Winter Solstice Meditation - By Heather M Boynton

Find a quiet and private space. Sit quietly for the next few minutes and focus on relaxing your body and quieting your mind. Take time to centre yourself and ground to the space and prepare for a time of meditative reflection. If you feel comfortable you can close your eyes if you haven’t already. Take a few deep breaths, let go of any residual thoughts about yesterday, today or the future, relax your mind, let go of any tension. Allow your awareness to move inward. With each breath feel yourself moving deeper into the silence within. Take several longer and deeper breaths. Notice the space between your breath.

See if you can connect with your inner self, higher self, or a spiritual energy beyond yourself. Feel gratitude towards this energy. Feel anchored in your body and let yourself settle. Feel yourself as an integral part of a living evolving universe. You are connected, you are safe, secure, and protected.

Reflect upon this quieting time of stillness in nature. This is the time of year when things stand still. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. The Sun is standing still in the northern hemisphere. This is a perfect time to go within, to focus on the messages of the soul, to centre oneself and to celebrate the darkness, and to sense its timelessness. There are gifts we can receive in the darkness if we open ourselves to this energy. This is also a good time to hold gratitude.

Take some time to reflect on the past year, and your endeavours, goals, and accomplishments. Hold space for gratitude of things you have already manifested or are in the process of manifesting. Experience the wonderful energy of gratitude and grace for all that you have achieved.

Now prepare to harness the darkness and energy of the winter solstice. You might imagine yourself in an open yet dark space or landscape. Take some time to be in this energy of stillness and to feel its spaciousness. You might even imagine yourself up in the dark sky or in the cosmos. Start to embrace and feel the stillness and the expansiveness of the darkness. Feel the beautiful crispness of it. Celebrate and honour the energy of the solstice, the darkness, the quiet. Be open and receptive to this powerful energy.

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​Next reflect on the darkness within the womb where creation emerges from, the place of intuition and knowing, the place of visions and dreams. Give awareness to the cycle of life, to birth and to death, to the dark night of the soul and rebirth with new visions, creations, hopes and desires. The darkness of winter moves slowly towards spring and the rebirthing of life. It holds potential, it is a time for planting seeds for growth, change, and healing.

The moonlight and stars begin to illuminate your surroundings and you become aware of things with all your senses. What else do you sense? What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? You might smell pleasing aromas, perhaps the burning of sage or other herbs or incense.
 
Now is the time to prepare for the return of the light and the rebirthing of the sun which lights our path. This is a time to for planning to co-create. It is a time to design your vision for the year ahead. Take time to be in harmony with this creative force and to be in harmony with the flow and synchronicity of life. Create openness for manifesting positive relationships with one another, for improving oneself, one’s family, community, and our planet. Allow the energy to flow for collaboration and for optimal and synergistic interconnectedness. It is time to consider your important contributions, your talents, skills and abilities, and you want to be in service and in partnership.

Tap in to your inner and higher knowingness, and the things you desire and wish to manifest. Trust your intuition. What might your inner guide be nudging you towards?
 
Now bring your awareness to your inner core. Envision and feel a beautiful internal golden light or strong energy that is warm and supportive and represents your internal light or sun. Allow the warmth to envelop your heart, then feel it spread throughout your body, to your legs, arms, neck, and head. Sense it filling and surrounding you with a warm and vibrant glow. The light ignites your strength and supports your creativity.
 
Notice a light on the horizon emerging where darkness begins to fade and the beautiful colours of dawn arise, the oranges, pinks, and purples. The round ball of the sun peeps up above the horizon. A new day with potential is emerging, the warmth of the sun starts bathing the landscape with its radiance. It provides energy for sprouting and growth.
  
This is the space where you can truly engage with the cosmic and divine energy of co-creation. Feel yourself opening to receiving information and the merging of creative energies to plan, design and connect your future with others. Feel yourself being reborn to this new day. Feel the joy and gratitude and open yourself to grace. Trust in this cyclic process of nature that offers us new beginnings with the return of the light. Give gratitude for the womb of darkness and give blessing for new opportunities and adventures ahead of you.
 
With your next deep breath slowly begin to bring your awareness back to the here and now. Feel yourself grounded, balanced and in harmony with all that exists. Carry with you the knowledge attained, and the readiness to receive further information and connections. When you are ready, you may open your eyes, fully back in the here and now, bringing with you the gifts of this sacred journey.
 
By Heather M Boynton