WINTER SOLSTICE, December 2023

WINTER SOLSTICE

“Oh, time is short and the days are sweet and passion rules the arrow that flies.” Bob Dylan

           December 22 is our shortest day, the day when our beautiful planet pauses, takes a breath and then swings the pendulum of the Sun back in the opposite direction. For the history of mankind this pause has been a moment of celebration, especially for the northern hemisphere. It represents the end of long dark days and the beginning of lengthening sunshine and warmth to come. The evidence of the importance of this time can be found in archaeological sites worldwide, sites where the precise moment in time when the Sun would begin its reverse path could be marked. This proves that people thousands of years ago saw a link between them and the sun. They include the Neolithic passage tomb of Newgrange in Ireland, aligned so the sun shines in for only a few minutes after sunrise on the shortest day of the year. Other examples include Stonehenge in England with its well-known connection to midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunset and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico where the Fajada Butte Sun Dagger heralds both solstices for about 20 minutes. During summer solstice the dagger of sun splits the spiral while during winter solstice two sun daggers frame the spiral perfectly, as seen in this picture. The Mesoamerican preoccupation with solar, lunar and planetary cycles and conjunctions is equally well known. These are only a few of the well-known, prehistoric sites for marking this important time of year.

          This important day, important to the survival of humanity living through long, cold winters in the north evolved into our day of celebration which we call Christmas. As our Sun, Mercury and Vulcan shift from the sign of the spiritual journey, Sagittarius, into the sign of Initiation, Capricorn let’s end our year with a note of joy, hope and celebration.

 Everyone: More blessings than challenges this month; watch for them!

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 20 – DEC 21
Planet: Earth

Dynamic: You may feel a shift from gabbiness to listening more.

Direction: It’s also called caring more.

Soul Thought: Caregiving with words also works.

CAPRICORN

 DEC 21 – JAN 20
Planet: Saturns

Dynamic: It’s a good time for reflecting upon your belief systems.

Direction: Heavy burdens can be lightened with such pondering.

Soul Thought: “Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been there.” Vine Deloria, Sioux

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 – FEB 20
Planet: Jupiter

Dynamic: Are you stuttering over something you need to say?

Direction: Review from both sides, inside and out.

Soul Thought: Some part of you knows.

PISCES

FEB 20 – MARCH 21
Planet: Pluto

Dynamic: You may feel you are being punished.

Direction: If you are between a rock and a hard place, sit on the rock.

Soul Thought: It’s the Law of Compassion, not punishment.