Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice! This holiday is (in essence) the Pagan equivalent to Christmas. Fun fact… when Christmas was placed on December 25th, the church chose that day to coincide with the pagan holiday of Yule (because as most know, Christ was actually born in the spring, not in December).

Although many of us have been feeling like we’ve been in it for months, the Winter Solstice is the “official” first day of winter, and marks  its spot on the calendar not by its date, but by being one of only two days each year where the daylight and darkness are equal.  In my path, this holiday marks a day of hope for the future, and candles are lit to celebrate the return of the sun as it begins to now become more and more prominent with each day that passes and every day becomes longer as the nights decrease.

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of upcoming Imbolc at the beginning of February.

Theme of the Season – Yule / Licht in der Dunkelheit, New Moon, Coriander (Ceriandrum sativum)

Yule (Light in the Darkness) is a time when we celebrate that the light is to beginning to once more return to us.  From now until mid-summer, each day will be longer and each night shorter.  With the longer days and the return of the sun, the earth will begin to warm and awaken.  This returning of the light is the very first step towards warmer weather, spring, and rebirth.

This year the Winter Solstice lands on the waning end of the New Moon. The New Moon is a time of beginnings, when we take the ideas we have been fostering in the back of our mind and bring them forward to prioritize and begin to encourage to grow. Planning is the first step to acting on one’s dreams, and the new moon encourages us to plot and plan to our heart’s content concerning those things most important to us, and that we want to accomplish or achieve.

Coriander (Ceriandrum sativum) is is metaphysically used to stimulate bold energies, awaken passions, and protect through clearing away issues with jealousy, ill will, and stagnant energies. Added to this, in areas of health, coriander is a source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It is an antioxidant that is believed to assist in lowering blood pressure through its diuretic properties. Its essential oil also contains antibacterial properties.

When looking at these three cards together there is a pervasive message that speaks of a need to let go of those things that are “poisoning the well”  as the new beginnings that come with the Winter Solstice and New Year approach.   As the light grows, commit to allowing it to burn away the negative influences of ill will and stagnancy, so that the light can invigorate and heal.

Earth – Nine of Cups – Savor more. Work at living in the moment, and enjoying those moments to the best of your ability.  Seek out those things that make you happy and make the choice to enjoy them rather than brushing them aside for aspirations.  That time spent savoring creates a stability that all  your striving never can.

Air – Knight of Swords Rx – Watch out for moments of impulsiveness. Take care to make sure that you’re taking a pause and actually thinking things through before you act. This especially includes before you speak, particularly if you’re jumping forward to speak out of turn.

Water – Seven of Cups – Don’t allow your emotions to get involved in making decisions, or you may find yourself stuck and unable to choose which way to go. Logic is needed, and when emotions get involved, sometimes logic becomes harder to ascertain… or harder to actually choose out right.

Fire – Two of Pentacles – Lean into focusing on creating a good balance in your life between the opposing forces within you. Remember that balance is not stagnancy. It requires movement in order to be achieved and sustained.

Waning – The Dusk Child and Roots – “A balanced view relies on the acceptance of obscurity, just as a healthy tree relies on the nourishment of the black soil.” – Guidebook

It is best to linger on the surface for the time being, and allow the light to do the healing work that it needs to do for you. You’ve spent enough time in the dark, and your inner balance needs the light just as trees need sunlight.   Your roots are oversaturated.

Waxing – The Oracle and Scythe – Lean into the development of your intuitive abilities. Although logic is a solid foundation for making decisions, it shouldn’t trump the knowledge that comes from within.  Even without proof, that knowledge holds the high ground through its consistency at being right.

Take Away – Recommit yourself to the light as the warmth of the sun’s return burns through the darkness this Winter Solstice.  You need to focus more on your mindfulness, positivity, and optimism exercises to balance yourself out, and allow yourself to trust your moments of intuition without question.  Just take care not to mistake impulse for intuition. They’re not the same and the former can cause a lot of extra problems you don’t need.

DECKS USED: JAHRESKREIS ORAKEL DER KELTISCHEN FESTE, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 – 3