In this time where corporate capitalism is telling us that materialism is the source of joy, Winter Solstice, 
like Mother Earth herself calls us back to what is grounded, true, enduring. The experience and language of our ancestors, our hearts and our plant and animal familia.
It is a day to remember our ancestral and communal human imprint and longing. Not long ago, our ancestors sat through every winter night without electric lights, gas powered heat, and screens flickering. All across the world, humans sat under the moon and the vastness of the galaxy, feeling the contrast and power of the fire. They gathered in their warm, earth made homes with their family and community and told stories, made jokes, played music, entertained each other.
They brought the light, they shared their light.
Because we are steeped in modernity, many depend on strangers/actors and quirky folk/strangers in media lands, to bring the light and humor.
Winter Solstice is a moment, if even just for a day, to reclaim ourselves from programming/disconnection of the modern world and remember the dreamtime magic of Winter.
Remembering that every winter season, we and our families are called to
be with fire,
dive into our imagination,
create and remember stories,
deepen relationships,
dream and reflect,
sleep, slow down and restore.
A nervous system reset that we can count on.
We and our children are born with the imprint and longing to be in relationship with all of life, all our relations and the elements.
Some ways we can honor what this day and season bring are:
Make a big fire or light candles
Keep the lights off and experience the longest night of the year
Sit around the fire/candles and sing songs, tell childhood stories
Play music and games like charades by candlelight
Have a feast with treats, make it festive
Give the children a gift of candles or something representing light
Make sun and moon cookies
Eat oranges that represent the sun and are a winter fruit/miracle
Slow down and focus on being present with each other
European traditions make a yule log (a big piece of wood decorated and blessed) for the fire
Create a special ceremony, some prompts are:
-sit around the fire/candles and share reflections on the past year
-share what want to release and what want to bring in
-share about the light in each one (parents can share a reflection of each child’s inner light/gifts and invite them to share their own)
Above all, bring in the feeling of what it was to be without apps, computers, weather news telling us what is to come, and being able to feel into it.
To know in our bones that the darkest night of the year means the Sun is returning.
To know in our bones that on the darkest night, we can bring light.
To know in our bones that the darkness and light are both medicine.
Enjoy, enjoy the gift of being alive at this time.
xoxoxo
Beautiful!