Winter Solstice arrives today, the 21th of December. Today is the day the sun stands still (or appears to). There are many ancient myths and traditions regarding the celebration of Winter Solstice. Known as Yule, in pre-Christian times (and in current times as well) it was celebrated at the end of one year’s cycle and the beginning of a new year, a time when “the sun stands still” before the daylight hours get longer and the birth/death/rebirth cycle begins anew. Winter Solstice, considered the “re-birth of the sun”, comes about 3-4 days before we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, or the “birth of the son”.
I believe that Winter Solstice is a great time to review the past year and look forward to the upcoming year.
This past year has been particularly challenging for me. It has been a year of transformation and transition in both my personal life and my business. This past year I left a JOB that I was no longer in resonance with; I left a 24 year relationship and marriage that we are now transforming into a co-parenting relationship and friendship, left the home that I have lived in for 21 years and moved into another home with my 2 teenage boys and have left a lot of stress and baggage behind (remember “there are no luggage racks on a hearse”). I’ve had additional challenges that have affected my physical, financial, emotional and spiritual health, my business and all areas of my life. It’s also been a year rich with opportunites for growth and a wealth of love and support from so many people. I am truly blessed.
What’s more, I share this common theme of the 2009 challenge with many people I know. This past year has provided the chaotic energy to shake us up and wake us up so that we can take our lives to a higher level of consciousness as we enter the next decade.
Today I invite you to stand still just like the sun and take an inventory of the past year and what 2009 brought into your life. Take time to look back through your year and make a celebratory list of all that you accomplished in the past year. Look at the challenges that you have experienced and what lessons you can take with you into 2010. Light some candles to bring forth the light on this long dark night and begin reviewing the past year by writing your lessons and accomplishments. Big or small, acknowledging your lessons and accomplishments and giving gratitude for the gifts of the past year will allow you to move into the new cycle with clarity, vision and light.
When you are done honoring the past year, release it in whatever way seems appropriate to you. Take some time to set some intentions for the coming year. Write them down and post them where you can view them often. Make a dream board with pictures and hang it up in a conspicuous area where you can view it often. Then your intentions are fresh in your mind throughout the year.
The coming year, 2010, is a number three year in the science of numerology. The gifts of a number three year are enthusiasm for life, living in a joyful energy, optimism, a happy spirit and unbounded creativity.
Take a moment, close your eyes and imagine yourself at the end of 2010 having accomplished the intentions that you set at Winter Solstice 2009. Looking back, see the steps that you took to accomplish those goals.
Breathe in the vision, the colors, the emotion, feeling and the sounds of this imagery, allowing yourself to be fully present in this future moment. Allow the energy of the vision to completely expand inside of your being and out into the Universe. Hold onto this vision for a few moments. Then open your eyes and know that you have taken the first step to bring this vision to fruition.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” –Melody Beattie
Thank you for your love, support and patience this past year. I am truly grateful for you and for you being in my life.
Peace, Joy and Blessings to You and Yours this Holiday Season,
Annette
