The moment the Sun enters in the sign of Capricorn, December 21st at 9:11 am Pacific time, the season of winter officially begins here in the northern hemisphere. In many cultures throughout the world, primarily before the arrival of modern western culture, this date was honored as the start of a new solar cycle. Solstice means, “standstill” and in this case the pausing of the movement of the Sun southward, from the perspective of us earthlings.
This standstill of the Sun was not only marked by ancient cultures but honored and venerated as time to welcome the return of the light of the Sun. It is a time to celebrate and welcome the return of the light to the Earth and be thankful for this very precious and life-giving gift. At the darkest hours with minimum light, the Sun finally begins its trek northward due to the north pole of the Earth tilting back toward the south. South of the equator it is Summer Solstice.
At this time in our history, Winter Solstice is signifying the continuance of the Turning of the Ages and marks a step forward in humanity’s evolution of consciousness. We are part of a 72-year window that holds the alignment of the galactic plane and the ecliptic (the path in the sky where the Sun “moves”) with the point of Winter Solstice, It is the Galactic Cross (one at each Solstice) meeting the re-birth of the Sun/Solar Cycle. It is an extra-special rejuvenation point for humanity and the planet Earth. This 72-year window is part of a “Great Year”, which represents a 26,000-year span of linear time. This is akin to a enormous, organic clock constructed by the Universe orchestrating an opportunity for all of humanity. In all, we are about to begin a new Great Year and hence a new stage of evolution on all levels and planes of existence. For more on the Winter Solstice point, I would refer you to my colleague, Cayelin Castell with her article, Mysteries of the Winter Solstice.
At this time also, there are some important and potent alignments and events happening between now and the next few weeks:
The night sky is of great importance not only to Shamanic Astrology, but to humanity. Our connection to the stars, planets and the moon cannot be overstated. They represent our connection and help us understand the cycles of the Earth and our individual/collective life at all phases through archetypal energy, myth, gravity, light and time.
- Dec 20th, Venus goes Retrograde in the sign of Capricorn
- Dec 21st, 9:11 am Winter Solstice on the Pacific Coast
- Dec 25, Moon and Mars are in conjunction in Libra, forming a loose Grand Cross with Jupiter in Cancer, Uranus in Aries and Pluto/Sun/Mercury in Capricorn
- January 1st, 2014, New Moon conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn
- January 8th, 2014, Jupiter and Mars are in Exact Square
Many blessings throughout the holiday season!
Erik 12.20.13
erik@inspiralnexus.com
971.404.7117