The calendar we are used to says that the year begins on the first of January and is divided into 12 months. But nature has its own laws, which, unfortunately, are poorly coordinated with astronomy. However, our ancestors knew and honored the laws of nature. The most important holiday in the annual cycle was the winter solstice - when will it be in 2018 and what practices are recommended for everyone?
Despite the enormous progress achieved, even modern technology is not able to break the magic of natural cycles: the lunar day will not change places, and summer will not come after autumn. And this is wonderful, because centuries-old traditions of our ancestors are associated with many phenomena, which should not be forgotten.
The frantic rhythm of life may not always help us to have time to do all our business and continue to be in harmony with the Universe, but if we are at least briefly distracted from the hustle and bustle, then we can, as experts say, “know Zen”, and put things in order in our attitude.
Winter Solstice 2018: when will it be
Holiday dates:
- December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere (these are all countries above the equator);
- June 20 or 21 - in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, most countries of Latin America, etc.).
The exact date depends on the year, it's all about the calendar shift due to leap years.
In 2018, the winter solstice will occur on December 22 at 01:23 am Moscow time. If you live in another region, you can calculate the time yourself, knowing Moscow.
On this day, the Sun reaches its lowest position. Further, at the end of December and January, it rises higher above the horizon, making daylight hours longer.
In astrology, on this day the Sun moves from the zodiac sign Sagittarius to the sign Capricorn, and the astrological winter begins (the period of the signs Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces).
The calendar of important cyclical natural events, which our ancestors guided, includes two solstice days per year - summer and winter. Both of them are very important, because they imply an astronomical event when the daytime celestial body occupies the highest or lowest point above the horizon. It goes without saying that, first of all, the length of the day depends on this: it can be either the longest or the shortest.
The winter solstice, which will take place from the twenty-first to the twenty-second of December, will be marked by a short daylight hours and the longest night of the year. According to GMT, it will happen at 22:23, and if we take Moscow time, it will be 01:23, that is, the difference is two hours.
Winter Solstice: Traditions and Beliefs
The traditions of many peoples implied the celebration of the Winter Solstice, as it marked the birth of the new Sun. Among the ancient Celts, whose traditions echo in many cultures, this event was celebrated along with the Yule holiday.
By the Winter Solstice, our ancestors tried to prepare their homes in a special way: a general cleaning was carried out, which meant getting rid of unnecessary rubbish, and the rooms and houses were decorated outside with fir branches. In the center of the main room, they tried to place something that would symbolize the Sun: it can be a craft of yellow or golden color, as well as a simple orange orange.
As during the summer solstice, bonfires were kindled on the Winter Solstice: the larger and brighter they were, the better. Our ancestors believed that in this way they help the new Sun to be reborn, and give it fiery forces to shine brightly and hotly. The day of the winter solstice among the Slavs was considered the New Year, which came immediately after the holiday of the Sun.
The celebration was called in honor of Kolyada, the god of the new Sun. He was also called Kaledi, Kadmus or Kolodiy, and this deity was considered a symbol of the transition of the year. It was celebrated on a large scale: they sang songs, arranged dances and feasts. From there, the tradition began to be sure to give loved ones at least some gifts, since our ancestors believed that stingy people would not find happiness in the new year.
Modern Traditions for Celebrating the Winter Solstice
Contemporaries do not always have the opportunity to go outside and make a big fire: at least in the metropolis, this will become an act of calling the fire department or neighborly anger. But we can celebrate the Winter Solstice, therefore it is better to focus on various practices and rituals. It sounds a little scary, however, do not be afraid: from those who have been involved in them for a long time, you can take only the basics, and draw the rest into your life intuitively.
For example, try meditation. Read about the easiest ways to do this, and remember: simple doesn't mean inefficient. On the Winter Solstice, a simple visualization technique can work: write a list of what you want to accomplish, or even better, make yourself a so-called “wish board” where you stick pictures of desired achievements.
Take a close look at everything you have created, or re-read the list you have made, close your eyes and imagine that everything has already come true. Inspire yourself with this thought, and don’t think differently: you already have everything, just you can’t use it yet. As experts say, after such practices, everything comes true in the shortest possible time, but on the condition that you do not sit idly by. And yet - you can tell fortunes using either cards or other materials at hand, or even the most ordinary dream.
Try also to conduct a ritual of "letting go of the past." On December 21, right at sunset, you should go outside or open the window wide. Take a piece of paper and a pen with you. While the old sun goes below the horizon, you need to try to remember all the bad and all the negative things that happened during the current year. It can be relationships with people, people themselves, illnesses, litigation, job changes, loss of money, unpleasant conflict situations. All this must be written on paper, and then this paper should be burned with fire. Leave to burn out just before the setting sun. All bad things will go away, along with the old sun. And the next morning, along with the new sun, the long-awaited cleansing and relief will come.
If you have no time to do this, then just make a wish, but formulate it correctly. Wait for the hour of the winter solstice, and go for it - most likely, your aspiration should be fulfilled soon and well. Specialists also conduct various magical practices on such days aimed at attracting money, good luck and love.
Table of winter solstices until 2025
| Year | Date and time in Moscow |
| 2018 | December 22 01:23 |
| 2019 | December 22 07:19 |
| 2020 | December 21 13:02 |
| 2021 | December 21 18:59 |
| 2022 | 22 December 00:48 |
| 2023 | December 22 06:27 |
| 2024 | December 21 12:20 |
| 2025 | December 21 18:03 |
Video - What are the remarkable days of the solstices and equinoxes:
Winter Solstice Festival in different cultures
Our distant ancestors were guided by natural phenomena and the movement of the Sun when calculating time periods. The winter solstice point was significant for the construction of such historical structures as:
- Stonehenge in the UK;
- Newgrange in Ireland.
Their main axes are oriented to sunrise and sunset on the solstices.
Ancient Roman Saturnalia
In ancient Rome, on the days of the solstice, they celebrated the feast of Saturnalia in honor of the god Saturn. The celebration lasted from 17 to 23 December. By this time, all agricultural efforts were completed. And people could indulge in celebration and fun.
It was customary to temporarily stop public affairs, send schoolchildren on vacation. It was even forbidden to punish criminals.
Slaves sat at the same table with the masters and were freed from daily work. There was a symbolic equalization of rights.
Crowds of celebrating walked in the streets. Everyone praised Saturn. On the days of Saturnalia, a pig was slaughtered as a sacrifice, and then they began to have fun. There was a tradition of gift exchange, which later moved to the modern Christmas and New Year.
Yule among the ancient Germans
This is a medieval holiday, one of the main ones of the year. It was celebrated with great pomp. The word "yule" was called the longest night of the year, which fell on the winter solstice.
It was believed that on this day the King of Oak was reborn, he warmed the frozen earth and gave life to the seeds in the soil, which were stored for a long winter, so that by spring they would germinate and give a harvest.
People kindled fires in the fields. It was customary to drink the alcoholic drink cider. Children went from house to house with gifts. Baskets were woven from the branches of evergreens and ears of wheat, and apples and cloves were folded into them, which were sprinkled with flour.
Apples are a symbol of the sun and immortality, and wheat is a symbol of a good harvest. Flour meant light and success.
The houses were also decorated with branches of trees: ivy, holly, mistletoe. It was believed that this helps to call the spirits of nature to join the holiday. Spirits could bestow a happy life on the household.
On the holiday of Yule, the burning of a ritual log, the decoration of the Yule tree (the prototype of the New Year tree) and the exchange of gifts were carried out. The image of a log has been preserved in many countries to this day.
Holiday in Christianity
In Christianity, Christmas is celebrated these days. In the Catholic tradition, it comes on December 24, when the Sun, after passing its lowest point, is “reborn” again and rises higher.
It is believed that when Christianity replaced paganism, the new Christian holidays merged with pagan ones. So Christmas appeared in its modern form with a decorated Christmas tree and gifts for relatives and friends. Indeed, in fact, this is the celebration of the birth of Christ, but it is celebrated very similarly to the medieval Yule.
In Orthodoxy, due to the use of the Julian calendar, the date is 2 weeks behind the solstice, the Orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 7th. However, historically it is the same date. It's just that over the course of two thousand years, the solstice point has shifted by half a month.
Holiday in Slavic culture
The Slavs celebrated the day of Karachun, the harsh deity of winter. They believed that Karachun brings winter cold to the earth, plunging nature into a winter sleep.
Another name for the deity is Korochun, which means "the shortest." The winter solstice preceded the rebirth of the Sun.
Bonfires were burned everywhere, which were designed to help the Sun triumph over death and be reborn. After Karachun, the nights were waning, and the daylight hours were getting longer.
Subsequently, this deity turned into Frost - a gray-haired old man, from whose breath bitter frosts begin, and rivers are covered with ice. The Slavs believed that if Frost hit a hut with a staff, the logs would crack.
Frost does not like those who are afraid of him and hide, complain about the cold and quickly get cold. But for those who are not afraid of him, he gives rosy cheeks, strength of mind and good mood. This is reflected in the fairy tale "Morozko".
Video - winter solstice
The time of the winter solstice occurs when the axis around which our planet rotates, in the direction from the Sun, takes its maximum mark. The largest value of the angle of inclination of the Earth's axis with respect to the Sun is 23 ° 26 ". Depending on the shift of calendar days, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs either on December 21 or 22, and in the Southern on June 20 or 21.
Different cultures interpreted this event in different ways, but most peoples perceived the winter solstice as a rebirth, setting the beginning of a new one. At this time, festivals, holidays, meetings were held, appropriate rituals were held, mass celebrations were organized with songs and dances.
The solstice was a special moment of the annual cycle even during the New Stone Age (Neolithic). Thanks to astronomical events, from ancient times governing crops of grain crops, food preparation until the next harvest, mating periods of animals, one can trace how various traditions and myths arose. Evidence of this can be considered the layout of the oldest monuments of the late New Stone and Bronze Ages. Such as Stonehenge (Great Britain) and Newgrange (Ireland), the main axes of which were aligned with special care and indicated the rising of the luminary in Newgrange, and the sunset in Stonehenge on the day of the winter solstice. It is noteworthy that the Great Trilith (the construction of the "letter P" of the three largest stones) in Stonehenge is turned outward relative to the center of the monument in such a way that its front flat part turns out to be facing the Sun by mid-winter.
How did the ancient Slavs celebrate the winter solstice?
One of the most significant holidays revered by our ancestors were the days of Solstice and Equinox. Rotary, solstice, solstice, equinox - personify the four hypostases of the ancient Slavic god of the Sun Dazhdbog, the giver of light and heat. His name sounds in a short prayer that has survived to our time: “Give, God!”. According to popular beliefs, Dazhdbog opens the summer and closes the fierce winter.
The Slavs considered this holiday a time of renewal and birth of the Sun, and with it all living things, a time of spiritual transformation, a time conducive to both good material changes and spiritual ones. The night that precedes the day of the winter solstice is considered the patroness of all nights, because it is on this night that a young sunny baby is born to the Goddess - Dazhdbog, symbolizing the birth of life from death, order from chaos.
During the winter solstice, the Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year, which was personified with the deity Kolyada. The main subject of the festival was a large fire, calling and depicting the Sun, which, after one of the longest nights of the year, had to rise higher and higher into the heavenly heights. It was also obligatory to bake ritual New Year's pies of a rounded shape, reminiscent of a heavenly body.
The ancient Slavs considered the solstice to be the beginning of a new year. It was on this day that the month of caroling began. It was believed that at a certain time of the day a new sun god, Kolyada, was born. This deity symbolized good weather and harvest. That is why the celebrations in his honor lasted approximately 21 days.
At Svyatki, people dressed in new, expensive clothes, set tables and wished each other good luck. The Slavs believed that a person would spend the New Year exactly the way he met it. In addition, the day of the winter solstice was considered a magical period, when the line between the world of the living and the dark forces became very thin. To scare away evil spirits, bonfires were built everywhere, and people dressed up in costumes of animals and supernatural beings.
Another interesting tradition is carolers. Young girls and boys gathered in small groups and traveled from house to house, congratulating their owners on the coming year and wishing them good luck and prosperity. And as a reward, young singers received sweets and other treats. By the way, this tradition is still alive today.
Winter solstice festival among other nations
These days, in Europe, pagan festivities will mark the beginning of a 12-day cycle of magnificent festivities, which marked the beginning of the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new life.
In Scotland, there was a tradition to start a burning wheel, symbolizing the solstice. The barrel was abundantly smeared with resin, set on fire and launched down the hill, resembling a fiery luminary with rotating movements.
In China, before all other seasons (and there are 24 of them in the Chinese calendar), the winter solstice was determined. The Chinese believed that it was from the beginning of this period that the male force of nature was growing stronger and giving rise to a new cycle. The winter solstice was a worthy celebration, because it was considered a happy, successful day. Everyone, from the commoner to the emperor, rested and had fun on this day, gave each other gifts, went to visit, laid large tables laden with various dishes. An important role on this special day was given to sacrifices to the ancestors and the God of Heaven, the corresponding ceremonies and rituals were carried out. in order to protect yourself from diseases and evil spirits. The winter solstice is still one of the Chinese traditional holidays.
Hindus call the winter solstice Sankranti. The holiday was celebrated in both Sikh and Hindu communities, where at night, on the eve of the festival, bonfires were lit, the flame of which resembled the rays of the Sun, which warm the earth after a cold winter.
Winter Solstice and German Yule
The Germanic tribes also celebrated this day, considering it a transitional point between the old and the new year. Like the Slavs, the festivities were accompanied by bonfires. The key moment is the burning of a large symbolic log, the coals of which were then mixed with grain. In addition, houses, streets and trees were decorated with burning candles - this is how people asked for help and protection from the spirits of their dead ancestors. By the way, fiery decorations became the prototype of modern garlands.
But that's not all. Here the tradition was born to decorate houses with branches of evergreen trees - fir trees, mistletoe, ivy and holly. Such scenery was a symbol and a reminder that the night and the cold would definitely recede.
Winter solstice -
The shortest of the year
The night is long, long, dark,
The animals are fast asleep in the forest.
When the sun rises in the morning
Look better, don't yawn
If frost on the trees -
The harvest will be good.
The shortest day and longest night of the year traditionally fall on December 21 or 22. Since the time of primitive people, this astrological phenomenon has had great symbolic significance. 2018 is special in that the winter solstice falls on Saturday, December 22, coinciding with the full moon. Therefore, the activity of the Sun on this day will be minimal, but its energy will be extremely powerful. Esotericists warn that the energy of this day will put a lot of pressure on people.
We propose to understand what the winter solstice is from an astronomical point of view, what is the historical and cultural significance of this holiday, as well as what you can and should not do on this day. In addition, we will remind you of the main rites and rituals of this holiday, as well as the main signs that are passed down from generation to generation.
Winter Solstice as an astronomical event
The winter solstice is primarily an astronomical event that occurs when the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation away from the Sun is greatest. The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is that from the gradual lengthening of the night and the shortening of the day, the Earth goes "in the opposite direction." Depending on the calendar shift, the winter solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 20 or 21 in the Southern Hemisphere.
Historical and cultural significance of the winter solstice
Historians note the important role of the winter solstice in the life of the primitive community, since people were not sure of a good preparation for the winter and the ability to survive it. In history, the period from January to April is known as the hungry months. Most of the cattle were slaughtered at this time, since there was nothing to feed them during the winter. That is why the time of the winter solstice was the only period of the year when fresh meat was consumed the most. Since then, the winter solstice began to pay special attention. Many peoples have developed cyclic calendars based on the winter solstice. The winter and summer solstice, which the gods met, is also mentioned in Greek mythology.
How was the Winter Solstice celebrated around the world?
The ancient Romans from December 17 to 23 revered the god of agriculture - Saturn. On these days, people stopped all their business, and schoolchildren were sent on vacation.
The ancient Germans believed that it was on this day that the Oak King was reborn, who warmed the frozen earth and gave life to the seeds in the soil. As a sign of respect, people kindled fires, wove baskets from plants and ears of wheat.
The Indians called the winter solstice Sankranti. On this day, they lit bonfires, the flames of which resembled the rays of the Sun.
The Chinese also believed that the winter solstice gives rise to a new cycle, so on this day they rested, went to visit each other, set large tables and ate.
In Scotland, there was a tradition to start a burning "wheel", symbolizing the solstice. The Scots lubricated the barrel with pitch, set it on fire and let it go down the hill, which resembled a fiery star.
What not to do on the winter solstice
A separate place on the shortest day of the year is devoted to cleaning the house. Astrologers advise not to be in a dirty home, otherwise troubles will haunt the whole year. It's time to get rid of old, broken and unnecessary things. The same applies to relationships with people with whom communication is not a joy.
What to do on the winter solstice
Astrologers advise this day to make important decisions and promises or to start a new business. If you are looking for a job - make a resume if you want to lose weight - choose a menu for the week that will meet your goals. There is also a belief, according to which the winter solstice was made to come true.
In addition, on this day, it is advised to decorate the Christmas tree, choosing toys that represent your dreams. Divination will not hurt you either. Fortune-telling on the day of the winter solstice for love is especially effective. It is also recommended to meet and greet the sun.
Ceremonies and Rituals for the Winter Solstice
Ritual for the fulfillment of a wish:
A wish is made at dawn. It is necessary to stand facing the east and look in the direction where the sun rises. Thank the Sun for all the good things in your life and ask for help in the coming year. Make a wish, try to mention as many details as possible. Then imagine that the desire has already been fulfilled, and then tune in to the positive. On this holiday, it is good to make wishes that involve the renewal of life, the attraction of something new.
The ancient Slavic calendar was based on the phenomena of the four seasonal incarnations of the pagan god of the sun - Kolyada - Yarilo - Kupail - Svetovit, tied to four astronomical solar events of the year:
- the weak winter sun-baby Kolyada - is born renewed in the morning after the Night of the Winter Solstice,
- on the Day of the Spring Equinox, the young man Yarilo turns into a stronger sun,
- on the Day of the Summer Solstice, the husband of Kupail turns into a mighty sun,
- on the Day of the Autumn Equinox, it turns into an aging and weakening wise autumn sun-old man Svetovit, dying at sunset before the Night of the Winter Solstice, in order to be reborn in the morning as a renewed sun-baby Kolyada, again gaining its solar strength.
December 20 was the last day of autumn for the ancient Slavs, and on December 21, at the solstice - the day of the winter solstice, Kolyaden began - the first month of winter and the new year. On the same day, in accordance with natural rhythms, the Christmas of Kolyada, the hypostasis of one of the main Slavic gods Dazhdbog (Dazhbog, Dazhbog), who embodied the Sun, was celebrated. The celebration of Christmas time - Christmas and New Year, filled with fun, delicious food and magical rituals, stretched out among the ancient Slavs for 21 days, helping to pass the dark cold winter. On Svyatki they prepared kolivo, or sochivo - porridge with honey and raisins, and socheviki - sweet pies with cottage cheese and jam. The huts were decorated with dolls of the god Veles (the Slavic prototype of the modern Father Frost) and the Snow Maiden, and burning wheels were rolled on the streets and bonfires were lit to help the emerging winter sun. Carolers went from house to house - young boys and girls who sang carols (ritual songs with wishes for well-being) and received refreshments as a reward. At the first midnight of Kolyada, the priests sacrificed a duck, a piglet and other animals to Kolyada; all this as a treat is present on the Christmas tables of the ancient (and modern!) Slavs. At Christmas time, they dressed up in new clothes and put the best treats on the tables for the family gathered together. It was believed, "as you meet the New Year, so you will spend it.
In the 16th century in Rus', an interesting ritual was associated with the winter solstice. The bell warden of the Moscow cathedral, who was responsible for the chiming of the clock, came to bow to the tsar. He reported that from now on the sun turned to summer, the day is added, and the night is reduced. For this good news, the king rewarded the headman with money.
The ancient Slavs celebrated the pagan New Year on the day of the winter solstice, it was associated with the deity Kolyada. The main attribute of the festival was a bonfire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, had to rise higher and higher. The ritual New Year's cake - a loaf - also resembled the sun in shape.
The main symbolism was the fire of a fire, depicting and invoking the light of the sun, which, after the longest night of the year, was to return. A lot of New Year's rituals were performed by children who portrayed the young year. Children walked around the yards and sang the so-called "carols" - magic spells for well-being in homes, carolers praised the sun, light, thunderstorm and the earth, which should give birth to a new crop. For this, they were generously given gifts. Many pagan rites of the New Year were preserved in the Christian period in Rus'.
The days of Christmas time were considered magical. People guessed for the future, trying to predict the harvest, wars, weddings... They commemorated their dead relatives, left refreshments for them and kindled bonfires. They dressed (dressed up) in the skins of real and mythical animals, evil spirits, and also tried on the clothes (and roles) of other people and people of the opposite sex. At that time, the dark forces were endowed with special power, which, according to legend, came especially close to the world of the living.
About the Navi forces, very strong on the longest night of the year, about Karachun
Recall that despite the birth of a new sun, the world at this time is largely ruled by the Navi forces, so the predecessor of Santa Claus was Karachun.
He "Shorts" the outgoing year. It is closely connected with the celebration of the Winter Solstice and Kolyada. The days of the Solstice have come, and with them one of the most amazing holidays - Karachun, the shortest day and the longest night. Gradually, in the minds of the people, Karachun became close to Frost, who fetters the earth with cold, as if plunging it into a mortal sleep. But Frost is simply the lord of the winter cold and a more harmless image than the harsh Karachun. It was Frost who became the hero of folk tales, turning into Morozko, Moroz Ivanovich, Frost the Red Nose, and then our beloved Santa Claus appeared, in whose character the features of the ferocious great-grandfather Karachun were significantly softened.
Winter fairy tale “Karachun”
When Winter came, the days started getting shorter and the nights got longer and longer. The evil spirit Karachun sent his assistants to the earth to find out: when Winter enters in full force, so that he can get out of the underworld and roam freely.
The connecting rod Bear went first, he turned into a snowstorm and let's wander through the forests, lift snow and break trees. Well, when he returned, he said that it was still too early. The sun is still too bright and yet warm, and the nights are too short. Karachun waited and waited and sent the Wolf in the second turn. The Wolf Blizzard turned around, rushed howling through the fields and forests, and when he returned, he said that everything had not changed much. That the days are still too long and the sun is too warm. Must wait. And endured Karachun until the longest night. He waited, flew out of his shelter, breathed a severe frost and went to work. All night long he rushed about in a zealous frenzy through forests and fields, felled centuries-old fir trees, covered roads with snowdrifts, stained all living things that came across on the way, but he couldn’t get to people ... They are in their huts, like in a fortress: with a warm stove - That! In the morning, with the first rays of the sun, Karachun hurried home. And he sits in his dungeon, waiting for the next, the longest and darkest night.
And in the morning I wake up people, they see: The sun looks out at them, Frost sparkles outside the window, snow covered the roofs overnight!
“Here comes Karachun Zima! The sun turned to Summer, and Winter turned to Frost, ”the people say.
Afterword
The days around the winter solstice are the best days of the year when you can really change your destiny. That is, to be reborn in the same way as the Sun, to discard all unnecessary and give rise to a new one.
Three days before December 21 and three after - this is an energetically charged time. Strong streams of energy descend on the Earth.
Therefore, in the days preceding the winter solstice, it is favorable to get rid of everything unnecessary. This can be done mentally, but it is better to write on paper everything you want to get rid of and burn it. It is also beneficial before this day to cleanse your home, yourself, find time to cleanse your thoughts. Wish happiness to your loved ones, relatives, friends - this is the easiest thing to do these days.
After that, it is very favorable to make plans for the whole year (preferably write in a notebook), make wishes, use intention, conduct meditations for yourself and for the whole Earth.
And on December 22 in the morning, try to meet the sunrise and congratulate him on his birth, thank him for everything that it gives us.
ASTRONOMIC RECURSION.
There are two solstices in a year - winter and summer.
December 21, 2017 at 19:28 Moscow time the winter solstice will come. At this moment, the Sun will move from the northern hemisphere of the sky to the southern.
The trajectory of our planet around the Sun is not a perfect circle. The distance between the Sun and the Earth changes - from the minimum close to the most distant, and so it repeats from year to year. On the day of the winter solstice - the Earth occupies the closest position to the Sun, and in our hemisphere at this time there is the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
THE WINTER SOLSTICE IN Rus' IS A KOLYADA HOLIDAY.
In Rus', on the day of such an important astronomical event as the winter solstice, Kolyada was celebrated, which speaks of the advanced knowledge of our Slavic ancestors in matters of astronomy and astrology. By the way, the word "Slav" is interpreted as SLAV YANG, Yin, that is, glorify the male and female principles.
December 21, on the day of the winter solstice, began Kolyad'en, the first month of winter. On the same day, in accordance with natural rhythms, they celebrated the birth of Kolyada, one of the main Slavic gods, Dazhbog, who embodied the Sun.
In ancient times, even before Christianity, on the day of the winter solstice, the Slavs knew that this was a turning point in nature. At this time, there is a sharp struggle between Good and Evil, the End and the Beginning become close. Our ancestors believed that worlds open on this night: the world of the gods is heavenly, the world of man is earthly, the world of underground riches and the dead is underground. On December 22, the sun (Kolyada) died, but then was born again.
The celebration of Kolyada took place in December. The glorification of Kolyada with its fun and optimism personified the faith of our ancestors in the victory of good principles over the forces of evil. To help Kolyada win and drive away evil spirits, the Slavs burned fires, sang and danced around them.
With the advent of Christianity on our lands, the Nativity of Christ was timed to this day and the ancient, optimistic and life-affirming holiday of Kolyada was banned, and instead of it, the supposedly Christian “Christmas” of Christ was introduced ... The last patriarchal ban on worshiping Kolyada was issued on December 24, 1684 (A. Strizhev, "People's Calendar"). But the truth is not so easy to eradicate, and the ancient custom simply passed into a different form ... unfortunately, having lost the true meaning to which it was originally dedicated ...
It is also known that in ancient times, God Kolyada gave many Slavic families a system for calculating seasonal time for field work - Kolyada dar - KOL (a) endAR - Daarisky Krugolet Chislobog. This calendar existed in Rus' before the introduction of Christianity and carries with it a huge layer of knowledge of our ancient and wise ancestors. In Summer 7208 (1700 AD), our ancient calendar was banned by the false tsar Peter the Great, who issued a decree on the abolition of all old calendars that simultaneously existed on the Russian lands. He introduced the Western European calendar from the Nativity of Christ, thus stealing from our people 5508 years of the Great Heritage.
Awakening of Rus', ours with you Genus others, begins with rebirth and understanding with genus s and genus ny traditions.
Reviving the truth about the true meaning of our folk traditions and customs, we establish a connection between times, awaken the ancestral memory of the Rus, and revive the culture of Great Rus'. Let's revive the truth about the past of our Motherland together and let's celebrate our native holidays! IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW the true history and traditions of your people. Know to save. And pass it on to your kids!
solstice
Sunrise on December 22 portends the beginning of the next life cycle, in connection with which the day will be filled with powerful mystical meaning.
This day is also called "Solstice".
In ancient times, people who celebrated the day of the solstice believed that it erases all sorts of boundaries between the worlds of spirits, people and gods, and also makes direct communication between them possible.
According to legend, on these nights all the worlds intersect in Midgard (in ancient times, our Earth was called Midgard), Goddesses and Gods descend to people.
Signs of rituals of antiquity are observed today. So, spruce has become an attribute of the New Year and Christmas holidays. On these days, people carol and treat guests with various treats, exchange gifts. Christmas lights and lit candles represent the flashes of ancient bonfires. Fire is protection, as well as an assistant in communicating with representatives of other worlds.
Kolovrat or solstice is one of the oldest ancient Russian symbols, personifying the Sun and the solar gods Svarog, Dazhdbog and Yarila.
The name of the symbol came from the word "kolo" - the sun. The symbol itself looks like a circle with curved rays, so some uneducated citizens associate it exclusively with the fascist swastika. Although this is fundamentally not the case: in Nazi Germany they really used this ancient solar symbol. Perhaps this choice was dictated by the centuries-old worship of people to the Sun, and such a tradition is found in almost every nation. It is also worth noting that the Germanic and Slavic tribes were originally one Indo-European people.
The life of our ancestors was subject exclusively to the solar cycle - all holidays and important events were associated with the sun.
It was believed that it was the sun that plays the most important role in the universe, it is the focus of strength, life, seething energy and fertility. That is why the most common symbol used in various jewelry and decorating the clothes of the Russians was the Kolovrat, which was considered a male symbol. It was embroidered on banners and lace, carved on wood and metal, and used in ancient Vedic rituals.
After the Baptism of Rus', this symbol was banned, as well as other ancient Russian attributes of faith. Meanwhile, Kolovrat personifies nothing more than Yarilo-sun, without which life itself on Earth is impossible. No wonder this symbol, embroidered on military banners, terrified the enemy tribes and put them to flight. No one and nothing could resist the strength of the ancient Russian warriors under the sign of the Solstice.
At present, we astrologers have been able to fully explain the meaning of Kolovrat. If we consider on the star map the location of the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor at 00.00 h / min on December 22 and June 22, as well as on March 21 and September 23 (this is the time of the winter and summer solstices, and the time of the spring and autumn equinoxes). If you draw an imaginary line from these constellations to the polar star, you will get the elements of Kolovrat. And if you combine the positions of the constellations on December 22, June 22, March 21 and September 23 in one picture, nothing more than an image of Kolovrat will appear in front of you.
It is likely that our ancestors originally used the Kolovrat to locate by the stars.
The solstice was made of gold or another yellow metal, such as brass or bronze. This is quite logical, because gold is the metal of the sun, and silver is the metal of the moon. The Magi used the amulet with the image of the symbol of the sun as a powerful amulet, and at present such talismans are used for the same purpose.
Wearing such a symbol protects the owner from all sorts of adversities and misfortunes, gives strength in difficult situations, protects happiness. Moreover, the symbol can be executed in the following variations:
- eight-rayed Kolovrat means the power of solar fire,
The six-beam Kolovrat is a Perun's wheel, a symbol of the god Perun,
The four-beam Kolovrat means fire burning on Earth
Our ancestors depicted Kolovrats on clothes, embroidered them on military banners, cast them on weapons. They believed that the sun would bring them victory and glory. In most cases this turned out to be the case. Sun rays-symbols can be bent clockwise and counter-clockwise, or they can be enclosed in a circle, personifying the universe. In the latter case, Kolovrat symbolizes the eternal cycle in the Universe.
ASTROLOGICAL AND ESOTERIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE WINTER SOLSTICE
If we consider the traditions of the winter solstice from an esoteric point of view, we can say that this sacred period opens access to the energy-information fields of the Universe. Correctly formulated prayers and correctly expressed desires create certain “programs” that operate over a specific period of time. I think that the coming solstice of 2017 will change many destinies of our world. However, much depends on us. What needs to be done for personal happiness and the future well-being of the planet? In preparation for entering the unique energy of the period, you need to get rid of all grievances, bad thoughts and petty worries. There should be no outbursts of irritability. It is important to remember that during the winter solstice, a certain “pure matrix” absorbs all our emotional images, aspirations and desires, in order to then translate them into reality.
The festive program should include festivities, which will improve health. Do not neglect the plentiful and noisy feasts in a wide circle of relatives and friends - they attract harmony, the well-being of family relationships. Do not forget about commemoration: you need to remember everyone whose memory is dear to you, send them words of gratitude and love.
It is mandatory to prepare gifts for loved ones, as well as make donations to the poor. Such gestures will be appreciated by the Universe, which, in gratitude, will certainly make it easier for you to achieve any goal you set.
It is necessary to emphasize a somewhat dangerous point: during periods of renewal, the world is in an unstable state, which increases the likelihood of accidents, injuries and various disruptions in business. Therefore, people should be careful not to plan medical procedures, long trips at this moment and be more attentive to their health.
From an astrological point of view, the Sun on the day of the winter solstice will be in conjunction with Venus and Saturn and sextile to Mars and the Moon, which will be a very good start for a career, personal and sports achievements, for establishing family and love relationships. for planning children, home improvement, real estate acquisition.
