Dec 21, 2018
Tomorrow is a Big Day! Find Out Why!

The end of this week brings with it two very significant cosmic occurrences. Friday, December 21 is the start of the winter solstice and Saturday, December 22 is the last full moon of 2018. The moon will appear completely full on the 21stthough. The winter solstice and the full moon will not be this close occurring to one another again until 2094!

And as if it couldn’t get any more magical, the Ursid meteor shower will also be visible in the mid-Northern hemisphere on the 21st.

The full and new moons and the solstices have long been celebrated and revered by many different cultures, communities, and tribes around the world. Whether you have tapped into your spiritual side or not, this dual event is a special opportunity to appreciate the beautiful raw energy and power of our moon and sun.

This full moon, known as the Full Cold Moon and the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year is a particularly perfect time to reflect and set your intentions for the new year to come. This full moon is also rising in Cancer, which will evoke excitement, positive change, and pleasant surprises according to Astrology King.

The winter solstice is a time to embrace quiet energy and reflection. It is an opportunity to examine our past year and put into motion the changes that we want to make within ourselves.

This is a time of personal awakening, if you allow it to be. It is a great time to rid yourself of anything that is no longer serving you well. It is a time for patience and rest. “Nature teaches us that resting and drawing inward for a time, is present in all living things. Rest is necessary for growth that comes later in the season,” according to Mystic Mamma’s short interpretation of the significance of the winter solstice.

The events and expectations that accompany the Western celebration of the winter holidays aren’t always conducive with rest, patience, reflection, and quietness. However, even taking just the night of the winter solstice and full moon to come back to the self and honor the universe and your place in it will have immediate and long-lasting benefits.

This sacred day can be celebrated all day long as the short daylight hours are just as special as the long dark moon-filled night. Rituals can include anything from journaling about your past year, writing down your intentions, sitting outside and watching the moon rise into the sky, seizing the sunshine by spending the day at the beach, creating a candle-lit space for a meditation, or just embracing a few quite moments in stillness and solitude.

Make sure that you look to the east behind Playa Grande once the darkness has settled to see the full moon rise above the mountains and into the clear December sky.

If you happen to be in Playa Grande tomorrow evening, Stacy Jane and Travis McClure will be hosting a pranayama (breath work), yin yang yoga, kundalini meditation, and intention setting gathering at the RipJack Inn yoga shala from 6 to 8PM. This is an extraordinary opportunity to join other open-minded individuals from the local community and abroad in a shared full moon and winter solstice celebration. I encourage everyone to join, as it will be a gathering you won’t soon forget!

RipJack Inn
Come one come all!
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Dec 10, 2018
What to Pack for Summertime Activities in Playa Grande, Costa Rica

While Costa Rica is not in the Southern hemisphere, the months from December until May are considered summer months here. Summer equals sun and winter equals wet in Costa Rica.

These months, and especially December, January, and February you can expect 100% sunshine and 0% chance of rain. The mornings and evenings are cool (mid-70’s) and the middle of the day is blazing hot but dry and usually accompanied by strong offshore winds.

Summertime is such a great time to visit Playa Grande that most people actually plan their vacations here during these months. What’s great about visiting Costa Rica during the summer is that the weather forecast is very consistent. This makes packing quite simple.

To make it even more simple for you though, here is a breakdown of the essentials you’ll need for various activities you will likely participate in while in Costa Rica.

Water activities

Summer in Playa Grande
Summertime is a great time to SUP in Costa Rica

You are most definitely going to want to spend a lot of time in and by the ocean while in Playa Grande. There are so many wonderful ways to spend the day with the sea including surfing, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, sailing, and kayaking.

While the sun is always very strong in Costa Rica due to the closeness to the equator, the summer months are especially intense because there is very little if any cloud coverage.

It is of the utmost importance that you regularly apply sunscreen and protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Wearing a rash guard or sun shirt and a hat is a really easy way to help ward off a painful sunburn.

Land adventures

Horseback riding in Playa Grande
Blue skies and endless trails

When you are not basking in the sunshine down by the sea, there are plenty of other types of activities to do during your vacation. Taking a tour of the Tamarindo estuary and mangrove forest, exploring one or more of the nearby national parks, going for a horseback ride, or flying through the canopy on a zip lining excursion are just a few of the activities that are readily available for your sheer enjoyment.

You’ll want to protect yourself from mosquitos and other insects, abrasion-causing foliage, and the sun while you are out adventuring.

  • Lightweight pants
  • Lightweight long or short sleeve shirt
  • Insect repellent
  • Comfortable hiking or walking shoes
  • Re-useable water bottle

Wellness activities

Wellness in Playa Grande
The perfect environment for a wellness escape

The yoga shala at the RipJack Inn has mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, and towels. All you need to pack is breathable and stretchable yoga/fitness clothes that you feel comfortable practicing yoga in; the rest is available for you.

Sunset, Happy Hour, and Dining Out

sunsets in Playa Grande
Sunsets are always magical in Playa Grande

The proper attire for sunsetting, happy houring, and dining out is whatever your heart desires. There is no dress code! With the dry air and steady breeze of summer, the nighttime temperatures are quite pleasant. If you are someone who chills easily, you might want to bring a shawl or something lightweight to put on.

 

 

 

 

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