Today is the shortest day of the year, which means the longest night. The winter solstice is a time of darkness, where we must work to encourage the Sun back to his Mother, the Sky. We also welcome the light back into our lives and our practice.

When the dark of night falls this evening, honour it in class. Meditate with your community, and honour yourself. We will give a farewell to the long nights of autumn and work through the negative aspects that we wish to rid ourselves of. We will use our breath work to settle us down and sink into the peaceful quiet of winter, with soft evening light starting to flood back into the studio. Your practice can be transformative on this energetically charged evening!

Make a wish this evening. Pray for light and love for the coming year. Help the Sun’s feathered friends, by putting out birdseed for the winter birds.

Wood, acorns, bayberry, mugwort and oak leaves are especially blessed at this time. Mistletoe hung over the doorway was an ancient Norse practice to protect against thunder and lightning (the Norse God, Thor), as well as malicious evil.

At a time of year that is notoriously busy and stressful, my wish is that you can each find some solitude and peace within yourselves, perhaps using the elements that nature has to offer us as your guide. Happy Winter Solstice one and all!
Farewell Darkness, you’ve served us well
You’ve brought peace and calmness with your spell
You’ve helped us regroup; we honour you
The time has come, though, to say goodbye
Farewell, Darkness. Go now, fly
-Dorothy Morrison