The Reason for Winter. Winter Solstice on December 21st marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It’s the threshold of winter, a time in the cycle of nature for rest, recuperation, and going inward. Astrology helps us understand how to flow with the predictable, repeating cycles on earth and in the heavens.
What irony! For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter comes ‘round when we are most holidazed: eyes glazed over with lights, legs running to malls, and hands wrapping packages. Sun in Sagittarius—late November till the Winter Solstice—is perfect for this festive mood. (Santa can only be a Sag.) But once we hit winter, we need to slow down to a dull roar. Whatever your beliefs, fulfillment during this season comes from letting in more light and making space for your own rebirth.
Celebrating the Seasons. For over 20 years, I have been celebrating the changes of seasons with a wonderful group of spirited women called the Solsisters. I want to share two of our most potent Winter Solstice rituals with you. I call them “astrologizes,” because these exercises keep us in-sync with celestial cycles and the true inner calling of winter. They produce insight, warmth, and renewal. We’ll start today with the Ceremony of Recognition.
Ceremony of Recognition. Women tend to acknowledge themselves too little. Grab a pen, paper, and go to a quiet place. Ask yourself the following questions about 2009. Consider each one thoughtfully, and take whatever time you need:
- What was your proudest accomplishment?
- What baby steps did you take toward something new?
- What giant leaps?
- What did you do that you deserve credit for?
- How did others recognize you?
- How did others not recognize you in ways you wish they would have?
- How were you disappointed? (It is important to recognize our disappointments.)
If 2009 had a name or a title phrase, what would it be?
Later, if you’d like, you can expand on this exercise and decide how to recognize yourself. Some ideas:
- Start a scrapbook of your annual accomplishments. Embellish it with photos, cut-outs from magazines, letters, and mementoes about the things that were special.
- Start a plaque. Go to a store such as Things Remembered and actually engrave on a plate your biggest kudo for each year.
- Put your accomplishments in a special box on slips of paper. When you’re in a blue mood or just need a lift, draw one like a tarot card and add to the box as they happen.
Write them up in fancy print on beautiful paper and frame them with a great title, like 2009: Thank Me’s!
Share the Wealth. Comment and share the results with your Spirited Women community.
Part 2: My next post will cover the second important “astrologize,” Burning the Old. Get ready to get rid of anything unwanted in your life from 20 lbs. to a worn attitude!
- Joyce Maseon - www.joycemason.com
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Joyce Mason has been an astrologer for over 20 years and a writer ever since she could hold a pencil. Her trademark is insight with humor. Learn more about Joyce, her two blogs, and her library of articles on topics from A to Zzz (astrology to dreamwork) on her Writer Joyce Mason website. Don’t miss her spirited living blog, Hot Flashbacks, Cool Insights or her astrology site, The Radical Virgo.
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