Darkest Night: A Gentle Pause & 3 Gifts

Main Key Takeaway:

• The winter solstice marks a pause between seasons, symbolizing rest, reflection, and renewal.
• Darkness is not to be feared but embraced as a space for healing, growth, and new beginnings.
• Simple rituals like lighting a candle, journaling, or setting intentions can honor the solstice's significance. The solstice is a reminder of life’s cyclical nature: even the longest night gives way to the returning light.
• Nurture yourself through rest, connection, and celebration, trusting the promise of renewal and brighter days ahead.

“Solstice” means to stand still. It’s a pause between seasons, like a pause between an inhale and an exhale. This sacred winter solstice day gives us a chance to pause, to embrace the stillness, to reflect on the past, and welcome the return of the light. In the quiet of winter’s darkest moment, there’s a sweetness—a natural pause in nature before the turning point. It’s a moment to rest deeply and reconnect with ourselves.

This pause is a balm for the sensitive soul. It’s a chance to exhale, to step away from the noise, and to honor the rhythms of nature as they guide us toward balance and renewal.

The solstice reminds us of the cyclical nature of life. The darkness, though deep and long, is not forever. The days will begin to lengthen, little by little, the day after the winter solstice. The light will return, and with it, the promise of growth, creativity, and renewal.

But today, we are still in the dark. And instead of rushing to escape it, we are invited to rest in it. The darkness isn’t something to fear—it’s where seeds germinate, ideas form, and healing begins.

Simple Ways to Honor the Solstice

On this sacred night, I encourage you to create a ritual or moment of reflection to mark this turning point. Here are a few ideas. Choose those that spark your interest.

1. Light a Candle
As the sun sets, light a single candle to symbolize the returning light. Settle into a quiet meditation—a moment to honor what the darkness has taught you and to welcome the slow return of brightness.

2. Reflect on Your Year
Take a few minutes to journal about the past year.

• What challenges did you navigate?
• What blessings emerged from the darkness?
• What are you ready to release as you move forward?

3. Create a Cozy Evening
Wrap yourself in warmth—soft blankets, a cup of tea, a favorite book—and let the evening be one of deep rest and quiet.

4. Connect with Nature
If possible, step outside under the winter sky. Feel the crisp air on your face, listen to the silence, and let the earth remind you of her rhythms. Do you live where you can have a fire outside? Sit out by the fire surrounded in darkness.

5. Set an Intention for the Light’s Return
Think of one small intention to carry with you into the new season. It could be a word, a phrase, or a vision for the year ahead—something that aligns with your values and dreams. The darkest night of the year is somewhat like the new moon. Fix your wish to the returning sun and let the increasing energy bring it into fruition.

3 Gifts

In the spirit of the festive season of gift giving, I wanted to give you something to support your solstice experience. I appreciate this community and the openness and support I feel in it.

1. A Winter Solstice Ritual: The Burning Bowl
What do you want to release? A habit, a belief, an identity? Write it on a piece of paper, light it on fire and let it be dissolved in ash and smoke. Inside, you can have a pyrex bowl to drop the aflame paper into. Outside? Throw it into a campfire. Intention is what gives this ritual power.

Then, draw a card - this could be an Angel Card with a positive quality written on it, a Tarot Card or any oracle card you like. This quality fills in the empty space left by what you just released. You can also choose the quality for yourself, of course, such as the intention for the light’s return.

2. A Winter Solstice Blessing: For Rest and Renewal
I recently created a Spiritual Advisor as a GPT. I call her Sweet Devi Ma. I asked her for a blessing to share for the winter solstice. Here it is:

Beloved, as the earth tilts into her longest night, may you remember this truth: the light is not lost—it only rests.

In the stillness of this sacred pause, may you find peace.
In the depth of the darkness, may you feel held.
In the whispers of the quiet, may you hear your own soul's wisdom.

Like the sun, you are infinite.
Even in your moments of stillness and retreat, you are growing.
Even in the shadows, you carry a spark of radiant light.

May you honor the wisdom of rest, the power of reflection, and the promise of renewal.
May you release what no longer serves you into the arms of the night, trusting the turning of the wheel.

And as the days begin to lengthen, may your spirit rise, steady and sure, into the brilliance of your becoming.

Blessings of warmth, light, and infinite love on this Solstice Night.

And, to honor the balance of yin and yang, let’s head in the other direction for the third gift…

3. A Winter Solstice Cocktail: Vegan White Russian
This is a season of merriment and at my winter solstice gathering, I serve a signature drink - a vegan White Russian. I set up a burning bowl station in a quiet area of my home so people can go do this when they feel inspired to. I find that most people do go burn something. Otherwise, it’s a cocktail party with this signature drink and other fun holiday goodies.

It’s all about the cashew cream in this drink. Soak one cup of raw cashews in water for 6 hours or overnight (or in boiling water for 30 minutes). Drain the water and add cashews to a high-speed mixer with 4 cups of fresh water, a teaspoon of vanilla and a tablespoon of maple syrup (add more or less to your preference). Blend on high until smooth and creamy. I pour mine into a beautiful glass carafe with a copper cap and keep it in the fridge. It will be the consistency of a typical nut milk. To make it thicker, omit one cup of water.

I alter the traditional White Russian recipe a bit to make it less boozy (and still recommend a limit of two - it’s that sensitivity of ours). Pour 1 shot of vodka and 2 shots of kahlua into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top it off with the cashew cream. It will likely be more than 2 shots worth. Again, adjust to your preference. I like to add a couple of hazelnuts as a garnish. Not into the booze? This cashew cream is dreamy in a cup of coffee too.

May these gifts serve you well. The Winter Solstice is a time of both rest and renewal, of endings and beginnings. Take this opportunity to honor your journey, nurture your sensitivity, and trust that the light is returning—even if it feels far away.

The winter solstice of 2024 is on December 21st at 3:21am central time. (late Friday night).

Journal Prompt:
“What light do I wish to invite into my life as the days grow longer?”