Winter Solstice: Embracing the Light and Shadow of the Season

Daltoninthesnow — Dalton in the snow enjoying the apricity

Winter Solstice, Apricity & Umbrosity

The Winter Solstice Highlights The Dance of Light and Shadow: Apricity and Umbrosity

Saturday is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year.

There is a poetry to the way the world balances itself—how warmth and coolness, light and shadow, embrace and retreat.

These sensations stand as quiet metaphors for a duality: apricity, which means being warmed by the basking light of the sun in winter, and its opposite, umbrosity which refers to the cooling shade that soothes us in the midst of summer’s heat.

Apricity is a quiet reassurance, a promise that even in the most dormant times, the sun’s warmth persists.

Apricity reminds us to seek moments of grace and gratitude, even when the world feels cold or still. It teaches us to savor the little warmths that sustain us—a kind word, a fleeting connection, or a spark of inspiration.

Then there is umbrosity, its counterpart, the shadow of a tree’s canopy. It is the universe’s way of tempering intensity, reminding us that moments of respite are as essential as those of vitality.

The Balance of Harmony

This interplay of apricity and umbrosity mirrors the ancient philosophy of yin and yang from traditional medicine.

Yin, often associated with coolness, quiet, and rest, complements yang’s warmth, energy, and light.

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that embracing both aspects is essential for maintaining physical and emotional health.

Winter, a season of yin, invites us to slow down, reflect, and nurture the quieter aspects of our lives, preparing for the more active, yang-dominant energies of spring and summer.

Together, these aspects form a delicate balance—a dance of duality. Two energies that work in harmony, and remind us that both aspects are vital to our growth and well-being.

5776475806522506819 — Sterling, Massachusetts. Photo courtesy of Chip Brown.

Winter Solitude

Winter offers a unique opportunity to embrace solitude and introspection. Studies suggest that taking time for quiet reflection can enhance emotional well-being and resilience.

For example, research from the University of California indicates that periods of solitude can reduce stress and improve mental clarity.

The slower pace of winter aligns with these findings, encouraging us to turn inward, honor our emotions, and process the year’s experiences.

Traditional medicine also emphasizes that winter is a time to conserve energy, build strength, and nurture the kidneys—the body’s root of vitality in this philosophy.

Consider how this balance appears in your own life.

Do you allow yourself to bask in the light when it’s offered, soaking in the moments of apricity that bring you joy and clarity?

And equally, do you honor the times of umbrosity, stepping back when the world feels too intense, finding solace in the shadows where you can gather strength?

The Wisdom of Nature

Nature, in all its wisdom, models duality beautifully.

In winter, the sun’s warmth is a gift to gravitate toward.

In summer, we embrace the coolness of shade.

Both sensations ground us, pulling us into the present moment with their tactile reminders of the world’s care.

Nature teaches us to embrace the ebb and flow, the give and take, that defines a balanced life.

Feel the warmth when it’s there, lean into the shade when you need it, and trust that the interplay of light and shadow is shaping something beautiful—both within you and all around you.

Authors

Madeline Cunningham, LAc

Maddy is the COO and Co-Founder Rêve Health. She is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist,functional medicine provider and certified hypnotist. After spending her early professional life working at a successful hedge fund, she became fascinated in understanding the connection between the mind and body, pursuing degrees, certifications, and mentorships in various forms of medicine.
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Julie Elaine Brown

Julie is the CEO and Co-founder of Rêve Health. She is a serial entrepreneur, accredited investor, and marketing strategist. She ran and sold a funded ecommerce wellness retreat company in 2012 and then started a strategy & transformation consultancy serving Fortune 100 clients. She has a Masters degree in Journalism from Northeastern University and a B.A. in English Literature. As a former Journalist, she is an avid researcher and reader. She enjoys hiking, biohacking, walking her dog, travel, wellness retreats, and watching sci-fi.
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