This time of year is one of celebration in many faiths. The Northern Hemisphere seasonal bias means many end of year celebrations are tied to winter rituals honouring the low point of the Sun, the darkest point in the year.
Different cultures celebrate the light, to honour the returning of the Sun, who starts to rise higher in the sky from the winter Solstice on.
My 2013 stars are now available in the WellBeing Astrology Guide.
In Australia, winter customs, like bringing an evergreen tree inside and stringing it up with lights, or roasting a turkey or ham for a special meal, continue, even though outside it’s hot and bright – and really, midsummer! If you’d like to read more on celebrations and seasons, you might like my previously published piece ‘Holidays and Holy Days’.
Whatever the season in your neck of the woods, astrologically, it’s the Solstice which marks the energetic turning point of this time of year. The Solstice (‘sol’ – sun and ‘stice’ standing still) occurs at these times:
Solstice
December 21, 10.12pm Sydney
December 21, 6.12am Toronto/New York
December 21, 11.12am London
The 2012 December Solstice occurs under a dynamic First Quarter Aries Moon, which suggests action and progress in the season ahead.
The days right before and just after the Solstice are ideal for doing, as the energetic Aries Moon demands decisiveness and action.
At the Solstice, which occurs when the Sun enters Capricorn, the Moon is in a strong trine to Mercury, adding curiosity and a social quality. If you’ve got catching up to do, or correspondence to organise, the 2012 Solstice support all kinds of communication.
Since the Solstice themes symbolise the season ahead (until the March equinox), this indicates ‘mental buzz’ and promises new connections, insights and breakthroughs.
Venus, now living large in adventurous Sagittarius, links to Jupiter, showing a generous quality. This can lead to OTT gestures, in love and with gift giving. Spoil the ones you love – but try not to scare those you don’t know so well by going overboard.
Jupiter’s greatest gift is mercy, and this may encourage compassionate giving, like charitable donations or helping out at food shelters.
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Of course, since Capricorn is a cardinal sign, the Sun entering Capricorn means it will align with Uranus and Pluto, thus stepping into the thick of the Uranus/Pluto square.
The Sun/Uranus energy peaks on, you guessed it, December 25/26 showing some quirky, chaotic or unpredictable influences on Christmas Day itself. Keep your plans flexible and your options open – it’s an ‘expect the unexpected’ kind of energy.
The Sun/Pluto energy emerges on December 30/31, creating an intense energy to NYE. Be firm about what you do or don’t want to do. It also offers transformation as a theme heading into the New Year.
In whatever ways you’ll be celebrating, may your days be merry and bright.