Winter Solstice marks not only the longest, darkest night of the year, but the conclusion of Autumn and the impending transition into a new year. As half the world’s flora lies in dormancy, the woodland creatures hibernate, and humankind binge-watches all six seasons of Love Island for the next three months, we’ll be united in waiting for the sun to return to full Spring-time glory. But let’s be real, this entire year has been a form of hibernation and the cabin fever has hit unseasonably early.
Winter Solstice marks not only the longest, darkest night of the year, but the conclusion of Autumn and the impending transition into a new year. As half the world’s flora lies in dormancy, the woodland creatures hibernate, and humankind binge-watches all six seasons of Love Island for the next three months, we’ll be united in waiting for the sun to return to full Spring-time glory. But let’s be real, this entire year has been a form of hibernation and the cabin fever has hit unseasonably early.
Being the ritualistic crew that we are, we’d like to offer a meditation to welcome Winter and take a little mental vacation before we endure another three (plus?) months of staring at our walls.
Here’s what you’ll need:
– Candle/matches
– Cozy blanket
– Water or herbal tea (We recommend steeping some Airplane Mode blend and let the blue lotus and lavender help calm the senses)
The Meditation:
Begin by dimming the lights and lighting a candle. Wrap yourself in a blanket, and lay down on your back on a comfortable surface (couch, bed, yoga mat, etc) with your arms by your side. Once your insides feel all warm and cozy, you’re ready for the next step.
Close your eyes and give your body permission to relax completely. From your toes to your thighs, to your buttoks, your back muscles, your chest, your elbows, wrist and fingers. Ease the tension in your mouth and cheeks, your ears,eyebrows, and scalp. You are weightless and completely at ease.
Now, focus on your breath. Exhale completely before breathing in for a count of four, hold for a count of two, exhale for a count of four, and hold for two. Repeat this cycle until your mind has relaxed and you feel ready to move on. If you find your mind racing again, you can always return to your breath.
Feel the surface below you supporting your weight. Feel the force of gravity holding you in place. Below your body is the floor, below the floor is the soil, below the topsoil are layers of earth, all working together to support your weightless body. Now imagine a warm, golden light glowing at the center of the earth. Envision that light expanding through every inch of stone and soil until it reaches your body, warming you as it passes through, and continuing to grow towards the sky. This light protects and guides you as it stretches into the great expanse of the universe. Envision yourself traveling upwards with it, one with the warm glowing light. Look down and watch your perspective grow larger as you travel through the clouds towards the moon. As you continue to ascend, the earth begins to shrink and the planets in the galaxy around you become visible. Continue to travel with the light, beyond earth, beyond the moon, until even your own galaxy begins to dwarf and you are surrounded by many more galaxies. Eventually, the galaxies begin to fade as you continue to travel into the great expanse of nothingness.
You are one with the light, warm, weightless, and limitless. Sit in this space of great serenity for as long as you want and breath.
When you are ready, begin to slowly drift back to earth. Observe the vast galaxies come back into view and grow from grains of sand to towering systems of gas and matter. Greet your home-galaxy as you enter and acknowledge the planets in their orbit. As you re-enter the atmosphere of earth and begin descending back into your body, notice the vast beauty of the oceans, continents, mountains, cities, treetops and birds. Take your time here as you drift weightlessly, the final few feet back into your body. Take a deep breath as you wiggle your fingers and toes and invite the sensation of your body back into awareness. Hold the warm golden light in your heart and envision it pulsing through your body with every heart-beat.
When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and sit up. Take a sip of your herbal tea and feel it travel down your throat and into your belly. As you blow out your candle, express your gratitude for the illumination and warmth it has provided you, and take that with you through the cold winter and beyond.
Repeat this meditation as many times as you need throughout the Winter. Don’t forget to look to the sky and acknowledge the celestial alignment of Saturn and Jupiter, glowing brighter than they have in the last 800 years. Somewhere, there’s a beautiful metaphor about unity in there…
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