End of the World

with the End of the World steadily approaching, we're all wondering what will become of us come December 22nd, 2012. will Jesus return for the Rapture? what will happen to all the Christmas presents you bought? will there be some crazy implosion of Earth or maybe a worldwide earthquake that ravages every major metropolitan area and then the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse ensues?

i don't think any of that will happen, at least not to the scale that would constitute the End of the World. maybe it'll be a combination of all these things; Jesus will Rapture some, Christmas presents will all evaporate, the Earth will quake only in certain regions and the Zombies, who already have control, will continue to consume the brains of the average citizen.

much like Y2K and other arbitrary end-of-everything dates that passed and nothing happened, nothing major will occur this week other than the annual Winter Solstice and a piddly ol' Galactic Alignment that doesn't happen but for ever 26,000 years or so....

yet, the Winter Solstice is enough of an astronomical event to make a fuss over every year. all over the world we celebrate the death and resurrection of the Sun. the 21st is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the Sun remains in this position for three days until we begin our journey back into the Light; incrementally increasing the amount of daylight until we peak on Summer Solstice.

it's no wonder we celebrate, either. Winter is long and difficult and before of all our mod cons, your chances for survival over Winter were slim to some. the last feast before the fast was meant to not only fill tummies, but also the hearts of the community, to reinforce the group on every level, thus increasing their chances of survival. think about that when you're gathered around the table this holiday with your family. consider how many Winters your ancestors had to survive to get you here...and how many others must have died along the way.

every year-end means the End of the World.
and the Beginning of the World.
it is the Death of those things that will not survive the Winter...
and the promise that the Spring will bring to us Life anew.

here's a link to a favorite astrologer of mine who provides frequent updates to current astrological events and an easy to understand interpretation of those events.

so, in Light of the End of the World and the Death of our current paradigm, steady yourself in meditation, journaling, kindness to self, and celebration with family and friends.

blessings on your holy days!