The Winter Solstice


 

For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice took place a few short hours ago (21st June) at 1:32pm.

This powerful time of year celebrates the longest hours of darkness. It represents the closing of one chapter in our Planet spins around the sun, and the opening of a new chapter.

The “rebirth” of the sun holds for each of us a powerful energy for regeneration, renewal and self-reflection. Its life-giving rays shine into the dark, calling forth new life and new creations.

Seeds that are buried deep within Mother Earth begin to germinate, and seek the warmth and the light of the sun’s rays.

This is a beautiful time for self-reflection.

So pause for a moment today, as the page of time turns. What is it that you choose to surrender and release from your life? What have you been holding onto that no longer serves you?

It is only by releasing the old that we can create the “void” which welcomes the new. That is why it’s such an important and vital element of life.

Just as the ocean ebbs and flows, so do we. Let the past flow out and be released, so that new life and new loves can flow in on the next tide.

As I pondered this for myself, I realised that the Joy Quotient in my life has been at a low point. I’ve been working through some emotional times in releasing a friendship that has run its course, and I’ve been acutely aware of the chaos and turbulence that is happening on our Planet right now.

Energetically, it’s like being in a tornedo.

The transmutational energy is so strong that it’s driving many things to the surface, including in relationships, work and health. It’s soooooooooo important to remain grounded. And the best way we can do this is to walk with our bare feet on the Earth, and to be diligent in our spiritual practices.

These things will help to anchor us, and give us a level of steadiness amidst the turbulent energy that surrounds us.

That’s why one of my goals for this next 3 months is to increase the amount of time I spend in spiritual practices each day and each week. I’ve committed to myself a minimum of 10 hours a week. That will include reading spiritual books, meditating, sun gazing, yoga, and journaling. It’s easy to find time for these life-affirming activities when we realise how essential they are to our journey, and to our Joy.

It seems fitting that in Pagan times, the Winter Solstice was called Yule, and was a celebration of the Goddess and Moon energy. I smiled when I learned this.

I chose my name Artemis 27 years ago. Artemis is the Greek Goddess of Nature and the Moon.

The moon is aligned to our intuition. When I first learned about her at a Goddess Seminar that I attended in Byron Bay, I loved the fact that she is a protector of Women and Small Animals. At the time in my spiritual healing practice, most of my clients were women. And from early childhood I’ve always loved animals. That led me down a path to study Zoology and work for the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service in my early 20’s. More recently, it sees me volunteering my time for a local wildlife rescue group, and helping rescue and rehabilitate all types of animals, and particularly snakes.   

And the fact that Artemis is associated with the moon is also special. The moon is aligned to our intuition, and ever since I was 24 I’ve worked in the spiritual arena, and my intuition is a powerful and every day guide to me.

So let’s spend today celebrating this special transition that we find ourselves in. Light a candle in your home, and take those precious moments to acknowledge the things that you are ready and willing to release from your life, so that new seeds may germinate.

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