Every Winter Solstice I do a ritual that includes calling in the directions, giving thanks, releasing things and habits that don’t serve me, and planting seeds for what I want to see grow in the next year. I like the idea of growth underground during winter and gaining the strength to push through the earth in the spring.

This year’s Solstice was especially potent as Saturn moved into it’s home sign of Capricorn (and my Sun Sign) where it will be for about the next three years. Not only am I looking at the next year, but the next three years, and, also the next 30 years, since it takes Saturn approximately 30 years to move around the zodiac.

Before I did my ritual this year, I received a package that said, “Open Immediately: Perishable.” Woohoo! A gift that I didn’t have to wait til my birthday to open! The gift was an acorn that needed planting from my sister Laura in honor of our sister Heather who passed away a few years ago. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! I placed the acorn in the center of my altar – the perfect seed to honor my kin and for growing intentions over the next year, three years, and 30 years! (And perfectly Capricorn – earthy and long-lasting — it will outlive us all).

The ritual took hours. At the end, I planted the acorn after I pulled two tarot cards for the energy of the Solstice:

Six of Swords – Forgiveness is the way to move through pain – forgive not only others, but forgive yourself. If you release thoughts, actions, and things that do not serve you, and you can allow yourself to forgive, then you will have the energy to take on the qualities of the next card . . .

Queen of Rods – Be certain that your desire is what you want and not what others want you to want. What are your true desires? Now is the time to be fierce, passionate, and creative. Draw your desires to you. You are the fire, the light. You get to create your life! Solstice is the celebration of the return of the sun. “Be the flame and not the moth.” (Giovanni Giacomo Casanova).

Between Solstice and my birthday (Christmas Eve), I traditionally turn inward and get clear about what I want to bring into my life. This year felt extra powerful, I continued to do ritual and make intentions over the next 10 days. Three of my favorite activities were:

1. Vision Board – helped me get clarity on what my values are at the moment, and

   

   what I would like to draw into my life

2. Letter to Self three years from now – I wrote a letter as my future self to my current/future self to be read three years from now
3. Goal for 350 years from now – This expands thought to future generations. When everything is about immediate satisfaction, what if we took actions with the idea in mind that this will affect seven generations to come? (This brought me back around to planting that acorn . . . that tree really is a gift for all of us)

Finally, I am sharing because it helps me to feel connected. Last year was really tough for me personally (and completely surreal on a national level).  There were so many times when I felt like writing but could not follow through because I was just too sad.

I will say this: know that you deserve to be here to be alive — and that because you are alive, you deserve to give and receive love. Take action on what you feel called to do, especially if it makes you feel good and alive, gets you involved in your community, and opens your heart and spirit. Say “I love you” at least once a day – say “I love you” to yourself! Hug a tree! Say “I love you” to trees and plants, your pets. The world needs your love.

I made a meditation video in honor of spirit, love, and the planet.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for watching. Thanks for being willing to shine your love.

Have a brilliant day! Have a brilliant life!

I love you~

Holly