Setting Intentions, Celebrating the Winter Solstice & My 30th Birthday!!

~ Ever since a child, I've lived in awe of the moon, the sun, the seasons, and nature in general and how it affects what is going on in us and around us

~ Winter solstice, which takes place on December 22nd this year, is the first day of winter and shortest day/longest night of the year - Tonight we honor the Solstice. In the darkest of Kali night, the greatest potential for new light pulsates

~ To summarize, this is the day that the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator and shines directly on the tropic of Capricorn. To us, the sun will appear at its lowest point in the sky, marking the beginning of the winter season

~ Across the world, most cultures see this day as a symbol of rebirth since from this day forward we will be observing more sunlight and less darkness. Long ago, people considered this day an important one because they believed if the sun were to keep sinking lower and lower soon all would be dark and life would end. On this date the sun would climb back into the sky and therefore was a time of great celebration

~ In yoga, I have heard that people do everything from a restorative Yin practice to 108 Sun Salutations in celebration of the solstice. Others may not practice at all

~ Regardless of what you decide to do, I think it is a nice “holiday” to take for yourself in this extremely busy time of year to reflect on what yoga has brought you so far and where you will take your practice in 2012. Acknowledge where you were at this time last year and set some goals to reach by a year from now

~ What type of practice for December 22nd, I would like to do something to challenge myself and push my limits to set the stage for my next 365 days. The symbolism is so clear. If you set your intention on the winter solstice, every day after that, with the extending daylight, seek to move closer and closer to your goal. Maybe you will surpass your expectations and reach heights that you didn’t even think were possible

~ The Winter Solstice is the shortest day, and longest night of the year, and is the traditional time to celebrate the truly important things in life: your family, your children, your home and looking forward to a wonderful year to come

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 “ When we approach the Winter Solstice, the days are the shortest (more Yin than Yang energy) and there is least amount of light in the day. This represents a phase of introspection and going inside our Sacred Sanctuary to be still to receive from Life. We are given much to contemplate and integrate now as our energy is drawn inwards. It is a phase of consolidating and gathering before the Spring-time.


We can set the intention to tune into the energies at least three days before the actual Solstice point. It is best to create time for beingness and stillness. The Sun enters Capricorn at 0 degrees on December 22, 12:30 A.M. EST timezone (check for your local time). The Sun symbolizes vitality, individual expression and style as well as conscious awareness. It brings “light” into life, as the Sun shines we see with clarity. We feel the warmth and life-giving energy from the Sun’s rays.”

Dipali Desai via Mystic Mamma