Winter is a powerfully restorative and spiritual time of year. Its energy is cool and quiet as well as yin and inward in nature. Since ancient times, people have celebrated its onset with various winter solstice rituals with the expectation of its forthcoming spiritual gifts.

These rituals and practices range from rest and restoration to deep introspection, and communing with the divine. They mirror the unique deeper spiritual, restorative, and reflective quality of winter. Contrast this with summer solstice rituals which embody reawakening, growth, and vitality. The former is internally oriented and the latter is more external and outward-focused.

12 Rituals to Celebrate the Winter Solstice and Advent of Winter

The ways to celebrate the winter solstice are endless. Most include a reference to fire, the past, the future, gratitude, and letting go. Consider any one or more of these rituals.

1. Reflect on the past year and create a list of what you’re grateful for. Note this in your journal or create a small ceremony and recite your gifts and expression of gratitude. Then burn the list as an opening to new welcome experiences.
2. Burn effigies of the difficult past events. The burning signals a kind of transmutation of what was negative or toxic about the events.
3. Light candles to call the light into the extended darkness of winter.
4. Clear your energy and the energy of important spaces such as your home or office. This can be achieved using some form of smudge or other shamanic or energy healing practices.
5. Adhere to a short (one week to ten days) detoxification and/or cleansing program. This will prepare you for the wintertime spiritual work.
6. Take a cleansing bath, perhaps accented with candles and aromatics. You can choose aromatics that complement your ritual’s intentions, e.g., patchouli (Pogostemon cabin) for grounding and connecting with nature or jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) for cultivating openness, sensuality, and love.
7. Set several key goals for the coming year, and commit to them very much like setting New Year’s Resolutions.
8. Build a vision board for the coming year and identify solutions that can help you accomplish your intentions.
9. Gather with family and friends around an outdoor fire and sing songs or recount stories.
10. Create a celebratory feast of fall produce such as root vegetables, squash, apples, and berries.
11. Gather some gifts for the wild animals who work hard to survive the winter. Create a ceremony to express your appreciation for them and nature and her gifts in general.
12. Make up a ritual of your own, incorporating an element of winter energy you’d like to acknowledge and appreciate.

Any of these rituals can be practiced alone in a more personal, intimate way or in a more celebratory way with others. It’s up to you to decide.