The December Solstice is the winter Solstice in the Northern hemisphere - the day when earth’s axis tilts the hemisphere furthest away from the Sun. It’s the day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight.
In the Southern hemisphere, it’s the summer Solstice, the day of the year with the most hours of daylight.
Don’t confuse the Solstices with the Equinoxes – during the Equinoxes in March and September, the Sun is directly over the equator, and the length of day and night is almost identical.
Throughout history, the winter Solstice has been celebrated, because from this point onward, the days become longer.
Symbolically, the winter Solstice marks an awakening from slumber.
As the days lengthen, we feel as though winter is leaving us and we can sense that a return to spring is getting ever closer. However, spring’s not here quite yet.
Just as seeds lay dormant beneath the snow, we should look at the winter Solstice as a time to complete our own inner work so we can start to grow. It’s a time to reflect, take stock and get to know ourselves better.
Under the full strength of the Sun, the summer Solstice symbolizes light, ascension, and the culmination of a spiritual journey.
It represents the triumph of light over dark and it also speaks to us about the abundant gifts of nature all around us at this time of year.
The summer Solstice is a period of fire and high energy – the peak activity point of the year for the natural world.
However, by its very nature, with the days starting to shorten, it’s also a time of change. It’s time to gather what will be needed during the shortening daylight hours ahead, and to make plans to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy during the second half of the year’s cycle.
Astrologically, whether you are in the Northern hemisphere or the Southern hemisphere, this Solstice marks the arrival of the Sun into Capricorn.
Over the next three months, the Sun will move through Capricorn, then Aquarius, then Pisces – in an esoteric astrological sense, this reflects the completion of the soul’s journey.
Of course, each of us completes this esoteric journey through the zodiac signs many times in a lifetime, if we’re lucky; but each time we complete it, we learn something new.
At this time of year, each Sun sign is at a different place in the esoteric cycle, depending on which astrological house the Sun transits.
Each Sun sign will experience the energies of this Solstice in a slightly different manner, and the symbolism of the winter or summer Solstice should be factored in, – but for each sign, the experience is about aligning with the next stage in your spiritual growth.
The December Solstice for an Aries (Aries dates: March 20 – April 19)
During the coming months, Aries, your task will be to learn how to translate your own material success into success for those you love, and in turn, for the wider world.
Having figured that out, you’ll also be learning how little any of it really matters – it may sound paradoxical, but the biggest lesson this season has to teach you is a spiritual one – let go of attachments.
The December Solstice for a Taurus (Taurus dates: April 20 – May 20)
For you, Taurus, this Solstice marks the start of a period when you’ll be figuring out your place in the world and exactly how you fit.
Only once you understand how to escape the boxes people want to put you in will you be able to find personal success, and then to use that personal success for the benefit of your loved ones and the world around you.
The December Solstice for a Gemini (Gemini dates: May 21 – June 20)
The Solstice marks the start of you taking another go at losing your identity, Gemini – but in a good way!
This is all about merging with another soul on a deeply emotional level, so you become one with each other. Master intimacy at a soul level now, so you can emerge to re-assert your own identity in a stronger, healthier manner.
The December Solstice for a Cancer (Cancer dates: June 21 – July 21)
The Solstice holds up a mirror, Cancer, to teach you how your actions affect and are affected by others.
Obviously, this applies most to your love life and your family, but interpersonal relationships of all kinds both touch you, and are touched by you. Work out how to relate better to people, so that moving ahead you can learn how to love truly, madly, deeply.
The December Solstice for a Leo (Leo dates: July 22 – August 21)
The Solstice for you, Leo, is about learning to be of service to others. Your own ego needs are strong and it’s not always easy for you to put yourself out, even though you have a generous heart.
During this period, you’ll be figuring out how to put the needs of others first, even when that’s boring, unrewarding, annoying, or difficult.
The December Solstice for a Virgo (Virgo dates: August 22 – September 21)
For you, Virgo, this Solstice takes you right back to your teenage years. Whether or not you were a rebel when you were growing up, you get to be one now.
Use this energy to challenge the boundaries, break the rules, and stay up late. You’re naturally quite a conventional person, but it’s only by breaking the rules that you can fully understand the value of having the rules in the first place.
The December Solstice for a Libra (Libra dates: September 22 – October 22)
This Solstice harks back to your younger years, Libra, when you were, hopefully, at the center of a loving family. If you were, journey to the past now to re-learn the values your family instilled in you.
If your childhood was not a happy one, harken back to it anyway – with help and emotional support – so you can forgive and release yourself from its chains.
The December Solstice for a Scorpio (Scorpio dates: October 23 – November 21)
For you, Scorpio, the December Solstice marks the start of a period when communication will be exceptionally important. You’re starting to learn that it’s not only what you say that matters, but how you say it; and also, what you don’t say.
Pay more attention to the subtleties of communication now, so you can better get your message across to those you love – and those you don’t.
The December Solstice for a Sagittarius (Sagittarius dates: November 22 – December 20)
It’s quite a sensual Solstice for you, Sagittarius. You’ll want to experience everything with all of your physical senses and abilities.
From love to good food, warmth, comfort and luxury, this is a time for exploring what makes you feel safe and loved. Once you know that, go out of your way to provide the same thing for others.
The December Solstice for a Capricorn (Capricorn dates: December 21 – January 18)
For you, Capricorn, this Solstice is symbolic of your very birth, and the resulting onslaught of noise and sensory stimulation can feel a little overwhelming.
Take this stage of your spiritual growth slowly. You’re learning something new daily, even though it may feel difficult, awkward or chaotic. Small steps will get much better results than trying to rush ahead.
The December Solstice for an Aquarius (Aquarius dates: January 19 – February 17)
This Solstice is one of the most spiritual points of the year for you, Aquarius, and you sense its connection to death, the afterlife, spirituality and the universal consciousness.
You have nothing to fear from this moment, but it will make you sharpen your psychic and esoteric senses. Be aware of the vibrations all around you.
The December Solstice for a Pisces (Pisces dates: February 18 – March 19)
The December solstice reminds you that we’re all in the same boat, Pisces. Just like you, everyone else in the Northern hemisphere is tired of the cold and the dark and wants the light to return.
What you may not yet have realized, however, is that you yourself are a light-bringer. Shine a torch into the world using your love, your compassion and your knowledge, and help other souls to move forwards in step with you.
