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Sabian Symbols and the Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Noel and Happy Holidays!! The Sabian Symbols have three main symbols referring to this time of year. Let’s look to the meaning behind each symbol - briefly.
Gemini 4 - Holly and mistletoe bring Christmas spirit to a home
This symbol reflects social celebrations of the spirit, returning to simple joys, celebrations of family and friends, peace and joy. It expresses the love within a family, and the value of community. Colors indicated within this symbol are white, gold, red and green.
Ancient forests and ancient ways are echoed in this symbol, showing us early traditions and the relationship we had with nature. Pre-Christian times saw Holly used to decorate doors, windows and fireplaces because of its ‘prickliness’ in essence used to protect homes by warding off evil spirits before they entered a home.
Mistletoe or ‘All-Heal’ produces flowers and ripe berries in winter and was symbolic to the ancient Druids. Gold in color, and growing high off the ground without roots, it was naturally associated with the sun. Mistletoe was used by the Druid priesthood in a sacred ceremony held five days after the New Moon following winter solstice. The Druid priests would cut mistletoe from an oak tree with a golden sickle.
Gemini 2 - Santa Claus Filling Stocking Furtively
Santa Claus is the modern symbol of bringer of gifts to children. The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht. The term Christkindl derived from the German/Austrian origins of the gift giver, evolved to Kriss Kringle, another nickname for Santa Claus. Various other European Christmas gift givers were more or less similar to Saint Nicholas: in France, Julenisse in Scandinavia, and Father Christmas in England. This symbol is the hope of wishes coming true. Red and white are colors associated with this symbol.
Taurus 9 - A Christmas Tree Decorated
The custom of decorating an evergreen with lights and ornaments is seen to be Christian, but its roots lie deep in the Pagan past. In ancient times, the venerated tree was the oak, though ashes and yews were substituted in later ancient days, and the representation of the tree as life among the desolation of winter shifted to the evergreen needles of the pine. Evergreens are a natural symbol of rebirth and life particularly in the northern winter whiteness. The Christmas tree is such a popular symbol of the winter holiday that it has been adopted by people of many faiths in many countries. This symbol refers to sharing rituals, customs and tradition, the unity of people and spirit at this time of year. Here we have the hope of good will, celebrations and loving intentions.
In all the ways people celebrate ‘midwinter’, we see how this time of the year is also 'reborn' in different cultures echoes its original cyclic meaning, rebirth in light and darkness, safety and giving.
I wish EVERYONE a joyful, safe and peace filled Solstice, Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Here is to a SYMBOLIC 2006!!
MARINA
Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Noel and Happy Holidays!! The Sabian Symbols have three main symbols referring to this time of year. Let’s look to the meaning behind each symbol - briefly.
Gemini 4 - Holly and mistletoe bring Christmas spirit to a home
This symbol reflects social celebrations of the spirit, returning to simple joys, celebrations of family and friends, peace and joy. It expresses the love within a family, and the value of community. Colors indicated within this symbol are white, gold, red and green.
Ancient forests and ancient ways are echoed in this symbol, showing us early traditions and the relationship we had with nature. Pre-Christian times saw Holly used to decorate doors, windows and fireplaces because of its ‘prickliness’ in essence used to protect homes by warding off evil spirits before they entered a home.
Mistletoe or ‘All-Heal’ produces flowers and ripe berries in winter and was symbolic to the ancient Druids. Gold in color, and growing high off the ground without roots, it was naturally associated with the sun. Mistletoe was used by the Druid priesthood in a sacred ceremony held five days after the New Moon following winter solstice. The Druid priests would cut mistletoe from an oak tree with a golden sickle.
Gemini 2 - Santa Claus Filling Stocking Furtively
Santa Claus is the modern symbol of bringer of gifts to children. The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures such as the Roman Befana and the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht. The term Christkindl derived from the German/Austrian origins of the gift giver, evolved to Kriss Kringle, another nickname for Santa Claus. Various other European Christmas gift givers were more or less similar to Saint Nicholas: in France, Julenisse in Scandinavia, and Father Christmas in England. This symbol is the hope of wishes coming true. Red and white are colors associated with this symbol.
Taurus 9 - A Christmas Tree Decorated
The custom of decorating an evergreen with lights and ornaments is seen to be Christian, but its roots lie deep in the Pagan past. In ancient times, the venerated tree was the oak, though ashes and yews were substituted in later ancient days, and the representation of the tree as life among the desolation of winter shifted to the evergreen needles of the pine. Evergreens are a natural symbol of rebirth and life particularly in the northern winter whiteness. The Christmas tree is such a popular symbol of the winter holiday that it has been adopted by people of many faiths in many countries. This symbol refers to sharing rituals, customs and tradition, the unity of people and spirit at this time of year. Here we have the hope of good will, celebrations and loving intentions.
In all the ways people celebrate ‘midwinter’, we see how this time of the year is also 'reborn' in different cultures echoes its original cyclic meaning, rebirth in light and darkness, safety and giving.
I wish EVERYONE a joyful, safe and peace filled Solstice, Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Here is to a SYMBOLIC 2006!!
MARINA
