The Winter Solstice in Australia falls around the 22nd June. This is the shortest day and the longest night and has been celebrated by people all over the world for thousands of years.
It is the point at which the old Solar (Sun) year has ended and the coming year is born. In the northern hemisphere this occurs just before Christmas and New Year when everyone is looking back over the previous year and making promises and resolutions for the next. In Australia it is still Winter and down here in Hobart at least, it is often marked by slowing down and withdrawing and making plans for when it is warm again.
In the spiritual yearly cycle, the Solstice marks the start of Winter and a time for being quiet and reflective. The energy is all about reflecting over the past before letting it go; and planting the spiritual and mental seeds that create your future year. If you wish to mark the Solstice or use its energies to help you move on from the past into a new future, you can try this simple ritual.
You will need:
2 sheets of paper
Pen(s)
Water
Patch of earth
Lighter and somewhere safe to burn paper
1 On your first sheet of paper, write down all the things you would like to say goodbye to or want to let go. This could be financial stress, sickness, worry or lingering feelings after a bad relationship. Sometimes it can be a bad habit like smoking or overeating. Whatever it is write it down, using a black pen if at all possible.
2 Now look at the page and really focus on the things you want gone from your life. In a safe place, set fire to the piece of paper and as it burns feel your negative problems burning away with them. When the ash has cooled, scoop it up and scatter it on some living earth. This can be a nature strip or pot plant if you don’t have a garden. This will soak up any remaining negative energy and neutralise it. Pour some water on it to wash it into the earth.
3 On your second sheet of paper, write down all the things you would like to come into your life over the coming year. Prosperity, health, peace of mind, love or stability whatever it is you want to increase and grow. I use a green pen for this, although it isn’t essential. You could also use yellow paper if you wish to represent positive Sun energy.
4 Now take the second piece of paper and focus on the things you have written that you want. Take some time focusing on these positives and visualise their energy filling the space where the negatives were before. You may find that saying something like ‘goodbye to poverty, welcome to abundance’ or ‘letting go of sickness and bringing in health’, whatever works for you. Put a bit of time and focus into this part.
5 Next fold up the piece of paper and bury it in your garden, pot plant or a nearby park. Some people like to put a coin or some grains folded up in the paper before they bury it. Again pour some water over it.
However you decide to celebrate the longest night stay safe and warm!