MID WINTER SOLSTICE
This year the winter solstice occurs on Sunday December 22, at 04:19 GMT in the Northern Hemisphere.
In myth cycles to be found around the globe, the death of the year in winter was echoed by the death and rebirth of the Winter King ,also called the Sun King or Year King, a consort of the Great Goddess – representing the earth’s fertility.
The rebirth of her consort brought light back to the world, turning the seasons from winter to spring, also marking a time of new beginnings, cleansing the soul of sins and sicknesses accumulated in the twelve months passed. Time for cleansing and rebirth- getting rid of old patterns to start afresh with courage and conviction.
CHRISTMAS RITUALS
Many symbols we associate with Christmas today actually come from older ceremonies of the Solstice season. Mistletoe, holly, and ivy were gathered in for their magical potency by moonlight on Winter Solstice Eve, then used throughout the year in Celtic, Baltic and Germanic rites.
The decoration of evergreen trees can be found in a number of older traditions: in rituals staged in decorated pine groves of the Great Goddess; in the Roman custom of dedicating a pine tree to Attis on Winter Solstice Day; and in the candlelit trees of Norse Yule celebrations, honouring Frey and Freyja in their aspects of Hunter, Huntress, and Protectors of Forests. The Yule Log is from Norse and Anglo-Saxon rites; and carolling, pageantry, mummers plays, eating plum puddings, and exchanging gifts are all elements of Solstice celebrations handed down from the pre-Christian world.
Even the story of the virgin birth of a Divine, Heroic or Sacrificial Son is not a uniquely Christian legend, but one found in cultures all around the globe — from the myths of Asia, Africa and old Europe to Native American tales. In ancient Syria a feast on the 25th of December celebrated the Nativity of the Sun; at midnight the sun was born in the form of a child to the Virgin Queen of Heaven, an aspect of the goddess Astarte.
MEDITATION
GO WITHIN AND FIND PEACE
DEDICATE YOUR SELF TO YOUR SOUL PURPOSE
ASK FOR CLEANSING AND REBIRTH
RE-AFFIRM YOUR GOALS AND INTENT FOR THE COMING YEAR 2020
ASK FOR COURAGE AND RESOLVE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
ASK FOR GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.
GO IN PEACE XXXX
ENJOY THIS FESTIVE AND RESTIVE TIME X
WITH LOVE SUZANNA
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