“The Great Conjunction is the end of the world… or the beginning. End, begin. All the same! Big change! Sometimes good, sometimes bad!”

— Aughra, The Dark Crystal

Sometimes the line between fact and fiction is razor thin, and fantasy becomes reality in the minds of creative dreamers. Myths based on the cosmos have been conjured for as long as time and continue to spark our imaginations. Whether a fantastical story written by Jim Henson or traits we identify with based on our birthdate, we create rituals around that which we cannot fully comprehend; way up in the sky, as well as deep in the earth. Our human nature also encourages us to mark our personal journeys with times to begin anew, to rest, and to inspire. The beginning of winter is such a time.

December 21, 2020 is a special date for several reasons. Keep an eye out for the Ursids meteor shower, but also, observe the rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. This great conjunction is not the alignment of the 3 suns of Thra, as in the Dark Crystal, which happens every 999 and one trine, but is a planetary meeting that occurs in our world every 20 years, and this event will be the closest since 1623. The 2000 conjunction occurred near the sun, making it difficult to observe, but in December 2020, Jupiter and Saturn will be much more visible if you look to the west shortly after sunset.

This cosmic phenomenon will also coincide with the shortest day/longest night of the year: Winter Solstice. The word solstice derives from the Latin sol ("sun") and sistere ("to stand still"), because the Sun's declination appears stationary. The pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (i.e., Yule or Midwinter) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. The annual celestial event is seen as the beginning of the sun's return, thus, rebirth is often celebrated. The ancient Romans, Celts, and Norsemen of Northern Europe all held their own festivals centered around “new beginnings” involving magickal plants, bonfires, celebratory libations, and feasts with close friends and family.

The observed correlation between solstice celebrations and the celestial event actually dates to long before the Vikings or ancient Rome. Stonehenge is the UK's most celebrated site for solstice celebrations, pre-dating all these ancient cultures. On Winter Solstice, visitors have the rare opportunity to enter the site for a sunrise ceremony offered by local pagan groups. Likewise, Newgrange in Ireland (one the most famous prehistoric sites in the world) is constructed so that at dawn on December 21, a narrow beam of sunlight illuminates the floor of the structure’s inner chamber, filling the long passageway with a bright shaft of sunlight. Sound familiar? In the Dark Crystal, the burning light focused towards Thra during the very first Great Conjunction is responsible for creating the Great Shaft and revealing the Crystal deep within the mountain. Similarly, the energy of the Winter Solstice supports magick related to transitions, new beginnings, and personal renewal. Ahhh… the power of light and alignment!

Speaking of alignment, the sun and stars at Midwinter will be positioned in a very beneficial way for our minds and bodies. While we enter this sacred time of rest, reflection, and nourishment, the sun transitions from fiery Sagittarius (the optimistic and spontaneous archer) to earthy Capricorn (the patient and steadfast sea goat). This transition will remind us that in the darkest hours, light will always return.

“The Sagittarius-Capricorn cusp is one of the most distinct and powerful of all cusp-crossings. It’s marked by the deeply meditative and magical winter solstice... This is when we’re at our darkest moment, but also when the universe reminds us that the light will return in a few months. That’s the perfect blend of Sagittarius and Capricorn energies—where hope and strength are in perfect balance.”
- Stefanie Iris Weiss, astrologer and author

Many herbs fit perfectly into the fire/earth transition and some are also commonly used in Yule rituals and as decor. Two customary methods of utilizing seasonal herbs are to blend them in hot tea, or to dry and light them as incense or in the form of smudge sticks. Either technique will arouse a feeling of warmth and grounding that will support you through the cold winter months.

White Pine (Pinus strobus): The pine tree represents rebirth and inner strength and the branches and cones are widely used in Yule decorations The plant innately corresponds to the element of fire because of its quickness to burn as well as its transformative nature, though its scent is earthy. The needles of the pine tree can be made into a tea and is an excellent source of vitamin C. Drink pine tea throughout the day to give your immune system a boost.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary is another evergreen plant that is very purifying. In fact, it was used as an embalming herb in Egypt and was considered sacred to the ancient Greeks. Rosemary increases circulation to warm the limbs and can stimulate memory centers of the brain! Burn it in an evergreen incense blend, or drink it in a warming tea to restore your body’s inner fire.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Chamomile is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs known. A traditional plant of the sun, and associated with many ancient sun deities (the flowers even look like tiny suns!). A classic herb to imbibe as a tea for curing digestive ailments, it is extremely calming and promotes a good night’s sleep due to its nervine qualities. Chamomile has also historically been used to brew beer.

Sage (Salvia officinalis): The name Salvia derives from the Latin word Salveo, meaning literally “to heal” or “to save” and its antiseptic qualities are indeed quite healing. Like chamomile, it aids in digestion and is frequently used with rosemary to season cold weather soups and meat dishes. Fitting to the season, sage is a plant of Sagittarius (ruled by Jupiter), and may be the most well-known herb for burning in ritual cleansing of spaces and bodies.

Definitely explore and have fun with these herbs to see what magick you conjure!

During the darkest days before the solstice, our hearts and minds have been incubating, resting, and waiting for the return of the light. As the sun’s light waxes with each day forward from Midwinter, until the Vernal Equinox, we are reminded to take the time to rest, digest, and regenerate. For spring is never far off, and as the light gets stronger, our bodies will once again begin to crave movement and fruition. We honor the cycle as we continue our journey into the light.