When darkness deepens, honouring the winter solstice

The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year,, a turning point in the natural cycle when the outward motion of the year pauses and slowly begins to shift back towards the light. In the northern hemisphere, this falls on 21 December 2025.

In a world that often values momentum over stillness, the solstice offers a quieter invitation. To pause. To rest. To recalibrate. It reminds us that slowing down is not a failure of progress, but a necessary part of growth and rejuvenation.

The significance of the winter solstice

Across cultures and throughout history, the winter solstice has been recognised as a meaningful threshold.

In ancient Britain, monuments such as Stonehenge were aligned with the returning sun. In Nordic traditions, Yule was a time of gathering, warmth and shared stories to carry people through the darkest days. Candles were lit to symbolise hope and the promise of light to come.

These practices remind us that the solstice is not about darkness alone, but about transition. Even at the quietest point of the year, something is beginning to shift.

Winter as a season of rest and recalibration

Winter asks us to turn inward more than any other season. Days shorten, energy lowers, and the natural world rests. Yet modern life rarely accommodates this rhythm. We are encouraged to continue at the same pace, regardless of season.

The solstice gently challenges this. It invites us to honour rest as something productive in its own right. To recognise that clarity, creativity and renewal often emerge from periods of stillness.

This is a moment to pause and recalibrate. To reflect on the year that has passed, release what no longer needs to be carried, and allow space for what is quietly forming.

A simple winter solstice ritual

A simple way to acknowledge the winter solstice could be:

Create a seasonal altar: Choose a calm corner of your home and gather a few meaningful elements such as candles, winter flowers or crystals. An essential oil blend containing base notes such as frankincense, cedarwood, clove or myrrh can help with grounding. Light a candle as a symbol of the returning light.

Reflect and release:  Take time to perform a simple journaling exercise reflecting on the year:

• What has supported you?

• What has felt heavy?

• Without judgement, note what you are ready to leave behind

• What would you like to carry forward / introduce more of?

  
  

Rest with your breath:  Sit quietly for ten minutes. Inhale through the nose for four counts, exhale through the mouth for eight. Then after a few cycles of this just allow yourself to sit in silence with your eyes closed, observing your natural breath.

Setting quiet intentions for the months ahead

The winter solstice is not the time for urgent plans or bold resolutions. Instead, it offers space for quieter intentions. Seeds planted now do not need immediate action. They need patience.

A gentle practice to introduce at this time might be:

• Evening journalling by candlelight

• A short daily walk during daylight hours

• A consistent bedtime ritual

• Setting aside time each week to disconnect and reflect

  
  

By honouring the solstice, we begin to move in rhythm with the season rather than against it. We remember that balance is created through rest as much as action, and that the return of light often begins quietly.

As the year turns allow yourself to rest deeply, trust the pause, and to be discerning about what you carry into the months ahead.