Wintering

Happy New Year—finally!

In typical fashion, I’m a few weeks behind and haven’t quite solidified my thoughts on the new year yet. But I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the concept of "wintering."

Last month, I was lucky enough to celebrate the winter solstice by offering sound experiences to a few wonderful friends (thank you—you know who you are). Preparing for these sessions gave me an opportunity to deeply explore the meaning of winter, the solstice, and what this seasonal transition represents.

The Winter Solstice marks a powerful moment in nature. It’s the day when the Earth’s axis tilts farthest from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere. Our most recent solstice occurred on December 21, 2024, at 4:21 AM EST. The word "solstice" comes from the Latin solstitium, meaning "sun stands still," as the sun appears to pause in its slow journey before shifting direction.

Wintering, much like the solstice, invites us to embrace stillness. In nature, winter is a time to pause, prepare, adapt, and transform. Everything slows down to conserve energy and create space for renewal. While we often think of the solstice as the start of winter—a signal of more darkness to come—it also marks a transition: a shift from darkness to light. Though we’ve just experienced the longest night of the year, each day moving forward grows a little brighter. The sun begins its return, bringing warmth and vitality back into our lives.

The solstice serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, light is always on its way back. This idea is beautifully reflected in so many of our cherished winter traditions. For example, the ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia and the winter harvest during this time. It’s also no coincidence that Christmas occurs shortly after the solstice. Regardless of belief or origin, it’s heartening to see how different civilizations and cultures have woven similar threads of light, renewal, and hope into their winter rites, all rooted in the rhythms of the universe.

On a personal note, this past solstice marked a full-circle moment for me: the one-year anniversary of leaving my corporate life. The year that followed felt much like a "wintering" of my own—a year of stillness, introspection, and transformation. I faced some dark days, took things one step at a time, and trusted that spring would eventually arrive. In my winter, I planted seeds for a more balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life. Now, looking back, I can see the start of the beautiful garden I’ve begun to cultivate.

But even as I embrace this new vitality, I’m thankful to winter again, this time in sync with the rest of my community. I am reminded that there is beauty in stillness, in turning inward, and in allowing ourselves the time to rest, reflect, and renew.

I wish you a happy remainder of winter - may this season bring you tranquility, space, and the promise of brighter days ahead.