Winter Solstice - Less baggage, more light!

December 21 marks the Winter Solstice - the transition from the longest night of the year to the rebirth of Light. Many cultures see this as an auspicious day for renewal. This cosmic flow strongly invites closing of the old energies, wrapping things up, and clarifies what's next.

This year, it also lands on Heavenly Pardon Day in the Lunar calendar. In the East, it is believed that on this day, there's extra dust of celestial grace that brings forth forgiveness and lots of blessings for fresh starts. Unwholesome emotional, spiritual, karmic debts can be released more easily if you are ready.

So the theme of the day is (imo): Consciously transform the Shadow and nurture the Light

You might have an idea for a practice/ritual already. If you are looking for one, I'd like to suggest a straightforward one below (no white garment nor fancy meditation cushion needed). A practice is a method, and there are many methods to approach one goal. What essential is that we set intentions and purposes!

• Send gratitude: Name a few things you are grateful for, from the small joys to the big lessons. Let gratitude extend beyond "me" and see it as the harmonized effort of you, your community, the earth and the sky

• Generate forgiveness: deeply look into any harsh critics you have towards yourself and/or others, and contemplate on them through the lens of understanding and kindness

• Allow the release: acknowledge that what you are letting go of essentially encourages a meaningful shift from the programmed perspective and conditioning. You are softening your sense of ego and also polishing your spiritual heart. 
  

Voila! You have just created more space inside for new energies. What are you bringing in for this new cycle?