Winter Solstice~Stillness, Listening, Intuition

We are now rolling through June, so far this month, my work has focused on Stillness and rest, and our relationship to it. As we approach the Solstice this week, continue to dive in what this means to me, our culture and what it brings up inside.

If you have been following me over the years, my love of cycles and patterns is deep. I love the framework they give us, and other than the menstrual cycle, nothing gives me greater comfort than the wheel of the year. The Solstices are the main events!

As I drive my daughter to school, the sun is rising later. The skies are clear of clouds, orange, gold and pinks illuminate from the horizon.. The sunrises are breathtaking, catching my breath in their beauty.

The Seasons are full of memories

The part of the city I drive through has more European-style trees, now shedding their leaves and revealing bare branches. Crispy golden leaves on the earth remind me of my childhood, though not quite. I don’t remember such bright blue skies in winter, unless they were accompanied by a thick layer of frost. The memories, the smells, the sights and the sensations come flooding back, remembering my own walks to school with my mum, holding her cold hand, chatting about nature and our day.

Now I really enjoyed the winters of Southern Africa. Although it’s cold inside, perfect weather for blankets and a fire, it is still lovely and warm outside during the day. It’s a good reminder for me to get outdoors, work outside, or potter in the garden is so enjoyable in winter.

Listening to Ourselves & Nature

The weather and seasons physically affect us, our moods, our mental state, our productivity, and our creativity. But also the seasons remind us of our cyclical nature and to connect deeper to what we need on any given day.

There is so much information on what we should do, when we should do it, and what to eat, that it can be overwhelming. We’re quick to ask others, experts, the internet, AI questions about ourselves or how to live. But nobody knows us like we do. Nobody knows what’s going on inside our heads, our bodies, our inner wisdom and intuition. learning to follow our own seasonal tendencies is, for me, the key to balance, flow and contentment.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t learn or seek out new information, but we need to be asking the right questions to the right people, but we don’t need to jump five steps ahead and ask the whole internet! Let’s first sit and listen to what nature is telling us. Let’s listen to our bodies. Then, when we don’t know what is going on, at least we have to right questions to ask.

This month, I had a very short menstrual cycle. I know my cycle is a vital sign, a feedback loop showing me what’s going on in my life. I can trace back the last few months: sickness, busyness. These things have an impact, stress, a fried nervous system, what I was eating and drinking, and how much sleep I was getting. I can use this information from my own body and emotions as a reminder to look after myself.

I also know my cycles are shifting. But I’m not looking outside of myself for answers. Deep down, I know what’s going on. I know what my body needs. Sometimes I forget to listen. We all forget. I also know who to go to for support and lead me to the right sources of experience, education and wisdom.

Practising Stillness & Silence

So this solstice, I’m going to focus on listening more deeply. That kind of listening only comes when we create space, stillness and silence. If there’s too much external noise, we can’t truly hear what’s going on inside, or we misinterpret it.

Sitting in silence with nature can be uncomfortable in a world that is always busy and loud. For some, it is a peaceful balm. For others, it can feel itchy, uncomfortable. We want to fidget, fill the space with noise or action.

It’s important to transition into silence slowly, with compassion. But it’s also okay to sit with the discomfort.

Learning to relax and be still is a skill, one we often have to practice. There’s no magic technique. Just consistent, tiny baby steps, every day.

So, circling back to these winter months and the approaching solstice, though the colder days are still coming. We have time to practice stillness by following nature’s cues.

Learning from Nature

I learned a new word yesterday: brumation. It’s what reptiles do in winter. They don’t hibernate like mammals, as I once thought tortoises did. They simply slow down in response to the lower light, shorter days, and cooler temperatures. Their body temperature and activity levels drop. They eat and drink less. They’re still awake, just on a go-slow. They bask in the sun when it’s warm and sleep much longer.

A Winter Intention: Slow Down and Rest

So, I’m taking the tortoise's advice. I won’t go into full hibernation (though that would be lovely!), but I’m going to act like I’m in brumation: slow my activities, be content with doing less, soak up the sunny moments in the garden, and embrace stillness and rest.

These are my top tips for celebrating the Winter Solstice

(You can download this free poster Below!)

Winter Solstice .pdf

Download PDF • 4.70MB

 (or the period from now till the beginning of August~First Spring or Imbolc)…. .

..and remember, this is not advice or instruction, it is just what I have discovered over the years that brings me back in touch with myself and nature. Always follow your inner wisdom over anything I write about!

Set Intentions 

Just like at the New Moon (the darkest moment of the month we set intentions of what we need for the coming months or year. It is like planting seeds, what do you want to plant in the dark soil that will come alive in the future months?

Honour the Light

The sun shines less, and the days are short, but we can take time to get outside and enjoy the light we have. Enjoy the warmth of the sun, and see how it may rise and set at different times and places. Notice the shape and length of shadows, the sun melting any frost. Look within, what is the sun shining on what parts need to rest in shadows for hibernation (or Brummation!)

Creative with nature

One of my favourite ways to honour and mark these seasonal shifts is to create with natural materials. Maybe start by going for a nature walk and collecting any fallen leaves, sticks or flowers. You could also just scour your garden to see what winter has to show. Make a winter wreath, solstice crowns or beautiful nature mandalas, you could also simply create a winter bouquet to decorate your home.

Light the fire!

Remembering in the north, many Winter solstice traditions have merged with Christmas, ‘The yule log’ or even a whole tree was lit. It was kept burning over the solstice period to entice the sun to return. Today, we can just light a fire to warm us and decorate our homes with candles or fairy lights.

Warm the Soul

What warms your soul? Is it dance, art, or family time?

Winter is a time to gather closer. We spend more time inside, so what can we do to make it nourishing? eating warm nutritious food, sharing dance and laughter, looking after your winter body, with warm oil massage and dancing to warm up.

Maybe having alone time creates more harmony for you, journaling, painting, creating.. what creative sparks does winter offer you?

Sit in Stillness

Take time just to embrace stillness & silence, if there is resistance or discomfort, sit with it just for a moment...you can always ask yourself or journal...

Why does silence feel uncomfortable? Why does five minutes of meditation feel like an uphill battle? What are we resisting? How does it feel in my body?

Journalling

Winter is a great time to journal. Maybe you need to journal from the ideas above. Think of it like creating compost and fertile soil for the coming of spring energy. I have created a few Journalling prompts and ideas, feel free to download and use!

All my artwork and Posters are available to purchase or download (if it's free resource) on my website www.ovathemoon.co.za