21 DAYS OF SOLSTICE - a Celebration of Earth-Honoring Traditions
Here in the Northern hemisphere, Winter brings a slowing of earth's rhythms and an opportunity for dream gestation. Because it's not always easy to come by quietude or put our finger on ways to settle in and engage in simple earth-honoring traditions, we'd like to offer some support with this. 21 Days of Solstice is inspired by the tradition of the Advent countdown, an offering from our hearth to yours. We will offer one simple way each day from December 1st, through the Winter Solstice on December 21st, to bring the spirit of the season into your life.
Over the course of the offering, there will be no pressure to "do all the things" - in fact, that is the vibe we are countering here. This gift is simply a cumulative offering that will be there for you if and when you want to dip in and. ... learn a song, make something simple with your hands, take a magical winter walk, listen to a story, or maybe feed some birds. An easy peasy and optional portal into community with the living world, our beautiful mama earth, and some fabulous like-minded people.
We'll be right there with you in these earth-honoring celebrations and feel free to tell your friends.
December 1st - Listen to a Lullaby
For this first day, we invite you to light a candle and listen this lullaby. You can do this before bed, or any time to help settle your nerves.
December 2nd - Story Hour
December 3rd - Making - Honoring the Sun - Making a Sunny Orange Garland
In many places across the Northern hemisphere, the return of the sun, and turning toward the light is celebrated at Winter Solstice. Today's activity is the making of these beautiful (and super easy) Solar Wheels, that you can make a garland from and hang in your window, or on a tree, to catch the light.
December 4th - Tending a Nature Corner - We Begin with the Quietude of Stones
We invite you into the tradition of tending a Nature Corner in your home - a simple practice that centers appreciation for the earth and helps to prioritize relationship over consumption - allowing us to tap into the wonder that is available to us through connection.
December 5th - Sacred Space and Common Sovereignty - Monday Meditation
December 6th - Learning from Our Neighbors - Blue Jay (cyanocitta cristata)
In our day to day lives, even in the city, we are surrounded by family members in what we call our family of creation: birds, insects, mammals, plants, rivers, and trees that have so much to teach us. Paying attention to their personalities and ways of being helps us to remember the importance of respecting all of life.
December 7th - Plant Magic - Making a Cup of Tea
Herbal tea is a tradition that goes back thousands and thousands of years in cultures all over the globe. Teas are one of the easiest and most familiar ways to bring herbal medicine into our lives.
December 8th - Song
December 9th - Story Hour - a Map for Earth-Honoring Activism
December 12th - Meditation Monday - Elder Tree Meditation
This week’s Meditation Monday gives us an opportunity to slow down for a few minutes to appreciate and learn from the long arc of memory and deep wisdom that trees as elders have to offer.
December 13th - Coyote Love
A Story that Honors the Wisdom of Our Family of Creation.
December 14th - A Threshold Blessing You Can Make at Home
Today is our weekly exploration of plant magic and medicine. You’ll find instructions on how to make a threshold blessing you can use to cleanse and bless yourself and/or your space, working with plants that are either already in your kitchen or that you can easily find on a Winter walk.
December 15th - Song
As we move toward the longest night of the year, we take time to honor the many gifts that darkness offers: quietude, rest, respect for the mystery, and space to gestate dream seeds - to name a few.
December 16th - Community Raffle for a Free Gift
Today our offering is a community raffle for a free gift. We'd love to hear which daily offerings or practices are helping you slow down and experience the season in meaningful ways. We will draw 2 winners at random who will get to choose one gift from our online apothecary and we'll send out the gift by Monday. To participate:
Sign up for the 21 Days of Solstice email list if you haven’t already
Email us a sentence or so about your favorite parts of this offering, with “Solstice Raffle” in the subject line
December 17th - Making - White Pine Infused Honey
Today, we’re offering instructions on how to make a plant-infused honey. Another name for this kitchen medicine is - electuary. Electuaries are such beautiful kitchen medicines that are delicious, nutritious, and so, so easy to make.
Week 1 - Stones
Week 2 - Plants
Week 3 - Animals
What the Community is Sharing About the 21 Days of Solstice
December 19th - Start Light Star Bright - Make a Star at Home Tonight
Today’s offering is a simple hands-on activity that anyone can do and enjoy - basically for free.
December 20th - Dreaming for the Secret Wish of Your Soul
On this last day before the Winter Solstice, we are offering a dream entry to support you in listening for the Secret Wish of Your Soul. We hope you will gift yourself this tiny window of spaciousness to listen for what is truly important and let it lead the way.
December 21st
Today’s offering is an exploration of the many gifts that darkness has to offer and a homage to protecting the ongoing of earth-honoring ways. Thank you for being with us for these 21 Days of Solstice!