Astrology and the Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Like the Summer Solstice marks the longest day and our descent into the colder months, this special December event symbolises the rebirth of warmth and light, hinting at the forthcoming spring.
Yule 2020 is a particularly special Solstice astrologically. As usual, December 21st marks the sun’s ingress into Capricorn, but with it also comes The Great Conjunction. Jupiter and Saturn will cross paths, meeting at the point of Aquarius. Within this night, the power of the shift into the Earth sign of Capricorn will merge with The Great Conjunction of Aquarius, marrying the Earth and Air zodiacs in one night.
Saturn is the ruling planet of Capricorn, and brings with it: reservation; analytical thinking; and an element of pessimistic realism and limitation. Combined with the tenacity and prudence of the Earthly Capricorn, Saturn and the Winter Equinox blending their energies with Aquarius and Jupiter bring about a great, and complex, shift signifying change for our internal selves and our aspirations and opportunities.
Aquarius, as an air sign, and also ruled, in part, by Saturn, brings with it less hostile individualism, invention, and progress. Jupiter is associated with growth and healing, prosperity, luck, and hope. As these four astrological figures unite on the Winter Solstice, with it comes a powerful energy allying the assertiveness and motivation of the zodiac signs, self-awareness and personal boundaries from Saturn, and a sense of hope and growth from Jupiter. After the year we’ve all had, hope seems very much needed right now. No matter what might happen across the globe outside of our control, the stars and planets seem to be offering guidance in their own way, and bringing with them a sense of personal growth, healing, and optimism.
(Cross of the Zodiac)
A Brief History of Yule (Germanic Paganism and the Celts)
Celebrations of the winter Solstice stem back millennia. Across the globe, from the Celts, to the Nords, to Ancient Greek and Romans, communities have revered and dreaded the winter months and the cycle of the seasons.
The etymology of the word ‘Yule’ as we know it today can be dated back to Germanic Paganism, though it would be called 'Jól' back then. In Scandinavia, Yule was celebrated on the day of the winter Solstice (December 21st) all the way through to January. The celebrations of Jól/Yule toasted the passing of the cold winter months, and the impending fertility as seasons shifted to spring.
Across Germanic culture, the celebration of Yule had a focus on the ‘Wild Hunt’, or Oskoreia, where Gods and ghosts would soar through the keen, winter nights. Norse Pagans looked to Odin, also known as Jólnir, King of the Norse Gods, in many of their Solstice stories. In one particular tale, Odin, Balder, Tyr, Freyr, Njord, and Thor rode with Odin through the winter skies during the ‘Wild Hunt’ on their quest to battle a range of beasts over twelve days. This epic ride, which historians place at somewhere between the first or second century BC or fourth century AD, was prevalent before the influence of the Romans and pre-Christianisation of Paganism and could be one of the origins of the festive significance of 12 days over the winter Solstice period, though some might also argue the astrological significance of the 12 days.
(An illustration of an ancient Yule celebration, as seen in the German newspaper Die Gartenlaube in 1880. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/PUBLIC DOMAIN)
Other Germanic tales of Odin and the ‘Wild Hunt’ also exist, depending on the area in which the people were from. Actually, many exist, but I'm only focusing on two of the main Norse tales. In some, Odin would break from his wild storm through the night to deliver sweets and presents to children. One such tale shines a light on Sleipnir, Odin’s 8-legged horse, who was said to feed on grain and straw left in harvest fields. Children then took on the tradition of leaving boots near their chimney or in the doorway filled with treats for Sleipnir, a tradition still carried out in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
During these twelve days of Oskoreia, Odin-worshippers would feast, dance, and honour the Germanic Gods and the bounty they would bring from the hunt, which would sustain them throughout the cold, unforgiving winter months.
("Odin Rides to Hel" (1908) by W. G. Collingwood.)
Whilst Odin, Oskoreia, and the twelve days he spent hunting, are one old Pagan tale of the winter Solstice, and a reason for many Germanic people to celebrate, it is by no means the only Germanic tale of the Solstice and Yule, nor are the festivities limited to the Vikings.
It is suggested that European Pagans might have taken another approach to their honour of the Winter Solstice, with Celtic Pagans paying tribute to a different pantheon altogether. Whilst eventually Celtic Pagans were heavily influenced by Norse and Roman tradition, both of which would change the face of Celtic Paganism forever, prior to this, they had their own traditions centring on the Winter Solstice.
Some Celtic Pagans took another approach to the winter Solstice, observing the relationship between the Holly and the Oak Kings. To Welsh Celts, either the Holly or Oak King were always a reigning power, and the Solstices marked the change in power between the two sovereigns. The Summer Solstice (otherwise known as Litha or Midsummer) symbolises the reigning Oak King’s challenge from his brother, the Holly King. As summer slips into winter, and darkness wins the battle against the light, the Holly King makes the preparations to protect his people and the land against the cold winter months. The Holly King does this by going through the lands to hunt and harvest, gathering his bounty in a sleigh that is pulled by eight magick deer. During the celebration of the Winter Solstice, the Holly King gives these gifts of life to his people; in return, the people are supposed to provide care and comfort to his magick deer on the first night of festivities.
Once again, this isn't the only Celtic explanation of the Solstice, but for the sake of not turning this blog into an essay (though tempting), it is a brief overview to have a peek into the history of Yule.
(Image: © Anne Stokes)
The Winter Solstice (Yule as a Secular Witch)
The seasons changing is a tale as old as time, and throughout history, civilisation has tried to find explanations for the wonder of nature and the ways of the world. As a secular Witch, my personal practice does not revolve around any particular divination, but does still draw on the practices of old Germanic peoples and Celts, with a focus on reverence for nature. A big part of that, for me, is the changing of seasons and both the old and neoteric symbolism that holds. My preparation, ritual, and celebration look at honouring the circle of life, paying tribute to the cold, dark months as well as bright, bountiful seasons. My personal practice has a focus on energy and intention, looking at energy as both an outward intent and charge we put into the world, as well as an inner sense of our spiritual identity.
Usually, in Brighton, we have an event called ‘Burning of the Clocks’ where communities meet in a park to, well, burn big clocks and lanterns. However, with Covid, this is not happening. So, this year, the ceremony will be small and personal—though, as we are entering a zodiac with focus on solitude, it feels like the right thing to do.
I am going to be trying something I’ve not done before this Yule: bibliomancy. This year has been one of great literary growth for me—I’ve published my novel (The Fire Within My Heart), found my reverence for reading and literature re-sparked after many years, made the most wonderful friends in the writing community, and let myself be vulnerable by putting my work out for all to see. 2020 has been the year of education and growth for me, mainly on an inner-level, and most of this growth has come from finding myself in literature and realising the path of my passions leads down the road of English language and prose.
My mother, the wonderful woman she is, gifted me a set of pentacle earrings and spell candles; my dearest friend, Marnie, got me my first pendulum with a pentacle tip, so I am going to use this opportunity to bless and bind both beautiful items to me on this powerful astrological night. Using a black spell candle (for protection and absorbing negativity), I am going to go to the pond at my local park and meditate on the new items. Using the smoke of incense, water from the pond, fire of the candle, fresh air of the Solstice night, and my own energy, the ritual will be held with an intention to cleanse and bind.
May you all have the most wonderful Yule, whether you celebrate it or not. I truly hope the Great Conjunction aligned with a Solstice of hope and light reborn energises you and is the first step in positive change and growth.
Blessed Be, to you all, and Happy Yule.
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