Episode 247 - The Magic of December

All about the energies and magic of December plus a few December holidays to highlight. Correspondences: Crystals: turquoise, onyx, bloodstone, blue topaz  Animals: elk, horse, stag, reindeer  Flowers: Narcissis  Deities: Jupiter, Artemis, Rhiannon, Thor The sun is in Sagittarius until December 22. Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. Moon Phases December 1: new moon in Sagittarius December 8: second quarter moon in Pisces December 15: full moon in Gemini December 22: fourth quarter moon in Libra December 30: new moon in Capricorn December Ancient Holidays: Saturnalia (December 17-23) - a major Roman festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. Brumalia (December 24 - December 25) - a Roman festival celebrating the winter solstice, overlapping with Saturnalia. The festival honored Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry, and involved feasting and drinking. It was a celebration of the lengthening days and the return of the sun. Sol Invictus (December 25) - Sol Invictus, or the "Unconquered Sun," was a festival dedicated to the sun god Sol. Celebrated on December 25th, this festival marked the rebirth of the sun as the days began to lengthen. It was a significant holiday in the Roman Empire and is thought to have influenced the choice of December 25th for Christmas. Kalikai (December 15 - January 15) - Kalikai was an ancient festival celebrated in the Middle East, including parts of Mesopotamia and Anatolia. The festival was associated with the rebirth of the sun and the end of the darkest period of the year. It involved celebrations, feasting, and offerings to gods and deities associated with the sun and fertility. Feast of the Nativity of Mithras (December 25) - Mithras was a deity from the Persian tradition who was adopted into Roman religion. His birthday was celebrated on December 25. The festival of Mithras celebrated the birth of the god of light and truth. It was part of a broader Mithraic tradition that was influential in the Roman Empire and shared themes with other December festivals. Wild Hunt (December) - In Norse mythology, the Wild Hunt was associated with the Yule season and was believed to be a ghostly procession led by a god or spirit. December Modern Holidays: Yule (December 21) - Yule, or the Winter Solstice, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is a celebration of the rebirth of the sun and the gradual return of longer daylight hours. Dongzhi Festival (December 21 or 22) - The Dongzhi Festival, or Winter Solstice Festival, is celebrated in China and other East Asian countries. Christmas (December 25) - Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed by Christians and also celebrated by many non-Christians. Hanukkah (Dates Vary) - December 25 - Jan 2 this year - Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that typically falls in December, though its exact dates vary each year according to the Hebrew calendar. Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1) - Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage, founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Omisoka (December 31) - the Japanese New Year’s Eve celebration, marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.  New Year’s Eve (December 31)