The winter solstice is a time to reflect on the year that has passed and set intentions for your next twelve months. You can do so by honoring this darkest day of the year or by welcoming a new beginning in its place.
The most popular way of doing this is by meditating or journaling about what you're grateful for during this time period, but there are several other ways you can connect with nature spirits and bring more light into your space during these darker days.
Celebrate the day by acknowledging its place in the year.
This is a day to celebrate not only the return of light, warmth, and longer days but also the changing of seasons. The winter solstice means spring is around the corner. Birds will start singing again, flowers will bloom, and you'll get to spend more time outdoors without freezing!
However, before you start your celebration, make sure to check the weather forecast. The winter solstice is when we have the shortest day of the year in terms of hours with sunlight. If it's snowing or raining outside, then enjoy a quiet evening indoors.
If you're still feeling festive, then enjoy a nice dinner with friends. Make sure to turn on some music, light candles, and put out some snacks for everyone to enjoy.
In the spirit of welcoming new beginnings, you could use a gratitude practice to mark this year's solstice.
In the spirit of welcoming new beginnings, you might honor this year's solstice with a gratitude practice. Gratitude practices are a great way to start the year, as they encourage you to let go of what no longer serves you and clear space for all that is new and good.
There are many ways to do this—you can keep a gratitude journal, do daily prayers or meditations around gratitude, or even take time each morning or evening (or both!) to reflect on all that has happened in your life during the day that was positive. If it helps, set aside some time each week specifically for this purpose; if not, make sure it happens every once in awhile throughout the month so that remembering all those lovely things becomes part of your routine—just like brushing your teeth!
Not into gratitude? Try an affirmation practice.
You can choose to practice meditation or anything that helps you clear your mind and focus on yourself.
The winter solstice is a great day for some deep self-reflection, so take advantage of this opportunity by practicing a mantra or just sitting alone in silence for awhile with no distractions around you.
Many people call this practice meditation. Meditation can be done anywhere and at any time; you don’t even need special clothes or equipment! Even if all you have is 5 minutes in the morning before work or at night before bed, meditation will still help you recharge and center yourself on these dark days.
Give yourself some time when you can sit quietly with yourself and meditate on something positive.
This can be a spiritual practice, or it can simply be focusing on your breath or body. The most important thing is to just find something that works for you and stick with it.
Winter solstice meditation mantra
Try using this winter solstice mantra: "I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses." I am grateful for the opportunities in my life. "I am ready to let go of the past and embrace change." "I am a powerful, beautiful being!"
Repeat this mantra as many times as you can during the day. If you feel like it, write it down on a piece of paper and carry it around with you. Try saying it out loud or quietly in your mind; either way is fine. doesn't feel right? Make up any sentence you like.
Leave small gifts for nature spirits near bright spots in your home or outside in nature.
As you prepare your home for winter and the new year, be sure to make room for the winter spirits who will visit with you there. Leaving small gifts for nature spirits near bright spots in your home or outside in nature can help them feel welcome and keep them close as they settle into their new homes.
Some ideas include:
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A bowl of water with a few rocks
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A small bouquet of flowers
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An unlit candle (make sure it's safe for where you plan on placing it)
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A small bowl of sugar crystals
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A jar of honey
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A piece of bread or cheese
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A small bowl of salt water
What is a nature spirit?
Nature spirits are beings that live in and around us. They are everywhere, but they’re especially prevalent in places that have a lot of energy or power, such as waterfalls, caves, and forests. Nature spirits are usually invisible to humans, but sometimes they are described as insects, rocks, or trees. They are the guardians of nature, taking care of forests and mountains, rivers, and lakes. Some people believe that each place on Earth has a guardian spirit or fairy that watches over it, like a sort of local deity.
If you want to leave food out for nature spirits, it's best to put it on an outdoor table or on the ground. You can also choose a place inside your home where you know that other animals won't eat it (like under your bed or behind a locked door).
To bring more light into your space during this dark time of year, set out white candles at regular intervals throughout your home.
To bring more light into your space during this dark time of year, set out white candles at regular intervals throughout your home. It’s helpful to use a timer or some other reminder system so you don’t forget them when it’s time for bed. If using light is not possible, try using incandescent bulbs instead. White ones will do just fine—they’re associated with winter solstice celebrations and the new year, which are closely tied to the solstice in many cultures around the world.
When it comes to decorating your home, you might want to add crystals to the places you spend the most time.
There’s a reason crystals have been used for centuries to help people cleanse, protect, and manifest their intentions. Crystals are powerful tools that you can use in your home decor to help you manifest your dreams and desires.
Here are three suggested crystals for the winter solstice.
The winter solstice is a time of deep rest and reflection, and it can be helpful to have crystals that support you in this process. Here are three recommended stones for the winter solstice:
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Clear quartz is a crystal that can be used for almost anything. It can be used to heal, protect, or improve your spiritual practice.
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Amazonite, a stone often associated with rainbows and joy, encourages us to express our creativity more fully. It may also help us connect with our intuition by helping us see past illusions and into the truth behind things.
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Blue Kyanite: A stone often used in meditation, blue kyanite helps you see clearly through confusion while still allowing you to remain open-minded about different perspectives and points of view.
Use this time to set your intentions for the coming year and reevaluate your commitment to them as we move into spring's greater light.
The winter solstice is the darkest day of the year, and it's a good time to reflect on what you've accomplished in the past year and set your intentions for the coming one.
Crystals like the ones above are powerful tools whose energy can help you bring your goals into reality!
A winter solstice ritual practice with crystals
This is a great way to get started with crystal grids! You can use this ritual while you're learning how to set them up or when you want a quick burst of energy. It's also helpful if you're feeling stuck with your intentions and want some guidance from the crystals. The ritual itself is easy to do and only takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1: Cleanse your space, yourself, and crystals.
You might want to cleanse your crystals with sage smoke, selenite, or saltwater before setting them out for this ritual (if they aren't already cleaned). You can also place them directly in the sun or in the light of the full moon overnight. This will clear out any negative energies that may have accumulated. I like using these methods because they're relatively cheap and low-maintenance.
Step 2: Set your intentions and select your crystals.
I also like to set up my crystal grid and intentions and leave them overnight. This is a great way to let your crystals help you manifest your desires! I select one stone to be the central crystal point that is known for having the main properties I am calling in, along with some tumbled stones that represent supporting or amplifying aspects of my intentions.
I also like to use quartz points in rituals because they're powerful amplifiers and easy to cleanse. You can use a variety of different crystals.
Step 3: Create your crystal grid.
First, you'll want to set your crystals up in one of these patterns (linked).
Once the crystals are set up, light a white candle if you don't have other colors available, or use a color that corresponds to your intentions (or, honestly, just light whatever you have on hand or nothing at all).
Step 4: Focus your intentions.
Next, take some time to center yourself and focus on your intentions for this grid. If you haven't done much crystal work before, it can be helpful to write out what you want and keep it next to you. When you're ready, sit down in front of the crystals and light them all at once with your candle (or candles). I like to touch each crystal in the grid and visualize that they are all connected in a strong web or network.
Then spend a few minutes meditating on how this ritual might help bring about change in your life.
When you're ready, blow out all the candles and take down your grid. Think about how you might use this grid again in the future and make notes for yourself if necessary.
Final thoughts on rituals for the winter solstice
The winter solstice is a time to celebrate the end of darkness and welcome new beginnings. It’s also a time to reflect on what you want from this year and set yourself up for success. If you need some help with your crystal collection, we have some suggestions!