Winter Solstice to Imbolc {2025}
The holy days are a reminder to stop and look at the beauty of life; to be in touch with our ancestors; to be in rhythm with the beat of the earth.
Winter Solstice is the beginning of my new year. I find myself refreshed, ready and willing to take on a new spiritual lesson.
Each year at Winter Solstice, I choose a Word of the Year. My word is my guiding light throughout the year - it is an anchor in my heart.
Last year, I chose the word Harmony and received so much wisdom from this sweet word. I was sad to let it go.
The word Love came in loud and clear this Winter Solstice - in essence, it felt as if Love chose me. I had lofty goals for my spiritual growth this year, with words like Sanctuary and Reverence being my mind’s choice. And then the simple, easy, sweet Love settled in my heart, thumping in harmony with my year to come.
Love immediately expanded my heart, opening me up to a change of being I desperately needed.
The last year challenged my spiritual beliefs and way of being in many ways. I found myself more succumbed to resentment and judgement than I ever had before. My spiritual practices were lacking, my self-righteousness was at a personal all-time high. My trust in the divine was completely depleted. And, at the very same time, I loved myself more and felt less shame than I had in my entire life.
My ego was strengthened after years of building her up on purpose, and now she was overinflated. There was not enough spirit to counteract the overflow of ego. My sense of self, a necessary tool some never have the chance to grow, was overtaking my spirit.
Love stepped in, and together we’ve already made so many changes in this first six weeks of my year.
Has a change ever happened in your life and you don’t really recall how? This happened to me when I got sober. I don’t really recall how it happened - I had been trying to get sober for years before. Something was different.
It happened again at the beginning of this year. I don’t know what changed - but somehow I started meditating and reading spiritual literature again. I was journaling in the morning, considering my day, and closing my night with a simple inventory.
For years, I had shamed myself about not having a morning practice. I wanted one so badly.
And once I quit fighting it, quit shaming myself about it -
I was given the gifts I had prayed for.
I used to think that the ego and the spirit were at odds - an endless fight for control. Now, I know these two parts of me create the wholeness of me. I had been hearing in my heart the need to shift from ego building to spirit tending for many months, and I had resisted (as we all do.) It took a painful ego-driven moment to snap open the restraints on my spirit.
Today, I am confident in myself, I am grounded in reality and I am spiritually centered thanks to the simple practices of meditation and prayer. For years my spirit felt stronger than my ego, and it caused me much pain. The strengthening of my ego was necessary - it has rooted me in reality and my humanness. I am grateful for the pains that happen when I am out of harmony with my life because they inspire growth and more opportunities to see Truth.
This Imbolc, the halfway point between Winter and Spring, was one of community and connection. For the first time ever, I drew a labyrinth in the sand. While the first attempt didn’t go smoothly, I was still able to walk my imperfect labyrinth with two other women.
My labyrinth walk was one for Trust. Trusting the happenings I deem as mistakes. Trusting the meaning I make from my mistakes.
As this next season unfolds from Imbolc to the spring equinox, I am calling on Love and Trust to guide me.
May this next season bring much anticipated joys, grounded in reality.
May it be one of mindful interactions and healthful choices.
And may I continue to blossom in Love.
All my heart to each and every one of you!
—Chelsey
Some captured moments and a little recap:
I’ve spent my nights and weekends this month learning coding in my human-sized dog bed, doing puzzles, and even taking a labyrinth training where I learned to draw a Chartres labyrinth. I’ve also been growing in community and friendship in different areas of my life, from bookstore hopping in Winston-Salem, riding a birthday celebration sober funny bus, a quick day trip to Savannah and a beautiful weekend in Hilton Head with really incredible people.
I also started attending Qoya classes regularly after signing up for LoRE when they had a very amazing discount for Christmas. Each day at 11am, I take a break from work (when I can) and move my body for thirty minutes - in dance, meditation, shaking, stretching, circling and more.
This has been a season of staying home, and I’m enjoying every moment of it. ♥️