In the Northern Hemisphere, the nights have been getting longer and the days have been getting colder!
While we may start to truly notice the daily shifts come autumn, the winter season is upon us. This has many important origins.
Take a peek into what it means for you!
What is a solstice?
For many people, the words equinox and solstice pop up and bring back memories of childhood science class. Some fancy terms for something that doesn’t affect your life, right?
Wrong. They do.
Equinoxes and solstices mark the beginning of a season. The spring and autumn equinoxes mark the onset of their prospective season, whereas the summer and winter solstices correspond to theirs. Solstices are especially notable, as they mark the longest and shortest days of the year. In essence, they signify how life on Earth changes in connection to the Sun and how our seasons shape our world.
When a solstice occurs, the Sun reaches its absolute highest or lowest point relative to our celestial equator. Earth’s celestial equator is the massive imaginary circle that corresponds to our actual equator. Fun fact: The word solstice means “the Sun stands still” because that is what actually seems to occur during a solstice point from our perspective on Earth.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice is especially notable from a planetary level, as it signals the official beginning of the coldest season in the Northern Hemisphere. During the winter solstice, the Sun appears to stand still at the southernmost point of the equator, also known as the Tropic of Capricorn. Finally, it will begin to start its journey north again. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year with the longest night of the year and the official beginning to the winter season. The winter solstice always occurs on Dec. 21 or 22. Gradually going forward, the days will start to slowly grow longer.
How does the winter solstice affect us spiritually?
Many cultures, religions and spiritual traditions have honored the winter solstice. Often, this time of greatest darkness has encouraged humanity to gather amongst loved ones and celebrate the rebirth and return to the light. That is most notably found in many ancient religions and can be seen in festivals and holidays such as Christmas — which was originally based on Pagan traditions (not the birth of Jesus Christ, as many scholars will correctly point out). Feasts focusing upon gratitude and the offering of gifts have been celebrated for thousands of years. In fact, some are: Alban Arthan (Druidic), the Feast of Juul (Scandanavian), Dongzhi Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese) and Saturnalia (Roman). So, no, this isn’t a recent human development. You are a part of a long lineage of ancestors from all over the world who have celebrated at this same exact time.
In a spiritual sense, no matter your tradition, this is an ideal time to embrace your inner self and reflect on who you are and where you’d like to go. This is a perfect time for reflection, introspection and intention setting. Honor your stillness. Understanding one’s emotions, motivations and desires are crucial in order to manifest the life you wish to live. Mapping out a vision board and strategy for the year to come, often in the form of resolutions, can help you to get moving.
How does the winter solstice affect me in astrology?
In an astrological sense, the winter solstice marks the beginning of Capricorn season. Equinoxes and solstices correspond to the Cardinal zodiac signs — the leaders that initiate a new season. Capricorn is an Earth sign, and during this period of the year, we are reminded of how we’d like to build and establish our legacy. This often ties to public life, professional achievement and career goals, but is more far-reaching than that as a legacy is something that can be remembered even after someone has passed. During this time, we can strategize our plans, harness the Capricorn discipline and get to work!
When is the winter solstice in 2021?
This year, the winter solstice takes place on Dec. 21, 2021, at 10:59 a.m. EST. Light a candle. Be grateful for what you have. Dream of where you still wish to go.
Kyle Thomas is a globally recognized pop culture astrologer who has been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, ABC Television, Hulu, Bustle, Elite Daily, House Beautiful, Marie Claire, YahooNews, MSN and more. He is known for his cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives and prominent influencers. His work harnesses the power of the stars in regards to entertainment lifestyle and trends affecting people worldwide. For more information, visit KyleThomasAstrology.com.