Honoring the Return to Light - Winter Solstice Rituals!
I have been leading 108 Sun Salutations at Nourishing Storm for the past 8 years. This is the first time, at the start of the season, that I will not be hosting a live 108 ritual. There are many reasons for this; not being able to gather live, being curious about other traditions that could unfold, taking time with family to rest and renew, and the list goes on. But regardless of not being live in the studio to host this tradition, I do believe that honoring the start of the season (and there are many ways I describe below) with a ritual is transformative and I want to share the practice with you in case you feel inspired to practice from the comfort of your home.
Before we begin, let’s talk a little about what is happening on the Solstice and why we practice 108 Sun Salutations…
The Winter Solstice happens at a specific, brief moment.
Not only does the solstice occur on a specific day, it also occurs at a specific time when the North Pole is positioned farthest away from the sun and when the sun also shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. In 2020, this moment occurs at 10:02 a.m. UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on December 22. For those on Eastern Standard Time, the solstice will occur at 5:02 a.m on December 21. Regardless of where you live, the solstice happens at the same moment for everyone on the planet, which is another sign how truly connected we are no matter how far apart we may be.
Each season has a reason to celebrate. The Winter Solstice specifically symbolizes death and rebirth – new beginnings and fresh starts. It marks the longest night and shortest day of the year for the northern hemisphere. It marks a celebration of moving from darkness to light, a reminder that both show up in our lives like waves. With a daily dedicated practice and things like seasonal rituals we can learn to surf between the two with ease and grace. These practices are designed to help us remember what is important and how we can bring ourselves back to center when we feel we are floating adrift.
Why Sun Salutations?
Practicing Sun Salutations brings internal heat to the body and activates prana (life force energy), which can set the stage for detoxifying and cleansing; both are great when you are beginning something new. When we perform 108 Sun Salutations we are basically clearing out the old and making room for the new.
Why 108?
I often get asked, “why 108?” Here are a few places the sacred number of 108 appears:
The number 108 appears in ancient sacred texts. For example, there are 108 Upanishads and 108 Tantras
In numerology, 108 equals 9, which symbolizes universal love, eternity and awakening.
In Ayurveda, there are 108 sacred points on the body.
In astronomy, the distance between the Sun and Earth is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
Mala bead necklaces have 108 beads, which are used to count during meditation.
Now of course it does not matter if you do all 108. It is more about Intention and your dedication to letting go of what is not serving you and inviting the new.
Intention Guides the Light from Within
Dedicating the time to celebrate the start of the season with intention gives you a chance to look at the past season, the opportunities, the challenges, how you moved through them all and then take a look at what you want to add in to your life going forward. It’s a chance for you to get clear and move into whatever kind of season that will nourish you from the inside out.
If you start the practice of 108 Sun Salutations and you feel somewhere along the way like asking yourself “why am I doing this?” dig deep and keep flowing at whatever pace you like. It is more about moving through the challenges that present themselves, remembering the intention you are setting as you move forward into the new season. As always please listen to your body as well and rest as necessary. This is your practice and you are ultimately your best teacher.
What you will need for 108 Sun Salutations Ritual:
Pen and paper (or download our “Intentions for the Start of the Season”)
2 small bowls
27 small rocks or beads (to count your Sun Salutations)
Mala Beads (if you choose to add in a meditation with 108 breaths)
Candles (optional)
Sage & Palo Santo (optional)
Yoga mat
108 Ritual
Set up a space where you can move through 108 Sun Salutations (or however many you choose to do). Dancing and lying in Savasana is totally okay along the way, remember it’s all about intention.
Light some candles and place in the center of the room or a few feet in front of your yoga mat.
Place your two small bowls and 27 rocks or beads in front of your mat.
Place some soft/or even rockin’ music – whatever inspires you. Here is my Winter Solstice playlist!
Take a few moments to write down intentions you have for yourself, family/friends, community/world and also something you are at odds with.
Listen to this meditation or simply close your eyes and focus on your breath. Start to notice how you feel as you review your past season and the kind of season you want to move into.
When you are ready to start moving, come to all fours and do a few warm-up poses like cat/cow, floating your hips forward then back to Child’s pose and then make your way to Downward Facing Dog.
From there make your way to Tadasana (mountain pose) standing tall at the top of your mat.
Flow through your 108 Sun Salutations; instructions can be found here. Remember you can modify by dropping your knees on Chaturanga and moving into Baby Cobra instead of Upward Facing Dog.
The first set of 27 Sun Salutations is all about the intentions you have for you
The second set of 27 is all about sending intentions to family and friends
The third set of 27 is all about sending intentions out there to the community, the world
The last set of 27 (always the most challenging physically and mentally) is to think about something you are at odds with and work on breathing and moving through it. Be on the lookout for creative insights. Remember we are moving energy just by practicing Sun Salutations, trust the process, trust yourself and all that is unfolding for you.
When your 4 sets of 108 are finished, take a few minutes to do some seated forward folds, gentle twists on the back and eventually spend a few minutes in Savasana breathing it all in.
When you are finished take your intentions we wrote about in the beginning and burn them, sending them out there to the universe. If you have some instruments, play them – make some noise, for this is a celebration of all the good to come!
Other ways to celebrate:
If you find doing 108 Sun Salutations or any number of them is not an option here are some other ideas to celebrate the dark to light:
Write down your intentions and burn them.
Make a nourishing grounding meal filled with root veggies with friends and family.
Decorate your tree if you have one (sprinkle with red wine or cider) as you decorate and celebrate all the blessings that surround you.
Light a yule log in a fireplace or pit. Yule logs have a symbolic offering of light to welcome back the sun.
Perform a random act of kindness, volunteer, donate, spend time with those that need some light.
However you decide to celebrate the start of the season, may you honor the light within and all around you and know how blessed you are to start again. Wishing you love, joy, peace and light for this season and all those beyond.
Sending you so much love, light, peace and joy for your best season to come!
Resources:
https://www.yogiapproved.com/yoga/meaning-108-sun-salutations/
https://www.yogiapproved.com/life/winter-solstice-rituals/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/72659/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-winter-solstice
