At the Threshold

A Solstice Ritual and an Invitation

My jaunty little table tree!

Today is the apex of darkness in the northern hemisphere. Tomorrow, we begin welcoming back the light. But it’s a slow process, with progress not terribly noticeable until early February.

I have a simple solstice ritual for you today, along with encouragement and a nudge to check out my end-of-the-year ritual.

A Solstice Ritual

Make a list of all the ways you can bring light into your being; pull out your list and do one of these activities when the days feel dark.

Here’s my list:

1. String twinkle lights across the back of your piano and writing desk;

2. Light candles in the early morning and drink tea by candlelight (not by electric light or the eerie blue light of the iPhone);

3. Stir spun honey into green jasmine tea, just a small bit on the tines of a pickle fork;

4. Hum favorite tunes from teen years (for me, this is the 80s)—you’ll welcome good vibrations without the need to remember lyrics you never really understood or digested … ahem:

   “You consider me a young apprentice/caught between basilla and comprendus/I will fru your passion gently linger/if you find me wrapped around your finger”;

5. Dance (and if you want to know how very good this is for your brain, just read/revisit this recent gem from Trish McDonald;

6. Sit by a window as the sun comes up in the morning or wanes in the mid to late afternoon (or both) while noticing what went well the day before (there’s always something);

7. Hula hoop (while you can, you must);

8. Get outside (walk, hike, ski, make snow angels) when the sun is at its highest point of the day;

   

   Photo credit (me); a snow angel made by the weight of my body.

9. Bake some cornbread (even if you’re not a baker, there are plenty of excellent mixes—I favor Bob’s Red Mill GF Cornbread);

10. Write a letter or two (get inspired by Tim Loftus’ Sunday letter-writing practice to his adult children);

11. Visit the Como Park Conservatory; AND,

12. Light a fire under your writing ass.

An Invitation

As an editor of Multiplicity, the literary journal of Bay Path University’s MFA program, I am so proud of the writing we publish. I hope you’ll read/revisit our 2025 Issue, Refuge, and I invite you to submit your writing to be considered for our 2026 issue, Thresholds. Submissions close on January 31, 2026.

Thank you for reading. I invite you to subscribe to receive monthly writing prompts and rituals. New rituals appear on the solstice and equinox months. Find more of my writing at www.heidifettigparton.com.

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