New Moon in Capricorn | Friday 12/23/22 at 2:16 A.M. PT

A Winter Solstice Blessing

May you have a warm heart,
open hands,
a creative mind.
May you experience inspiration and brilliance,
clarity and focus.
May you laugh richly and deeply.
May you circle and celebrate,
may you change and grow
May that which is waiting to be unlocked
be freed.
And may you soar with the knowing
that you are carried by a great wind across the sky.*

by Molly Remer, Brigidsgrove.com
*“Great wind” phrasing is from an Ojibwe prayer.

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New Moon 1°33' Capricorn | Friday 12/23/22 at 2:16 A.M. PT

"The Capricorn New Moon is the last New Moon of 2022. While New Moons usher in new beginnings, this one also carries the energy of release. From the Winter Solstice to the day of this New Moon, focus on what you are letting go of this year. Ask yourself what energies distract you from being the person you want to be. These energies may take the form of unprocessed emotions, attachments to the past, expectations of what could be, or even relationships. Identify what is absorbing your energy and preventing you from directing your full attention to your potential...

Align with this New Moon to decide the overall vibration you wish to manifest in your life. What are you open to receiving? What energies do you want returned for your time and focus? And what vibrations support your growth? This New Moon is a time to see your future unfold and identify the steps, no matter how small, needed to manifest the life you want to live. It’s a time to become crystal clear and let the Universe know you are ready to step into the future"

~Spirit Daughter

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"This New Moon at 1 degree of Capricorn provides a window of opportunity to consolidate our thoughts toward a single focus. We accomplish one step at a time without distraction. What do I envision for the New Year? 

Capricorn is the practical idealist and has the determination to surmount all obstacles en route to the peak of experience. They have the power to manifest based on their use of the resources available and their understanding of the underlying structure necessary for achievement. There are rules to follow that lead one to the effortless expression of Being here. 

Another characteristic associated with Capricorn is reverence; the appreciation for recognizing the underpinnings that support human endeavour. Reverence for the magic and how everything unfolds with perfection. Knowing this increases the success with which one handles all the various details of daily existence."

~Anna Chapman | Click here to read the rest of her article, with more astrological details about the planets and their current aspects!

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Crystals for Solstice Renewal

"The Winter Solstice is a time of deep spiritual connection and renewal. It is a sacred time of introspection, celebration and transformation, a time to access inner wisdom and manifest your dreams." (CystalsAlchemy.com)

Wisdom from within

When it comes to contemplation and introspection, Labradorite helps synthesize intellectual thought with intuitive wisdom, dispelling illusions and getting to the root of a matter. This stone is a useful companion through change, imparting strength and perseverance. It strengthens faith in the self and trust in the universe.

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Wisdom from without

At a time of endings and new beginnings, summing up and looking beyond, Elestial Amethyst is a powerful stone of spiritual purification and protection, helping to connect to higher realms of consciousness. Opens vibrational pathways so that energies of knowledge, wisdom, and love can be sent across the dimensions to connect with your consciousness on all levels. Elestial Amethyst acts as a window into the spiritual world, linking our conscious body and spiritual mind to the universe.

Harness the power of the sun

Citrine's energy is an infusion of golden sunlight, warming and invigorating, strengthening the will and calling forth hidden stores of optimism and light from the inner self. If you feel sleepy or drained of energy, Citrine is great for recharging those batteries, and bringing a fresh and cheerful outlook. Authentic inner power and decisive action for success!

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Raise your vibrations and power your rituals with sacred stones from around the world.
Bring the earth’s beauty and energetic strength into your practice with an inspired collection of crystals and gemstones.

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Winter Solstice around the World

Goodnight, 2022!
Fiery sunset of the year,
We admire and cherish
the sweet remaining days
until the wheel turns,
As we spring, roll, wriggle,
fly, swim, crawl,
sway, dance and leap!
into 2023.

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The Winter Solstice on December 21st marks the longest night of the year. It is celebrated around the world because it marks the return of the sun and the promise of the coming spring, and new life.

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As we prepare for this great rebirth and regeneration, we celebrate the completion and integration of all the lessons we have learned in the past 12 months. This is a good time to find some solitude for inner contemplation, maybe by making a mini pilgrimage to a place that is sacred to you--A special trail, beach, or park, a favorite tree...

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"There are many ways to celebrate this day, but understand that we are honoring the end of a cycle and the space to pause before a new one. It is a time of clearing out the old, and allowing our mind, emotions and energy to remain empty as we restore. Yes, the New Year and its pressure to create resolutions is right around the corner, but resist the urge to think about that on this day. Focus on the present, and let the future unfold in its own time."

~Spirit Daughter

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"It doesn't have to be
the blue iris [...]
This isn't a contest but the doorway
into thanks..."

~"Praying" by Mary Oliver, from Thirst.

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Solstice Celebrations Around the World

"Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona. Ceremonies and rituals include purification, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. At the time of the solstice, Hopi welcome the kachinas, protective spirits from the mountains. Prayer sticks are crafted and used for various blessings and other rituals.

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The Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran that started in ancient times. It marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar. Yalda is viewed traditionally as the victory of light over dark, and the birthday of the sun god Mithra. Families celebrate together with special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night long to welcome the morning sun.

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Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter,” is an important festival in China, when families get together and celebrate the year they have had. St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice, that incorporates earlier Norse traditions. In Peru, the winter solstice is celebrated every June with the festival of Inti Raymi, an ancient Incan celebration that was banned during colonial times but has since been revived."

~Encyclopaedia Brittanica

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Learn more about solstice traditions with The Return of the Light, in which storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards retells twelve traditional tales--from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia--that honor this magical moment.

These ancient wisdom transmissions renew our wonder at the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.

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Sending New Year's blessings--May you be well, May your friends & family be well, May all beings be well!

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