, which is the point at the philtrum or that little indentation between the upper lip and the nose. This is the point that is prescribed to people who are emotionally distraught. It connects Heaven and Earth and is said to connect head and heart. Making contact with this point can make the mind very quiet.
In that space of a quiet mind, you bring the light of awareness inward to ask two important questions:
What is the most important thing right now?
If my only task was simply to love today, what would I do first? What would be my first action?
Our meditations can bring a freshness into the next thing we do as we ready ourselves to dive into a new year.
A little practice to do during the holidays to keep the energy flowing and fresh.
My special announcement:
I will be taking a little break from posting these blog entries during the height of the Holidays (Holy Days). I will be with family and returning after January 6, 2025.
Thank you always for reading!