Winter Solstice is the time of the deepest darkness – the longest night of the year – but it is
also the time in which we celebrate the returning of the light. From this day forth until
Summer Solstice, the amount of sunlight each day will grow longer and longer.
Our culture likes to celebrate the season with evergreen trees, colored lights, gift giving,
parties, and sweets. Celebrating family and friends and community in the darkest time of
the year brings joy and warmth to our lives.
But let us not forget the gifts that the darkness of winter brings to us. Like the BEAR who
hibernates in the dark cold, and dives into the depths of the dream world for months on
end, the dark is the time for us to pull inward and DREAM. The darkness is a time of
stillness, contemplation, imagination, and soul travel.
While you sit by the warmth and light of a fire when the sky is dark – take the time to dive into your own dark depths, and just as the sun returns on Solstice to bring light back to the world at sleep in winter- bring forth your deepest yearnings, the dreams closest to your heart, the desires which hide in shadow. Use the stillness to feel deeply into your soul without the distraction of outer action. This can be a challenging in a time of celebrations, family and parties – but tune into this darkness of
the Earth, reach into the dream sleep slumber of the plants, the seeds beneath the soil, the naked
trees. What lies beneath? What will you dream into being from within your soul? What awaits to
be born like the new sun light into the coming year?
It is our quiet time.
We do not speak, because the voices are within us.
It is our quiet time.
We do not walk, because the Earth is all within us.
It is our quiet time.
We do not dance, because the music has lifted us to a place where
the spirit is.
It is our quiet time.
We rest with all of nature. We wake when the seven sisters wake.
We greet them in the sky over the opening of the kiva.
~Nancy Wood, Earth Prayers
If you would like extra guidance, journal prompts, plant medicine suggestions and nature connection practices for winter solstice- consider the Plant Medicine for Earth Cycles:Winter Solstice Lesson. It includes a 20 + page pdf lesson, with plant lore on 4 plants- Tree Resins, Elecampane, Astragalus, and Ashwaganda and covers the themes of Bear Medicine, Hibernation, Stillness, Retreat, Fortification, Dreaming and Darkness, and suggested practices and ritual ideas to connect more deeply with the energy of the Earth at solstice- even in winter! And, in addition a box of seasonally appropriate herbal medicines delivered to your door- all right at solstice time!
This lesson and package is available only until Dec 15- so reserve yours today! It’s a huge value- that you can keep and work on at your own pace and revisit year after year! The lesson itself is worth the price of $99, but in addition you get a joyful box of herbal medicines to help you and support you this winter!
SHAMANA FLORA 