Winter Solstice Dream Seeds
On the longest night in the darkest half of the year, an unwavering gaze is held in the presence of suffering to see the fullness of reality. Confronted with a broken image of the world and a broken heart, there is an impulse to wither away. The gaze remains knowing that the light will soon warm the parts that cracked open.
This describes the fierce willingness to withstand darkness to be fully present with reality. The winter solstice is a time to reflect on how the darkness moves us. The wise one knows that this time is transient; the darkness of winter turns ever so gently as the light grows from this day forward. there will be new light soon. To truly witness the cruelty in life can be devastating, but it is necessary. We must recognize the dark to know where to shine the light. We must see cruelty to know where to bring compassion. This is the deep spiritual work here for us to do.
As one year ends and a new year begins, there is symbolism in letting go and beginning new. The conditions are quiet, dark, and slow for dreams of the new year to take shape. In class this week, I taught the concept winter solstice dream seeds. “Our inner work from the past year is done, fully composted, and we turn to our ascension, by dreaming of dreams for the new year,” writes Sarah Ix'Chel Moe. I asked my yoga students to reflect on the time past and acknowledge what the heart now longs for. What prayers or blessings do you have for yourself or for the world? What more is there to know about your hopes and dreams? While winter is not an environment for growth, it is an environment for materializing what is asking to be born. The light will warm our dream seeds and what is meant to bloom will follow the sun just like the head of a sunflower does. I gifted all my students little glass bottles with sunflower seeds and a citrine crystal to symbolize all our dream seeds waiting to be planted.
The winter season also reminds us of the power in alignment. Our soft animal bodies feel at ease when we are aligned with nature even if we don’t depend on the Earth in the same way our ancestors did. Connecting to our ancestors and practices that serve our well-being help our systems stay at ease to make it through the remaining cold dark days. There is an invitation to enjoy the pause winter brings and to take care of our needs. I created a winter epsom salt soak to encourage time spent loving ourselves. Find ways to create rituals that support you. For example, light a candle and set an intention or offer a prayer to ritualize time in a bath meant only for you. Self-baptism is a form of self-love. Pour all your ritual salts into a hot bath and allow the waters to wash away what you wish to release and appreciate one of life’s greatest pleasures. This winter, dedicate time to renew your mind, body, and spirit.
Winter Solstice Soak by Brittny Manos
EPSOM SALT, CHAMOMILE EXTRACT, GREEN TEA EXTRACT, CALENDULA EXTRACT, HONEYSUCKLE, VITAMIN E, PEPPERMINT LEAF, ORGANIC ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL, ORGANIC ORANGE ESSENTIAL OIL, ORGANIC CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL, JOJOBA OIL, AND APRICOT OIL.
