Winter Solstice is an auspicious time. A perfect opportunity to pause for self-reflection and quiet celebration. Solstice is marked by the shortest day and the longest night of the last 364 days. We have reached a significant turning point where the light is now increasing. Yin has reached is peak, like a rollercoaster pausing at the highest point, before dropping down. We can use this darkness to go inward, mimicking the wisdom of nature and the elements, to connect to our true selves and enhance our healing and inner awareness.
Just as out, so is in. The big universe is a reflection of the happenings inside the small universe, your body.
Yang energy, the energy of light, is now increasing. However, we are still dominated by the yin energy of darkness. We need the darkness to see and appreciate the light. We also need to honour the yin energy of winter. The element of this season is water. Warm flowing water. Notice it, immerse yourself in it, and honour it.
What is happening outside in the Northern Hemisphere at this time? The energy has gone down into the earth. Minerals and metals are being formed in the earth to nourish the water energy of winter. We are also to go inward, to reflect, to get quiet, to be still. It’s in the stillness where we find our inner light.
What do I mean by inner light? The light of our soul; the light of our intuition; the light of who we truly are. If we do not get quiet and still on occasion, we will have difficulty following this light, feeling it, and understanding where it is leading us.
Now is the best time to meditate, practice qigong, journal, and reflect on your life and your purpose here. Now is the time to make changes to reflect the type of person you wish to be and the type of life you wish to lead. You are the leader of your life. You get to choose your thoughts, direction, reactions, and path.
If you choose love and joy, you will never go wrong.
Never.
I promise.
Because that is your purpose.
To experience love and joy every day.
Now.
Not later.
But today, in this moment. Look around you. What brings you pleasure right now?
Christmas lights? A soft chair? Music playing in the background? The smell of coffee or your Christmas tree? Your dog or cat lying next to you? Your soft gentle breath? What is it, right now, in this moment, that pleases you?
Find it and celebrate it. This is how you honour, celebrate, and cultivate the light.
This year, more than ever, in addition to finding and sharing love and joy, compassion is desperately needed. Tune into your heart and see the people in your life as masterful creations, just like you. We are all connected and we are all the same. And deep down, we all wish for love and belonging. Sometimes we get fearful and act in ways that may be confusing. Sometimes we get angry and lash out to protect what we know. Sometimes we get sad and withdraw from the world and ourselves. We are all trying to find ways to survive during a confusing and charged time. Compassion will help us understand we are all the same. Compassion will help us see another point of view. Compassion will stop us from criticizing.
Demonstrate the love and joy you have inside and your compassion will grow. Maybe love, joy, and compassion are hard for you to access right now, and if that’s the case, gratitude will help you find them.
Heart-centred consciousness is rising. Something we can all start practising today.
I wish you the most love from the Universe and from me this holiday season.
Love yourself and love others. Do something kind for someone. Step outside for a walk. Start a gratitude journal.
I send you my love.
Celebrate the darkness, there is good stuff there too.
Much love, light, and deep gratitude,
Sue Crites MSc, NCP Holistic Healing & Qigong
suecrites.ca
Sue you are one of the bright beams of Light shining through the darkness. I pray that your inspiration today creates sparking ripples through our universe to light all our ways. Thank you and may we all be blessed on this day of soft Light.
Hi Sue..Happy Solstice 2021!
So beautiful!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you share and who you are!
Your love and sharing of Qi gong and your teachings has strengthened me and given me a vision and peace ☮️ so needed!
I am deeply grateful !
We are celebrating tonight with a sunset beach bon fire , full moon rising , and good friends .. and warning cheer of course! Happy Happy to you and your family!! Merry Christmas! Joy! Korine Konzet
Dear Sue; thank you for the reminders of holding compassion and gratitude at this busy bustling time of year. Wishing you all the best in the beauty of this season!
Thank you, Sue Crites, for an empowering message.
What wonderful words Sue Crites! I feel wrapped with a warm blanket and snuggled in with a good book good. All warm and fuzzy. Thank you for what you do, Keep spreading the light and the wisdom.
With Love and Light,
CSmith
Today is my birthday and it is Winter Solstice. Growing up I always heard negative comments because my birthday was so close to Christmas. As I grew older and gained more knowledge of this special day I began to realize how blessed I was to be born on Winter Solstice. I now celebrate the return of the light and am able to go inward and comtemplate my life and enjoy the beauty around me. Thank you Sue for sharing your wonderful thoughts on this special day. It touches my Soul to hear of others who share the same thoughts today.
Bright blessings and much love to all…..
Dearest Sue,
Thank you for all that you do to make my world brighter, even when I’m not in the circles at this time.
You truly are a bright soul, and you send your light out to all of us each time we are in your presence ( either in class, practice, in person, or reading your updates on your blog.
I send gratitude for your reflections, and have set intentions for myself to follow your living, and sage advice!
All the very best in this Christmas season.
With Gratitude,
Steffanie
Thank you Steffi! You make my world brighter also! Merry Christmas to you!
I loved the message from you TD. Finding something I love, and finding something that gives me joy, TD, now, not later! And to also take in the darkness, the outside energy ie: not to fight a nap if I need one.
Thank you for your comment Ruth! I am glad it was helpful for you. And YES nap away! I am heading for a nap right now…happy holidays!
Sue that was truly a moving, timely, and profound reminder to follow my priorities by setting my intention for every day, and every activity, and every quiet moment. Sharing that love and connection with my family and friends is Christmas for me.
I value your guidance in managing and welcoming the Yin and the Yang energies as we move on from today.
I am so grateful for all you share to expand my understanding and growth in the QiGong way of life✨💕🎄✨
Thank you Marion. I am so happy you found this reminder helpful. That is the most fulfilling for me! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for another heartfelt, inspiring post, Sue. I love this post because it is so succinct yet complete. Not too few words, not too many. I appreciate both your gifts as a writer and your wisdom as a teacher. ❤️
Thank you Sheila! I hope to do more writing in 2023! Merry Christmas to you!
Dear Sue,
Thank you for this thoughtful and inspiring message. It is just what I need right now. I was planning to use this week to finish working on my studio but I realize that this is the perfect week to takek some time to go inward and find the joy, love and compassion we all need and take time for reflection on where I am going and where I want to be. I am most grateful for you, your practices and continual sage wisdom. thank you