The winter solstice is upon us, and with it, the longest night of the year. As sunlight fades in the Northern Hemisphere, warmth must be made and self-reflection sought.
What is a solstice?
The solstices signify how life on Earth changes in relation to the Sun and how our seasons determine and define us.
When a solstice occurs, the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point relative to our celestial equator.
The winter solstice, as the name implies, marks the beginning of winter and the point in the year when the sun reaches its lowest point, directly above the Tropic of Capricorn.
Solstice is a marriage of the Latin words for “sun” and “to stand still.” The winter solstice equates to the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Winter’s sun-burnt, popcorn-flecked sister, the summer solstice, celebrated on or around June 21, coincides with the longest day and shortest night of the year.
What is the winter solstice?
During the winter solstice, the Sun appears to be still at the southernmost point of the equator. From this point on, that death star by boat begins its journey north again. As we move deeper into this season, daylight will gradually increase as the sun pulls us towards spring.
How does the winter solstice affect us spiritually?
Many cultures and spiritual traditions have long honored the winter solstice.
This time of greatest darkness has encouraged humanity to come together to celebrate rebirth and the return to light.
The winter solstice coincides with several pagan holidays and traditions, before Christmas, including but not limited to the Germanic Yule, the Punjabi Lohri, and the Roman Saturnalia.
A prehistoric megalithic structure, Stonehenge, was built to connect with the sun at the solstices. At the winter solstice, the sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle.
Yule: when Christmas was scarier than ho ho ho
For inquiring minds, the pagan Yule of Yore was significantly less merry and 100% more goth than the Christmas we know and decorate today.
For the people of the past, Yule was the time of year to close your doors and light your hearth, lest you go out and catch the wild hunt of Odin, a mystical beast led by his one-eyed, raven-shouldered father. .
According to myth, during the dark days of winter, Odin thundered across the sky on an eight-legged horse pursued by the hounds of hell and the disembodied spirits of the dead.
Yes.
The pagan Yule of yesteryear was significantly less merry and 100% more goth than the Christmas we know and decorate today.
Evidence of hunting was, as you can imagine, a very bad omen. However, many scholars believe that the wild hunt informed our modern construct of Santa Claus and his annual gallavant across the night sky.
In a tremendous flash, Odin grew fat and his right eye returned, the eight-legged stallion gave birth to eight reindeer, and the zombies rematerialized as elves. Christmas really took off the balls and put on her bells on that satanic sounding holiday ride, but that’s how it goes.
Some other remnants of yule include mistletoe and the tradition of decorating the fir tree.
However we come down, the celebration of the solstice weaves us into the lineage of our ancestors who have observed the fading of the days and the rebirth of the sun for centuries. The winter solstice ushers us into the season of Capricorn, and the ibex is synonymous with tradition, emotional heritage, father time, and all that lasts.
In a spiritual sense, regardless of your tradition, this is a season for it reflect on who you are and where you want to go. This is a perfect time for introspection and goal settinglighting fires and observing rituals.
Honor the stillness, seek solace in the darkness, and hope for the light of brighter days to come.
How does the winter solstice affect me in astrology?
As defined, the winter solstice marks the beginning of Capricorn season.
The equinoxes and solstices correspond to the cardinal zodiac signs – the leaders, starters and goers who launch each new season.
Capricorn is an Earth sign, and during this time of year, we’re called to ask how we want to be remembered as we shrug off the proverbial mortal coil.
This legacy can relate to public life, professional achievements, creative endeavors and career goals, but it can also relate to the imprint we leave on the world and the people we love when we leave it.
During this time, we can reflect on where we’ve been, take a look at where we can still go, and set our sights on investing in what will last us.
When is the winter solstice in 2024?
This year, the winter solstice takes place on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 4:19 am. EST.
Light a candle. Be grateful.
For our recommendations on how to observe this holy stillness, see here.
Astrology 101: Your Guide to the Star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and reports irreverently on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. She is also an accomplished writer, having profiled a variety of artists and performers, as well as recounting her experiences while traveling at length. Among the many intriguing topics she has tackled are cemetery etiquette, her love of dive bars, Cuban Airbnbs, a “girl guide” to strip clubs and the “weirdest” foods available abroad.
Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured on Access Hollywood, E! Entertainment, NBC & ABC Television, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Hulu, Bustle, Elite Daily, Marie Claire and more. He is known for his cosmic guidance to celebrities, business leaders and prominent influencers. His work harnesses the power of stars in relation to entertainment lifestyles and trends that affect people around the world. For more information, visit KyleThomasAstrology.com.
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