The official midpoint of winter, Winter Solstice is the middle of the cold, dark, bleak season, which begins on Halloween (or Samhain).

Astrologically, the event is marked by the Sun moving into Capricorn, the final earth sign, so we can anticipate a shift in energy…

0º Capricorn: Winter Solstice

Broadly speaking we can consider Capricorn Season a time to contemplate longevity, to consider how we ascend and advance up the mountain, to climb and appear visible in the world at large – at the peak!

Capricorn is a Cardinal Zodiac Sign (like Aries, Cancer, and Libra), these are the turning points of the Zodiac Wheel that instigate, with motivation to take action; Aries with a fresh start and the intrepid passion for a new beginning, Cancer with the inclination to find security and place, Libra with the impetus to connect on an intellectual level, Capricorn to move towards longevity, sustaining tangible builds over time.

During Winter Solstice, the Sun is at its nearest point, closest to the earth’s equator and travels its shortest path through the sky. It therefore has the least daylight (it’s the ‘shortest day of the year’) – always occuring around December 21st, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn (a line of latitude circling the Earth).

This is a great time to feel a sense of traction and success, showing awareness of what you’ve strived towards – not only your career and vocation but the principles you uphold through the work you do and how you come across. Ways you evolve from your ‘starting point’ and towards a sense of accomplishment, advancing towards something that holds true to you – your true north!

Capricorn Season makes for an ideal month for reflection around our approach to our goals and ambitons. Meditate and consider your own approach to your reputation, and what’s been established over time…

This is definitely a year to bring light into the darkest corners – to announce our ability to overcome the dark shadows of winter with a bright, affirming warm glow.

Read more about how to celebrate Saturnalia, December 17th to 23rd here.

Quarter Days…

The Winter Solstice is one of the quarter days in the calendar, the other quarter days being:

• the spring equinox,
• the summer solstice (also called midsummer)
• and the autumn equinox (autumnal or fall equinox).

Yule – Mark The Moment!

Each of the four quarter days has a Solar Festival: Ostara, Litha, Mabon and Yule.

The Winter Solstice coincides with Yule, a celebratory (twelve day) festival that runs from the 21st December (Winter Solstice) through to January 1st. The Christmas and Christmas Day festivities we know and love are predated by Yuletide of Yule Time, this wonderful season of good tidings.

Why celebrate Yule Tide? Because you get twelve days with twelve presents!

Here are 5 ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice beautifully…

Or, go to all seasonal celebrations in the wheel of the year…