For millennia, winter solstice celebrations have heralded the return of the light and are a time of quiet reflection. In many Native American cultures, tribes and families would gather to start up a new year at the solstice. At this special celebration, they would make a request to the Great Spirit to eliminate certain things that they no longer wanted in their lives. As a way of representing this, they would craft six arrows: three to represent the things they did not want and three for the things they did want. They called them “death” arrows and “life” arrows because they held respectfully, the things they wanted to be out of their lives and those they wanted to bring life to.
One by one, they would each step into the ceremonial circle from the north, put arrows in the ground and say certain prayers, concentrating on that which they were willing to give up. Then they would go to the higher ground, and make the request to the Great Spirit for what they wanted to bring into their lives. They would leave the arrows standing for the Great Spirit throughout the year. During the sacred ceremony, what you requested to be taken out of your life would be removed, and what you wanted to come, came in. The Native Americans had unswerving faith that what they asked for would be granted through their intentions.
On the winter solstice, take the time to reflect on the things you want to let go of this year and the things you want to bring into your life. Focus on what’s appropriate to your being at this time in your life. Sit quietly, open your heart and let the flow of energy move through you as you meditate on your intentions. If you feel inclined, write them down and put them in a special place to review at a later time. It is trust in yourself and your source that will manifest an abundance of all that is good, loving, and joyful in your life.
I loved learning about this sacred winter solstice ceremonial tradition be many Native American tribes. I plan on doing the same next week on our 2015 winter solstice. What a beautiful tradition. I got a message yesterday to focus on the meaning and power of this time of the year and to celebrate it with ceremony. Thank you Debra!
I love the idea of Winter Solstice heralding of the “New Year.” This has so much more significance to me than the calendar year. Thank you for sharing this Native American tradition.
I love Winter Solstice and have led a Winter Solstice ritual for the past 10 years at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship I attend. This year our theme is be the light and we have a beautiful practice of drumming down the sun, doing Sufi dancing, leaving what no longer serves us in the dark and birthing the light with sharing, song and silence. It is a powerful practice and I am deeply grateful for the beautiful tradition. Thank you for sharing this important blog!
Thank you Debra for sharing this beautiful tradition. I love the power of the Winter Solstice as a time of reflection and letting go of that which no longer serves and bringing in the new. <3
Thanks for this, Debra. For years, I have used the last few weeks of the year to review, release and plan. These images will be helpful in that process. Thank you.
Love the reference to the return of light flow.
Great post, Debra, hella reverent.
I feel like a whole half of the Wheel brings us New Years.
Starting around the time of the last harvest, Rosh Hashana is for me the first of these. Then comes Samhain (AKA Halloween) which some call the witches’ new year. Then Yule (winter Solstice). Then calendar New Year’s. Then Imbolc in early February — which is an initiation time.
So that’s about six months of opportunities to release, recommit, and set intentions. Pick one. Pick more than one. But stop, and in the silence, let go and let in.
I absolutely loved this post. I didn’t know about this Native America tradition, but oh how simple yet significant it is. We have to release the old and the blocks to create the space for the good stuff to come in. I’ll be thinking about my what my six arrows are for 2016. Thanks!
Debra,
I’ve loved the Winter Solstice for years bc of the return of Light!! I never knew about this Native American ritual, so thank you for sharing it. It’s beautiful. XO
Love this as I am about to experience the summer solstice. I did have 5 years in London so know the other side of this I love the idea of the sacred circle xxoo
Hi Debra. Great write. I love this time of year. Reflection and planning.