EMBRACE THE DARKNESS - SEATTLE WITHCY PHOTO SHOOT
I love Winter. I feel so creative and I have space for dreaming. It’s a time of creativity and rest, and I love using this time to manifest how I want the future seasons to go with my work, while enjoying and staying in gratitude for where I’m at in life at this moment.
Pagan Rituals for Winter Solstice or Yule ideas. Common themes of rebirth, the return of the sun and the triumph of light and embracing the darkness.
Without the darkness, we would not be who we are. In the shadows lies an opportunity to learn.
Here's a simple Pagan ritual you might consider for the Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice Ritual
Materials Needed:
Candles: Representing the return of the sun, use candles in colors like gold, red, and white.
Evergreen Branches or Wreaths: Symbolizing the enduring cycle of life.
Altar Decorations: Seasonal items such as pinecones, holly, and winter fruits.
Incense: Choose scents associated with winter, such as pine or frankincense.
Symbols of the Sun: Incorporate symbols like a sun wheel or a representation of the sun.
Small Cauldron or Fire-safe Dish: For burning herbs or writing intentions.
Have fun with it, make it your own!
Casting the Circle:
Begin by casting a circle, a sacred space for your ritual. This can be done by walking around the space with a representation of the elements (earth, air, fire, water), or with words of intention. I love using sage.
Invocation:
Call upon deities or energies associated with the Winter Solstice. You might invoke gods or goddesses connected to the sun, light, or rebirth.
Lighting the Yule Log or Candle:
Light the Yule log or a special candle on your altar. As you do, focus on the return of the sun's light and the warmth it brings.
Reflecting on Darkness and Light:
Take a moment to reflect on the darkness of the past year and the light that is returning. Consider the lessons learned in the darkness and what you hope to achieve in the coming year. Feel the magic of gratitude, and cultivate power from that feeling.
5. Burning Herbs or Writing Intentions:
Use the cauldron or fire-safe dish to burn herbs associated with purification and renewal, such as sage or rosemary. Alternatively, write down intentions for the coming year on pieces of paper and burn them, symbolizing their release into the universe. I love doing this and not only just during Yule.
Feast and Celebration:
Share a festive meal with loved ones. Traditional foods for Yule might include hearty winter vegetables, fruits, and spiced drinks.
Closing the Circle:
Close the circle, expressing gratitude to the deities or energies you invoked and thanking the elements for their presence.
Outdoor Element:
If possible, consider incorporating an outdoor element, such as a walk under the moon or stargazing, to connect with the natural energies of the season.
Pagan practices are diverse, and individuals may tailor rituals based on personal beliefs and traditions. Feel free to modify this ritual to suit your preferences and spiritual path.
“The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door.”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves
Erin is a Acupuncturist and her practice is in Tacoma, Washington.
“Outside of my love for East Asian Medicine, I have a deep passion for travel, especially to wildlife destinations and I am an animal lover to my core. I have volunteered for the farm sanctuaries of Pasado’s Safe Haven and Heartwood Haven, I have fostered four wonderful dogs through Ginger's Death Row Dogs, and I'm currently volunteering as a guide for Wolf Haven International, a sanctuary for captive wolves and wolfdogs.”
Thank you for all you do for humans and animals Erin!
I titled this little short film “When the darkness whispers, we listen”
Starring Erin Dietz. Thank you for being my muse my friend!
