Winter Solstice

It's had to ignore dark mornings, short days and dark afternoons at this time of year. Living in the northern hemisphere, we should be used to this. Maybe we are, and  seek solace and light in other forms; you have only to look at the many indoor and outdoor light decorations at this time of year.

As an astrologer, I’m aware – in a non-too-intensive way – of the movements of the planets. The Sun enters the sign of Capricorn on 21st December,  a widely known fact anyway, but it bears repeating because we all, myself included, need reminding of things from time to time. And it’s always good to reconnect with these cosmic events outside of ourselves in the face of the current Omicrom surge.

Acknowledging and connecting with the position of the Sun in relation to ourselves on Earth is something we can do relatively easily at this time of year, especially this year as we live with uncertainty under the speedily darkening shadow of Omicron.

On 21st December the Sun is at its furthest point away from the northern hemisphere, making this is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Meanwhile, down in the southern hemisphere the Sun is riding high in the sky as the exact opposite happens.

The winter solstice takes place in the deepest, darkest part of winter, when daylight is in short supply. Yet it is a festival of light which, in the northern hemisphere, coincides with Christmas. This Christian festival takes place at the same time of year as the pagan celebration of the solstice which celebrates the gradual and at first imperceptible return of the light of the Sun after the long days of darkness.

It’s the turning point of the year and marks the return of the light and the rebirth of the Sun (the Son in Christianity…?), together with the promise of the warmth and energy the Sun brings to make crops – essential to life – grow once again after the earth has lain dormant. Goodness knows, we need a bit of light and promise right now.

This is the time of year when people of all faiths, and none, can express their connection with the earth, our life upon it in relation to others we meet, our life upon it in relation to the other living creatures we share it with, and our place in the solar system.

It's a time when we can share the warmth of friendship at this turning point of the year and bring some light and joy into our own lives and the lives of others.

What  could you do at this time of year to bring a little light into your own life? Could it be time to nurture yourself spiritually? To look further than the superficial materialism of Christmas? What could you do?

Be kind?     Light a candle?     Call a friend?   Get in touch with someone you've not contacted for a while?    Perform a random act of kindness?   Take a risk and smile at strangers as you walk down the street? Listen to some music which touches your soul and warms your heart? Get out into nature, walk in it, connect with it, observe it, appreciate it?

If you begin to express some warmth of spirit, it's likely to be mirrored and come back to you. A random smile often begets a smile in return. A friendly word to a stranger often brings a friendly response in return.Try it!

Greetings of the season to everyone out there, and may the warmth of friendship be wrapped around you at this time of year. We need it more than ever this year, this solstice.