Winter Solstice and the Light of the Soul

Winter Solstice arrives at 10:19 pm CST on December 21st for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere. 

In Vedic astrology, winter solstice is the first day of Uttarayana, a term derived from two different Sanskrit words “uttara” (North) and “ayana” (movement), which is the beginning of the Sun’s northward journey as seen from the Earth. It marks the beginning of the increasing return of light from January to June with the arrival of the longest day of the year on summer solstice.

Why is this day considered to be one of the most powerful and rewarding times to look within ourselves for the answers and direction for the next six months ahead?

On the longest night of the year, winter solstice is the day in which we celebrate the coming of increasing light, both literally and figuratively, as we experience the movement from dark (“Gu”) to light (“Ru”) or Guru.

As spiritual seekers and yogis, we can hold winter solstice as the day in which the teacher, the Guru, also allows us to find the light that exists within the darkest darkness. 

Meditation on Light is especially powerful on this day, from a simple practice of tratakam (gazing) on a candle flame or open fire, to the inner visualizations of yantras, chakras, or the light of the soul. 

And so winter solstice brings us the most opportune time to meditate, to go within, and to discover the direction that our lives can unfold over the next six months to accomplish our soul’s imperatives.

Come celebrate Winter Solstice with us in Austin, Texas with a Solstice Candlelight meditation and Gong Yoga Nidra relaxation!

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The Blue Light Meditation 

(From Yogi Bhajan and first taught by Gurucharan Singh in Austin, Texas on March 13, 2011)

Here is a meditation from the Kundalini Yoga tradition that powerfully activates the downloading of light. It may be done at any time of the year and is an especially powerful practice for the Winter Solstice. This is an advanced breath meditation so feel free to modify times according to your comfort and capacity.

Posture and Mudra: 

In a meditative seated posture, the hands are in gyan mudra (index finger touching thumb tip) resting on the knees.

Focus:

Concentrate on the center of the brain, behind the usual third eye point.

Breath:

The breath is inhaled in segments, or parts, pausing very briefly between each breath segment.

The breath is exhaled in one long complete exhalation.

Breathe in through the crown of the head, filling the entire body with Blue Light.

Breathe out and spread the Blue Light to every pore.

As the mind wanders, return to the breath. Keep the focus on the light.

1. Begin with 5 segments of breath on the inhale for 11 minutes.
2. Increase to 6 segments of breath for another 11 minutes.
3. Increase to 7 segments of breath for another 11 minutes.
4. Increase to 8 segments of breath for another 11 minutes.
5. Finally, increase to 9 segments of breath for another 11 minutes.

To End:

• Inhale and squeeze the spine. Focus on every vertebra of the spine as you squeeze.
• Feel your radiance. Send the blue light to anywhere in your body that needs healing. Dissolve into the Light. Exhale.
• Repeat twice more for a total of three times of inhaling, squeezing and exhaling.
• Inhale, stretch up the arms up over the head. Open and close the hands. Turn left and right. 
• Exhale and relax.

The notes state that the segments may be increased from 11 minutes to 15 minutes each, for a total time of 55 to 75 minutes.

Want to know more?

To find out more about working with the energies, please see my book Astrology Yoga.

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