Winter Time of Reflection

The Winter Solstice, just marked the beginning of a new year for us. It occurs usually on the 20th or 21st day of December depending on the year. It is also known as the longest night of the year, and shortest day of light. It holds great significance in Native American spirituality because it is the return of the Sun even though it is the beginning of the winter season in the northern hemisphere. It’s a time when the world shifts towards the light of hope. Ancient indigenous cultures have marked this occasion with festivals, ceremonies, and stories for thousands of years. Each day now it will be getting lighter and lighter with the Return of the Sun.

For 3 days from December 21st to the 24th the Sun rises at the same point on the horizon, not moving along its usual pathway. The Ancients believed that the Sun had died and they needed not to worry about any wrong deeds they had done during these days of wild rivalry. Then on the 25th, they made repentance by praising the rebirth of the the return of their beloved Sun. This is why many religions find it to be a very sacred time from the 21st to the 25th of December.

As the sun moves along the elliptic path across the earth, it starts to climb higher each day from the horizon. It climbs upwards like a goat, thus referred astrologically as Capricorn to eventually reach its peak in summer as it roars like Leo the Lion.

For Native American cultures, as they enter into winter, it represents a time of introspection and reflection. As the days become shorter, and the nights grow longer, there may be a sense of discouragement, but it makes us think about what we want for ourselves and humanity lying ahead. Then as we start to fill up with more light, hope returns again in our hearts. We feel encouraged that Life will blossom again with the coming spring of warmth and new opportunities.

The Winter Solstice represents a chance to let go of the old and embrace the new. For many Native American cultures, it’s an opportunity to purify one’s soul and start anew. Rituals during this time may include smudging, meditation, and prayer to help clear the mind and set intentions for the future. This time of year is seen as a portal between the seen and unseen worlds, where answers to questions can be found and new paths revealed. The veil between the two realms is very thin.

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