Why We Mark the Winter Solstice
As the year draws to its quiet close, we gather to mark the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year and the turning point toward the returning light. Across cultures and centuries, this has been a time to pause, reflect, and honour both the darkness and the promise of renewal. For us, following the rhythm of the Wheel of the Year offers a framework to be more intentional about how we move through the year. It gives us eight natural opportunities to gather in community, to share food, and to recognise where we are in our own personal seasons.
The Solstice invites stillness. Nature has drawn inward; the trees have shed their leaves, the soil rests, and the air carries a gentle quietness. We are reminded that rest is not idleness, but an essential part of the cycle of growth. Just as the earth needs dormancy before spring’s bloom, so too do we benefit from slowing down, reflecting on what has passed, and allowing ourselves to dream of what might come next.
Living in tune with the seasons reconnects us to something ancient and grounding. It helps us see that each phase, from the fullness of summer to the barrenness of winter, has its own lessons. When we honour these shifts together, sharing stories and a seasonal meal, we create community rooted in presence and gratitude.
Intentional Living
Life is busy and unpredictable. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily responsibilities that can, if they go unchecked, keep us in a pattern of just existing, getting through each day and sometimes, feeling like we’re just surviving. When we’re caught in this cycle, we struggle to be present with ourselves, with our loved ones and with our community. No one really wants to sleepwalk through life, but unless we’re intentional about taking a different approach, it’s very easy to do.
One of the best practices I’ve taken on over the years is to set intentions for experiences I want to have in the year ahead. These are not resolutions, but seeds of possibility, a list of activities or actions I could choose to weave into the days ahead. Do I ever manage to do them all? No. But that’s not the point. The point is to be honest with myself about the desires of my heart, writing down all the things that call to me, even if they aren’t all practical or even possible in the here and now. Nor are they all calling to me because they are fun. Some of the things on the list are tasks I’ve put off for far too long, or simply wasn’t ready to face yet, and now know deep down it’s time to take action.
Planting these seeds has allowed the right ones to take root and grow over time. This practice has cultivated a self-awareness that strengthens me at my core, and provides me the space each year to be present with my ever evolving self and the people I care about. There’s something so powerful about the simple act of writing things down…it’s been as if I’m writing them into existence.
At our Winter Solstice Gathering on Sunday 21st December, in addition to sharing another delicious community meal, I’ll be providing the creative space and resources needed for attendees to go on a little journey, discovering what is, and perhaps what is not, on their lists of priorities for the year ahead. This will be a fun, creative exercise for anyone who would like to take part, but as with all the offerings at our seasonal gatherings, participation is optional and your presence will be welcome whether you choose to participate or not.
By gathering for the Winter Solstice, we’re not just celebrating a date on the calendar, but nurturing a rhythm of reflection, renewal, and shared belonging that carries us through the year ahead. Come as you are. I hope you will join us!
