Winter Solstice Traditions
Yule Scents of the Season
Winter Solstice brings the Magic of darkness on this longest night of the year. In the darkness we rely on our inner sense and respond with ancestral memories of survival. We release the gorgeous colors of fall and enter stillness in the northern hemisphere. This is the first day of Winter. A celebration of the gradual return of longer, brighter days.
Until the full light of the sun arrives, we decorate with twinkling lights and a lot of sparkles that adorn homes and businesses exemplifying our Faith during this season of joy and happiness. The lighting ceremonies, once flames of candles or bale-fires, are now powered by electricity and possibly a few batteries. Following ancient traditions we have created our own lighting to send gratitude to the warm light of the sun.
The Winter Solstice Tradition welcomes the Yule season of joy and peace. It gradually evolved to embrace many other cultural celebrations of Faith sharing the same time of the year including Christmas and Hanukkah
In sincerest gratitude we honor the closing of the year in order to invite the new gifts that await. We bring in comforting Scents of the Season through our meals, baking and decorating. These lovely scents trigger memories of the past and create memory triggers for our future. We celebrate our memories, our ancestors and each other.
Scents of the Season
Ginger
Traditional foods of Winter Solstice delight our sense of taste and smell. It is time to eat, drink, be merry and share our culinary talents with family and friends.
Simmering cranberries & oranges seasoned with strong cinnamon sticks and cloves drift through the house like holiday potpourri. Fruitcakes, dreaded by some, are among the favored delicacies. Roasted turkey and hams are the center of attention on many tables , sometimes being replaced by the interesting "tofurkey" (who knew?).
Gingerbread cookies marched into our traditions about the fifteenth century in France and Germany when specialty breads were only allowed to be baked during Easter and Christmas. The breads became cookies and were identified with Christmas and Yule.
- Ginger carries the warmth of gratitude and appreciation.
- This root in all of its form brings us clarity of purpose and the courage to carry out our plans.
Evergreen
Stepping into spaces filled with garlands of pine, fir or spruce deepens the breath and touches the heart with bliss. Different types of evergreens that have been distilled for their celestial aromas reminds us to take deep breaths during this busy season before the emotional stillness.
During our darkness, the evergreens provide hope for a bright future. The protective nature of the greenery helps us to open our hearts and know that we can release any disturbances in the previous year. They encourage us to step renewed into the new year.
Filling your home with pine oil and its greenery as a decorated tree, wreaths or simple sprigs set around your home. the magic of these lovely evergreens help to clear the mind.
Wreaths placed on our entryway symbolize the circle of life everlasting. The cycle of birth, death and rebirth. It is a welcoming symbol of friendship.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon warms our hearts and bodies during the cold winter months. This wonderful plant is available as an essential oil or a spice or even in tree bark form.The powerful cinnamon helps alleviate apathy and improves sadness caused by isolation.
Watch your fire sparkle with joy as you add a few sprinkles of cinnamon fairy dust to your indoor incense charcoal. Or add a drop or two of the essential oil to your fan diffuser to disburse this heavenly scent into your sacred space. Welcome a prosperous new year with this abundance-attracting spice or oil.
Snuggle under the blankets in your warmest pjs during a cold winter's night. Expect your dreams to bring you to the place of forgotten visions and goals. Work with the magic of cinnamon as it eases resistance to pursue your life's path of abundance and joy.
Use cinnamon oil sparingly as it is super strong and is considered a skin irritant.
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