December already? It is hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of 2009. Each year at this time, we often become overwhelmingly busy with various holidays and festivities. Over the past several years, my family and I have greatly simplified our celebrations – due to changing beliefs, changing budgets, and distances between loved ones. We are a diverse bunch of Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Daoists, and the like.
So the last couple of years, my husband and I have chosen to celebrate the Winter Solstice – a non-denominational holiday. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. From the Winter Solstice on, the hours of daylight grow gradually longer, marking the return of the sun and the birth of light out from the darkness. In Chinese tradition, this is when the Yin energy has reached its peak and the Yang energy is reborn in the same moment.
As the hours of daylight grow, we too can allow our inner light of understanding and love to grow. We can honor the cycles of dark and light, death and life, the dark night of the soul and the rebirth of new hope and vision. When we move deeper into the darkness instead of avoiding it, we find the gifts the darkness holds. Even in our darkest moments, we find seeds of growth and healing.
This year’s Winter Solstice is December 21 at 9:47am Pacific Standard Time. Here’s one way to celebrate the Winter Solstice:
Either by yourself or with your loved ones, light a candle in front of you and softly gaze at the light. Then close your eyes and imagine the light in your lower belly, bringing health and healing to your physical body. Breathe slowly and evenly, feeling each breath adding power and brilliance to the light in your belly. Imagine the light in your heart, opening your heart to love and compassion for yourself and others. Breathe slowly and evenly, feeling each breath adding power and brilliance to the light in your heart. Imagine the light in your head, illuminating your connection to infinite wisdom and Spirit. Breathe slowly and evenly, feeling each breath adding power and brilliance to the light in your head. Imagine these three lights merging and shining from your center as one great light. Before ending, say a blessing, such as, “May this light of health, love, and wisdom shine in me. May this light shine in my family and friends. May this light shine in all beings. May this light shine throughout the universe, bringing peace and unity to all.”
