Saturnalia

Anybody who has been through any loss in life knows that such a profound feeling of grief only comes when we have experienced an equal amount of love. The darkest nights provide the most wonderful contrasting background for the brightest stars to really be appreciated. The coldest days make us appreciate the moments of warmth and comfort that we have. At this time of year, as we approach the Solstice, we can find hope in small victories when we take time to practice gratitude for even the tiniest of blessings. The moment when the sun ingresses from hopeful Sagittarius, into Capricorn encourages us to find our patience and to keep the faith we need in our own inner light to keep going.

There's something deeply comforting about the rhythm of the Solstice. Although for many of us, our bank balances and tolerance levels for our own family dynamics might find a year off a bit of a relief, this marker in the ever turning wheel of time is always a moment to celebrate. This celestial cycle mirrors the cycles in our own lives. Challenges will pass. Renewal will come. The Solstice invites us to trust in this natural order, to find comfort in its inevitability and to allow the wisdom of the universe to comfort us.

Saturn and the Solstice are more connected than they might first appear. Saturn rules Capricorn, the Cardinal zodiac sign that begins its reign at the Solstice. Capricorn is the zodiac's architect, embodying the spirit of determination, practicality, and perseverance. Saturn is the planet of order and rules. It represents perseverance, boundaries and structure.

The combination of Saturn's energy with the Solstice Sun is like a cosmic double-dose of encouragement to face challenges with hope, resilience, and focus. Saturn ruled Capricorn dictates when the Sun ends its decline in the Northern Hemisphere and brings back it's light for us.

First we must appreciate Saturn

Saturn challenges us to reflect on the foundations of our lives. Are they solid enough to support our dreams? Are our ambitions aligned with our deepest values? The Solstice deepens this reflection, urging us to consider not just what we're building but why. Together, these celestial energies create an unparalleled opportunity to recalibrate, refocus, and recommit to our path.

Saturn is the universe's no-nonsense life coach, an archetypal elder that teaches us about boundaries, responsibilities, and the rewards of effort. In astrology, Saturn governs structure, discipline, and the long road to mastery.

Saturn's influence often feels heavy because it deals with the most inescapable truths of existence - time and consequences. In mythology, Saturn (or Cronus in Greek mythology) rules over time itself, underscoring the idea that effort and patience are indispensable. Astrologically, Saturn's transits often mark milestones or reckonings, moments when we must confront unfinished business or step into a new level of maturity. Its lessons can be grueling but profoundly transformative.

Saturn can be intimidating, even fearsome, as it governs limits, rules, and delays. It teaches us to respect the natural order and warns against shortcuts. Yet its "restrictions" are ultimately liberating. By facing Saturn's challenges head-on, we gain wisdom, resilience, and the tools to build a life that endures. Saturn's enduring message is this: anything worth having requires effort, and the effort itself is what makes it worthwhile.

Capricorn Season

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, embodies the essence of the mountain goat scaling a steep cliff. Capricorn energy is unyielding, ambitious, and tireless. This earth sign is often seen as the zodiac's master planner, the one who takes dreams and turns them into reality with careful strategy and relentless perseverance.

As a cardinal sign, Capricorn thrives in initiating projects and pursuing long-term goals. While others might rush in with enthusiasm only to fizzle out, Capricorn moves methodically, ensuring each step is secure before advancing. The element of earth lends Capricorn a grounded, pragmatic energy, making this sign the zodiac's quintessential realist.

Capricorn energy thrives on achievement, but it's not merely about outward success. To a Capricorn, the journey toward mastery is just as important as the destination. There's an inner drive to conquer not just external challenges, but also personal limitations. Capricorns understand that the only competition is with themselves—the quest to improve, to be better than they were yesterday.

Capricorn excels in setting boundaries and upholding structure, both in their own lives and for those around them. This energy values respect, tradition, and the wisdom of experience. While they may be accused of being rigid or overly serious, their steadiness is a gift in a world often swayed by fleeting trends and momentary passions.

Capricorn's focus on achievement can sometimes tilt into workaholism or an excessive concern with status. There's a danger of becoming so focused on climbing the proverbial mountain that they forget to enjoy the view. This energy, when imbalanced, may also struggle with feelings of inadequacy, driving them to overcompensate with relentless striving.

Capricorn energy is a source of enduring strength and quiet wisdom. When harnessed, it teaches us to pace ourselves, to commit fully to our aspirations, and to value quality over quantity. Capricorn doesn't seek the fleeting; it seeks the timeless, leaving behind a legacy that inspires others long after the climb is complete.

The Festival of Saturnalia

Understanding the intensity of Capricorn energy and Saturn itself, gives a clue as to why the festivities of Saturnalia are so important. This festival turns ideas of working hard and following the rules on their heads. Our celebrations of Christmas still follow the ancient tradition of Saturnalia. We allow ourselves time to be frivolous, to indulge and to take things to excess. The hedonistic chaos of Christmas can feel a little meaningless in a consumerist society but what this celebration represents still holds powerful meaning. When we make our own light we remind ourselves of our human strength.

This sacred season isn't just about observing the cosmos or some strange, depressing capitalist festival of how much money can be spent on things to throw into the landfill. It's about participating in the rhythm of the year and choosing to find joy even when the world feels like a dark and gloomy place.

For Saturnalia, traditionally, role reversal feasts and celebrations were held which marked this point in the year not with serious ceremony but joyful celebration. How many times have you gone back to work in January, unsure of the day of the week, stuffed full of too much cheese, and felt appreciative of the structure of routine?

This is what Saturnalia is all about. Turning the usual rules about how many roast potatoes it is appropriate to eat on their heads and feasting until we get to a point where we are ready to truly embrace the role of Saturn, with its wise, dependable sensible influence, back into our lives. Turning things on their head and making time for play allows us to break the routines ruled by Saturn in order to really appreciate the order that this planet gives us. The gift this festival gives to all of us is the Saturnalian tradition of breaking from routine and seeing life through a different lens.