On the solstice the change of season occurs: In one half of the planet winter begins; on the other, summer. But it is also a magic momentboth from the point of view of astronomy and from the point of view of spirituality and personal growth. The rituals to celebrate the solstice allow us to connect with this moment, become aware of the cyclical nature of things and set our intention on what we want.

Here we tell you what exactly the solstice is, what rituals it is usually celebrated with in different traditions and its symbolism, and how to make your own. winter solstice rituals to say goodbye to what you no longer want in your life and sow the seeds of the projects you want to bet onof which we give you a small preview in this video:

What happens on the winter solstice?

The solstice is the moment when the Sun is at the maximum angular distance from the earth’s equatorwhich causes the sun’s rays to fall more indirectly on the equator and more directly on one of the Earth’s hemispheres. This occurs due to the inclination of the Earth’s axis in its orbit around the Sun, an inclination without which the seasons of the year would not exist.

Every year there are two solstices, one in December and one in June. On the December solstice The Sun hits more directly in the southern hemisphere, on the Tropic of Cancerhence in the northern hemisphere it is known as the winter solstice and it is colder, and in the southern hemisphere the same solstice is called the summer solstice.

The longest night of the year and the beginning of winter

The winter solstice is a great turning point: because the inclination of the Earth’s axis is the greatest that can occur with respect to the Sun, it is one of the two times of the year (the other is the summer solstice) in which there is more difference between night and dayso that in one hemisphere we experience the longest night of the year and the shortest day of the year, and in the other hemisphere, the opposite, the shortest night of the year and the longest day of the year.

Winter solstice 2025: when does winter begin

In the northern hemisphere The winter solstice of 2025 takes place on Sunday, December 21 at 4:02 p.m. Spanish peninsular time. That same Sunday the 21st will be the shortest day of the year: it will last 9 hours 17 minutes. The winter season that begins then will last about 89 days and will end on March 20, 2026, at 2:46 p.m. Spanish peninsular time, when spring begins.

in the southern hemisphere The December solstice marks the beginning of summer. Spring says goodbye to welcome summer on the shortest night of the year (and the longest day), also the December 21.

Winter Solstice Rituals

He perihelionthe moment when the Sun is closest to the Earth, comes shortly after the winter solstice and is an astronomical phenomenon that has a very direct impact on the cycles of nature.

If we look at the plants, It seems that some died by losing all their leaves and appearing almost lifeless and others became paralyzed. We can also observe this influence in animals, which retire to rest for the winter or slow down that “crazy” activity that they display in the first and summer months.

As beings who inhabit this planet, it is logical that we are also influenced by this energy. Although it may seem that we live outside natural cycles and these may seem invisible to us, too influence our physical and emotional body.

Throughout history, our predecessors who seemed more connected to nature and life cycles, perhaps because they had fewer entertainments, have honored this time of year with multitude of celebrations and rituals. Depending on the place on the planet and, above all, the hemisphere, these celebrations were different.

There are many cultures that celebrate this day welcoming winter. Literally and symbolically, the winter solstice is the moment from which light wins over darknessbecause the nights are getting shorter. Although interest in astrology and rituals has increased in recent years, it is not something new, but rather an ancient tradition that deserves some of our attention.

While many people celebrate holidays on these dates that, sometimes, they don’t even know where they come from, there are also others who like them more. celebrate these magical moments of connection with life and its cycles with spiritual rituals based on its symbolism.

Symbolism and spiritual meaning

From the point of view of astrology, the winter solstice coincides with the entry of the Sun into the sign of Capricorna sign whose ruler is Saturn, that is, it is a sign closely linked to the energy of the planet Saturn.

It is about the time to plant the new seeds that will bear fruit at the end of springwith its maximum splendor on the summer solstice.

This moment reminds us that we close a complete cycle, annual and seasonal, to give way to a new life or new intentions after the process of rotting and disintegration that occurred during the autumn.

This may sound very gardening to you, but if you pay attention you will see that These same cycles occur in human beings: Autumn makes us lose our hair, makes us feel a little more apathetic and we start to slow down. The body asks us for other types of food (if we stop to listen to it) and our leisure activities change scene.

For all these reasons, the winter solstice invites us to deeper introspectionto let go of everything that we have been dragging along throughout the entire cycle and that you are already clear that it makes no sense to continue holding.

Take advantage of the process closure energy to throw away everything you don’t need and project or plant the seed of what makes you vibrate and smile when you think about it. Remember that we are a process, that we are continually evolving and changing. Take advantage of the energy that the Sun gives us to be who you really are, or at least to open a new door that helps you discover it.

How to do your own winter solstice ritual

There are as many rituals as there are humans who are or are no longer there. So, whatever you do, I am convinced that it is what best suits you and that is fine.

In almost all ritualsas happened in the example we have seen of the Yule celebration, fire and wooden logs are present. Trees are sacred in many traditions and are a way of communicating with nature.

Please note that Our goal will be to plant a new seed and tend to it over the next few months. to burn again on the summer solstice and to strengthen the intention. Any ritual you do with this intention and that of letting go of everything that has nothing to do with you, will be fantastic.

My proposed ritual, with which I celebrate the end of the year and the winter solstice, is an adaptation from one of my teachers (Álvaro Remino, spagyrist, astrologer and therapist). It is a ritual to contemplate our “dark” side and be able to integrate itjust as we do with our light side, to live fully from the lights and shadows.

I use:

• A paper and a wooden pencil.
• A candle made of natural wax and organic cotton. For me it is important that the candles are non-toxic.
• A glass with filtered water.
• A candle that I put in a blue or green glass, since I don’t use colored candles.
• A burner with copal or church incense.
• Hyssop essential oil, although you can use some rosemary branches or some oak leaves or pine branches.

To do the ritual, place all the items (except paper and pencil) in a pretty way in front of you. If you have the possibility of do it near a firetake advantage of it.

1. sit down on the floor or in an upright chair.
2. Turn on the normal candle, then the blue one, light the copal and put the diffuser, if you have put an essential oil.
3. Take three deep breaths or those you need to calm your mind and connect with the moment. And let your intuition bring to mind those things from the year that you would like to leave behind right now.
4. When we are clear, write it on paper and burn it with the blue candle giving thanks for whatever it has taught you. Don’t get tangled, do it without thinking.
5. Then stare at the yellow candleas is done in thetreata meditation, and allows the new seed of what you want for the next period to be established in you naturally. Stay in that meditation for as long as you consider appropriate.

Me I like to end up drinking the water in front of me so that your energy allows the information to settle more easily wherever it needs to do so.

Don’t focus so much on the things you need and pay attention to the intention What do you have to do?

If there is something you don’t have at home, don’t worry.: not essential. I’m telling you from my own experience: the important thing is what you really want to do and how you do it, not what you do it with.

Other rituals and spiritual practices for the solstice

Another suggestion, if you practice yoga, is to do a treata meditation (stare at the candle) or a yoga nidra session.

If you prefer, you can also take advantage of the 21st at night to stop any type of external communication and retreat inside yourselfprovide you with silence to connect, for as long as you want.

Another wonderful option is take a walkwithout listening to music, without carrying your cell phone and trying to contemplate what I want to let go and what I want to arrive. If it can be in a forest, great, and if it has to be in a city full of noise and people, also wonderful.

You don’t need a place or objects to be able to fully connect with yourself. Just take a moment and celebrate with gratitude the arrival of the new season and the beginning of this period full of possibilities.

And remember: You can do this whenever you need it.. Because we are a process, we are continually ending and beginning. Enjoy it and let everything that makes you feel better fill this new year, allowing you to fully inhabit yourself.