Today I’m sharing some thoughts about the Winter Solstice and a 6-card Yule Tarot Spread. It is with a sense of deep humility that I approach the 2023 Winter Solstice. The soul alchemy of 2023 has forever changed me. I have changed so much that I felt called to take a new name. So approaching another rebirthing station in the Wheel of the Year is not something I take lightly, especially since the seeds of my recent intense transformation journey were sowed almost exactly a year ago, back in December 2022.

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What Is the Winter Solstice?

From an astronomical point of view, the winter solstice is a significant event that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is furthest away from the Sun, resulting in the Sun’s lowest trajectory in the sky.

The winter solstice has held deep significance across various cultures throughout history, often associated with themes of rebirth and renewal. For instance, we have been celebrating the birth of the Christ child for the past 2000 years. From a Christ Consciousness point of view, the Christ child represents the divine child within each of us.

This is a time of deep faith where we must cling to hope because we cannot yet see the returning light. We are aware that we must linger in the darkness of the birth canal for a while longer. It is not until Imbolc/Candlemas that we begin to feel the first stirring of spring and we emerge fully into the light at the Spring Equinox/Ostara. However, marking the shortest day of the year with a celebration fills us with hope. We collectively return to the idea that the return of the light is nigh.

7 Psychospiritual Winter Solstice Lessons

To those who observe the stations in the Wheel of the Year, the winter solstice carries profound psychospiritual implications that can inspire personal growth and transformation. Here are some ways to harness the energy of this season for renewal:

1. Embracing Darkness and Stillness

The winter solstice invites us to embrace the darkness and stillness within ourselves. It is a time for introspection, reflection, and diving deep into our psyche. We can use this opportunity to explore our inner world, confront any shadows or unresolved emotions, and find balance within.

2. Cultivating Gratitude

As we experience the longest night of the year, it becomes a powerful reminder to appreciate the light in our lives. Practice gratitude for the blessings, experiences, and relationships that bring warmth and joy. We are invited to cultivate a positive, thankful mindset that makes us magnetic to future blessings.

3. Setting Intentions for Renewal

The winter solstice marks the turning point towards longer days and the eventual return of spring. This is an excellent time to set intentions for personal renewal and growth. We can reflect on what we wish to let go of from the past year and what we desire to manifest in the coming months. It’s a good idea to start writing our intentions for the New Year down now, rather than waiting until New Year’s Eve.

Rather than focusing on specific fixed goals (such as an ideal weight, income or dress size), we are better off focusing on positive habits that bring the type of renewal we seek. If we set intentions to find enjoyable ways of implementing these habits, we will eventually reach our goals.

4. Dreamwork

This time of the year offers a wonderful opportunity to delve into the realm of dream work and explore lucid dreaming. In some cultures, Yule was seen as particularly auspicious for dreams of a prophetic nature.

Engaging in dreamwork during this season allows us to tap into the energy of rebirth and renewal in a much deeper way. Use techniques such as dream journaling, reality checks, and meditation before sleep to enhance dream recall and increase our chances of lucidity. Lucid dreaming allows us to tap into the potential of our Higher Self because it allows us to learn directly from our Higher Self, bridging the gap between the conscious and subconscious mind.

5. Nurturing Inner Light

Meditating on the return of the light, we can also meditate on what will nurture our inner light. We do this by engaging in practices that kindle our spirit, such as meditation, yoga, journaling, or connecting with nature. What activities bring you joy and spark your creativity? By tending to your inner flame, you can ignite a sense of purpose and inspiration as you move towards Imbolc.

6. Connecting with Community

The winter solstice has long been a time for communal celebration and shared rituals. Connect with like-minded individuals to celebrate the turning of the year. Joining or creating a community gathering, whether in-person or online, can provide support, inspiration, and an opportunity to experience collective renewal.

7. Connecting with the Dark Goddess

Working with a Dark Goddess archetype such as Hel, Persephone, the Black Madonna, Maman Brigitte or Nephthys during the winter solstice can bring profound benefits to your spiritual practice and personal growth. Here are some advantages of connecting with the Dark Goddess during this sacred time:

1. Embracing Shadow: The Dark Goddess represents the aspects of ourselves that are often overlooked or ignored – our shadow self. Working with her during the winter solstice allows us to delve deep into our subconscious, confront our fears, and embrace the parts of ourselves that we have suppressed. This journey of shadow work can lead to profound healing and transformation.
2. Honouring the Dark and Stillness: The winter solstice is a time of darkness and stillness in the natural world. The Dark Goddess embodies this energy, reminding us of the importance of rest, introspection, and embracing the quietude within ourselves.
3. Facilitating Inner Rebirth: The Dark Goddess, with her associations with death and rebirth, assists in facilitating our inner rebirth during this time. She guides us through the transformative process of shedding old patterns, beliefs, and identities, allowing us to emerge into the light with renewed strength and clarity. (This aspect of Goddess work feels particularly pertinent to me, in light of what happened around this time last year.)
4. Harnessing Feminine Energy: When working with the Dark Goddess, we tap into the deep well of feminine energy and wisdom. This brings balance to our lives, helping us reconnect with our intuition, emotions, and the nurturing aspects of ourselves.
5. Cultivating Inner Strength and Resilience: The Dark Goddess teaches us the importance of facing our challenges head-on. By working with her energy during the winter solstice, we cultivate resilience and develop the ability to navigate the shady corners of our lives with grace and courage.

The Deep Wisdom of Yule Tarot Spread

This Tarot spread is designed to help you connect with the deep wisdom of Yule/the Winter Solstice. It offers insight and guidance on embracing your shadows, nurturing your inner light, and navigating the transformative energies of this season.

1. Embrace your Shadow: What aspect of yourself needs acknowledgement and acceptance during this winter solstice?
2. Cultivate Resilience: What obstacle are you being called to face with grace and courage?
3. Nurture your Inner Light: What practice or action can you engage in to nourish your inner light and ignite a sense of purpose and inspiration as you move towards Imbolc?
4. Navigate Transformation: What old pattern, belief, or identity are you being called to shed to facilitate your inner rebirth?
5. Tap into Feminine Energy: How can you nurture and reconnect with your psyche (intuition, emotions and feminine wisdom) during this winter solstice?
6. Presence: Which area of my life do I need to be more fully present in?

Enjoy this magical season and don’t be afraid to take the downtime you need for seeking out what nurtures your soul.

Blessed be!

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