The Shortest Day and Longest Night

The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the winter solstice, which occurs on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 4:21 A.M. (EST). 
For the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs every year on December 21 or 22. (The Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurs in June.)

 

Old Farmer’s Almanac

We often think of the winter solstice as an event that spans an entire calendar day, but the solstice actually lasts only a moment. Specifically, it’s the exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as possible. This is shown in the diagram below.

The word solstice comes from the Latin sol “sun,” and sistere “to stand still.” So, loosely translated, it means “sun stands still.” Why? The Sun’s path across the sky appears to freeze for a few days before and after the solstice. The change in its noontime elevation is so slight that the Sun’s path seems to stay the same or stand still.

The day after the winter solstice, the Sun’s path begins to advance northward again, eventually reaching its most northerly point on the day of the summer solstice.

Winter Solstice Traditions: Folklore and Celebrations

Alban Arthan
Welsh for “Light of Winter,” Alban Arthan is a universal festival, which has been (and still is) celebrated by many people and is probably the oldest seasonal festival of humankind. In Druidic traditions, the Winter Solstice is thought of as a time of death and rebirth when Nature’s powers and our own souls are renewed.

The prehistoric monument, Newgrange built in Ireland around 3200 B.C. (making it older than Stonehenge), is associated with the Alban Arthan festival. The site consists of a large circular mound with a stone passageway and interior chambers. When the Sun rises, the chamber is flooded with sunlight on the Winter Solstice.

The Feast of Juul
This was a festival observed in Scandinavia when fires were lit to symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the returning Sun. A Yule—or Juul—log was brought in and burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god, Thor. It was Thor’s job to bring the Sun’s warmth back to the people. The present-day custom of lighting a Yule log at Christmas is believed to have originated with these fires associated with the Feast of Juul.

Dongzhi Winter Solstice Festival
In addition to the traditions from western cultures, the Dongzhi Winter Solstice Festival is celebrated as a time for the entire family to get together to celebrate the past good year. As ancient Chinese thought, the yang, or muscular, positive things will become stronger and stronger after this day, so it should be celebrated. Dumplings are usually eaten.

Saturnalia
In Ancient Rome, the Winter Solstice festival referred to as Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held to honor Saturnus, the Roman god of agriculture and harvest, and was characterized by the suspension of discipline and reversal of the usual order. Grudges and quarrels were forgiven, wars were postponed, and people engaged in carnival-like festivities. The popularity of Saturnalia continued into the third and fourth centuries AD, and as the Roman Empire came under Christian rule, some of the festival’s customs have influenced our current celebrations surrounding Christmas and the New Year.

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Mayan Time

December 21, 2024 falls on 6 Night/AKBAL, associated with a Dark Night of the Soul. Ian Xel Lungold defined the Day sign as “Bringers of the Dawn. Dreamers who bring the new sun to clarity and illuminate the Road of Life. Thus the insecurities and doubts born of darkness of the sub-conscious mind are dispelled.” AKBAL holds potential for mystical experience, and a Voice that speaks in our dreams. AKBAL is the Day sign of the Dreamer that believes in the Dream. The 6th Tone relates to the movement of volume through space that creates time. Night/AKBAL is Time ordered for drawing within and to willingly face the dark thoughts that will be dispelled by the Light.

It’s a good day for a long winter’s nap, and for dreaming whether you are asleep or awake. The Light that breaks casts away fears and restores Faith in Dreams that are possible, no matter how long ago we may have left them behind.

Longest Shadow Of The Year

The Day of AKBAL is a reflection of our longest shadow of the year. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, check your noontime shadow around the time of the solstice: It will be your longest noontime shadow of the year.

The common theme among worldly traditions is to Count our Blessings for the return of Light and the promise of Spring.

Our Darkest Days of the Year are coming to an end.

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THE TRECENA OF SERPENT/CHICCHAN: AWAKENING THE GIFTS OF SPIRIT
MAYAN CALENDAR DAYKEEPER’S JOURNAL
10 Jaguar/IX, Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI, Destiny Kin 114, Position 14
December 12, 2024, 12/12/2024; A Round Before: July 11, 2023, 07/11/2023

THE TRECENA OF SERPENT/CHICCHAN: AWAKENING THE GIFTS OF SPIRIT

My gift for the Tzolk’in round is the “Tzolk’in Field Guide: A Daily Practice for Personal Discernment.” Volume 1 covers the first two seasons of the Tzolk’in round. The “Field Guide” is available to download from a link on the 13-day Trecena Guide Page.

Tracking your thoughts during one 13-day trecena, you will see the synchronicity of Time, and an ascension as the answer to a prayer you hold as an Intention of thought from the beginning.

The Serpent/CHICCHAN trecena is part of Season 2, found in Volume 1.

NOTE: If you see repeating numbers, SacredScribes is a resource to check the meaning of Angel Numbers.

10 Jaguar/IX (Cherokee, Panther/SAHO’NI) – Day 10 of 13 in the 1 Serpent CHICCHAN‘s cycle of “Light.”

Descriptions by Ian Xel Lungold (12 Sun/AHAU), wisdom preserved on MayanMajix.com

Galactic Tone 10: Manifestation. What were once intentions or ideas, hopes or fears become physically present with the energy of Ten. What is focused upon with attention and intention becomes real with Ten. Ten is a powerful energy that carries a great responsibility.

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.

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 Cherokee 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.  Conducive to pray for grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters and wives day. For wisdom at 4 Balances, cunning and protection of Mother Nature. To thank the Earth for sustenance. Ix is the native cunning, enterprising, vigorous, bold and realistic.

[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]