Winter Solstice 2011

thank you Sid Reger! www.goddessmandala.com

* INTRO *
what is solstice
& symbolism of the I-Ching

* TIMING *
gathering times and time zone info

INTRO

Sol-stice = sun-stationary,
because the sun rises and sets in the same spot for a few days.
This moment of "stationing" suggests a stilling, a time-out.
A propitious period to go within, to touch base with the essential,
to pause and reflect.

This is the longest night and shortest day of the year,
here in the northern hemisphere.
(The southern hemisphere is celebrating Summer Solstice at the same moment.)
From this day on, the days will get longer.

This phenomenon is a direct result
of the Earth-Sun relationship.
At winter solstice, Sun is at its lowest point:
the longest night, the most profound descent into the dark,
and a subsequent turning of the cycle,
a return to the Light.

Thus, after the pause, a movement toward REBIRTH,
return and renewal of the life force are signaled.
Light begins to grow once again.

This is why all cultures on this planet, since long ago,
have celebrated this moment in one way or another.
To safeguard & tend to the sacred fire of Life,
to keep hope alive,
to acknowledge the ever-renewing power of Nature
& and all living things,
to assure the Return of our day star, the Sun.

I-CHING

"The Return", hexagram #24 of the I-Ching,
speaks of the victory and renewal of the light:
After a time of decay comes the turning point. The light now returns.
There is movement but it is not brought about by force ...
transformation of the old becomes easy, the old is discarded and the new arises ....

The winter solstice has always been celebrated in China as the resting time of the year.
In the winter, the life energy, symbolized by thunder, is still underground.
Movement is just at its beginning; in order to gather and strengthen the emerging energies at solstice,
it is necessary to respect times of rest, so that there will not be premature dissipation.

This principle of allowing renewal or emerging energy to be sustained by rest, applies to all similar situations.
The return of health after illness, the return of understanding after estrangement:
everything must be treated tenderly and with care at the beginning,
so that the return may lead to a flowering.

This is a time of renaissance, rebirth, a time of returning to Source and to roots.
We may use this renewal to return to forgotten or dormant energies and
to start over again, to get back on track.
"The Return" also evokes the fervor and purity of new beginnings.

INTENTION & RITUAL

What follows is a ritual to participate in,
in whatever way is best for you.

* you can read this directly and follow inwardly this ritual,
or print it and follow it outside in nature somewhere.

Do this ritual near Solstice,
at a propitious moment (sunrise, sunset, noon, midnight),
depending on your Earth location (see timing below), and depending on your possibilities.

The intention of this page & our gathering is the following:

* to form a Cyber-Circle to mark Solstice,
the first day of winter
with awareness, recognition & honoring.

* to align ourselves with current Sun-Earth resonance.

* to celebrate & share with cyber-friends, circles & fellow-seekers.

This special moment reminds us
of the miracle and wonder of our place in the universe,
and calls us to recognize & honor
the universal forces which make us One
with the spirit of Divine, Cosmic, Earth-Nature, and all Living Beings.

Feel the energy which links us
and which creates a miraculous Whole
circling the entire globe.

This inter-connecting psychic energy
creates a clear, luminous circle of trust and love,
and permits us to have an intentional contact
with the energies of Solstice & other participants.

Thru this ceremony, we wed our daily lives
with the more vast eternal cycles.
Our world here is thus illuminated
by the larger world of the cosmos and seasons.

Take a moment to realize fully
the miracle of our existence here on this planet,
in a delicate and remarkable balance,
to realize fully our interdependence
between Sun, Earth, ourselves, this infinite web of Universal energy.

Take some time to complete a Light meditation,
a ritual fitting for the Rebirth of our Sun:

Through the returning Light of our star, Sol,
we cultivate our inner light in these times of dark.
Let the Light within go forth
Let the Light gather and spread
from each point and across this Planet
and way beyond still,
creating a great Web of Light.
May Light be distributed through
our every feeling, thought, word & deed.

May all find their place, their Light & peace,
their earthly and spiritual nourishment.

Visualize clearly a circle of light
which englobes our entire planet.
Send our support, love, gratitude and light thru this circle.

May our circle here in cyber-space thus form
a consecrated space.
May each of us become aware of and enter into resonance
with the sacred beneficial energies of our universe.
May we resonate with & distribute these energies always,
by cultivating mindfulness and love.

So Be It.

Feel free to invent and add on any other celebratory acts or rituals that you feel inspired to do,
such as prayer flags, prayer sticks, music & dance, and so on !
Bring "EVER-GREENS" into your home, light fires, candles, etc.

Keep your Love Light burning !

TIMING

As mentioned before, the best time to carry out ritual and celebration
is throughout the Solstice window
Dec 21 - 23 (Wednesday-Thursday-Friday).
You can time it for Solstice itself (see below)
or for Sunrise, Sunset, Noon, Midnight,
whatever feels right or is most conveniant for you.
(link for more info below).
Bring friends together or celebrate alone.

Serving as FOCUS,
I'll be doing periodic meditation & ritual at:
Solstice, sunrise and sunset
intending that all of our collective prayers and ritual come together,
transcending the time-space factor.

Your participation, time, awareness & intentions
are very much appreciated.

Solstice 2011 =
Thursday, Dec 22, at 5:31 am UT
Universal Time (UT/GMT)

Differences from Universal Time are as follows:

Hawaii & Alaska = -10 hours (except Juneau = -8)
PST (California,etc) = -8
MST (Colorado,etc & San Salvador) = -7
CST (Texas, Illinois, northwest Indiana, etc) & Mexico City = -6
EST (Eastern states, etc) Toronto, Montreal, Asuncion & Santiago = -5
Rio de Janeiro & Montevideo = -3
London, Lagos, Reykjavik, Casablanca = 0 hour
Geneva, Algiers, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Madrid = +1
Moscow, Athens, Helsinki, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Istanbul = +2
Nairobi, Bagdad = +3
Tehran = +3 and a half
Calcutta & New Delhi = +5 and a half
Dhaka = +6
Rangoon = +6 and a half
Hanoi, Bangkok & Jakarta = +7
Hong Kong, Perth, Beijing & Kuala Lumpur = + 8
Seoul & Tokyo = +9
Brisbane, Canberra & Melbourne = +10
Wellington = +12

I hope these times are right---if you see mistakes, let me know!

That means that Solstice 2011 occurs at, for example:

Lausanne Switzerland (5h31 + 1) = 6h31 (Dec 22)
Chicago, USA: (5h31 am - 6) = 11h31 pm Dec 21
Kailua, Hawaii: (5h31 am - 10) = 7h31 pm Dec 21