Posted: 12/22/2010 | Happiness	Comments
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This is a big week. We have Christmas, the winter solstice and a total lunar eclipse.

The winter solstice or Yule is when the sun is in its southern most position. For us in the northern hemisphere it is the shortest amount of daylight hours and the longest night of the year. Solstice rites are one of our oldest celebrations, dating back to the dawn of modern civilization some 30,000 years ago and were practiced among such diverse groups as Native South Americans, Celts, Persians, Orientals, and Africans. For ancient peoples, the winter solstice was an awesome, mysterious, and powerful phenomenon. It signifies the coming of the light and a big time for transformation.

Most sources indicate that the origin of the Christmas tree is generally ascribed to Martin Luther but other sources can trace it back further to the Yule celebrations. Since the winter solstice was a solar holiday, fire in different forms was closely associated with it. Burning the Yule log and candles were often lit to give the waning sun renewed power and also supplying sources of cheerful heat and light during the darkest part of the northern winters.

If you live in the US a complete lunar eclipse was visible on Monday night December 20th on the West Coast and during the early hours around 3:30 AM Tuesday December 21st on the East Coast. There are verses in the bible that can be interpreted to have meaning around lunar and solar eclipses. Lunar eclipses have been noted to cause the moon to appear "blood red" from the earth’s vantage point resulting in a connection being made to ghosts and spirits.

There will be a convergence of both the complete lunar eclipse and winter solstice. This has not occurred for over 450 years. Many have said this will be a powerful time for us to transform our inner and outer lives on our way to the possibilities of 2012.

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God’s gift of Light shining lovingly in the world. In the Biblical gospel of John (12:46) Jesus says, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” The light of the Star followed by the Wise Men, Christmas candles and colored lights … more light of hope shining in the darkness.

I hope that you have a wonderful Merry Christmas if that’s what you celebrate. If you celebrate something else, I’m wishing you the season’s best. As for myself, I will be cooking my traditional Christmas goose and celebrating with friends and family.

May the light shine upon you and in you this season ...
Blessings