Once again the wheel turns and a new cycle (spiral) of life unfolds as the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Saturday, December 21 at 09:21UT) marking the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere - the shortest and longest days respectively. For a couple of days the sun will be stationary before once more beginning its northbound journey, passing over the Equator on our spring equinox on March 20 marked by the sun's entry into Aries when the day and night will be of equal length.
For many millennia the solstice has been a cause for celebration around the world in all civilisations and long before the advent of the religions we know today the sun was worshipped for its life-giving energy. In the northern hemisphere the Scandinavians and Germans (anglo-saxons) aka the pagans labelled the winter solstice as Yule with many of today's Christmas celebrations emanating from these early traditions, most notably the Yule log. In Sweden they still revere the Yule goat (the symbol of Capricorn is the sea goat) as much as Santa Claus.
This is the time of year when we are all reminded to slow down - the official start of winter when certain animals hibernate is also a time when we should follow the sun's example and rest for a few days at least. My gift to you this Yule is a selection of classic songs featuring the word 'you'll' in the title, presented in no particular order (click to listen), which I hope you will find time to enjoy over the coming festive season:
and below one that is personalised to your sign (listen to sun/moon/rising if you can bear too!)
The lunar phase is a vital indicator of the area of life being affected on a day to day basis yet thousands of years ago the Mayan civilisation had its own method of interpreting the energy of each day - one of several sophisticated calendar systems, the tzolkin has 13 tones/numbers making a 'trecena' and 20 day signs.
A 260 day perpetual calendar which is still followed in meso america and which has spawned a modern day version known as the Dreamspell.