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Winter Solstice: Embracing the Light and the Dark through Celtic Wisdom

with Aisling Richmond, Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, and Simon de Voil

Friday, December 18, 2026

4-6pm Ireland

11am-1pm Eastern

8-10am Pacific

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New life stirs unseen beneath the surface that only emerges when we learn to soften and surrender.

Program Description

You are warmly invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice with us. Rooted in ancient Celtic tradition, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night in the northern hemisphere. It is a sacred threshold- holding the polarities of light and dark within its holy embrace.
 
As we align with this turning point, we are invited to enter the fertile stillness of this darkest time of year, rich with quiet potential. New life stirs unseen beneath the surface that only emerges when we learn to soften and surrender.  
 
Together with Simon de Voil, Deirdre Ní Chinnéide and Aisling Richmond, we will take a holy pause and immerse ourselves into the blessings that await us through meditation, movement, and music. These offerings are woven to create a cloak around you, bringing sanctuary, warmth, and gentle illumination within the embrace of community.
 

We will turn on closed captioning during the live Zoom session (which you are able to turn off in your settings if you find distracting) as well as provide a video recording with closed captioning available and a text transcript of the session within 24 hours. You will be sent a notification when this is ready to view.

You have lifetime access to all online programs.

Your Guide for the Journey

aisling

Aisling Richmond

Aisling Richmond is a Somatic Therapist and transformative guide who is deeply inspired by nature and the wisdom of the soul. Aisling is currently undertaking a PhD in Psychology and Transformative Leadership to work with cultural change. She shares a home with her partner in the rugged wildness of Donegal, North West Ireland. Aisling works as a therapist, supporting people to resolve trauma and life challenges through body-psyche-soul wisdom. She also mentors people in finding their deep soul purpose, and teaches a rich range of transformative programs online.  Aisling is passionate about soul centred living, where nature and the feminine are deeply valued. Having worked collaboratively with many organisations including Amnesty International, Aisling has also been a guest lecturer with both Galway and Limerick Universities. AislingRichmond.com

Deirdre

Deirdre Ní Chinnéide

Deirdre Ní Chinnéide trained as a psychotherapist/ spiritual director and workshop facilitator, Deirdre has worked all over Ireland, the U.S.A, Australia and Europe including Bosnia and Kosovo. She divides her time between the Aran Islands and the mainland offering retreats, workshops and performances of Spiritual Music. Trained in Ignatian Spirituality, she is also guest director at St. Beunos Jesuit Retreat Centre in Wales. She has composed two highly acclaimed CDs of Spiritual Music: Celtic Passage and I will Sing for you – songs to soothe the soul. Deirdre has published a book with her sister Mary Kennedy Journey to the Well Connecting to Celtic Ways and Wisdom (Hachette Publications). She is director of Slí Aonghusa retreat centre, Inis Mór Aran islands. Further details CelticPassage.com

 

Simon de Voil

Simon de Voil

Reverend Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith-interspiritual minister, sacred musician, spiritual counsellor, and chaplain. His sacred work—both musical and interpersonal—explores themes of the inner landscape of the soul, the enchantment of the natural world, and the healing power of spiritual practice. As a chaplain and counsellor, Simon helps individuals and groups connect sacred presence with everyday life.

Simon lives in Scotland and is delighted to be called a stay at home monk and a “trans grandpa” to queer and trans youth. SimondeVoil.com

 

Registration

Your registration constitutes an agreement with our online program Terms and Conditions below.

Please read our Financial Access Policy. 

We offer a sliding scale of 3 fees for payment. The reduced fee is for those who need financial assistance and the sponsorship fee helps support our ability to offer scholarships. In an effort to keep this program accessible, please carefully consider both your own resources as well as honoring the expense, time, and energy required to run these programs and keep our work sustainable. Thank you!

Please be careful to enter your correct email address when you register. 
Price displayed in USD.

$45

Standard fee

  • The standard fee for the program
  • Keeps our programs sustainable
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$60

sponsorship fee

  • Includes added donation to support scholarships
  • THANK YOU for supporting our scholarship program!
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$30

reduced fee

  • Includes partial scholarship
  • Select this only if you require financial assistance
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If you are in need of additional financial assistance please fill out our Scholarship Request form. 

Terms and Conditions

Please consider your purchase carefully and review the many free materials we have on our website to make sure the program will be a good fit or get in touch with any questions.

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