Nostalgic Reflections Inspire A Myth-astronomical Realignment

I recall singing carols, while walking to church on new fallen snow, breathing smoke as cold hands turned hot. What a nostalgic echo.

Looking back on Christmas past, I remember some of the questions that I asked: Who was Baby Jesus sitting in the crèche. How did history and his story mesh?

But children are swept away by presents, special foods and sparkling, coloured lights, and the feeling of fires of the heart brightening cold, long, dark nights.

School did not mention that Solstice is from where our Christmas traditions stem, but students did learn that a star led the three Wise Men to Bethlehem.

Astronomer Magi from the East followed a special, wondrous, radiant star. Some say it was a comet or a supernova exploding from afar.

Perhaps it was a great conjunction of Venus with Jupiter or Saturn. No matter the cause, a hero was born, a new guiding lantern.

I wish I had learned more myth- astrological history, of moon, stars and planets light. Perhaps it’s too hard to understand or perhaps this thought is best kept out of sight.

Most cultures celebrate changing light with holidays, gifts and song. Solstice has been a beacon, since mankind’s dawn.

I have no doubt that there is a spirit that holds a great power. Yuletide marks when daylength lengthens by the minute and hour.

Winter Solstice arrives where it is hot or cool. It marks Yalda, Christmas, Saturnalia, Dongzhi or Yule.

Solstice is associated with the constellation Orion and companion Canis Major, with Sirius. Orion represents Osiris, Zoroaster, Dionysius, Sabias, Mithra, Apollo, and Jesus.

Sirius, the Queen of Heaven, a Virgin Mother, has names that vary. They include Net, Nana, Hathor, Isis, Neith, Sothis, Danu, Sulis, and Mary.

Over forty years, the orbit of Venus forms a blue rose that decorates the Sky Goddess. Venus also forms Satan’s pentacle, that causes uneasiness.

Venus confused astronomers when it rose in the west in evening, and east before the sun. The many faces of Venus and reversed orbit symbolized an unreliable feminine one.

Saint Jerome opposed Bishop Lucifer, after he defended that God, was not divine. Lucifer’s name became that of the Devil – Lucifer had crossed the line.

Later, Venus became tied with a comet that caused upheaval. Lucifer had become further linked with Satan, chaos and evil.

Sirius orbits every 365.25 days, signaling one calendar year, on Mother Earth. Venus too marks a celestial cycle, associated with the Sun’s death and rebirth.

The female in lore became neglected, while the son of God’s light, was born at Solstice, died and resurrected.

Patriarchy replaced the matriarchy, marking time’s cycles in the stars. History’s incomplete reason replaced Herstory’s complicated nature, but has left scars.

Twinkling lights of Venus and Sirius, hearken more cycles, than the sun’s rebirth. The wise mothering spirit offers guidance, protection, joy and mirth.