Winter Solstice: 22nd Seasonal Node (December 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026)

December 21, 2025 marks Winter Solstice, the 22nd of the 24 solar terms and the deepest point of winter.

This is the moment when Yin is at its peak and Yang begins its return. Though the nights are long and the days short, this point marks the turning of the wheel, the very first spark of increasing light that grows stronger each day, it's the beginning of Yang’s awakening.

The theme of Winter Solstice is the return of light.

Psycho-Emotional Shifts

Yin is associated with inner reflection, depth, stillness and darkness. Darkness embodied by the solstice of winter isn’t something negative, it allows us to deeply rest. Like sinking into a soft pillow and experiencing a restful sleep. It offers relief from constant stimulation and gives the nervous system permission to let go. When the senses are less busy, the mind settles. From that stillness, intuition deepens and wisdom unfolds naturally.

What’s Happening in Nature

• Winter solstice marks the arrival of the coldest part of the year

• Birds of prey hunt small animals

Lifestyle:

• Continue foot soaking
  A warm nightly foot bath is a great self care practice throughout winter. Warmth travels through the Kidney 1 point on the sole of the foot and moves upward absorbing into the internal organs, connective tissue, muscles and bones. Once you start to sweat a little, you can stop, at that point the warmth has fully saturated the entire body.

• Keep your feet, head, neck, ears and lower back warm.

• Go to sleep early, and if you can wake up after the sun rises

Seasonal Diet (Five-Element Nutrition)

The dietary advice is mostly the same as it was for Slight Snow (read that article here, find the section five element nutrition) Continue with warming, nourishing foods cooked low and slow. Soup, stew, warming spices and root vegetables.

This is a recipe I really like. It’s full of flavor, gently warms the body and provides steady energy, protein, fiber, minerals and immune-supportive nutrients that are especially helpful during the colder months.

Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Stew with Miso

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 cup dry red lentils, rinsed

• 1 medium sweet potato, diced

• 1 carrot, chopped

• 1 celery stalk, chopped

• ½ onion, diced

• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• 1 Tbsp olive oil or ghee

• 4 cups broth or water (bone broth for even more nutrients)

• Sea salt to taste

• Optional: pinch turmeric or black pepper

• 1–1½ Tbsp miso paste (white, yellow, or red)

• Optional: chopped parsley or cilantro, drizzle of sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Warm oil or ghee in a pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté 4–5 minutes until soft.

3. Add ginger, cinnamon, and cumin; stir 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add sweet potato, lentils, and broth. Bring to boil, then reduce to gentle simmer.

5. Cook uncovered 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils break down and stew is thick and creamy.

6. Turn off heat. Scoop a small bowl of broth from the pot and stir in miso until dissolved. Pour it back into the stew and mix well.

7. Taste and season with salt. Garnish with fresh herbs and sesame oil before serving.
   Tip: Eat warm. Keeps 4–5 days refrigerated. Flavors deepen overnight.

Closing

Have a peaceful and healthy holiday season and a very Happy New Year!