A message for Yule and The Winter Solstice With the sudden arrival of snow, and the equally sudden arrival of December I feel like winter has caught me completely off guard this year. I absolutely love December and the run up to Yule, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and New Year. I can feel the palpable energy of sparkly lights, joyful celebrations, the chance to set new intentions for the coming year, and the meaning comfort that people find in religious and cultural connection through holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas.This is not an easy time of year for many people, and I know I struggle with a lot of the messages we receive at this time of year. Perfect families and relationships, colonialist and patriarchal beauty standards, capitalism driven consumerism… These mixed feelings beautifully mirror the themes of Yule and the Winter Solstice. The 21st December marks both the shortest, darkest day of the year, and also the point at which the sun begins to return to us. We explore the interplay between light and dark. We celebrate, and we reflect. If you'd like to explore these themes further, Helen from Unbind Your Wild and I are hosting a free Winter Solstice sunrise walk and meditation in Birmingham on the 21st December. We'll talk about solstice themes from a pagan perspective, and there'll be a guided meditation to greet the sun on the shortest day. You can find out more and book here. |
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Stirchley Sound Baths at Space Therapies Last week I held my first sound bath at Space Therapies, in Stirchley. It was the first time running the session at Space Therapies. It was absolutely wonderful to create this experience right on my own door step, and I'm excited for the next session in January.
January sound bath dates are now confirmed. Join me for some January cosiness, as the sound bath takes you on a journey of relaxation, and the waves bring you into a state of calm. This event takes place just before Imbolc, the Pagan festival which marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. We’ll start the session with a meditation to explore the theme of reconnecting with ourselves, as we move away from the darkness of Winter, towards the renewal and rebirth of Spring. Find out more and book here. |
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Winter Solstice and Yule Playlist This playlist was co-created with Helen from Unbind Your Wild, and it be used it to reflect and journal, as part of meditation practice, as a background for a movement-based practice, or as a tool to accompany breathwork. You can access the playlist by clicking the image below, and you'll find some guidance about how to practice breathwork here. Here are some prompts that you might like to reflect on as part of your Winter Solstice practice: What is your experience of light at this time of year? What is your experience of darkness at this time of year?
Are there any expectations or beliefs that you hold around this time of year that no longer serve you? How do you nurture yourself during the darker and colder months?
Do you have any intentions as we move into 2022?
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Stirchley Wellbeing Christmas Advent! Christmas is all about coming together, so I'm really excited to be part of the Stirchley Wellbeing Christmas Advent, where a whole bunch of awesome women-led business are coming together to to collaborate and celebrate local women in business. The collaboration will be jam-packed full of seasonal self-care tips and brilliant giveaways, including * A space at my next Sound Bath, where you can find your ultimate state of peace * A space at a fantastic Moon Circle to get you ready for the new year * A fantastic 1-1 Online Introduction to meditation to help you get your zen on * A one hour back massage with reflexology for ultimate relaxation * A ticket to an awesome Online Yin-Tension Workshop * An excellent 4-class pass for Yoga Borne * An in person colour filled Yoga Nidra & Watercolour Workshop * Discounts on wellness products and servicesMake sure you're following me on Instagram, where I'll be sharing more info every day! |
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That's all for now. In the paraphrased words of The Brilliance, whose song ‘May You Find a Light’ you'll find on the Winter Solstice playlist above: may you always find a light to guide you home Yule Blessings, Laura x |
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