Rituals for Awakening: Let’s Celebrate the Light!

Whether you believe in ascension or the dawning of a new age, celebrate the ‘holy days' of Hannukah or Christmas, or the Winter Solstice, there is no doubt that this time of year is imbued with the energy of love and light, hearth and hope. Perhaps we are guided in these cosmic celebrations by age old traditions honored by our ancestors, attuned to the rhythms and cycles of the natural world, affirming our oneness with all of creation.

Today marks the end of the 5,125-year “long count” cycle of the Mayan calendar. It also happens to be the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night and the shortest day. The dark triumphs but only briefly. For the Solstice is also a turning point. From now until the Summer Solstice, the nights grow shorter and the days grow longer. From the dark womb of the night, the light is born. So too, your consciousness is called into a greater awakening. The Winter Solstice embodies this concept of birth and death, and rebirth. It is also a celebration of nature and of light and living. How auspicious that these two great cycles should combine forces on the same day.

Contrary to speculation by some that this is the ‘end of time', this could actually augur a powerful alignment of purposeful energy to spark the dawning of a new era. It is an opportunity to relinquish the old and welcome the new. There are so many that have faithfully and steadily blazed a trail well beyond personal evolution. There are a legion of light beings touching everything, everyone, everywhere and rippling transformation in every corner of the galaxy. The time has come and a new world IS here. The world may still appear to wear an old facade – as in media, big business and government – but on the inside, in these very same nexxus' of power, there are murmurs and rumblings and tumblings. People everywhere clamor for a world that is whole and good, not only for themselves and their loved ones, but for ALL. There's a collective voice arising and it speaks truthfully and honorably. There is good news, oh yes, plenty of good news!

How to Create Your Own Winter Solstice Ritual

If you'd like to mark the day, and honor your own energy of awakening, there's no better way than to create your own personal tradition and rituals. Here are a few you might consider, in honor of the Winter Solstice and our bright new world:

• If you have a fireplace or a space outdoors to light a bonfire, you can gather around it in the dark and tell stories. One ancient tradition has each family member throwing a holly sprig onto the fire to usher out the old year, then saving some of the charred wood to start next year’s Yule log burning.
• You can also gather around a bonfire (or candles if you're indoors) and place a few ‘totems' and meaningful items around the fire, and then one by one, toss into the fire thoughts of the things that no longer serve you (written down on paper). Bless those things as they go up in smoke. Then focus on your new intentions and send them out into the Universe on the rising smoke. You could then dance around the fire in celebration of the new!
• Decorate a living Yule (Christmas) tree. It can be growing in your yard or you can purchase one in a pot to plant in the ground later. Each family member can add an ornament that is meaningful to them. You can also use decorations of the sun, moon and stars in honor of the solstice.
• Gift giving is a long-standing tradition at this time. You could have a unique and Nature-themed gift for each person present. Or you could dispense with gifts altogether and just enjoy the company of family and friends and celebrate with a delicious meal.

“Ritual provides the bridge between the inner and outer worlds and creates a context for connecting to the seats of our souls. The end result of all ritual is an increase in balance, strength, energy and comfort.” Angeles Arien

Here's a sweet wake up call that illustrates the power and the promise of this new age: Science has discovered that our existence is infinitely improbable, and hence a miracle. And yet, here you are. In a world that clamors for your bandwidth at every opportunity, your attention to this sacred call is key. It's what connects you to this infinite improbability that is Life. Let's rejoice in the invitation and again turn our eyes upward to greet the new dawn.

Please share your awakening, or Winter Solstice rituals below.

Winter Solstice Celebration Call

Image: Winter Solstice, Alice Popkorn