Embers in the Stillness
A Winter Solstice Ritual of Passion and Renewal
The room is dimly lit, a faint glow from the single candle on the altar casting golden shadows that flicker and dance like whispers of a world unseen. I kneel before it, feeling the weight of the season—the long nights, the cold winds, the endless stretch of stillness that presses against my chest. This moment is mine, sacred and raw.
I press my palms against the cool floor, grounding myself. My breath is deep and steady, though a storm churns within me. Grief. Desire. Isolation. Pain. It rises, swirls, and threatens to overflow. I don’t resist. I let it come, because I know this is the way through. I welcome the ache, the longing, and the questions that have lingered in my heart for far too long.
As my hands move to my thighs, I close my eyes and whisper my intention: to surrender to the darkness and transform it into light, to find the embers of my truth within. Slowly, deliberately, I run my hands over my body, honoring every curve, every line, every place that holds the stories of my life. My touch is soft yet sure, a reminder that I am here, that I am worthy, that I am alive.
I reach for the candle, bringing it closer, letting its warmth seep into me. The flame feels like a lover’s kiss against my skin—a whisper of passion waiting to ignite. I tilt my head back, inhaling deeply, and imagine the flame growing within me, spreading through my chest, down my arms, and into my belly. I exhale, releasing tension I didn’t realize I was holding.
But tonight, I go deeper. My hands drift over my heart, my ribs, my belly, each touch stirring memories of pain that once felt unbearable. I name them—not aloud, but in the quiet space of my mind. Rejection. Grief. Loss. Fear. I name them because they deserve to be seen, not hidden away. And then, I alchemize them.
With every breath, I imagine these emotions shifting, softening, transmuting into pleasure, into energy, into fuel for my becoming. My body trembles as I feel the heat of transformation. I am no longer bound by these pains; they are now a part of my power. They are the fertile soil from which I grow.
I open my journal and begin to write—not with my mind but with my soul. Words pour out in a stream of fire and honey, dripping with truths I didn’t know I was ready to admit. I write of what I want, what I fear, and what I know I am ready to become. I write of the chaos I have danced with all year and the beauty I have found even in the ashes.
I write of how this alchemy expands me, amplifies me. I am not just transforming for myself—I am becoming more of me, the version of me that moves forward, grows, and evolves. I write about how this energy allows me to love and provide an empowering service to myself, my family, my community, and the collective. I see how the ripples of my transformation touch every part of my life, every soul I encounter.
When the pen falls silent, I rise to my feet. The candle’s flame seems brighter now, and I know it mirrors the light growing inside me. I take a small bowl of water and anoint my forehead, my throat, my heart, speaking words of renewal with each touch. “I release the old. I welcome the new. I honor the stillness. I amplify my light. I serve with love.”
As I stand before my altar, I place my hands over my heart and whisper the incantation that has become a guiding force in my rituals.
Veritas Luminas Trigus.
The words roll off my tongue like a song, ancient and powerful. I close my eyes and visualize the triangle of light surrounding me.
The left side of the triangle shines with the energy of Veritas—truth. Its foundation is stable and unyielding, a reminder of the honesty I hold with myself and the clarity I seek in all things. The right side glows with Trigus—balance. Its structure reinforces harmony, the interconnectedness of my mind, body, and spirit. Finally, the base radiates with Luminas—light. Its brilliance illuminates the darkest corners, revealing hidden truths and illuminating the path forward.
The triangle vibrates with the energy of deep introspection and spiritual awakening, a sacred alignment that connects me to the wisdom within and the guidance beyond. I feel its energy move through me, lifting the remnants of pain, doubt, and fear, replacing them with clarity, confidence, and purpose. I am ready to embrace the fullness of my truth, the radiance of my light, and the harmony within me.
I move to the center of the room, dancing slowly, deliberately, my body a vessel for this transformed energy. Each movement feels like a prayer, a promise, a celebration of what I am becoming. The pain that once weighed me down is now the fire that propels me forward.
I carry the candle to the window, opening it to the cold night air. The stars are brilliant, and the silence feels alive, buzzing with energy. I hold the candle high and whisper into the night, my breath visible like a ghostly offering. “I am here. I am ready. I am whole. I am more of me.”
But I know this ritual is not complete. Tonight is not only a moment to reflect on the past—it is a portal to the future. I kneel before the altar again, placing my hands over my heart, feeling its steady rhythm. “I am ready,” I whisper, louder now, feeling the truth of it resonate through my body. “I am ready to receive more.”
I picture the new year unfolding before me, vibrant and full of possibility. I see the energy I’ve cultivated here tonight spilling over into the days and months ahead. In my mind’s eye, I see myself stepping into new spaces, offering my gifts without hesitation. I see the moments where I say yes to the things I once feared, where I embrace abundance in every form it takes.
I speak my desires into the space, unafraid.
I welcome love in its purest, most expansive form. I welcome opportunities that align with my highest self. I welcome moments of joy, ease, and clarity. I welcome the growth, the lessons, the challenges that will shape me. I welcome the abundance that flows effortlessly into my life. My heart is open. I am ready.
As I speak, I feel a warmth spread through me, a knowing that these words are not just wishes—they are truths already on their way to me. The stillness of the room is electric now, charged with possibility.
I take a deep breath and smile, tears welling in my eyes, not from sadness but from the fullness of this moment. I am here. I am alive. I am ready to step into all that awaits me.
I extinguish the candle, watching the smoke curl upward like a promise, and place it back on the altar. This is my Winter Solstice offering: my grief, my desire, my truth, my renewal. The embers within me are glowing, waiting for the flames that will come with the light’s return. This is my season of becoming, my season of service, my season of expanding into the fullness of who I am. And as the new year approaches, I welcome it with open arms and an open heart, ready to receive all that is meant for me. Thank you Spirit.