Solstice Invitation: Rest, Release, Renew

Twice each year, the Earth pauses. She exhales. She turns her face either fully toward the sun or gently away, inviting us into a moment of cosmic stillness—the solstice. These hinge points in the wheel of the year are ancient markers of change, celebrated long before clocks or calendars. They are reminders that we, too, live in cycles. We expand. We contract. We shine. We rest. We begin again.

The solstice is more than an astronomical event—it is a portal into wonder.

The Dance of Darkness and Light

In winter, the longest night asks us to lean into the mystery. To honor the parts of ourselves that move quietly beneath the surface. To soften into reflection, restoration, and inner listening. There is wisdom in the dark—just like the seed buried in cold soil, we are held, nourished, and prepared for renewal.

In summer, the longest day invites celebration. It is a time of fullness, warmth, and outward expression. Light illuminates both the joy of our becoming and the shadows that guide us toward deeper truth.

When we attune to these natural rhythms, we remember that we are not separate from the world around us. Our bodies, our emotions, and our spiritual cycles mirror the turning of the Earth.

Celtic & Druid Solstice Folklore: A Time Between Worlds

In ancient Celtic and Druid traditions, the solstice—whether winter or summer—was a sacred threshold. Fires were lit to call back the sun or honor its peak. Evergreen branches were gathered for protection and renewal. Stories were shared of the Oak King and the Holly King, the two sovereigns who rule the waxing and waning halves of the year.

• At the winter solstice, the Oak King triumphs—the returning light begins its ascent.

• At the summer solstice, the Holly King rises—the light slowly begins to wane, preparing the land for eventual rest.

These stories were not just myth; they were metaphors for the human experience. We grow, we diminish, we transform. There is beauty and purpose in every phase.

The solstice was also believed to be a time when the veil between worlds thinned—a moment to commune with spirit, seek guidance, and offer gratitude for the unseen forces supporting us. It was a celebration of connection: with the land, with each other, and with the cycles that shape all existence.

Invoking Wonder: The Twelve Wishes Ritual

To honor these ancient traditions and bring intention into the new cycle, here is a simple yet powerful solstice ritual called Twelve Wishes. It invites magic, mindfulness, and a deep collaboration with Spirit.

The Twelve Wishes Ritual

What you need:

• 12 small slips of paper

• A pen

• A candle

• A fireproof bowl or safe place to burn your wishes

How to do it:

1. Before the solstice, take quiet time to write twelve wishes for the year ahead—one per slip of paper. These can be desires, visions, qualities, or experiences you hope to call in.

2. Fold each slip so you cannot see the words. Place them in a small bowl or bundle.

3. On the night of the solstice, light a candle to honor the turning of the year.

4. Burn one wish each night from the solstice until January 1st.

5. On January 1st, whatever wish remains unburned is yours to tend for the year ahead. This is the wish that Spirit hands back to you—the one you are responsible for nurturing with intention and action. All the others have been given to Source, released to unfold in their own divine way.

This ritual is a beautiful blend of intention-setting, surrender, and trust. It mirrors the cycles of creation: we plant, we release, we allow, and we take aligned responsibility.

Returning to Our Natural Rhythms: Retreat & Regenerative Living Offerings

As we step into a new cycle, many of us feel the pull to reconnect with the Earth, with our bodies, and with a slower, more meaningful pace of life. This is the heart of our work, and why our Natural Rhythms Retreat January 3-8th &

Regenerative Living offerings begin this February.

These immersions invite you to:

• attune to seasonal and personal cycles

• explore regenerative lifestyle practices

• experience rest as a form of nourishment

• step into alignment with your purpose and your natural pace

• reconnect with community, elemental wisdom, and embodied presence

Just as the solstice reminds us to honor both our darkness and our light, these retreats offer space for reflection, renewal, and joyful emergence. They are crafted for those who yearn to live more intentionally—rooted in rhythm rather than rushing.

A New Cycle Awaits

As the solstice arrives, let yourself feel the turning. The invitation. The ancient rhythm that has always held you.

Honor your shadows. Celebrate your brilliance. Allow the year to unfold like a story Spirit writes with you.

And perhaps, this year, let one of your Twelve Wishes guide you toward deeper connection—with yourself, with the Earth, and with the life you are consciously choosing to create.

Written by:

Amanda Luna 

Land Guardian of EcoMaste: Ecolodge, Learning & Healing Sanctuary 

Holistic Herbalist

Yoga & Qi-gong instructor

Meditation Guide & Women’s Mentor 

Amanda is a guide in Regenerative living, sharing through  Qigong, Herbalism, Yoga, Hridaya silent meditation and Womb Cycles

As co-founder of Ecomaste:

Healing & Learning Sanctuary and a devoted land guardian, she supports others in cultivating deep connection to self, source, nature, and all beings.

Through movement, plant connection, stillness, and sacred cycle work, Amanda helps people honor their natural rhythms and rediscover their innate vitality.

She believes that cultivating a deep connection to Self is the foundation for 

co-creating community rooted in abundance, love, and trust.

Rooted in devotion and reverence, Amanda walks in service to wholeness and raising collective consciousness.

Learn more about Amanda & her offerings:

www.alunaliving.com