Winter Solstice

[Jon Fergus]

Happy Solstice everyone! :)

It's that time of year when all the world reaches the end of one cycle and the beginning of another and we officially enter into the season of winter (summer for our southern brothers and sisters). The Solstice has been celebrated throughout human history all across the world by ancient and modern civilizations alike, carrying with it symbolic meaning and importance.

So what importance do you place on the Winter Solstice? What does it mean to you?

[Jon Fergus]

For myself, I always feel a sense of completion combined with a sense of anticipation during this part of the year. I can really see how my life follows the seasons, and have observed that that which my mind dwells on during the winter months plays a significant role in what sprouts in the spring, flourishes in the summer, and mostly in what is harvested in the autumn. I'm more careful in my thoughts during the winter, holding them steady in an outline for the year to come, dwelling on what is to be born anew this year. What aspect of me will be reborn? and how? and to what end? What of the projects I'm involved in? How will they grow and flourish in the year to come?

When the solstice comes the past year is complete and a short rest seems to occur. But also that rest is simultaneous with what feels to me to be the height of my earthly tendencies, my selfish desires and whatnot. They seem most active this time of year, and so I prepare myself for the challenges of living in a winter wonderland! In Canada this will mean short, dark, cold days; little sun; even less activity. Outside the natural world is still and silent; It's hibernating. And so too does it seem that aspects of my inner self relax into their own hibernation. A miniature pralaya, where I remain, yet with reduced or withdrawn life-essence, awaiting the approach of spring when a new revivification of this me will occur, in stride with and part of the rebirth of the natural world.

[Capt. Anand Kumar]

Winter Solstice always reminds me of the famous story from the epic Mahabharata where the great warrior Bhishma delayed his death lying on the bed of arrows until the Sun changed its declination to north i.e. the Summer Solstice. I have not been able to figure out why he did not want to give up his body during winter months? Perhaps some knowledgeable member can enlighten us on this.