Dear Wise Women,
I write to you on the morning of December 22, the dawning of the first day on our journey towards spring. This morning I woke up just as the sun was peaking over the horizon. Looking out my bedroom window I was greeted by the glow of blue lights shining on our large pine tree and the glimmer of the rising sun. I knew I needed to cherish this moment and feel it fully so I performed a nourishing series of qigong movements as I watched the sky gradually brighten.
What a wonderful way to begin the day and to root in the power of the celebration that I was part of last night. Last night, over 30 of us gathered together in the cozy and warm Mount Royal Community Centre (it was very cozy…there was just enough room of us all). Surrounded by fairy lights and warmed by the fireplace we sunk into the significance of the Winter Solstice. We shared qigong, yoga nidra, guided meditations and the most gorgeous live music provided by Nicole St. Michel.
Our ceremony ended with each of us placing a magical tea light into water (the candles light up when dropped into water). Through Ariel’s wise guidance, we were guided to think about what we want to bring into our lives in the coming year and what we are ready to let go of. As we placed the tea light into the water we silently stated these intentions and watched it come to life through the magical lighting of the candle. We then continued to warm our bodies and souls with mulled apple cider, home baked cookies and the most delicious conversations.
For those of you who were there, I loved seeing you, thank-you for sharing this evening with me! For those of you who were not able to come due to space restrictions, I am truly sorry - next year we will be booking a larger venue!
I would like to share with you a few photos and the guided meditations that I created and shared at the beginning and closing of our qigong routine.
I invite you to fully take in the energy of this season and to contemplate: “What do you want to bring into your life this year and what are you ready to leave behind?” Consider solidifying your intention through some sort of ceremony or ritual (journaling, bathing, walking, lighting a candle…follow your intuition). 💗
“At this moment of Solstice, we stand on the cusp of change, the point when dark begins to change to light, this is a potent time in which our intentions are amplified and the benefits of qigong are maximized.
Together, let us set an intention to connect to the biological rhythm of the earth. Let us feel into the natural energies of winter and her wisdom, this is a time to rest, repair and regenerate so that we may grow and blossom come spring.
Focusing inward, we sense the power and healing benefits of silence and stillness. We allow ourselves to fully sink into the peace of darkness so that we may nourish the rising light within…just as the yin calls forth the yang in the infinite dance towards wholeness.”
“I honour the darkness, the stillness and the silence of this solstice. Attuned to the natural forces, I root inwardly and experience the peace of emptiness. I fully embrace the virtue of darkness and its revelation of the mysterious formless. Guided by the highest wisdom of the dark, I move towards the light with renewed awareness, balance and flow.”
When I got home I heard the sound of giggling and soft conversation and found Ayla, our almost 17 year old daughter, and her three girlfriends tucked into sleeping bags in front our Christmas tree. They asked me to join them and tell them all about my evening (it is not lost on me how amazing this is) - they were very interested in the energy of the solstice and asked if they could do their own tea light ceremony and of course I said “YES”!
Wise women, those of you who have gathered with me in the past and those who will gather in the future, I express my gratitude to you all!
We now embark on a precious time of rest, the time between now and the official new year. May you find peace in your heart, stillness in your being and joy in your interactions.
Blessings,
Patti