Winter Solstice 2025

jess spain
1 day ago
4 min read

The Winter Solstice is a time of pause, reflections, of going deeper during the Winter as it sets in on the longest night of the year. The Solstice is the start of Winter and also to signal that the Sun is coming back soon. The day of the Solstice is an honoring of deep stillness as the Sun’s strength builds.

The Winter Solstice holds profound spiritual significance in many cultures and traditions, symbolizing the interplay between darkness and light, endings and beginnings. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, a turning point that has long been celebrated as a time of renewal and hope.

The Winter Solstice is the beginning of the return of the longer days of sun for us. This is a time of rebirth, of ego death and rising again, and do I feel it. I am sure I am not alone in that feeling of emotional rising as we go into this season. This is our call to go deeper, into the places within that feel scary. You are not alone, you always have you. As the darkness of Winter comes in, you can rest assured knowing that you always carry a light within you to help illuminate the way. This relationship that you have been forging with your higher self is ready to be fully activated as you go inward, further and further into self. Because, the better we know ourselves the better we can stand in our truth. (Even when it’s really hard.)

The Solstice is our invitation to go back in. When the emotional bubbles begin to rise up, seek solace in that place within, that place of peace and harmony that you have so carefully built inside of you. The holiday season can be so challenging for many and this is your opportunity to support yourself from within. As the light begins to come back though the longer physical days, let that light shine through your heart and expand as far outward as it can go.

Alchemize the shadows and allow your light to shine brighter than ever as the earth moves towards the Spring. The energy of Sagittarius is coming to a close as we come into the energy of Capricorn now. Bold, patient, responsible and tenacious, this energy is what’s needed to get us all to trudge through the first leg of winter and the courage to face whatever we have been afraid of.

Our light is directly proportional to the amount of darkness we can sit with.

So sit with it.

Get to know it.

Make it a cup of tea and give it a name.

This is how you make peace with yourself and that is true alchemy.

Honoring the winter solstice through rituals can be a meaningful way to connect with the natural world and the deeper cycles of life. These tools of connection often focus on themes of reflection, release, renewal, and celebrating the return of the light.

Here are some ways to create your own ritual to honor this sacred time:

Create a Sacred Space

Set up an altar or sacred area with seasonal elements such as candles, evergreens, pinecones, crystals like obsidian or clear quartz, and symbols of the sun. This can serve as a focal point for your ritual.

Light Candles or a Fire

Lighting candles or a fire symbolizes the return of the sun and the growing light. Meditate on the flames, imagining them illuminating your inner world and burning away any negativity or heaviness.

Meditation and Reflection

Spend time in quiet meditation, reflecting on the past year. Consider what you’ve learned, what you’re ready to let go of, and what you wish to cultivate as the light grows. Journaling can also help clarify these thoughts.

Set Intentions

After releasing the old, focus on setting intentions for the coming year. Speak them aloud, write them in a journal, or visualize them growing stronger as the days lengthen.

Celebrate Nature

Spend time outdoors, connecting with the earth. Take a walk, gather natural objects, or simply observe the stillness and beauty of the winter landscape.

Feast and Share

Prepare a seasonal meal or share a simple feast with loved ones to honor the abundance of the earth. Incorporate warming foods like root vegetables, nuts, and spices, and express gratitude for what you have.

Use Music and Movement

Chanting, drumming, or dancing can raise your energy and align with the rhythms of the season. These acts symbolize joy and the stirring of new life within you.