Winter Solstice 2026 – An Invitation to Tidy and Clean Up

Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Summer Solstice to our friends in the Southern Hemisphere! Wherever and whenever in the world this article finds you, this is an invitation to clean up your space and surroundings. Before you do anything else, clean something up in your physical space or on your calendar.

As we close out the calendar year of 2025, the Solstice also marks a new beginning point for the next part of the yearly cycle. There are many traditions and ways of looking at yearly or moonthly cycles. For this article, I’m focusing on there being 4 quarters to a year. Sure, you can look at these quarters fiscally if you would like ;). From Winter Solstice until around March 21st, the Spring Equinox, we will be in one quarter of the year. From March 21st to June 21st ish is another quarter of the year, from Equinox to Solstice. Again from around June 21st Solstice to September 22nd Equinox we have another quarter. And back around again from September Equinox to Winter Solstice.

The 4 quarters of the year is a way you can divide your year up for greater planning and alignment if it resonates with you. Sometimes when we do readings or planning for an extended period of time like the whole year, it can be easy to get lost in excitement and making big plans that we might not follow through with. The excitement is good and breaking down a larger vision into more immediate or smaller action steps or goals can be helpful.

Physically cleaning and organising your space or calendar helps free up space in your mind and energy. Try it and see if you notice a difference. Cleanliness and orderliness of space translate to your mind and psyche and overall flow of your life. Operating from a more clear physical space, we can have more free flowing clarity and inspiration as we reflect and plan.

Go ahead and tidy up before you read on! And no need to do a full on overhaul in your tidying, unless it truly feels good and supportive rather than draining and you’re not the type to want to tidy everything but it all gets taken out into an overwhelming mess. Pick one space that would give you peace to see order and cleanliness and start there, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just some more space for intuition and clarity to flow. If none of that feels good, just BE. Be and listen to what arises when there is no noise distracting what wants to arise from within you. Notice what is so strong it is able to push through the noise and distraction. Give yourself love, compassion and encouragement. Be a friend to yourself. And after you clean and tidy, or even as you clean and tidy, allow yourself time to be present and notice what arises.

So, as we begin our journey toward the Spring Equinox what are some qualities you would like to bring in or amplify in your life? What are the dreams and yearnings alive in your heart? In reflection, what had not been working for you and what would you like to let go of? What still needs closure or healing? Even though we are beginning a new calendar year and some are creating new year resolutions, energetically this is a time of quiet and reflection, thinking about the seeds we would like to plant and what needs to be done in preparation for the seeds and to ensure fertile ground. Apply this metaphor to any area of your life, goals, and psyche.

A collective message for us all is to know that we each have a higher and inner guidance that is lighting our way. You do not have to look outside of yourself for guidance. There are whispers and nudges guiding you all of the time and you need only tune in and listen. Sometimes a little spark of light is all that is needed to light the way and get momentum going. It’s ok not to see every single step as long as you see the next step forward and allow yourself to follow it with trust. The next steps will continue to be revealed as you go forward with faith. If you’d like a pick a card message with mantras and yoga poses, I made one for you here.

The collective numerology of 2025 was a 9 which means endings and culmination. 2026 is a 1 which means new beginnings and the beginning of a new 9 year cycle. We all have our own personal numerology along with the collective but the point is we are in a collective energy of new beginnings. In the Chinese Zodiac, collectively we are moving from the year of the snake (transmutation, shedding old skins) into the year of the Horse (power, momentum, full speed ahead). Along with power and speed, horses have a heart field that can encompass the entirety of the human energetic field and wrap it in love and healing, as in horse therapy! Perhaps there is a message here for us as well. What comes to mind for you? I am not an expert in numerology or Chinese Zodiac but I appreciate the energy and teachings from many traditions. If you’d like more information on the numerolgy and your personal numerology for 2026, see this youtube video by The Gem Goddess. If you have a great source for Chinese Zodiac information you are welcome to share!

And if you have been feeling sick or under the weather like so many, allow yourself to rest until you fully recover. If you have options that allow you to rest, use them that’s what they are there for. If you are blessed with sick pay or someone to help you, allow and receive that. Sickness can be an opportunity for reset and greater alignment going forward. Nurture and nourish yourself always. Nurture and nourish your loved ones if you are well and have a full cup to pour from. Keep your cup full by prioritising your health and wellbeing. Do you know what this looks like for you, to prioritise your health and wellbeing? Go ahead and reflect. And again, clean and tidy up! As you clean, allow any poisons or sickness from 2025 or beyond to be acknowledged, cleansed, maybe even loved, and let go of. If any mindset, belief, practice, way of living, relationship, eating, anything, has not been helping you and moving you toward greater alignment and wellness, it is ok to let it go. Know when something can be benefited from more care and trying and know when the best benefit is to move forward and stop giving energy to something.

If you’d like to work with me on your total wellness, book a free consultation to explore ways Ayurveda and holistic wellness can help you. Holiday sale pricing is available through January 11, 2026.

P.S. any Southern Hemisphere readers here? Leave a comment, I’m curious!

Cheers to you and your wellness, now and always!