Winter Solstice Micro-Rituals to Thrive (Not Just Survive) this Season

The Winter Solstice (December 21st) is the astronomical marker of the shortest day of the year—the point of deepest shadow that immediately heralds the gradual return of daylight and the promise of another Spring.

This is the perfect moment to tap into the solstice's regenerative energy and allow it to inspire hope and new dreams. Crucially, this is not the time to prioritize growth or productivity. Give yourself permission to slow down, be still, and soften. 

The Earth is currently storing her energy in her roots and turning fallen leaves into life-sustaining soil. You, too, can leverage this time to turn inward, nourish yourself, and preserve your energy.

That doesn’t mean you can’t participate in joyous holiday celebrations! Try to do so in a way that doesn’t over-extend yourself to the point that you’re feeling drained or stretched too thin, though. Stay fed, stay warm, and stay rested. Don’t try to do it all by yourself. Set boundaries with your time and delegate tasks to family, friends, co-workers, and your community. 

Honor the quiet, vital internal work you've done this year. Now, as the solar year is reborn, ask yourself: "What will I bring forth, and how do I wish to emerge from this winter gestation?"

The Cailleach's Reign

“From Samhain’s dusk to Imbolc’s dawn, the Cailleach’s reign is strong. 

Her cloak of snow wraps the earth, and her staff strikes down the flowers. Only when the sun grows strong again does she fade into the mists, 

giving way to spring.”

‘Cailleach Bheur’, translated by John MacInnes

The Cailleach (Pronounced KAHL-yahk, ending in the back of the throat) is an ancient Celtic hag goddess whose name comes from the Old Irish word meaning “veiled one”, “old woman”, “hag” or “witch”— all terms which were traditionally bestowed upon those who were very powerful and wise (but later became derogatory titles for “troublesome”—aka uncontrollable— women.)

The Cailleach is the old Woman of Winter who not only determines Winter’s length and harshness, but is also said to be a giantess and the very personification of nature — creating the landscape itself by forming the rugged and wild islands and mountains of Scotland. 

She invokes the destructive forces of nature, but within that function is also a harbinger of healing, rest and rebirth. It is said that her breath is the wind and her gaze freezes water. She is darkly fierce, but ultimately good towards you if you are of good character. She demands moral integrity, and pushes us to be our best on a personal level as well as within community.

The Cailleach reigns over the months between Samhain and Imbolc, having power over both life and death, as well as the mysteries of the transition between the two.

We can spend this season honoring the Cailleach, and trusting that while she may be harsh, she is a necessary guardian of nature. Read more about the Cailleach here

🌿 Herbal Allies for the Turning of the Year

As the Cailleach guards the deep shadow, we turn to plant allies that help us draw the light inward, soothe the nerves, and sustain the internal work of gestation. These herbs focus on quiet nourishment and gentle regulation.

1. Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Rest and Digest

Catnip is often overlooked as a human plant ally, but it is a profoundly gentle nervine and an excellent carminative. Honing in on the gut-brain axis, Catnip can help soothe the digestive system (which often gets overwhelmed during holiday stress and rich foods) while promoting nervous system relaxation. Taking a warm Catnip tea after a busy day or a large meal is thought to help shift the body into "rest and digest" mode, making your brief moments of stillness more effective.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Warmth and Movement

The Earth is cold, and our systems can easily become sluggish in the depths of winter. Ginger is a foundational kitchen ally, acting as a potent circulatory stimulant and diaphoretic. It promotes internal warmth and moves stagnation, supporting both circulation and digestion. A simple cup of fresh Ginger tea or incorporating it into winter meals is a foundational, accessible practice that supports flow and vitality.

3. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): The Sun in Winter

Typically found blooming near the Summer Solstice, St. John's Wort is intrinsically connected to the light— making its energy vital as we move through the year's darkest point. St. John's Wort is renowned as a powerful ally for the nervous system, both with certain types of depression as well as physical nerve pain. Its presence reminds us that the solar light, though diminished, is still present.

Safety Note: St. John's Wort has known, serious interactions with many pharmaceutical medications (including birth control, chemotherapy, and antidepressants). If you are on any prescribed medication, you must consult a qualified healthcare provider before using this herb internally.

5 Simple Ways to Honor the Quiet and Resist Burnout

Thriving through the holidays and deep winter isn't about clearing your calendar or escaping stress; it's about setting micro-boundaries and implementing micro-rituals that reclaim small pieces of your energy. You can honor the quiet, even amidst the chaos.

Here are five accessible ways to practice revolutionary rest this season:

1. Practice the "Exit Plan"

Before you walk into any potentially draining holiday gathering (social or family), set a non-negotiable end time and commit to it. This acts as a firm boundary.

• Micro-Boundary: Tell the host, "I can stay until 8:30—I have an early morning commitment." Do not apologize or over-explain. Knowing the exit is guaranteed allows you to be fully present while you are there.

2. Implement the Five-Minute Transition

During the winter, we often rush straight from work or errands into our next activity. Create a dedicated 5-minute pause where you refuse to be productive.

• Micro-Ritual: Before walking into your home or starting a task, sit in your car, stand on your porch, or sit by a window. Hold a warm cup of herbal tea (even a simple black tea or ginger tea) and focus entirely on the warmth and the quiet. This acts as a nervous system reset.

3. The Power of Delegation (No Matter How Small)

Resist the urge to perform and do everything yourself—this is how the productivity trap steals your energy.

• Community Care: If you’re hosting, assign small, non-negotiable tasks to guests or family members (e.g., "Sarah, your job is to refill the water pitchers," or "John, please monitor the music"). The burden is meant to be shared.

4. Daily Light-Finding Ritual

Even on the darkest days, we prepare for the return of the sun. This is a vital energetic practice.

• Micro-Ritual: Spend 10 minutes near a window or outdoors, ideally in the morning. This cues your nervous system and helps regulate winter mood. If you use a SAD lamp, dedicate that time to silence or gentle stretching—not scrolling.

5. Prioritize "Useless" Activity

The Earth isn't in full bloom; she's simply existing. Your goal should be to incorporate activities that have no measurable output.

• Micro-Boundary: Commit to one block of time (30 minutes minimum) each week devoted solely to an activity with no goal: staring into a fire, aimless doodling, gentle knitting, or simply daydreaming. This is crucial repair work for your creative mind.

Further Learning

As the solar year is reborn, ask yourself: "What vision will I nurture, and what knowledge do I need to sustain it?" If you are ready to move past superficial practice and align your inner work with the cycles of the Earth, we offer two paths to meet the promise of the coming Spring:

➡️ Path 1: Join the Seasonal Herbal Coven

I'll send you each season's essential tools for incorporating seasonal cycles into your inner work. You'll have access to your own Seasonal Grimoire that's full of folklore, traditions, crafts, recipes, and rituals for each month, along with seasonal herbal products made from plants grown right here on the Oregon farmstead—

• Join the Seasonal Herbal Coven

➡️ Path 2: Become a Seasonal Herbalist

If you want to move beyond surface-level guides and truly understand how and when to call upon nature's cycles to deepen your herbal practice and make your own herbal preparations for each season— The Seasonal Herbal Intensive provides the knowledge you need.

• Explore the Seasonal Herbal Intensive (Closed until Feb 2026— Join my newsletter for updates here)

Thank you for taking care of yourself so that we can take care of each other <3

-Jovie