the winter solstice

Here's to the longest night of the year. Hello to the winter solstice. There are a million traditions around the world that symbolize the mark of the winter and the shortest day of the year. I'd like to share what this day means for me, and a few practices you can do over the next few days/weeks to harness this powerful energy. 

In Ayurveda, the NIGHT symbolizes many things, but there is a sense of stillness and depth that comes from appreciating the night. The night allows us to go deep into the depths of our being and uncover aspects of ourself that we may have forgotten or never experienced. It's the night that brings the steadiness to see clearly. 

We're able to tap into the yin side of who we are. To be calm and live into a serenity that we can't feel in the day. The night allows us to just be, release and feel a sense of relief. There is a lack of inhibition, where we feel we can be our truest self. (Don't lie--I know we all come home and act out in weird and goofy ways that you wouldn't otherwise in the daytime.) 

It's in the night where we are gentle; free to see and free to be. 

This is why sadhana or practice can be powerful when the sun is barely up or has already set. This is why we feel closest to the source or divinity or the universe or whatever it is that you believe in. This is why our wishes come true in the depths of the night. 

I hope that you're feeling inspired to go internal and deep and do the work to uncover and rediscover who you are--in the wildest and freest sense. Here are some practices you can do to maximize the benefits of these long nights. 

1. Find time for your practice. If you're feeling called to not be super social and spend more time to yourself, that's completely normal. That's what these colder months call for. Live into that intuition. 
2. Journal and reflect. There is no better time to feel closer to yourself. Spend time reflecting on yourself--your whole entire being. The pretty and beautiful parts and the parts that scare you or you're not super proud of. 
3. Read. The night and mind sort of go hand-in-hand. Read things that inspire you, that allow your imagination run wild, that give you the feeling of adventure and journey. 
4. Meditate. Even if it's 2 minutes or 30 seconds. It doesn't matter. Find time to be with whatever you believe in. 
5. Share your dreams with the universe. Write it down and shout it out. Share your dreams and hopes with the universe. There is no better time to manifest than now. 

Despite the desire for sunshine and warmth, live into the natural rhythms of life. The colder months play a purpose as much as the warmer months. Living in harmony with nature also includes surrendering to the natural intuition of the universe.

I hope you find the space and time to slow down, breathe, and fine peace in the stillness of the night. 

much much love
​-n