This season is filled with celebrations of all faiths and countries, from Kwanzaa to Hanukkah to Boxing Day to Christmas, and also hopefully with loved ones, cozy fires and plenty of hot cocoa! 

Just last night (Thursday 12/21/23), the Embodhi boutique studio was filled with incredible women dancing in unison around the "Yule log" in our 'Fire Ritual' routine to celebrate the Winter Solstice~ the longest night and shortest day, when the sun begins the rebirth cycle, and the days slowly grow longer. In the past, I considered the Summer Solstice as my favorite day of the year, but these days I've realized that the Solstice of the Winter is actually the one more beloved to me as I long for the return of the longer days and warmth of spring and summertime. 

This is a time to look back at our past year and celebrate the wins (big and small), release what no longer serves us and visualize what we desire in the year to come! 

Many of us in the West are accustomed to celebrating a divine male figure during this season, but there are also goddesses of the winter whom we can connect with at this time to build our relationship to the Divine Feminine Power within us! Goddesses related to winter and snow, and often the crone (or as I like to refer to Her, the sage) goddess archetypes represent the cold, dark time of year as the sun grows toward Spring, the time of year for death before rebirth and renewal on the Wheel of the Year~ often meaning a metaphorical death of parts of ourselves, old habits, or letting go of something no longer serving us. The winter goddesses, especially the crones/ sages, can help us through our winter journey to spring, and goddesses related to the sun are also good for connection during Yule Winter Solstice’s sun renewing energies.

One way to work with these winter goddesses is through daily connection. For ten minutes, over your morning coffee or tea, light a candle and reflect with one of these winter goddesses. You can also make this an evening-time ritual, reflecting on a winter goddess and the darkness of the evening as you light a candle, sip your bedtime tea and prepare for rest.

Meditation and journaling with one of these goddesses is also powerful, as are self-care rituals such as soaking in a fragrant Epsom salt bath or a scented oil self-massage of your sacred, divine, feminine body.

If you like painting, drawing, crafting, writing or dancing, you can work with a winter goddess or the crone/sage archetype to make a creation, connecting to the divine feminine energy of this winter season with the promise of the sun’s renewal ahead as you create.

Some winter goddesses to connect with are:

Skadi, a Norse Goddess who is connected to winter, hunting, wilderness, mountains and skiing. She is depicted with a bow and snowshoes or skis in snow covered mountains.

Khione is the Greek Goddess of Snow and Ice, depicted in snowy mountain tops.

A Slavic Goddess of Winter, Marzannais is related to death and rebirth, nature and is also a kitchen goddess.

Poli’ahu is the Hawaiian Goddess of Snow and Ice, depicted on Maunakea (white mountain).

Beiwe is a Sami Goddess connected to the sun, rebirth, beauty, spring and the cycle of reindeer.

And don't forget to set up your simmer pot (please don't leave flames unattended). Not only will it cleanse and fill the air with delicious fragrance, but spices have certain magickal properties that can help us welcome the New Year!

My favorite recipe is: 

Cinnamon for prosperity, success, protection and healing

Cloves to banish negativity and attract positivity

Orange peel to invite blessings & manifest my desires

Ginger to promote good fortune & wealth

Allspice to uplift vibrations and build the courage needed to enact positive change

and Bayleaf for its connection to the sun and healing, protection, love and success.

How ever you work with the Goddess, may you be blessed by Her during this beautiful winter season and the return of the sunlight. Whatever your faith, please know that you are always welcome within the embrace of our beautiful Embodhi Feminine Wellness community! Whether you've danced with us yet, have an upcoming class booked or are simply thinking about joining, I am so excited to have you in this realm, making the world better with every gorgeous smile! I have so much in store for our studio in 2024 and I can't wait to share it with you!

ALL MY LOVE, Jessa