Daylight shrinks to ten hours
How are you spending this winter solstice?
I’m writing this on the eve of the winter solstice, one of my favourite days of the year. The southern hemisphere has reached its maximum tilt away from the sun and here in Western Australia the daylight shrinks to ten hours and three minutes. There is a sense of resting. Returning to self. And there’s a promise, for as surely as the earth has moved away from the sun, on Monday morning she will begin her journey back in the other direction. Energy and intention gather and the season of turning inward becomes one of rebirth.
In this wild kind of year where the news cycle (and our attention span) gets shorter and more chaotic, an opportunity to rest and reflect is welcome. Many cultures have traditions to mark the solstice and depending on your religious or spiritual beliefs you likely have your own. In the past I have hosted dinner for friends – usually a soup night, sometimes a small bonfire. One year I promised a “pot of soup, dancing & enjoying the sisterhood, and a ritual burning” which raised some eyebrows but was well-intentioned. (Paid subscribers: read to the end and you’ll find the recipe for the soup I served at this event!) A feast and a ceremonial fire provides a point of light and life to usher out the dark, and I find myself hoping it works on a metaphorical darkness as well. This year my celebration will be small and quiet. Perhaps at the beach, probably in my garden. There will be a swim; for whatever else happens on the shortest day of the year, the swim is the foundation of the ritual.
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A school of mermaids celebrates sunrise on the winter solstice
Diving into the ocean shares similarities with the solstice celebration of renewal. When you plunge headfirst into that cold, salty water, the blood in your extremities contracts to your core to protect the vital organs. On exiting, all that blood rushes out to fingertips and toes in something like a physical reboot – or rebirth. Whether there is a conscious pausing to commune with nature or not, by proximity to the great blue spaces your worries will be calmed, and, even if it’s just a few seconds between teeth-chattered conversation, there is a quiet mindfulness.
What will you do to mark the solstice?
I’d love to hear about your winter solstice swims – especially if you’re in the northern hemisphere.
Until next time.
Stay salty,
Katie xx
Flotsam & Jetsam
I’ve been a little quiet on Substack this month because I’ve been working on something behind the scenes. One Wild Ocean is a place for ocean swimmers & lovers and will be launching soon.
I was couch-bound with the flu last week so took the opportunity to watch a bunch of ocean-related TV. Here are some things I enjoyed:
Blue Planet (2001)
When I was reminded it was made in 2001 I felt old. However, David Attenborough has a style of natural storytelling that does not age. There is so much fascinating life out there in the ocean.
Bouddi Wild Swim (2023)
A documentary about a marathon swim along part of the New South Wales coast. Ocean swimmers are mad and I think I’m ready to sign up for another crazy challenge…
Sea Fever (2019)
Classic sci-fi horror with a small group of complicated characters in a leaky boat and adrift on the Irish sea with an unknown creature hunting them down. Is it Oscar-worthy? No. But it was entertaining.
And finally, for paid subscribers, here is the recipe for ‘Summon the Light Soup’. I make this by feel rather than a strict recipe but I’ve done my best to write it down for you. Please let me know if there is anything I have missed, or if something doesn’t make sense. May it be a useful (and delicious) addition to your winter soup collection!
