As the winter solstice–or the longest night of the year–approaches, how does it reflect and represent you? This is the season of dormancy, a time when plants, the earth, and even we are drawn to rest, recharge, and prepare for growth. In this final installment of our 2024 seasonal sessions, on the pod once again is my dear friend and our resident green witch, Rachael of Our Infinite Nature. She shared with me how the winter solstice can help us honor cycles of rest and renewal. It was a lovely way to end a year of seasonal explorations, covering everything from the practical ways we can live in harmony with the season to what the quiet time of winter can teach us.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [03:55] What is the cyclical nature of life?
• [05:38] How to rebrand winter inside ourselves
• [10:38] How does the earth respond to winter?
• [13:48] How to prepare your winter garden
• [15:25] Give your plants the sunlight, even on the coldest days, with Soltech Grow Lights!
• [16:47] Find peace in the chaos with personalized Wind River Chimes!
• [19:26] Why focus on your inner growth
• [23:06] Astrological guide to winter solstice (Capricorn season)
• [29:39] Shop exclusive garden gifts and essentials at Gardener's Supply Company!
• [30:45] How to honor the winter solstice
• [37:08] What is the role of our nervous system?
• [39:19] Rest and digest
• [42:02] Winter solstice visualization/meditation
• [55:53] Where can you follow Rachael?

 

 

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The Cyclical Nature of Life and Seasons

Rachael and I love talking to each other about different seasons for the past year. We’ve had episodes about the spring equinox, summer solstice, and fall equinox. Now, as winter completes the cycle, I am touched by how reassuring the rhythm is.

The older we get, the more we realize everything is cyclical. Spring follows winter, growth follows rest. And yet, as Rachael pointed out, society conditions us to stay in a constant state of “spring and summer” where we’re always pushing, always producing, always moving. But that’s not sustainable.

I’ve personally felt the weight of this expectation during my recent move to Florida. The chaos of settling into a new home left me yearning for rest, yet I felt guilty about slowing down. Winter should be seasonal. You should experience it once a year—or whatever your cadence is as a human.

 

What Winter Teaches Us About Rest and Renewal

Winter is a time of dormancy. Rachael explained how trees, for example, conserve their energy by pulling it inward to their roots. They aren’t dying—they’re preparing for spring growth.

It’s the same with us. The trees don’t feel guilty about dropping their leaves and going dormant. Why should we? Dormancy is not nothing. It’s important preparation for the next growing season. For plant parents, winter gives us an opportunity to grow crops like kale, chards, and cruciferous vegetables.

 

Astrology, Emotions, and the Winter Solstice

The winter solstice marks the start of Capricorn season (aka the daddy of the Zodiacs), which is really well known for being very determined, disciplined, really innerly motivated, and get stuff done kind of energy.

Rachael said this season invites us to slow down and feel deeply. And with the full moon in Gemini just days before the solstice, we might also feel a heightened sense of duality—our inner critic and inner cheerleader battling it out.

 

Honoring Winter in Our Lives

So how can we honor the winter solstice and the season as a whole? Here are some ideas:

• Feel Your Emotions: Give yourself an hour. Turn off your phone, play some music, and let yourself feel—dance, cry, journal. Every part of you is welcome here.
• Say “No” Without Guilt: During the holidays, be intentional about which invitations you accept and honor your need for rest.
• Celebrate the Light: Watch the sunrise and sunset on the solstice. Light candles or decorate with string lights to symbolize the return of longer days.
• Reconnect with Nature: Use your plant care routine as a mindfulness practice. Your plants will teach you to slow down if you let them.

 

Rebranding Rest Through Plants

Use plant care for mindfulness. Care for your plants intentionally—clean their leaves, water them, and listen to what they have to share with you.

Even just looking at green leaves has a calming effect on the nervous system. This simple act of connecting with nature can help shift your body from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest.”

 

My First Winter in Florida

As I navigate my first winter in Florida, I’m so ready for the lessons of the winter solstice. I will rest, slow down and reflect, and wait for the promise of renewal.

Pause and honor winter’s energy, especially if you’re out of sync or overwhelmed this season. Let yourself slow down. Rest. Reflect. And know that the light is always on its way back.

 

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 229: Why You Should Care About the Spring Equinox
• Growing Joy Episode 242: Why You Should Care About the Summer Solstice
• Growing Joy Episode 256: What You Need to Know About the Autumnal Equinox
• Get Rachael’s book, Self-Care for Eco-Anxiety
• Join the 2025 Intuitive Magic Group Coaching

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Soltech Solutions

As the winter season slowly but surely approaches, ensure your plants are still getting enough light indoors! Soltech Solutions offers grow lights with full-spectrum white light that mimics the sun to keep your plants happy and healthy: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a multi-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions.

Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code “bloom15”.

Wind River Chimes

Allow yourself to have a moment of mindfulness as dormant season arrives with the help of wind chimes! Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a way to soothe your senses and bring a moment of peace in your busy days, a Wind River chime is the perfect option. Plus, you can engrave the wind sail on the wind chime with meaningful dates, names, or phrases!

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Gardener's Supply

Make gifting season a little easier for you and your gardener friends! From containers to raised beds, seeds to plant supports, Gardener's Supply has everything to create your dream garden oasis. They even sell edging and walkways! Gardener's is an employee-owned company run by passionate gardeners for over 40 years, and they are committed to catering to all kinds of gardeners. Whether you've got acres or just a balcony, you're sure to find everything you need for successful indoor and outdoor gardening.

Discover your garden favorites and exclusive innovations at gardeners.com and use code GROWINGJOY for free shipping.

 

 

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