WINTER SOLSTICE

I connect daily with a Cherry Tree outside my window, giving gratitude and offerings, asking for advice, or simply saying hello. This tree is connected to Earth and Air and Sun and Water and Metal in ways I often struggle to understand because those processes are not as visible as the changing of leaves. On this darkest day of the year, with leaves already shed, I relate to Cherry Tree in a different way now. Cherry Tree has helped me release my own leaves. Those leaves of emotion, thought, action, and pain no longer needed. I take strength from Cherry Tree to know that after this process I feel cleansed, rooted, and naked without shame.

Trees know and visibly show their connections with Nature and the seasons that humans have a hard time understanding. We call it Seasonal Affective Disorder or lack of Vitamin D or holiday stress. If this were a tree’s interpretation of the natural energy flow and cycles of the seasons, that tree would likely be hunched over, rotting, drooping, sickly. The scientific interpretation is not the only interpretation. Where is Life Force in that scientific interpretation? Where is Soul?

Earth and Sun co-evolved into this energetic pattern we are born into. This orbiting and tilting affects people differently depending on where they live. In the Northern Hemisphere where I live December 21, 2025 is the darkest day of the year. The day we are furthest from Sun. Trees adapt to these conditions by slowing growth, shedding excess, and contracting their energy inwards. This is a time of restoration and rest. Indigenous peoples often celebrate this time with rituals, meals, and connecting with gods and ancestors and Sun.

When humans fight against this natural and organic process, it shows up as fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. What I have found more helpful is leaning into the process. Some people first need to understand more about what’s happening before embarking on this inner journey. The easiest way I can explain it is that our bodies are made of matter—largely carbon and water. The same stuff as plants, earth, and oceans. Take the moon for example. Every day, Moon affects the movement of the oceans, actually by slightly bending the curvature of Earth. If Moon can affect Earth that way, isn’t it likely that Moon will affect us little humans in some way? Plants and trees grow towards light and Sun. Doesn’t it make sense that we would be inclined to do that too?

Taoist teachings call this “yin” time. A period of reflection, nourishing, and coalescing. In indigenous cultures this is often the time of storytelling and gathering around the fire. Coming together internally and collectively. I like to use the word contracting because that’s the way the body often feels. Coming to center. Solidifying. When I mentioned this to a client, she said, excitedly, “And we need contractions to give birth!” Contracting is necessary to re-birth our vital Essence. To re-harmonize Soul and Body. In this process, it is not uncommon for people to grieve the loss of who they were, what they didn’t get a chance to accomplish, and parts of themselves. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Winter is time for Water and Kidneys, which contain the vital essence in the Body.

This Winter Solstice, take time to curl under your blankets around a fire, make some hot tea, reflect on where you’ve come from and where you’re going with loved ones or by yourself, give gratitude to all your guides including the Elements, and befriend a tree. They have a lot to teach us.