The Nourishment of Deep Yin: A Winter Solstice Reflection

June 21st marks the Winter Solstice here in Australia — the moment of deepest Yin, where the Earth rests, and the light begins its slow return.

This is not just an astronomical event.
It’s an invitation.

An invitation to Remember. 
To rest. Reflect. Nourish.
Who are you without the constant striving for more, to be or have or do more...

The Wisdom of Deep Yin

In Chinese medicine, Yin is the energy of quiet, depth, dark and stillness.
It governs our fluids, our fertility, our sleep, our capacity to receive.

Winter is the season of the Kidneys — our core reserves, our ancestral essence, our inner fire.
At the Solstice, we’re invited to stop drawing from those reserves — and instead, begin rebuilding them.

This is the time to turn inward, to soften, and to allow the body to rest and receive.

But nourishing Yin doesn’t mean deprivation.
It means pleasure, warmth, slowness, and deep listening.

Nourishment Is Pleasure

So many women have been taught to fear pleasure. To associate food with guilt, rest with laziness, and desire with indulgence.

But in truth, pleasure is a form of medicine.
A slow-cooked soup.
Clean your space for yourself - as if you had a queen come to visit.
A long steamy bath with rose petals and lavender essential oil

As luxurious and as s-l-o-w as you can — this is the very pathway to restoration.

Queens don't rush.
Have you seen a women in her true power rushing around?

When we nourish with presence, space and time we feed more than our body.
Your very being becomes alive to a different kind of more.... 

Winter Solstice Ritual: A Simple Return.
Take as long as you wish. No rules.

Preparation.

A nourishing quiet space

A candle or dim lights

A delicious warm drink

A journal & pen

Favorite relaxing music

Favorite music to move your body

Begin at dusk.

A. Light your candle and sit with intention.

Find your breath. Be warm.

Fill your body with ease.

B. Ask yourself gently:

“What am I tolerating?”

Let all the things surface ...

“What is the one thing that if I allow to float away would make all the difference?”

C. Write. Listen. Move. Cry. Let the quiet darkness guide you.

Don't think too much - there's no judgement.

It doesn't even have to make sense.

Movement is deeply healing when we recognise the truth.

D. Time for your moving music

Allow your body to move as she wishes...

Especially your spine 💜

Closing Invitation

Solstice weekend, may you honour the power of slow.

May you feed the parts of you that no longer want to push.

And may you remember that you are worthy of rest, warmth, and pleasure

— just as you are.

Always.

With deep Love,
Dr. Anny Fodor
Chinese Medicine, Somatic Embodiment, and Women’s Seasonal Wisdom