Seasonal Healing and the Winter Solstice

In the northern hemisphere, the Winter solstice is the day of the
year (this year it is December 21) when the Sun is farthest south.
The winter solstice marks the first day of the winter season. The
declination of the Sun on the (northern) winter solstice is known as
the tropic of Capricorn (-23� 27').

Winter is the time to rest and replenish. As an expression in nature, The Winter Solstice is the time to reflect on the power of our spiritual beliefs and the belief in the power of ourselves! As we look forward to the beginning of a New Year, we look at ways to resolve issues and create resolutions that will manifest change for the better, in ourselves.

Winter is the time to take a good look at our health and our
lifestyle. Start by looking at the life around you. Are you living in
chaos? Is your home in a shambles? Is there clutter everywhere? You
may want to consider starting with a good packing and storing
session. Feng Shui, the ancient art of placement, can help you to
find order in your life.

The temple, our physical bodies, are the only thing we have to carry
the soul. When our physical bodies are not in proper working order,
everything around us ultimately suffers. Our good health is all we
have that stands between us and the aging process. The longer you
keep your physical body in optimum health, the longer you have your
temple to keep your soul on this plane. Detoxification is the best
way to keep the body at its most ultimate working level.

By enjoying a healthy, nutritional diet, getting good quality sleep
and moderate exercise this can keep our physical form at it's best,
always. Take the opportunities that are offered. Make the
opportunities that are not. Find your priorities of life and give
them merit. This is the best season to do this. This is the time when
we have the greatest energy to utilize the power we are given!

Celebrations of the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is the time of the longest night and the shortest
day. As the darkness peaks the Solstice is a turning point. This is
the point of the highest Yin (cooling) energy as the nights grow
shorter and the days grow longer into Yang (warming) energy. The
cycle of dark wanes as the power of the Sun waxes.

Customs most associated with the Winter Solstice are festivals such
as Chinese New Year, St Lucy's Day, Saturnalia, the birth of the
Christ child, Hanukkah, New Years and the Twelfth Night. Stories all
deriving from the conflict between dark and light.

Create a special winter solstice ritual to usher in the change of the
season. Reflect on what this means to you.

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
http://www.peacefulmind.com/winter.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit

I had a few girlfriends over for Yule this year. We watched some movies and I made oatmeal raisin cookies, we had some wine and they helped me put up x-mas stuff around my home. It was so much fun. �(love)