Letting Go for Winter Solstice
Usually at this time of the year, there tends to be a bit of reflection. After reading The Power of Ritual in book club earlier this year, I knew I wanted to create celebration quarterly. We look at finances quarterly and there are plenty of rituals around the seasons. Therefore, It made the most sense to look at the Solstice and Equinox. Perhaps a bit of review, reflection and cleaning 4 times a year.
Saturday morning was the beginning of Winter Solstice. However I realized that I would be away on a group trip to Mexico City. Thankfully, a fellow traveler mentioned that he wanted to find a way to celebrate.
Perfect!
So my friend, Arad and I decided to plan something together. Thankfully we both wanted to make sure there was fire. I mean, burning the yule log, and all.
We brainstormed and Arad put together this list:
1. Find a dinner spot with fire 2. See if there's some kind of tea house for after dinner 3. Spend five minutes individually to write down some pains from the last year then come together to burn those pieces of paper 4. Set up a quick dance party at the Airbnb 5. Everyone brings their favorite poem to read to each other 6. Someone brings a book of short stories and we randomly pick a couple to read out loud
We had a jam-packed 5 days of exploring Mexico City. Since the Winter Solstice was set to hit Mexico City at 3:22AM, we scheduled the ritual after dinner, before bed. I brought pen and paper, plus I made a citrus essential oil blend with frankincense. We made a pot of SleepyTime tea and gathered in the Zen Garden attached to our AirBnB.
The Ritual
With cups of tea (plus one of tequila - I mean it was Mexico) we gathered in community. Arad lit a candle, and I read this poem:
To Know the Dark by Wendell Berry
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
2. We then offered paper and pens and instructed our friends to write about things they want to release or let go of. I set a timer for 15 minutes and everyone was free to disperse around the apartment.
3. We reconvened on the top floor that had a roofless area - and a BBQ grill. We invited everyone to share some thoughts or read what they wrote. Then using the candle, we each burned our writing.
4. I then anointed everyone with the essential oil inside their wrists.
5. We then invited anyone to share any other thoughts about the experience and,
6. We ended the ritual by reading this poem as a group:
The Buddha’s Last Instruction by Mary Oliver
“Make of yourself a light,”
said the Buddha,
before he died.
I think of this every morning
as the east begins
to tear off its many clouds
of darkness, to send up the first
signal -- a white fan
streaked with pink and violet,
even green.
An old man, he lay down
between two sala trees,
and he might have said anything,
knowing it was his final hour.
The light burns upward,
it thickens and settles over the fields.
Around him, the villagers gathered
and stretched forward to listen.
Even before the sun itself
hangs, disattached, in the blue air,
I am touched everywhere
by its ocean of yellow waves.
No doubt he thought of everything
that had happened in his difficult life.
And then I feel the sun itself
as it blazes over the hills,
like a million flowers on fire --
clearly I'm not needed,
yet I feel myself turning
into something of inexplicable value.
Slowly, beneath the branches,
he raised his head.
He looked into the faces of that frightened crowd.
I have to say this was a lovely way to mark the winter solstice. Sure, there were plenty of other things we could have done, but this was a nice mix of ceremony and ritual. Of writing and reading, sharing and burning. If this resonates with you, feel free to grab a group of friends or family members and try it yourself.
The Spring Equinox is March 20, 2025. I cannot wait to see what we have in store for that celebration! Or if you need a little guidance on ritual and ceremony, please let me know. Just a reminder that the comment section is always open to ask and share!