Winter Solstice Rituals for Rest, Reflection, + the Return of Light
Why the Winter Solstice is Special
The Winter Solstice marks the longest night + shortest day of the year (+ I know for some of you this is roughhhhhh so I’m sorry!!!). In the Northern Hemisphere, it falls on December 21of 2025 + is a powerful turning point in nature’s cycle. While it is often called the darkest day of the year, it is also the exact moment when the light begins to return. From here on, each day grows a little brighter (AAAAHHHHHH WE HAVE HOPE!!!!!).
Across cultures, the Winter Solstice has been honored as a sacred pause + the symbolic rebirth of the Sun. This is not a time for rushing forward, but for reflection, stillness, + quiet trust in what happening around us + all that is to come.
Winter also calls us inward. Growth is happening beneath the surface + the dark is not something to fear or fix. It is fertile, instructive, + deeply nourishing (+ necessary). The solstice reminds us that rest is not the opposite of growth, it is an IMPERATIVE element of it.
Simple Rituals to Celebrate the Solstice
1. Slow Down on Purpose
The Winter Solstice calls for less doing + more being (harrrrrd for me… anyone else?). Begin by consciously slowing your pace around everyday chores, habits, errands, work, etc., even if just for a few minutes. The most powerful solstice rituals are often the simplest ones rooted in presence.
2. Diffuse Grounding Oils
Honor the season of stillness by diffusing grounding tree oils like cedarwood, fir, or spruce. These oils help calm the nervous system and bring the body into the present moment. Sacred Mountain is a beautiful blend for anchoring into winter energy + tapping into ancestral wisdom.
3. Eat Something Warm With Full Attention
Prepare a warm, nourishing food like soup (big fan of having Soup Sunday at our house), tea, or freshly baked bread (you all know I’m in my Sourdough Hoe era) + eat it slowwwwwllllyyyyy. Let the act of nourishing yourself become intentional. The solstice reminds us that nourishment is not a reward for productivity but a form of care.
4. Set an Intention for Rest
Choose one intention that centers rest rather than growth. Winter is not a season for blooming or pushing forward (that’s for the spring equinox, people!). Let your intention focus on slowing down, creating space, or protecting your energy.
5. Breathe Without an Agenda
Spend three minutes breathing deeply with no goal other than breathing. No fixing. No planning. The solstice is a portal for pause, + stillness itself carries wisdom. Not to mention that taking a few minutes to connect with the breath chills out your nervous system among any chaos that may be swirling around you.
6. Thank the Dark
Take time to reflect on what the harder moments of this year taught you. Write down what the darkness revealed, strengthened, or clarified. Honor it fully before welcoming the return of the light.
Seasonal Tools: Crystals, Colors, + Scents
Winter solstice energy pairs beautifully with tools that support grounding + inward reflection.
Crystals like obsidian, smoky quartz, black tourmaline, + moonstone help with protection, emotional processing, + intuitive insight. OH + citrine because it reminds us of the returning of the light!
Colors associated with the solstice include deep greens, browns, blacks, golds, + soft candlelight tones. These colors reflect both the darkness + the promise of returning light.
Scents that resonate with this season include tree oils, frankincense, myrrh, orange, + gentle spices. These aromas create warmth + a sense of safety while supporting introspection.
Winter Solstice Diffuser Blend
This blend is designed to support stillness, reflection, + gentle hope.
Blend recipe
3 drops Peace and Calming (rest and nervous system softness)
2 drops Frankincense (inner wisdom and spiritual reflection)
2 drops Cedarwood (grounds the body and offers ancient stability)
1 drop Orange (represents the returning sun and quiet joy)
Diffuse during reflection, journaling, or evening rituals.
Allllll to Sayyyyy
The Winter Solstice is a sacred pause in the year. It reminds us that even in the longest night, light is already returning. This season asks us to rest, to feel, + to trust what is unfolding beneath the surface.
No rushing. No need for productivity. No pressure for perfectionism. This is our opportunity (+ excuse) to take a few extra pockets in the day to practice just being.
You do not need elaborate rituals or perfect intentions to honor this time. A candle, a breath, a moment of honesty with yourself is enough. By honoring both the dark + the light, you align with the natural rhythm of life + create space for the next chapter to unfold gently + with meaning.
Wherever you are on your path, may this solstice meet you with warmth, clarity, + deep rest.
I love youuuuu!!!!
Suzy
