The Birth of New Beginnings on this Winter Solstice

As the days grow ever-shorter, we know we're getting closer to the Winter Solstice - the longest night of the year.

With less light than any other day of the year, we could look at it from a negative perspective as a "dark day."  But the Winter Solstice, or Yule, is actually a day of tremendous celebration!  It marks the turning point when the days will finally begin to lengthen again and we begin the journey back to warmer, brighter days.  In ancient traditions of cultures all over the world, the Winter Solstice is recognized as the Victory of the Light emerging from darkness, the Return of Hope, Joy, and Promise of better times to come, and the Birth of the Sun!  

So it’s kind of an important day of the year.

And in this year, 2020, particularly so as we get to witness a once in a lifetime event (for most of us) - the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn - that just so happens to fall on the Winter Solstice.  This return of the "Christmas Star" on this turning point in the year is being heralded as the opening of a door to unprecedented transformation and revolution.  The beginning of a New Time for All.  

So, again, kind of an important time here on Earth.

But is it really the Christmas Star?

There has been a lot of hype and confusion about the "Christmas Star," so perhaps this will offer some clarity.

Jupiter and Saturn are the largest, brightest planets in our Solar System.  And once every 20 years, they appear close in the sky from Earth's perspective in what is known as the Great Conjunction.  Astrologically, the meeting of these two celestial giants has always sparked an elevation in the collective consciousness and wholly new beginnings.  The simultaneous illumination and clearing of what holds us back (Saturn) with expansion and acceleration into new growth and new possibilities (Jupiter).  If you reflect on 2020 and look back to the years 2000, 1980, 1960, 1940, etc., and what was happening at those times, you may see a pattern.

What makes this one particularly significant about this one is that it's the closest visible one since the 1226 A.D..  In fact, they will only be 0.1 degrees apart (the equivalent of 1/5 of a Moon), which to the naked eye, will make them form a "double star," or an exceptionally brilliant light that stands out in the night sky if weather condition permit you to see them.  And thus, it is being called the Christmas Star, as it's believed that a similar conjunction (perhaps between different planets, but possibly between Jupiter and Saturn) produced the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to Joseph, Mary, and their new son, Jesus.  A Star that continues to be a symbol of Hope, Joy, and Peace even unto this day.

So is it just a coincidence that this major celestial event is happening on the Winter Solstice in the hour following sunset, just days before the celebration Christmas, at the tail end of 2020?  Anything is possible. I'll let you be the judge. And no matter what you believe, I wish you Happy Holidays and all the Best to you and yours!