As the days get shorter and shorter, we approach the Winter Solstice – the day of the year with the fewest hours of sunlight (in the Northern hemisphere). This special day represents the changing of the seasons and the start of winter. It reminds us that all living things need sunlight and gives us the opportunity to welcome light into our lives by celebrating the absence of it.
Sunlight is necessary for all things to grow. It gives us vitality and energy. We cannot have life as we know it without sunlight. So when the sun is out of sight on the longest nights of the winter, it’s a beautiful reminder to be grateful for the light in our lives. No matter if the days are getting longer or shorter in your part of the world, this pivotal day can help us connect to Spirit and live aligned with the cycles of nature.
These moments where the seasons change anchor in us the felt experience that we can never be disconnected from nature. We are intrinsically linked to her cycles. Each solstice brings its own unique energy and gifts. If you’re looking for a Winter Solstice ritual to help mark this important moment, I’ve created this guide to help you get the most out of this special December solstice.
Marking the change of the seasons with a Winter Solstice Ritual is a wonderful way to prepare. You can even use this guide to create your own Winter Solstice Traditions to practice year after year.
Here are 5 things you can do NOW to prepare and get the most out of the Winter Solstice:
1. Declutter your energy with an honest inventory
Begin your Winter Solstice preparation by writing down a list of the limiting beliefs that are preventing you from becoming the person you want to be. The Winter Solstice is an opportunity for expansion. In order to expand, you have to be honest with yourself about the beliefs you’re holding onto that are keeping you stuck.
Try journaling on this question: Which of my behaviors and beliefs are out of alignment with the things I say I want?
2. Consider the resentments you’re holding onto
I love a good list! It can be so helpful to make a Winter Solstice tradition out of writing down any resentments that are lingering within you. Are you holding onto things you have no control over? If so, write them down.
Next, try journaling on this question: How is holding onto these resentments serving me? Can I be willing to let them go? Who could I become without these?
3. Make the Serenity Prayer your own
Once you’ve gotten clarity on the resentments holding you back, you can ask your Higher Power for support. If there’s a particularly stubborn one you’re struggling to release, turn it over to Spirit. The serenity prayer is perfect to recite in these moments. Ask the Universe to grant you the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, courage to change the things you can, and wisdom to know the difference.
I can hardly think of a more beautiful Winter Solstice prayer! At this time of the year, the cycles of nature are supporting you to release and cleanse. And Spirit is your partner in this journey.
4. Lay your intentions on a sacred altar
Do you have an altar in your home? If not, why not create one to help you celebrate the Winter Solstice? It can be simple. Choose a little spot in your home to put some items you love –– a nice candle, a beloved crystal, a beautiful leaf –– whatever speaks to you right now.
Next, take two pieces of paper and two envelopes. On the first paper, write down the things you want to release & give up during the Solstice Season. Put a symbol on the envelope that represents your Higher Power and set it on your altar.
On the second paper, write down your aspirations for this season of your life and who you wish to become. If nothing was preventing you from your desires, who would you be? Now put a symbol on this envelope that means something special to you. Something that reminds you of your dreams and desires.
Place both envelopes on your altar as an offering to the Divine. This is a practice of handing this over to Spirit. Of releasing control and trusting. Leave the envelopes here and open them again next year on the Solstice.
5. Clean it up!
Finally, take some time to consider anything you need to clean up during this time. It could be literally cleaning your house and decluttering or attending to unfinished business you need to complete—an email you need to send, or a conversation you need to have.
Where do you have loose ends that need tying up before the shifting of the seasons? Remember, the Solstice is a time of welcoming in new light and expansion. It’s best to enter this time with a clean slate and fresh energy.
The Winter Solstice has some powerful themes for us to work with. It’s a great time to look at your relationships and boundaries, to cleanse and release what isn’t serving you, to speak your truth, and to invite more peace into your life.
What’s’ your favorite way to honor the Winter Solstice? Let me know in the comments below!
wow i.m going to try all these things…it sounds so simple but just reading about the steps makes me very emotional….
Thank you Colette. I need this as a way to cleanse myself & stop doubting myself. I need to understand my children & make peace with what has been happening for years. This is very personal for me to heal wounds that aren’t all mine but need it. I’m praying for some much needed peace.
Can’t wait to do this with you.
Lynn
Loving YOU & EVERYTHING YOU DO, NOW AND FOR FOZENS OF YEARS SINCE WE ONCE Spoke on the phone, COLETTE….. I got that your sweet little dog was dehydrated…… ages ago. BLESSINGS & NAMASTE – Susan Jane Griffin 🙏💐🦋💋
Thank you for the 5 things to do to prepare for the Winter Solstice.
This is my second year of learning to truly understand its meaning.
perfect! hope you find this helpful, Patricia! 💖💖
glad that you’re giving this a try, Karen! you got this! 💖
perfect! can’t wait to do this with you as well, Lynn! see you next week! 💖
Susan!!! love you right back! 💖💖💖
What a beautiful way to end one season and start a new one. I will definitely be following the 5 steps. I will also listen to the replay for the Winter Soltice Celebration. I look forward to celebrating.
Thank you for all you bring to us! See you on the 21st!
I’m looking forward to preparing for the Solstice.❤ I never done a Solstice event. Thank you for this special gift.
Thank you for sharing these solstice ideas I am hosting a cacao ceremonial Solstice gathering and will incorporate some of these ideas I also love digging into root chakra for my healing sessions
Beautiful thank you 🙏… it’s such a busy season and to have you layout the plan for winter solstice so we can just be in the moment… what a wonderful gift 💝
Our family is doing this list for Solstice. Thank you so much.
I’m fairly new to all of this and I have to say that Colette reminds me of the “super cool Aunt” that everyone wanted be around and had the best slumber parties LOL So real and just fun! I’m learning so much just watching her weekly YouTube readings. Thank you Colette!
Beautiful with the letters! Setting up my space tonight so I’m all ready for tomorrow. So ready for all the change that is stewing and brewing and coming in to my life!
will this be available to view on reply ? I have a astrology class at the same time that I can’t miss tomorrow ….. ahhhhhh i don’t want to miss this either
awesome! hope you had an amazing time with me, Therese! 💜
woohoo! hope you loved celebrating the winter solstice with me! 💜
you got it, Trudy! hope you had fun with your first solstice celebration! 💜
yes! replays will be sent to everyone who registered to the event! 💗
woohoo! loving this energy, Rachel! 💗
how perfect! let me know how it goes, Lucinda! 💗💗
so happy to share this with you, Pamela! 💗💗💗
so happy that you appreciate this! thank you! 💗💗💗
haha! omg Tina!!! happy that you find them educational! stick around! cool things are coming your way! 💗💗
Nervous and excited to delve into the Five Things. So it has begun, with pen and paper, to discover what resistance is ready, willing, and able to be released
Love love love all these suggestions. Thank you!
🙏
Thank you Colette. I just finished watching you & Gregg Braden. Feeling powerful from that Wooniverse episode helps set me up for this assignment. As I read it, the quill found it’s own direction & moved flowingly on my paper. I will continue & end with the Serenity Prayer knowing, speaking & being My Truth. Thank you from my heart ❤️
I have a beautiful altar in my bedroom that I have been adding to for years. I am writing my letters now. Thank you for the ideas. Happy Solstice Colette !!
I appreciate you and your endless gift of giving and wisdom. Like the seasons, you change and are a constant – thank you. I was looking to better understand this solstice -and am hopeful with this guide. L.
Thank you for this meaningful and powerful guidance as we move forward through this time of expansion.
Grateful 🙏
love that! 💖
glad that you do, Nancy! 💖
so happy that you felt empowered, Suzanne! 💖
that’s perfect!
so happy to share this with all of you!
glad to share this with you, Dava! 💗