The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:27 P.M. EST.

For the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere), the winter solstice occurs annually on December 21 or 22. (The Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurs in June.)

The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after we reach the winter solstice, the days begin to grow longer and longer again until we reach the summer solstice—the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

Solstices occur at the same time around the world, but their local times vary with time zones. 

SEE TIME AND DATE FOR EVENT TIMES AROUND THE WORLD

 

Traditions: Symbolism of the Winter Solstice

Source: SlowNorth.com – Winter Solstice Meaning: Unraveling the Science and Significance

This event has been celebrated by various cultures throughout history, symbolizing themes such as rebirth, renewal, and the return of the light. As days start to grow longer again, it is often seen as a time of hope and new beginnings.

Moon Phase: 1st Quarter Moon, Dec 19, 2023, Full Cold Moon, Dec 27, 2023 (Source: MoonGiant.com)

---

Life Depends on the Sun

In the dead of Winter the Sun’s return is a matter of Life and Death. Imagine the first Humans who created a circle to mark the Sun’s path and movement for each day. Then, one day it stops. It finally moves forward after “about 3” days. Even after the Sun carries on toward the Spring, the “first time” left a doubt. The “second time” they could hold faith in a pattern of movement. They were “looking to see” the “third time around.”

Traditions were based on a personal experience. Full-faith was restored in the Sun’s promise of Spring. The “season of a Promise of Life” is the source of the Divine Expectations and the Gratitude of Giving Back as Human’s Celebration.

Besides the best known traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, some notable winter solstice celebrations include:

• Yule: This Norse tradition involves bringing home large logs and feasting while the logs burn, which can take up to 12 days. 
• Inti Raymi: The Incas honored their sun god, Inti, with three days of fasting leading up to the solstice. On the day itself, they would gather to watch the sunrise and offer chicha, a sacred fermented drink, alongside animal sacrifices.
• Dongzhi: Celebrated in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, this festival began as a harvest celebration and has now evolved into a time for family gatherings and welcoming longer days.
• Zuni Tribe: The indigenous Zuni tribe of western New Mexico marks the winter solstice as their new year, with celebrations that include fasting, prayer, and the traditional Shalako dance.

Source: SlowNorth.com – Winter Solstice Meaning: Unraveling the Science and Significance

The Invisible Spirit exists in the places where Humans gather to bring an Offering to the Highest One

Smithsonian Long Count Calculator

Tzolk’in Date: 4 kab’an, Haab Date: 5 K’ank’in

December 21, 2023 – 4 Earth/CABAN (kab’an) holds the Intention of Stability and a Clarion Call to Live with all our Heart (CABAN). Earth/CABAN is a Vibration that triggers every Great Migration on Earth. The Aztec symbol is the Ollin that simply means Movement. Illustrated at the center of the stone calendar, the Ollin symbol points to 20 places in time – one for each of the “lords of the Day.” Each Day offers a different angle (perspective) for every 20 day uinal of the Tzolk’in calendar. Their names are tied to the Haab of the traditional Mayan calendar counts.

Haab Date by Northern count is 5 K’ank’in 
Kankin – Yellow Sun (Source: Mayan-Calendar.com, Meaning and Observances of the Haab months)
No festival is recorded for this month. J. Eric Thompson believed that the glyph Kankin represents the rib cage of a dog, and that this month was somehow associated with canines.

“No festival” may denote times of celebrating as a personal experience. 13 Sun/AHAU, the most Holy Day of the Tzolk’in, isn’t marked by a public observance. The Dog is the symbol of Unconditional Love, the Creator’s trademark. The Haab applies the color Yellow (versus White), and associates the Sun to a “Tone 5” of Empowerment.

Astronomical/Astrological Synchronicity

Chiron Retrograde: July 23 – December 26, 2023
Chiron is the symbol of the Scion, the wounded healer. Chiron moves forward on the Day after Christmas. Chiron represents the Birth of Compassionate Love… a source of Divine Healing on a Universal scale.

On December 27, 2023, the Full Cold Moon in Cancer shines the Light on the Sanctuary of Home. Cancer is Water Sign, related to Offering/MULUC, the Mayan symbol of water everywhere, the Moon and our Emotions.

December 31, 2023 – Jupiter Moves Forward from retrograde that began September 4, 2023
Jupiter is the biggest planet, representing a strong electromagnetic influence from beyond the veil of the first asteroid belt. Jupiter is the symbol of Good Luck. 

The signs from all angles suggest a Healing of Human emotions on a mass scale and a confirmation of a Divine Truth of blessings in the future, as the Wisdom of our own experience.

The NEXT Haab Year begins March 30, 2024, guided by 13 Earth/CABAN. Haab vague-years (365.25-day Earth years), reflects a collective Human experience on a global scale. The Time is ordered as the Truth of Answered Prayers to be a Clarion Call to Humanity.

---

THE TRECENA OF STAR/LAMAT: LIGHT MULTIPLIED TO ABUNDANCE
MAYAN CALENDAR DAYKEEPER’S JOURNAL
7 Jaguar/IX (Cherokee, Panther/Saho’ni), Destiny Kin 254, Position 14
November  28, 2023 (11/28/2023)

Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI: Panther is symbolized by comets, meteors, shooting stars, fireballs, and magicians.  Meteors appearing around the middle of November are Heralds of the Coming of the Light,

THE TRECENA OF STAR/LAMAT: LIGHT MULTIPLIED  TO ABUNDANCE

THE ASCENDING TRECENA OF STAR/LAMAT (SYMBOL OF THE SCION) IS INSTANTLY MULTIPLYING TO ABUNDANCE, OUR HIGHEST OBJECT OF AFFECTION TO THE END OF 13 SUN/AHAU, THE LORD AND GUARDIAN OF TIME. It’s Time to focus on what you want, and turn away from thoughts about what no longer serves a Divine Offering of New Life.

Visit the 13-Day Trecena Guide Page for the “Tzolk’in Field Guide: A Daily Practice for Personal Discernment.” My gift for the Tzolk’in round offers an overview for each 13-day trecena and the aspects of each day of the Tzolk’in round. The page also offers a link to resources for your own practice of counting the days to conceive your own discernment of the Meaning of Time.

4TH SEASON: 1 Wisdom/CIB begins the 4th Season of the Tzolk’in – VOLUME 2: Tzolk’in Seasons 3 and 4 (PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 20, 2020)

NOTE: You can also look at dates from a different direction. What is the Destiny Kin number of your day sign’s 3rd tone? You may have overlooked a life-changing day. Use the Kin Calculator offered on the Daykeeper’s Resource Page for a date six years before or after. If you are just starting to count the days and don’t have a journal from the last round, when something major happens in your life you can look to see if there was a major event on that same date before. You can also look for Signs in the “distance of time” – the number of days between one 13 Eagle/MEN (Cherokee, Eagle/UWO’HATLI)Calculator linked on the resources page. Example – 33 days is a symbol of a day that you actualize the Truth from the beginning date.

7 Jaguar/IX (Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI)  – Day 7 of 13 of the 1 Star/LAMAT trecena

Descriptions by Ian Xel Lungold (12 Sun/AHAU), wisdom and Tzolk’in calculator preserved on MayanMajix.com

Galactic Tone 7: Reflective. Seven stands as a mirror to divide light and dark and to reflect all that is and is not. Seven is associated with the source of creation and the flow of Divine Will. With a keen sense of ethics, Seven establishes purpose to current and future goals.

Jaguar/IX: Born with a deep love of the Mother Earth, Jaguar or shaman is directly tied to the source of all Earth magic. They possess great power of intellect and strength or character through integrity. Jaguar energy is feminine in nature and is the ruling spirit of jungles, plains, and mountains. The spirit of Jaguar inhabits the Mayan temples and is called on to assist in spiritual as well as in material ways. Jaguar is also the god/goddess of gratefulness. Patience born of strength and skill can turn to pounce of quick decision and action. Both bold and stealthful, Jaguars do not often attack directly and communications from them usually contain some mystery. In the absence of integrity, Jaguars power corrupts becoming a search for wealth and fame.

A GOOD DAY TO : Commune and give thanks to Mother Nature.

Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI: Panther is symbolized by comets, meteors, shooting stars, fireballs, and magicians.  Meteors appearing around the middle of November are Heralds of the Coming of the Light, the Cherokee New Year. Panther is the Shadow of the Sphinx, Herald of the Dawn, guardian of the night when the sun is traveling through the underworld. Panthers have unlimited imaginations, visualizations, and are spellbinding speakers. The Totem Jaguar is the guardian of the portals to other dimensions; shamanic abilities will open; multi-dimensional magic; healer, leader, way shower energy when used for spiritual growth.  Abuse would be for using this power for control or negative purposes; must find a powerful balance.

[Text in italics was the primary source of inspiration for my journal. These are the sources that started my journey and they are the reference for interpretation each day. By providing the original text, I hope to offer a way to see what inspired my thoughts and by including all the aspects – allow for something more to inspire you. Mayan descriptions are those written by Ian Lungold. Cherokee descriptions came from multiple sources. Links to sources and other resources of study are offered on the Daykeeper Resources Page. ~Debra]