A Sacred Pause in the Turning Year
This has always felt like a sacred moment to me, a time when the year itself seems to take a breath. This Winter Solstice spiritual reflection invites a pause during the longest night, offering space to listen beneath the noise of the world.
Above ground, there is not much visible activity. Yet underneath, roots are growing vigorously. The same is true for us. We grow our own roots by creating fallow time in our lives, especially during this season. We go within for reflection and for deepening our spiritual principles.
This year, that inward turning feels especially essential. On a personal, collective, and global level. Everything feels accelerated, louder, and tighter. And so, the Winter Solstice arrives like a gentle breath. It reminds me that I do not have to meet intensity with more intensity. Instead, I can choose presence.
Winter Solstice Spiritual Reflection in a Climate of Fear
We are living in a climate of fear, and it is not subtle. Fear is amplified through headlines, conversations, and even our own inner narratives. It shows up politically, socially, economically, and environmentally.
Over time, it seeps into the body as tension. It enters relationships as reactivity. It settles into the mind as constant vigilance. Most of us recognize this pattern. There is the bracing for what comes next. The scrolling, even when we know better. The low-level hum of anxiety that disguises itself as simply “being informed.”
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New Thought Spiritual Principles as a Steadying Practice
This is where New Thought (Science of Mind and Unity) principles and practices feels like a lifeline to me, especially now. They remind me that fear is a condition, not a truth. It teaches that consciousness is creative and that thought is causative.
Importantly, this is not about bypassing or blaming. Instead, it is deeply empowering. If thought shapes experience, then awareness restores choice. Therefore, the invitation is not to deny what is happening in the world. Rather, it is to respond from principle instead of panic.
I am called to grow ever deeper into the Infinite Presence. From there, I can bring forth the inner Light.
Turning Inward Without Turning Away
Turning inward, I am learning, does not mean turning away. Likewise, grounding is not avoidance. I can stay informed and compassionate without being consumed. I can witness suffering without allowing it to overwhelm me or narrow my focus to negativity.
In fact, choosing a deeply connected inner stance in the face of external constriction is an act of quiet courage. It is not a single decision. Instead, it is a practice, renewed again and again.
And so, it helps me to focus on practical ways to pause.
Practical Ways to Loosen Fear’s Grip
When fear tightens in my body, I ask what thought preceded it. Often, awareness alone begins to soften the grip.
Then, I shift my focus from “What if everything falls apart?” to a deeper inquiry. What is the seed of truth buried in the heart of humanity that is quietly growing its roots during this time?
At the same time, I set boundaries with media, and with conversations that spiral without purpose. I also recommit to daily practices. Meditation. Spiritual Mind Treatment. Time in nature. Journaling. Walking without headphones.
These practices matter. They are not luxuries. Rather, they are how I remain available to wisdom instead of fear. This Solstice spiritual practice reminds me that even in seasons of contraction, something essential is rooting itself beneath the surface.
When the Light Quietly Returns
The Winter Solstice promises that the light always returns. Even when the change feels imperceptible, it is already happening. Small practices compound. In the same way, small shifts in perception create new pathways.
This is true internally. And it is true in how we move through the world.
At Spirit Tours, we often speak about sacred travel. Yet what calls me most deeply is the idea of intentional journey, both inner and outer. When we choose to step into spaces that invite reflection, reverence, and connection, we reinforce the truth that life is meaningful and beautiful, no matter what.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Petra Weldes is the Co-Owner of Spirit Tours. Dr Petra has served as the Spiritual Leader of CSLDallas since 1998. She is a gifted speaker, teacher, and interfaith leader who brings heart, humor, and insight to everything she does. Over more than three decades, her work has inspired thousands to live with greater joy and spiritual awareness.
An award-winning minister and author, Dr. Petra has led workshops and retreats around the world, helping people connect with their purpose and inner wisdom. She has also created courses on practical spirituality and co-authored three journals on living with joy. Through her teaching and storytelling, she creates welcoming spa
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