Winter Solstice

Each year between December 20 and 23, comes the longest night followed by the return of the Sun as it passes from Sagittarius into Capricorn, marking the official beginning of winter. In a sense the Sun is being reborn as it rises from the depths of darkness and the days begin to lengthen once again. In ancient days, it was a time of great rejoicing. Today, we are not as dependent on the sun with our electrical light sources, but many religions and cultures celebrate the light in some way during this holiday season. For more info on the Winter Solstice – http://www.religioustolerance.org/winter_solstice.htm.

Winter Solstice

For me, as one who is so connected to our natural world, this is one of my favorite holidays. In fact, I will be hosting a gathering at a new venue in Danvers, MA called Human Nature.http://www.healingholistically.com/#/calander-events/4544563465. I hope you can join me for a special time of reflection and celebration if you are in the Boston/Northshore area.

Besides being a minister, I am also an astrologer which has helped me to get in-tuned to our natural earth cycles. As we come close to the end of the year, Mercury is in retrograde — now is the time to repair, review and realign priorities and goals — especially on a soul level, since the new Winter season is about honoring our growing light within. Let go of the old this week, and slow down and take time to re-evaluate your priorities and decide what is worthy of your time and resources. If you don’t take the time now, my guess there will be events that will bring about some changes in your emotional perspective over the next couple of months — for next Monday evening, there will also be a lunar eclipse before the solstice. In a lunar eclipse, the earth blocks the sun rays to the moon temporarily. Metaphorically, we shift our psyche/perspective to get a glimpse of our shadow side that maybe ready to be integrated. If you can’t join us for our winter solstice sacred gathering, make your own ceremony. Winter Solstice events very often include fire ceremonies to help release the old and this year with the lunar eclipse, it will be such a helpful ritual especially if you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions or stress. Here is link that has explains how to create your own fire ceremony — http://life-winds.com/client-resources/ceremony-ritual/fire-ceremony. Afterwards, light a candle and say a prayer for what you want to grow in your life or how you want to shine in the world in the next year. For this part, I leave you with a prayer:

Winter Prayer/Meditation

by Susan Kramer

During lengthening days of light
May our actions be lighthearted
Upon right and noble impulses

During quiet hours beyond dusk, before dawn
May we take time to think over events from the day
Plan for good in the morrow.

In light of day
May we extend our personal borders
Caring and sharing expansively.

So the world glows bright from our presence
May we blaze as beacons of harmony
Lighting the path ahead.

To nurture efforts toward lasting peace
May we with act with kindness to all
Embracing our family and friends wholeheartedly
Ever gracing our world-wide family lightheartedly.

Wishing you a heartlight filled holiday season,
Rev. Annika