Winter Solstice Rituals
For all my antipodean cuties, lets talk about darkness!
If you’re in the Northern Hemi, find the companion Summer Solstice Rituals post here.
The number two thing1 I dislike about living in Australia is the inverse of the seasons I’m used to. Especially as a witch of Celtic lineage, I’m pretty in sync with the wheel of the year and the seasonal celebrations. Love me some Litha and Samhain! Imbolc is my girl!
When I lived in Aus in my mid-twenties — when I was just a bebe witch learning about the moon phases — I knew this seasonal dysphoria irked me but couldn’t really pinpoint why.
Now after a decade of living with the seasonal shifts in a more intentional way in the northern hemi, I understand that these seasonal rhythms are essential to understanding my own internal rhythms. And working with them has improved my life way more than any green smoothie routine ever did.
So I knew this year would be one of recalibration where I had to change my perspective and literally flip the script.
Lean in lol.
On my not-so-good days, I’m disconnected and uninspired to do anything about it (hi burnout, hi!). On my better days, I’m inspired to find new expressions of zodiac signs and seasonal connections and create my own magical seasonal transitions.
Today I’m thinking about the start of Cancer Season and the Winter Solstice I find myself facing pretty beautiful and appropriate.
Cancer is so cozy, she lends herself to being bundled in blankets around bonfires. To sunrise coffees in big hoodies, staring out at the ocean. To big pots of soup on the stove and gathering around a candle lit table.
Winter Solstice
Solstices are extremes of light and dark and potent times for reflection and considering what you’re ready to change in your life.
The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and the rebirth of the Sun. From this point on, the days will grow in length. It’s about hope, optimism, and tending to the inner flame of excitement and desires as the sun is at its weakest.
We prepare to go inward for the season to do some behind the scenes incubation and growth.
Themes: Rest, connection, light, warmth, tending
Choose Your Own Adventure: Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Host a cozy gathering
Gather around a fire or lighting a bunch of candles
Release and renew: Write down what you're ready to release from this past season — old patterns, fears, grief, habits. Burn the paper (safely!) in a fireplace or fire-safe bowl.
Write a new intention or a quality you want to cultivate as the light returns
Shine a light on others with kind words and compliments (and compliment yourself!)
Decorate with greenery: evergreens, hearty herbs like rosemary, or eucalyptus
Spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice — make cookies, cakes, mulled wine or cider and enjoy
Foods: citrus like lemons and oranges represent sunshine
Create a sun altar: using candles, gold accents, citrus, flowers, etc — anything that evokes warmth and sunshine for you
Come up with your own cozy traditions
Schedule a reading with me (pssst: there’s discounted for the solstice portal)
Winter Solstice Reflection Questions:
What am I ready to let go of and lay to rest?
Where have I been called inward?
What wisdom has come through the quiet or the dark?
What parts of me are asking to be witnessed, healed, or nourished?
How can I honor my inner flame while the outer world feels cold or still?
What kind of support or structure will help me hold my light?
What seeds am I planting now for future blooming?
Even in the dark, you’re holding light. This season is not about forcing growth but trusting that the stillness is fertile.
Number one is being so far away from friends, fam, and places like New Orleans. Apart for these two (kind of big) things, honestly not a lot to hate on.