--by Nancy Hausauer

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is December 21st -- today.

The Winter Solstice, the official beginning of winter, is the longest night and shortest day of the year. It also heralds the return of the light—I love the poetry of that. Like each of the seasons, winter offers lessons about living in harmony with our energy.

The Wisdom of Winter

In winter, nature rests. The nights are long and still, the earth gestates and many of the plants appear to die. It's part of the natural cycle, necessary for the growth and productivity of spring, summer and early fall.

Often we forget that rest and stillness are necessary for us, too. This is true for everyone, but especially for energy healers and others who are sensitive to subtle energy.

In winter, nature teaches us that we must take time for internal stillness, external rest and self-gestation. If we haven't taken care of ourselves, we can't take care of others. We don't have enough extra light to direct toward healing, creating and other positive purposes. We must guard our time for restoration and inner stillness with the fierceness of a winter storm.

Staying Energetically Balanced in the Season of Winter

Here are some winter-solstice-inspired ideas for making sure your precious subtle energies stay in balance:

Let go of traditions and activities that don't feed your spirit. The pandemic gives us a good excuse to overhaul our usual holiday patterns and start new ones. What really matters? What can you let go of?

Get out into nature. Get as much natural light as possible.

Turn off your electronic devices and do something creative.

If you feel tired, take a nap. Your body is wise. Allow yourself as much sleep as you need.

Nurture your inner child with play-time.

Bring rich, beautiful colors, sounds and scents into your home and workplace.

Take a mini-holiday every day, even if it's just a ten-minute jaunt outside for fresh air.

Schedule regular time for stillness and reflection such as meditation, journal-writing or contemplative walking.

Make room in your life for the distinctive poetry and beauty of the season.

Take a night walk (safely, of course). Look at the moon and stars. Feel the richness of the dark.

Allow the return of the light to feed your hope for the world. Light candles or build a fire to celebrate.

I wish you a beautiful, wise, restful winter -- Nancy