November 26, 2025 • 26 mins
The calendar may be crammed, but December itself invites a different pace—slower, quieter, deeply restorative. We lean into that invitation and map a soulful December that helps you release the weight of the year, reflect with clarity, and prepare for the returning light. From a simple five‑minute journaling ritual to a gentle dusk‑to‑dawn guided meditation, this conversation offers grounded practices that fit real life and bring your nervous system back to calm.
As the solstice approaches, we focus on preparing foundations for a brighter year without the pressure of brittle resolutions. Think mindful transitions.
The episode closes with a calming visualisation that carries you from dusk into darkness and out toward light—so you can meet January already steady, already rooted.
If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a breather, and leave a review to help more listeners find these practices. Then tell us: what are you ready to release before the new year?
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A note for every episode: we do not necessary agree with all the views on our podcast and leave listeners to make their own mind up with what they do or don't agree with.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (01:18):
Hello everybody, I'm your host, the Gentle Yoga
Warrior of Awakened ConsciousConversations Podcast, and I'm
super delighted, stillcelebrating that we go over the
250th episode mark.
And in this part of the world,right now, it is pretty cold.
You may be listening to this ina country where it's really warm
(01:38):
and not cold, and over here thedays have been gradually getting
longer up until the wintersolstice, and then after that,
they slowly start to getlighter.
But if you're in a part of theworld where it's doing the
opposite way round, then there'sstill a lot of value in this
(01:59):
podcast.
So Soul for December, it's ajourney to go within.
(02:24):
Or of course, the opposite willbe happening if you live in a
different part of the world.
So we're going to find a way tomake our December soulful so
that you, dear listener, canfeel released from anything
that's holding you back.
You can reflect on what you'velearned throughout the year, and
you can prepare for the light ofthe new year.
(02:46):
So these shorter days and nightscreate a way of telling us to
slow down.
Hopefully, I've been successful,a ladybird.
I know it's sometimes calledladybug in different parts of
the world.
That was on my windowsill, andthe ladybirds, ladybugs,
(03:07):
sometimes hibernate within thecracks, and when you put the
heating on, it wakes them up.
So I prepared it like thislittle place where I put a leaf
down and some water and somesomething sweet and some seeds
and things just to kind of helpit, and it was okay, but then it
was wandering around.
I thought actually it needs somedarkness so it can go back to
(03:29):
sleep.
So I put a little I put a jarlid near it and it's climbed
underneath it, and it made methink, you know what?
That is ladybird symbolised tome what many of us are doing
because we're running around forthe holiday season where
everyone's so desperate to geteverything out of their in tray
at this time of year thatthey're just being so desperate
(03:53):
to get everything out of theirin tray, and then what else
happens is that we end upfeeling like exhausted as we're
trying to please so many people,and I talk I interview so many
people that and they say thatmost people don't always get to
do what they want around theDecember time, it's a lot of
kind of feeling obliged, but ofthat's another podcast.
(04:17):
But what I'm definitely tryingto say here is that regardless
of all the chaos and everythingthat's going around this energy
of this time is really aboutgoing within oneself, connecting
with nature, and offering us achance to rest, or if you're
(04:37):
living in a different part ofthe world and it's doing the
opposite, a chance to have morevigour in your life.
But I'm just going to share itfrom the point of view of it's
it's this the nights are gettingslower, so from the point of
view that the nights are gettinglonger as we come up to this
solstice part, it's a reallygood time to reconnect with
(05:01):
oneself, and you know, like weare so kind of sharing parts of
ourselves, don't we, with somany people and with so many
commitments.
But I'm not gonna say that I canmagic away all the stuff that
you have to do up untilChristmas, but I am gonna offer
you some places that you canfeel that quietness, that
(05:24):
renewal, and and to find what isgonna what served you this year,
and what you want to let go offrom this year, and what you
wish to obtain for next year,too.
And a lot of people do this inJanuary, and it's quite a common
thing, but I think it's a goodtime to start doing it now as it
(05:47):
gives you a kind of compass, aguide mark, a place to go and
find yourself in the new yearand to let go of what no longer
serves you.
So, how can we do that?
First of all, I would say themost important thing to do is
amidst all this chaos of thismonth is to find times to slow
(06:08):
down and be with yourself.
And the best tool, the twotoolkits that you can always
have in your your spiritualtoolbox is meditation and
journaling.
Journaling is what I would sayquintessentially, you use to let
go of stuff.
So if there's things of aboutthe year that you want to let go
(06:29):
of, which you think, oh gosh, Ireally don't want this for next
year, or I learned this lesson,but I'm ready to let it go.
You can do a kind of thing whereyou write everything down on a
piece of paper, and you caneither safely burn it, but
obviously, you need to know whatyou're doing, if not, bury it in
the garden and let it go.
(06:50):
And it can be very cathartic,but like anything, it's having
the discipline to sit down anddo it.
So if your life is busy, I wouldsuggest that you you get a
notebook and you write like forfive minutes a day, and you can
(07:11):
fill that notebook, have it intwo parts.
So one side's the let go, andone side's the for next year
what you want to manifest.
But we'll get into the manifestbit next.
So you're writing downeverything that you no longer
want to have in your life, andyou can do that throughout the
month, up and and then justbefore the winter solstices, you
(07:34):
can either cut the pages out ofthe things that you don't want
and bury them, or if you cansafely dispose of them, maybe
you want to shred them.
That's still good and way tolike let it go.
Shred is quite good, and beforewe get on setting the new
intentions, so going back to thetheme of this podcast.
(07:56):
So we're releasing, reflecting,and pairing for the light.
So you release and you yourelease via the journaling,
you're reflecting via thejournaling.
And what is a magical greeningredient to kind of be the
bridge between that and what youwant to set as your new
intention?
(08:16):
Gratitude, and gratitude isreally set stepping into
celebrating the way in which youhave grown during this past year
because we forget how much wehave changed and what we are
proud of.
So, can you think of somethingthat you're proud of?
Ways in which you have grownduring the past year.
(08:40):
It might be that instead oflet's think of an example, you
have learnt that everyone'sdoing their own journey in this
life, and not to take things sopersonally.
That could be one way you'vegrown, or you've learned not to
react to people who don't seethings the same way as you.
(09:01):
That could be another way youhave grown.
You've learnt to stop spendingas badly as you did the year
before.
That's another example.
I'm just picking these out of myhead, but because we're all
going to have different things,and think of something that
you're really proud of of thatout of that, whatever it is that
you feel that you have grownwith in the last year, and then
(09:23):
another thing you can do iswrite down three things.
I like to just start with freebecause free is an easier thing.
If I say 10 things, you're gonnabe like, Oh, gentle yoga
warrior, I'm overwhelmed.
So, three things that you'regrateful for this year, so it
can be like an amazing and aconnection with amazing friend.
Like, I'm grateful that I got tosee a couple of old friends this
(09:46):
year after a long period oftime, and it made me realize how
important friendships are.
It could be like someexperiences, like I'm super
grateful that I got to visit thecity of Manchester.
I think it's really iconic.
I'm super grateful that I'm lessreactive to how other people
(10:12):
are, and I've learned that I'mnot responsible for everyone
else's feelings.
So there's some examples, so youcan write three things down, and
gratitude helps uplift anduplift your spirit.
So I also teach yoga online, andI'm doing a gratitude yoga class
(10:34):
tomorrow.
I will record it.
So if you happen to hear this inthe future and you would like a
copy of that yoga class, do letme know.
Just drop me a line, and you caneither join in real time or in
future time.
Anyway, let's get back to whatwe're talking about.
(11:40):
So it's for gratitude.
There's different ways you canfeel gratitude.
We can feel grateful for everysip of water you have.
There's some places where peopledo not have water, you can be
very grateful that you had achoice of food to have in your
stomach today.
Not everyone has that choice.
You may feel grateful thatyou've got a roof over your
(12:00):
head, not everyone has that.
That's not to say that youshould feel guilty for having a
roof over your head, it's moreabout being grateful, but then
also sending healing, love, andsupport to those who don't.
Because you know what?
Life can change in an instant.
One day we're high, and the nextday we can be having trouble.
(13:04):
So I always think compassiongoes a very, very long way in
all of this.
So we have, as a recap, we'relooking at how to be more
soulful.
So soulful is about going withindeepness, some depth, but some
rich and nurturing qualities.
We've released, we reflected,and now we're preparing for the
(13:28):
light of the new year, which iswould you believe it, at the
time of recording this, fiveweeks away.
So in five weeks from recordingthis, we will be in a new year,
the new year of 2026.
(13:48):
But of course, you might belistening to this podcast
several years down the line,which was quite interesting to
know.
So if you are, thank you.
So, preparing for the light.
So, as we come up to the wintersolstice, it's it's a time of
new beginnings, and thatsolstice isn't gonna be until
(14:12):
around the 20th of December.
I always seem to think it's the21st, right?
But it's like kind of around the20th, 23rd, depends kind of
what's going on in the sky.
So, if you want to know fromlike uh if you like looking at
the stars, etc.
The solstice happens when theearth is tilted from its
(14:38):
farthest point from the sun.
So the northern hemisphere istilted away from the sun, and
the sun's rays hit the part ofthe earth at a much shallower
angle, hence why it leads toless daylight in this part of
the world.
(14:58):
But obviously, if you're in thesouthern hemisphere, the
situation is the opposite, andyou are experiencing the summer
solstice where there's the mostlight.
So the solstice is kind of avery I would say right, it's
kind of like the the tippingpoint in a good way where we've
been in this kind of darkness,and and of course the winter
(15:20):
will continue here for a fewmonths after that, but then it
becomes the rebirth because thelight, the days start to very
gradually start to get longer,or like I said, if you're in the
um opposite hemisphere, thesouthern hemisphere, they'll
start to get shorter, like so.
(15:41):
It's the opposite, and and whathappens is it gives us the time
to really rest.
So if you need a bit of extrasleep and you're on vacation,
take that bit of extra sleep.
If you feel like you need to sitand read a book or do something
really nurturing instead of likegoing out partying, then that's
(16:02):
probably what your body needs.
What about like some wholesomeroot vegetable stews brings to
mind and comforting cups of hotchocolate and warm blankets?
So the cycle of the light isafter the solstice in the
northern hemisphere as the daysbegin to lengthen.
(16:24):
So just think if it's a tiny bitof like really stuck elastic, so
it's it just starts to pull verygently and as it gets longer and
longer, but it'll still be verydark for a while, it'll be so
subtle you won't really noticethe difference, and it's about
preparing for a brand new andfantastic new year.
(16:50):
So, as I was saying earlier,it's a time that we can start to
prepare for the new year, andI've done this before in episode
13, but on season 17, and thetitle is From Resolutions to
Mindful Transitions MiniThoughts.
(17:11):
How do you want to be rebirthedas the new version of you for
2026 or whatever future yeahyou're listening to us?
What are the foundations thatyou wish to set?
Now I know they're very popular,like these mood boards, but I'm
quite a visual person, and Ilike to do one in Canva, you
(17:35):
know, Canva, the software thing,but I'm sure there's loads of
other ones, and you can just putthem in different sections.
But please listen to episode 13on season 17, and that will give
you full details of how to dothat.
But just to give a kind of briefthing on this, what is it that
your heart wants to sing withthis year?
(17:55):
What is it that you wish toachieve?
What limitations do you wish toovercome?
And you can start thinking aboutthis, and maybe in another
journal, just start writingideas down, and then if you want
to, you can create that dreamboard in Canva.
And I try and approach it from anormal kind of fluffy way, in a
sense that you've got to do abit of the work, you can't just
(18:20):
make a dream board and thenexpect everything to happen.
It's a fine balance betweenaction and no action.
Here's some things I just wantto leave you with.
Make time to care for yourself,make sure you drink enough
water, make sure you get enoughrest, make sure you set
boundaries.
So obviously, there is going tobe family commitments, but also
(18:41):
make sure you set boundaries sothat you have some time for
yourself, so everything inbalance, find a time to be
quiet, so it's a really specialtime to meditate and go within.
If you can get to a soundhealing bath, there's so many
gong things these days, thatmight be a wonderful way for you
(19:05):
to start.
Yeah.
If you listen to my previousepisode with Lindsay Makovic
from season 7, episode 11, whichI did on the Psaltice a few
years ago.
That meditation at the end is anactual sound healing experience,
so do have check that out.
So the whole month will bethemed towards helping you
(19:28):
navigate through this wonderfulmonth of December, and it is
when my heart just to helpspread a bit of joy to help you
chip away those things that kindof hold you back, but also help
you see and love yourself as thebeautiful being you are.
I want to encourage a wonderfulmeditation now to help you step
(19:50):
into your darkness in a sense ofgoing within, like you're going
back into the womb, this senseof renew, and at the end of this
meditation, we will come intothe light.
So it's a contraction and thenan expansion of the being.
As promised, here is yourmeditation inspired by today's
(20:14):
show.
Top tips for the meditation iseither sit nice and cross-legged
on the floor with a nicestraight back, always nice to
sit on a block or a cushion, orthat's not available for you.
You sit in a chair with the backnice and straight.
The important thing is you'renot slouching.
And if you're doing somethingthat requires little
concentration, all you need todo is just pause this and you
(20:36):
can reconvene the meditation ata time that is good for you.
If you're doing the meditation,let's begin.
So we're going to use animaginary meditation.
So as you close the eyes, justmake sure that you're nice and
warm and you're in a comfortableposition.
(20:59):
And just imagine a cold starlitsky.
SPEAKER_00 (21:09):
And then imagine a dusk just before it gets dark.
And imagine the first rays oflight just as it becomes
morning.
(21:37):
But we will start this journeynow as we close our eyes.
SPEAKER_01 (21:43):
It is the time of dust.
SPEAKER_00 (21:48):
The last of the birds are flying frantically to
find their place for the night.
SPEAKER_01 (22:03):
For in the distance, the sound of an owl.
But this place is safe for you.
Even though it's dark and cold,you are wrapped up in some of
the warmest clothes.
(22:23):
So you feel really comfortable.
The ground is quite crispybetween your foot and the
ground.
As the coldness creates almostlike a starlit path of frost.
(22:49):
The holly tree is rich with redberries, a sign that it's going
to be a cold winter ahead.
There's a kind of coldness tothe mud on the outer edges of
this path, but you take slow,calm steps.
(23:11):
And as you walk along, you seethe most beautiful little shed.
This shed is like a cuddle fromthe universe.
It is warm and it is comforting.
(23:32):
And it has a sign on it.
Please meditate here.
Your intuition signals how safethat you feel.
How safe in your being as yousit down on the soft woolen
cushions.
SPEAKER_00 (23:51):
There is a faint scent of frankincense.
SPEAKER_01 (23:59):
And beside you is a flask of hot chocolate made with
ever milk that you findcomforting.
For we all have differentpreferences.
And you take a sip from thisimaginary hot chocolate.
SPEAKER_00 (24:18):
And as you take a sip, you remember that this is
the time to release and let go.
SPEAKER_01 (24:47):
And the rhythm has a reassurance that makes you
reflect on a time in your lifethat you were very proud of
something that you had achieved.
And that thought comes into yourmind without having you having
to elaborate, you just feel it.
(25:09):
Next, you feel something comeup, just like a gentle cough,
that you wish to release fromyour year, and you just think it
for a moment, but then you don'tdwell on it, you just allow it
to go and you blow it with yourhand, and it floats out of this
shed.
(25:34):
And then in the sky, the moon, abeautiful full moon, casting
even more beauty and magicalsparkles across the landscape as
you watch it from the shed.
And this moon, as it rises intothe sky, is a sign of your the
frutations of the year, and itis a symbology of what you
(26:00):
should be proud of as you'veachieved over this past year.
And then just as quickly as itcomes, it is gone, and you're
back in the darkness.
But this darkness has awomb-like quality where you feel
safe and you feel nurtured, andwithin this darkness, you
(26:24):
picture a flicker of light infront of you as a sign of the
new year that is about to becomein the next four weeks, or
whenever you're listening tothis, and that light grows and
grows and grows until it'sapparent what it is that you
(26:48):
wish to shine your light on forthe coming year.
And you just allow yourself tofeel this, remember it, and
allow it to be within.
And now there's nothing to dobut just simply breathe and
relax for a bit longer.
For this is a time when we tendto get up, but I invite you to
(27:09):
be slow, steady, and calm.
And then you're going to slowlycome back into the moment, come
back into the room, knowing thatthis is going to be a soulful
December.
Thank you for listening.
Hello everybody, I'm your host, the Gentle Yoga
Warrior of Awakened ConsciousConversations Podcast, and I'm
super delighted, stillcelebrating that we go over the
250th episode mark.
And in this part of the world,right now, it is pretty cold.
You may be listening to this ina country where it's really warm
(01:38):
and not cold, and over here thedays have been gradually getting
longer up until the wintersolstice, and then after that,
they slowly start to getlighter.
But if you're in a part of theworld where it's doing the
opposite way round, then there'sstill a lot of value in this
(01:59):
podcast.
So Soul for December, it's ajourney to go within.
(02:24):
Or of course, the opposite willbe happening if you live in a
different part of the world.
So we're going to find a way tomake our December soulful so
that you, dear listener, canfeel released from anything
that's holding you back.
You can reflect on what you'velearned throughout the year, and
you can prepare for the light ofthe new year.
(02:46):
So these shorter days and nightscreate a way of telling us to
slow down.
Hopefully, I've been successful,a ladybird.
I know it's sometimes calledladybug in different parts of
the world.
That was on my windowsill, andthe ladybirds, ladybugs,
(03:07):
sometimes hibernate within thecracks, and when you put the
heating on, it wakes them up.
So I prepared it like thislittle place where I put a leaf
down and some water and somesomething sweet and some seeds
and things just to kind of helpit, and it was okay, but then it
was wandering around.
I thought actually it needs somedarkness so it can go back to
(03:29):
sleep.
So I put a little I put a jarlid near it and it's climbed
underneath it, and it made methink, you know what?
That is ladybird symbolised tome what many of us are doing
because we're running around forthe holiday season where
everyone's so desperate to geteverything out of their in tray
at this time of year thatthey're just being so desperate
(03:53):
to get everything out of theirin tray, and then what else
happens is that we end upfeeling like exhausted as we're
trying to please so many people,and I talk I interview so many
people that and they say thatmost people don't always get to
do what they want around theDecember time, it's a lot of
kind of feeling obliged, but ofthat's another podcast.
(04:17):
But what I'm definitely tryingto say here is that regardless
of all the chaos and everythingthat's going around this energy
of this time is really aboutgoing within oneself, connecting
with nature, and offering us achance to rest, or if you're
(04:37):
living in a different part ofthe world and it's doing the
opposite, a chance to have morevigour in your life.
But I'm just going to share itfrom the point of view of it's
it's this the nights are gettingslower, so from the point of
view that the nights are gettinglonger as we come up to this
solstice part, it's a reallygood time to reconnect with
(05:01):
oneself, and you know, like weare so kind of sharing parts of
ourselves, don't we, with somany people and with so many
commitments.
But I'm not gonna say that I canmagic away all the stuff that
you have to do up untilChristmas, but I am gonna offer
you some places that you canfeel that quietness, that
(05:24):
renewal, and and to find what isgonna what served you this year,
and what you want to let go offrom this year, and what you
wish to obtain for next year,too.
And a lot of people do this inJanuary, and it's quite a common
thing, but I think it's a goodtime to start doing it now as it
(05:47):
gives you a kind of compass, aguide mark, a place to go and
find yourself in the new yearand to let go of what no longer
serves you.
So, how can we do that?
First of all, I would say themost important thing to do is
amidst all this chaos of thismonth is to find times to slow
(06:08):
down and be with yourself.
And the best tool, the twotoolkits that you can always
have in your your spiritualtoolbox is meditation and
journaling.
Journaling is what I would sayquintessentially, you use to let
go of stuff.
So if there's things of aboutthe year that you want to let go
(06:29):
of, which you think, oh gosh, Ireally don't want this for next
year, or I learned this lesson,but I'm ready to let it go.
You can do a kind of thing whereyou write everything down on a
piece of paper, and you caneither safely burn it, but
obviously, you need to know whatyou're doing, if not, bury it in
the garden and let it go.
(06:50):
And it can be very cathartic,but like anything, it's having
the discipline to sit down anddo it.
So if your life is busy, I wouldsuggest that you you get a
notebook and you write like forfive minutes a day, and you can
(07:11):
fill that notebook, have it intwo parts.
So one side's the let go, andone side's the for next year
what you want to manifest.
But we'll get into the manifestbit next.
So you're writing downeverything that you no longer
want to have in your life, andyou can do that throughout the
month, up and and then justbefore the winter solstices, you
(07:34):
can either cut the pages out ofthe things that you don't want
and bury them, or if you cansafely dispose of them, maybe
you want to shred them.
That's still good and way tolike let it go.
Shred is quite good, and beforewe get on setting the new
intentions, so going back to thetheme of this podcast.
(07:56):
So we're releasing, reflecting,and pairing for the light.
So you release and you yourelease via the journaling,
you're reflecting via thejournaling.
And what is a magical greeningredient to kind of be the
bridge between that and what youwant to set as your new
intention?
(08:16):
Gratitude, and gratitude isreally set stepping into
celebrating the way in which youhave grown during this past year
because we forget how much wehave changed and what we are
proud of.
So, can you think of somethingthat you're proud of?
Ways in which you have grownduring the past year.
(08:40):
It might be that instead oflet's think of an example, you
have learnt that everyone'sdoing their own journey in this
life, and not to take things sopersonally.
That could be one way you'vegrown, or you've learned not to
react to people who don't seethings the same way as you.
(09:01):
That could be another way youhave grown.
You've learnt to stop spendingas badly as you did the year
before.
That's another example.
I'm just picking these out of myhead, but because we're all
going to have different things,and think of something that
you're really proud of of thatout of that, whatever it is that
you feel that you have grownwith in the last year, and then
(09:23):
another thing you can do iswrite down three things.
I like to just start with freebecause free is an easier thing.
If I say 10 things, you're gonnabe like, Oh, gentle yoga
warrior, I'm overwhelmed.
So, three things that you'regrateful for this year, so it
can be like an amazing and aconnection with amazing friend.
Like, I'm grateful that I got tosee a couple of old friends this
(09:46):
year after a long period oftime, and it made me realize how
important friendships are.
It could be like someexperiences, like I'm super
grateful that I got to visit thecity of Manchester.
I think it's really iconic.
I'm super grateful that I'm lessreactive to how other people
(10:12):
are, and I've learned that I'mnot responsible for everyone
else's feelings.
So there's some examples, so youcan write three things down, and
gratitude helps uplift anduplift your spirit.
So I also teach yoga online, andI'm doing a gratitude yoga class
(10:34):
tomorrow.
I will record it.
So if you happen to hear this inthe future and you would like a
copy of that yoga class, do letme know.
Just drop me a line, and you caneither join in real time or in
future time.
Anyway, let's get back to whatwe're talking about.
(11:40):
So it's for gratitude.
There's different ways you canfeel gratitude.
We can feel grateful for everysip of water you have.
There's some places where peopledo not have water, you can be
very grateful that you had achoice of food to have in your
stomach today.
Not everyone has that choice.
You may feel grateful thatyou've got a roof over your
(12:00):
head, not everyone has that.
That's not to say that youshould feel guilty for having a
roof over your head, it's moreabout being grateful, but then
also sending healing, love, andsupport to those who don't.
Because you know what?
Life can change in an instant.
One day we're high, and the nextday we can be having trouble.
(13:04):
So I always think compassiongoes a very, very long way in
all of this.
So we have, as a recap, we'relooking at how to be more
soulful.
So soulful is about going withindeepness, some depth, but some
rich and nurturing qualities.
We've released, we reflected,and now we're preparing for the
(13:28):
light of the new year, which iswould you believe it, at the
time of recording this, fiveweeks away.
So in five weeks from recordingthis, we will be in a new year,
the new year of 2026.
(13:48):
But of course, you might belistening to this podcast
several years down the line,which was quite interesting to
know.
So if you are, thank you.
So, preparing for the light.
So, as we come up to the wintersolstice, it's it's a time of
new beginnings, and thatsolstice isn't gonna be until
(14:12):
around the 20th of December.
I always seem to think it's the21st, right?
But it's like kind of around the20th, 23rd, depends kind of
what's going on in the sky.
So, if you want to know fromlike uh if you like looking at
the stars, etc.
The solstice happens when theearth is tilted from its
(14:38):
farthest point from the sun.
So the northern hemisphere istilted away from the sun, and
the sun's rays hit the part ofthe earth at a much shallower
angle, hence why it leads toless daylight in this part of
the world.
(14:58):
But obviously, if you're in thesouthern hemisphere, the
situation is the opposite, andyou are experiencing the summer
solstice where there's the mostlight.
So the solstice is kind of avery I would say right, it's
kind of like the the tippingpoint in a good way where we've
been in this kind of darkness,and and of course the winter
(15:20):
will continue here for a fewmonths after that, but then it
becomes the rebirth because thelight, the days start to very
gradually start to get longer,or like I said, if you're in the
um opposite hemisphere, thesouthern hemisphere, they'll
start to get shorter, like so.
(15:41):
It's the opposite, and and whathappens is it gives us the time
to really rest.
So if you need a bit of extrasleep and you're on vacation,
take that bit of extra sleep.
If you feel like you need to sitand read a book or do something
really nurturing instead of likegoing out partying, then that's
(16:02):
probably what your body needs.
What about like some wholesomeroot vegetable stews brings to
mind and comforting cups of hotchocolate and warm blankets?
So the cycle of the light isafter the solstice in the
northern hemisphere as the daysbegin to lengthen.
(16:24):
So just think if it's a tiny bitof like really stuck elastic, so
it's it just starts to pull verygently and as it gets longer and
longer, but it'll still be verydark for a while, it'll be so
subtle you won't really noticethe difference, and it's about
preparing for a brand new andfantastic new year.
(16:50):
So, as I was saying earlier,it's a time that we can start to
prepare for the new year, andI've done this before in episode
13, but on season 17, and thetitle is From Resolutions to
Mindful Transitions MiniThoughts.
(17:11):
How do you want to be rebirthedas the new version of you for
2026 or whatever future yeahyou're listening to us?
What are the foundations thatyou wish to set?
Now I know they're very popular,like these mood boards, but I'm
quite a visual person, and Ilike to do one in Canva, you
(17:35):
know, Canva, the software thing,but I'm sure there's loads of
other ones, and you can just putthem in different sections.
But please listen to episode 13on season 17, and that will give
you full details of how to dothat.
But just to give a kind of briefthing on this, what is it that
your heart wants to sing withthis year?
(17:55):
What is it that you wish toachieve?
What limitations do you wish toovercome?
And you can start thinking aboutthis, and maybe in another
journal, just start writingideas down, and then if you want
to, you can create that dreamboard in Canva.
And I try and approach it from anormal kind of fluffy way, in a
sense that you've got to do abit of the work, you can't just
(18:20):
make a dream board and thenexpect everything to happen.
It's a fine balance betweenaction and no action.
Here's some things I just wantto leave you with.
Make time to care for yourself,make sure you drink enough
water, make sure you get enoughrest, make sure you set
boundaries.
So obviously, there is going tobe family commitments, but also
(18:41):
make sure you set boundaries sothat you have some time for
yourself, so everything inbalance, find a time to be
quiet, so it's a really specialtime to meditate and go within.
If you can get to a soundhealing bath, there's so many
gong things these days, thatmight be a wonderful way for you
(19:05):
to start.
Yeah.
If you listen to my previousepisode with Lindsay Makovic
from season 7, episode 11, whichI did on the Psaltice a few
years ago.
That meditation at the end is anactual sound healing experience,
so do have check that out.
So the whole month will bethemed towards helping you
(19:28):
navigate through this wonderfulmonth of December, and it is
when my heart just to helpspread a bit of joy to help you
chip away those things that kindof hold you back, but also help
you see and love yourself as thebeautiful being you are.
I want to encourage a wonderfulmeditation now to help you step
(19:50):
into your darkness in a sense ofgoing within, like you're going
back into the womb, this senseof renew, and at the end of this
meditation, we will come intothe light.
So it's a contraction and thenan expansion of the being.
As promised, here is yourmeditation inspired by today's
(20:14):
show.
Top tips for the meditation iseither sit nice and cross-legged
on the floor with a nicestraight back, always nice to
sit on a block or a cushion, orthat's not available for you.
You sit in a chair with the backnice and straight.
The important thing is you'renot slouching.
And if you're doing somethingthat requires little
concentration, all you need todo is just pause this and you
(20:36):
can reconvene the meditation ata time that is good for you.
If you're doing the meditation,let's begin.
So we're going to use animaginary meditation.
So as you close the eyes, justmake sure that you're nice and
warm and you're in a comfortableposition.
(20:59):
And just imagine a cold starlitsky.
SPEAKER_00 (21:09):
And then imagine a dusk just before it gets dark.
And imagine the first rays oflight just as it becomes
morning.
(21:37):
But we will start this journeynow as we close our eyes.
SPEAKER_01 (21:43):
It is the time of dust.
SPEAKER_00 (21:48):
The last of the birds are flying frantically to
find their place for the night.
SPEAKER_01 (22:03):
For in the distance, the sound of an owl.
But this place is safe for you.
Even though it's dark and cold,you are wrapped up in some of
the warmest clothes.
(22:23):
So you feel really comfortable.
The ground is quite crispybetween your foot and the
ground.
As the coldness creates almostlike a starlit path of frost.
(22:49):
The holly tree is rich with redberries, a sign that it's going
to be a cold winter ahead.
There's a kind of coldness tothe mud on the outer edges of
this path, but you take slow,calm steps.
(23:11):
And as you walk along, you seethe most beautiful little shed.
This shed is like a cuddle fromthe universe.
It is warm and it is comforting.
(23:32):
And it has a sign on it.
Please meditate here.
Your intuition signals how safethat you feel.
How safe in your being as yousit down on the soft woolen
cushions.
SPEAKER_00 (23:51):
There is a faint scent of frankincense.
SPEAKER_01 (23:59):
And beside you is a flask of hot chocolate made with
ever milk that you findcomforting.
For we all have differentpreferences.
And you take a sip from thisimaginary hot chocolate.
SPEAKER_00 (24:18):
And as you take a sip, you remember that this is
the time to release and let go.
SPEAKER_01 (24:47):
And the rhythm has a reassurance that makes you
reflect on a time in your lifethat you were very proud of
something that you had achieved.
And that thought comes into yourmind without having you having
to elaborate, you just feel it.
(25:09):
Next, you feel something comeup, just like a gentle cough,
that you wish to release fromyour year, and you just think it
for a moment, but then you don'tdwell on it, you just allow it
to go and you blow it with yourhand, and it floats out of this
shed.
(25:34):
And then in the sky, the moon, abeautiful full moon, casting
even more beauty and magicalsparkles across the landscape as
you watch it from the shed.
And this moon, as it rises intothe sky, is a sign of your the
frutations of the year, and itis a symbology of what you
(26:00):
should be proud of as you'veachieved over this past year.
And then just as quickly as itcomes, it is gone, and you're
back in the darkness.
But this darkness has awomb-like quality where you feel
safe and you feel nurtured, andwithin this darkness, you
(26:24):
picture a flicker of light infront of you as a sign of the
new year that is about to becomein the next four weeks, or
whenever you're listening tothis, and that light grows and
grows and grows until it'sapparent what it is that you
(26:48):
wish to shine your light on forthe coming year.
And you just allow yourself tofeel this, remember it, and
allow it to be within.
And now there's nothing to dobut just simply breathe and
relax for a bit longer.
For this is a time when we tendto get up, but I invite you to
(27:09):
be slow, steady, and calm.
And then you're going to slowlycome back into the moment, come
back into the room, knowing thatthis is going to be a soulful
December.
Thank you for listening.
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