Winter Solstice Customs and Traditions

Solstices are the earth's longest and shortest days of the year. The shortest day often marks the beginning of winter and is thus called the winter solstice. The Northern hemisphere's winter solstice happens in December, when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun. A GREAT way to see the Northern lights!

Because of this, the winter solstice has the fewest hours of sunlight and is the darkest day of the year. Because the exact solstice dates may vary year to year on calendars...meteorologists do not use them to mark the seasons. That means the day of the winter solstice may not correspond with the first day of winter.

Both the summer and winter solstices along with the autumnal and vernal equinoxes help shepherd in the changing of the seasons. Often in various parts of the world families gather to read poetry and share food usually grown in the summer months, like pomegranates and watermelon.

Many ancient festivals include worshiping the heavens and familial ancestors as well as singing the Nines of Winter, a folklore song about the passing of seasons. In Ireland, the Neolithic stone Newgrange is the most common place to mark winter solstice. The ancient tomb marks winter solstice and lights only the shortest day of the year. Newgrange has been celebrated for at least 5000 years!

How will you celebrate the winter solstice, rituals, history, holidays and custom symbolism?

Count your Blessings

As you walk through life, intend to look for things to appreciate. It doesn't feel good to wake up every morning and dive right in to dodging bullets. Most of us are immersed in the negative chatter that surrounds us day by day. It is wise to diffuse those thoughts early in the morning, or better yet, the night before! Release negative thoughts and delete them before they can take hold.

I appreciate having a positive mindset for several reasons. One, negative thoughts don't serve you or any one else. Look for what is going right each day. You will feel energized, happy, satisfied and at ease. Set your intention on serving instead of being slayed. Let's purpose to change our thoughts in a more aspiring direction. Happier thoughts will take root and will overcome any weeds in the garden called life!

Every day is a beautiful day to celebrate! Practice random acts of kindness. Open the door for someone who has their hands full with a stroller or an overload of packages. Start your day by being conscious and have every intention to greet each hour with vitality, ease and the sense that everything always works out for you. By afternoon you will feel as if you are on a magic carpet ride!

Cherish each day. Laugh, love, and enjoy an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings!

Book Buzz for the Holiday Season

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, I can’t think of a better time to create a little extra magic by giving the gift of positivity in the form of a book! Right now, I know you  are on the lookout for meaningful gifts, inspiring stories, and cozy reads.

 It’s been a challenging year in a number of ways, which makes this season an even more wonderful opportunity to bring warmth, inspiration, and joy to others. Your Eternal Identity introduces a spiritual toolkit poised to help others as well as yourself to connect with the Superpower within!

 As you practice the principles of a Spirit Supplied life you will learn how to:

Transform your life internally and externally

Change the way you speak to yourself

Adapt to new conditions and attract more credibility

Become Self Realized as you create new ideas and concepts.

Your Eternal Identity will resonate well beyond the Holiday season. So embrace the holiday spirit, share the unique magic and let’s make this a festive season of an unforgettable book buzz!