Winter Solstice June 22nd
Welcoming The Heart of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere
REALIGNMENT. RE IMAGINATION. EMERGENCE.
ENTERING INTO THE HEART OF WINTER
Winter Solstice is the celestial marker of the longest night and shortest day of the year. It is the apex of the Yin half of the year and the influence of the lunar energy on the world within and without is at its strongest.
It is one of the most potent junctures of the cosmic calendar, signalling the tilting of the Earth’s axis as the Southern Hemisphere begins to lean back towards the sun.
This transition is mirrored within our own internal landscape. And, as our own deep inner alignment is about to make a pranic ‘U-turn’ and we are invited to participate in the process accordingly.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The word SOLSTICE comes from 2 Latin words, ‘sol’, meaning ‘sun’ and ‘stice’, meaning to ‘stand still’. The sun coming to a ‘stand still’ is a powerful allegory for the kind of energy that is available for us to work with right now.
The sun represents our own highest spiritual potential and radiance. Solstice offers us the opportunity also, like the Sun, to stand still and realign ourselves.
But first we need to identify where we are living in ways which impede our potential. How will we know which direction to veer towards if we don’t know where we’re going ‘off course’?
IT’S TIME TO GO WITHIN.
Solstice shadow work requires us to shine the light of our awareness onto our deepest fears and insecurities to identify what we need to change to clear the path for our growth and the manifestation of our goals come Spring.
Now is the perfect time for deep self-reflection and quiet contemplation. Look honestly and compassionately at your life. Make time to be alone and productively quiet and introspective. Commit to a daily nourishing and grounding sadhana, (practice).
Include the sometimes difficult and confronting practice of asking yourself the questions:
What is not working?
How are you standing in our own way?
How would you need to start living to align more closely with our dreams?
Yes, there are always obstacles and elements that are beyond our control but still we need to find a way to flow around them. And flow we will, but only if we are prepared to pick up the reigns of responsibility and steer ourselves forward with honest and courageous hearts.
LOOKING FORWARD TO BRIGHTER DAYS.
From here until the SPRING EQUINOX, the power and influence of the sun will gradually intensify. Pranic energy will begin to stir before swelling upwards like the tender shoots of springs first growth to meet the sun. But the seeds from which new spring growth will emerge must first be activated, enlivened, and otherwise vivified by our intention and our attention.
As the power of the Sun begins to swell, natures energy responds by moving from its winter circulation, down deep in the earth, the roots, and the subconscious back upwards to radiate and express itself in the opposite direction.
This upward and outward radiation of energy will occur within all life. Winter Solstice offers us the opportunity to consciously cocreate with nature and direct our personal prana in the direction of our intention.
The quality and patterns of the prana which rises in springtime are the direct result of the work we are doing now.
SUGGESTED SADHANA.
Our sadhana, (practice), is crucial right now. Making time each day between now and next FULL MOON on July 3rd, to connect with our intentions and direct our attention inward will provide a fertile proving ground from which to manifest our future selves.
But those ‘fields of future self’ won’t till themselves!
Here are a few suggestions to include in your sadhana over the next 10 days to help you MEET THE SEASON WELL.
TRATAKA: Candle gazing meditation or any conscious work with the element of fire. For specific instructions on how to practice TRATAKA, please visit my Instagram account, @dominiquesalernoyoga or send me an email to receive a FREE WINTER PRACTICE GUIDE.
MAUNA: Silence. Dedicate time each evening, preferably an hour or two before bedtime to turn off your devices and close your mouth. We expend so much of our prana via our speech. Instead, redirect that energy into yourself.
JOURNALLING: Automatic Writing. Don’t think. Just write. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or writing for an audience. This is just for you. Get it out of your head and on to the page. Such wonderful mental and emotional hygiene and helpful to get clear on your feelings. Offer this into the fire when you’re ready.
Most importantly, identify how your behaviours, habits, relationships etc need to change for you to get out of your own way on the path forward.
MOVING FORWARD. WINTER OFFERINGS 2023.
Join our next PHILLIP ISLAND WINTER RETREAT July 20-23 for 4 days and 3 nights of ASHTANGA YOGA, PRANAYAMA & AYURVEDIC EDUCATION!
Greg, Tracy & Dominique are excited to team up again to offer our fourth seasonal retreat here on our magical island homeland.
This retreat is a fully inclusive package with accommodation at the stunning Island Bay Ranch and nourishing vegetarian meals provided.
We will have the entire Ranch to ourselves for the duration of the retreat. Island Bay Ranch is located at 100 Churchill Road, Newhaven.
The package includes daily Ashtanga practice, pranayama as well as evening practices and workshops on Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Yogic practices for Summer & Autumn.
Additionally, this retreat is happening during one of our favourite times here on Phillip Island, WHALE SEASON! This retreat will offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the incredible nature here with whale watching expeditions and private surfing lessons available upon request.
We can’t wait to share this experience with you.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE WINTER RETREAT INFO PACK!
CONNECT WITH ME: IG: @dominiquesalernoyoga & FB: Dominique Santana Salerno