Christmas traditions do make it “A Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” as the song proclaims. For our Northern Hemisphere, and as we climb in latitude the prolonged dark days make decorative light displays inside and outside of the house have additional meaning and beauty. Seasonal music, foods, the exchange of cards and greetings and get-togethers all make for a festive spirit. Of course, most of the wide world does not celebrate Christmas, but, what is universal to all are subtle powerful currents that occur with the seasonal solstice.
For millennia yogis and mystics from every nook and clime of the world have recognized the subtle but powerful effects of different times of the day, the year and movements of the zodiacal clock. I have never made a study of astrology, but I have had experiences with some of these dynamics. On a few occasions I consulted an astrologer who Mother had also gone to see. One such time was when I had injured my back at work and it became clear over the months that I could no longer perform the hard physical labor of my current job. I had inwardly felt prompted to pursue a degree in psychology, but I was concerned because it would initially mean going back for a university degree and, at least for a while, making less money than I had been—I was concurrently responsible for providing for a family. With that in mind I went to see this astrologer with an open mind, but some skepticism. I had only provided my birth information to her when I sat down for a “reading.”
She proceeded to tell me that I had recently injured my back (there was nothing obvious in my physical movements that would have told her that), and that if I continued in my current work I would be crippled, a lack of fluid moving in the spine. Later I asked my doctor about this and he said that would be a very likely result. She also said that I should be a teacher or a counselor, and that at first the money would be less, but eventually it would be alright—all of which turned out to be true. She touched on many other aspects of my life, but this was the salient point for that visit. It proved to me that there was something to astrology; her accuracy and specificity were remarkable. She did get the time off a bit when she said, “You recently hurt your back, six months ago.” It had been only three months before, not six.
Other experiences with solar and lunar influences have included an awareness of the full moon effect. I have an increase of energy during full moon cycles. This, by the way, is always a positive influence; waking up earlier in the morning and keeping me up later at night to meditate—the energy provides a spiritual uplift. And when the earth makes its way around the sun and we approach Winter Solstice I am aware of powerful forces at work. For many years this had stirred up difficult psychological thoughts and moods. At some point—some years ago now—those difficult moods left, and now I only experience these forces as uplifting currents. A third area I have been aware of is the sense that when either events proceed with extraordinary smoothness, like all the skids are greased, or it is like fighting uphill all the way, it is as if the stars have taken on a helpful or a difficult turn. There are those times when what was difficult suddenly changes, like a magnet flipping its polar ends, and what was repelling before is now easy. There may be other explanations for this experience, but I have a sense that the stars certainly seem to figure into these shifting winds.
One of the principles that yogis discovered is that you can take full advantage of these recurring cycles. For instance, with the Winter Solstice you can deepen your meditation, spread your wings so to speak to take advantage of these uplifting currents. And while these active solstice forces may stir up difficult psycho-emotional energies as well, it then makes this is a time for purification and it is your spiritual work to pass these subconscious moods into the Light. It is valuable to be aware of these invisible, but powerful forces and use them to your advantage.
So, even as you are enjoying the hustle and bustle demands of the season and there are many lovely traditions to take advantage of, as a householder-yogi you should also be cognizant of these subtly powerful currents as you approach the Winter Solstice. Take time to read sacred texts and meditate deeply. Take inspiration from these magnificent words from a wonderful God-man, Isaiah (Isaiah 40)), from nearly 3,000 years ago:
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things….
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.