As winter’s chill deepens and the days grow shorter, many of us feel a call to turn inward. It’s a natural rhythm, an invitation from the Earth herself to rest, reflect, and rekindle the light within. This sacred pause aligns beautifully with the energy of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year and a powerful portal for transformation. As I shuffled my Mystical Shaman Oracle deck this week, one card jumped out as though it had been waiting for this exact moment to speak: Soul Retrieval.

For those familiar with Alberto Villoldo’s work and this remarkable deck, you know that each card is a gateway to profound insight. The Soul Retrieval card is no exception. In shamanic traditions, soul retrieval refers to the practice of recovering fragmented parts of ourselves—pieces lost to trauma, pain, or disconnection. These fragments hold our vitality, essence, and power, and calling them back is an act of profound self-reclamation. This concept resonates deeply with the energy of the Winter Solstice, a time of profound inner work and renewal.

The Soul Retrieval Card: A Mirror for Reflection

The imagery of the Soul Retrieval card is striking. It depicts a luminous figure standing amidst a swirl of light and shadow, a reminder that our wholeness embraces both darkness and light. This is the work of soul retrieval: not to erase the wounds but to integrate them, transforming them into sources of wisdom and strength. The card’s guidance encourages us to explore where we may have left parts of ourselves behind—in relationships, old identities, or moments of grief—and to bring those pieces home.

When I first pulled this card, I was struck by its invitation to pause and listen. Where had I given away my energy or abandoned my truth? What parts of myself were still hiding in the shadows, waiting to be welcomed back with compassion? These are the questions the Winter Solstice also whispers, urging us to journey inward and honor the fullness of who we are.

Winter Solstice: The Sacred Pause

The Winter Solstice is a threshold, a liminal space between darkness and light. It’s a time to honor the cyclical nature of life and to trust in the promise of renewal. In ancient traditions, this night marked the rebirth of the sun, celebrated with rituals of fire and feasting. Spiritually, it is a moment to embrace our own rebirth, releasing what no longer serves and planting seeds of intention for the year to come.

There is something profoundly humbling about the longest night of the year. It asks us to sit with the unknown, to surrender to the stillness, and to trust that the light will return. In this way, the Solstice mirrors the process of soul retrieval. Just as we journey into the depths to recover lost pieces of ourselves, we also hold faith that the act of integration will bring new vitality and clarity.

Soul Retrieval and Solstice Symbology

At its heart, the Winter Solstice is about returning to wholeness. The same can be said for soul retrieval. Both invite us to reclaim what we’ve lost, whether it’s the light of the sun or the light within. Both ask us to honor the dark as a necessary part of the cycle, not something to be feared but something to be embraced.

Consider the symbology of the Solstice: the rebirth of the sun after the longest night. This parallels the journey of soul retrieval, where we bring light to the darkest corners of our psyche. In both cases, there is an alchemical process at work. The darkness becomes fertile ground for transformation, and the light that emerges is brighter, clearer, and more resilient than before.

A Personal Journey: Embracing the Shadows

As a therapist, I stumbled onto the process of soul retrieval while working with clients to unwind trauma, reclaim lost parts of themselves, and uncover dormant gifts and traits. When we experience events that overwhelm our nervous systems—what we often call trauma—it is common for parts of ourselves to fracture or fragment and become frozen in time. During soul retrieval, we take a journey back to those frozen moments to heal and reintegrate. 

Just as we have aspects of ourselves that have fractured off in this lifetime, we may also carry fragments frozen in time from past lives or the imprints of prior generations passed down to us. These inherited pieces can carry wounds, but they can also carry immense wisdom, waiting to be reclaimed.

This work is among the most vital we can do on the path to wholeness and healing. In the coming months, I’ll be offering a training on soul retrieval—first in the spring and again in the fall. For now, you can begin by tuning into what parts of yourself feel detached or hovering at the edges of your awareness. Ask which of these pieces are ready to come home and reintegrate with your whole being.

This process is not always easy. While it’s not necessarily complicated, it can be challenging and often works best with the support of a trained practitioner or professional. Be gentle with yourself. These parts of us are often ostracized, fearful, and cautious. This is not a process to force; it’s one to invite with care and compassion.

Sometimes, these fractured parts reintegrate with ease, as though they had only been waiting for the invitation. At other times, rebuilding the relationship takes patience and persistence. Softening the lines of communication and showing consistent kindness will help these pieces trust that it is safe to return. With time, they will come home, and you will feel more whole.

How to Work with Soul Retrieval and Solstice Energy

If the Soul Retrieval card resonates with you, or if you feel drawn to the energy of the Winter Solstice, here are some practices to support your journey:

1. Create a Solstice Ritual

Set aside time on the evening of the Winter Solstice to create a sacred space. Light candles, burn incense or play soothing music to set the tone. Reflect on the past year: What challenges have you faced? What lessons have you learned? Write down anything you wish to release and burn the paper as a symbolic act of letting go. Then, write down your intentions for the coming year and keep them somewhere that they will be a gentle daily reminder.

2. Journey Inward

Consider working with guided meditations or shamanic journeys to explore where you may have left parts of yourself behind. Visualize calling these pieces back to you, holding them in love and acceptance. Trust that you have the strength to integrate whatever arises.  It has been my experience that those aspects of yourself that are ready to be witnessed, worked with, and re-integrated will not be too much for your psyche or soul at that moment.  Trust in your internal wisdom during this process.

3. Honor the Darkness

Spend time in stillness, without distractions. This could mean meditating, taking a walk in nature, or simply sitting in the quiet of your home. Allow yourself to feel the depth and mystery of the dark, knowing that it is a source of wisdom and renewal.

4. Seek Support

If soul retrieval feels like a calling but you’re unsure where to begin, consider seeking guidance from a trusted healer, shamanic practitioner, or therapist. This work can be deeply transformative, but it’s important to feel supported as you navigate it.

5. Celebrate the Light

As the Solstice turns and the days begin to lengthen, celebrate the return of the light. This could be as simple as lighting a fire, sharing a meal with loved ones, or spending time in the sun. Honor the balance of dark and light within yourself, knowing that both are essential to your wholeness.

Closing Thoughts: You Are the Medicine

The Soul Retrieval card reminds us that we are not broken; we are whole, even in our fragmentation. The Winter Solstice teaches us to trust the cycles of light and dark, death and rebirth. Together, they offer a powerful message: that our journey inward is not just about healing but about remembering the truth of who we are.

As you navigate this sacred season, may you find the courage to embrace your shadows and the grace to welcome your light. And may you remember, as always, that you are the medicine and the magic you have been seeking.