Embrace the Stillness: What the Winter Solstice 2024 Means for You

Every year when the sun moves into cardinal earth sign Capricorn, winter begins in the northern hemisphere and the warm summer season kicks off in the southern hemisphere, below the equator. Winter represents a time of physical and spiritual hibernation. It’s a time to reflect, turn inward, and endure colder temperatures, and sometimes harsh weather, depending on where you reside in the world. While many may prefer the warmer months, the blossoming of flowers in the spring, the feeling of fun and celebration of the summer; winter is a very important part of nature’s cycle and our connection to the cosmos, both physically and metaphysically.

The Sun is Standing Still – In Capricorn

I gave the definition of the word solstice in the Summer Solstice 2024 Guide, which is beneficial to reference to compare what has manifested in your life over the past six months. Solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), meaning “the sun is standing still.” The winter solstice is a profound moment in the celestial calendar when the sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. This occurs because of Earth’s axial tilt of approximately 23.5 degrees, which shifts the distribution of sunlight throughout the year.

For centuries, the winter solstice has symbolized a time of reflection, renewal, and the promise of brighter days ahead. Around December 21, the sun aligns over the Tropic of Capricorn, initiating Capricorn season and the official start of winter. 

There is ancient spiritual and religious significance to this time of year, the most notable being Christmas. But if we go further back to around 2000 BCE, in ancient Egypt, The Great Temple of Karnak, the largest and most important temple in Egypt, is aligned with the winter solstice. Historian Mathu Ater says “On the day of the winter solstice, the sun rises to light a path down the center of the Karnak Temple. Everyday afterwards daylight will grow until a balance is reached at The Vernal Equinox.” 

As the days gradually grow longer and the sun begins its slow ascent northward, light and hope are rekindled in the natural world. The winter solstice invites us to pause, much like the stillness of the sun, and turn inward. It’s a time to embrace the darkness as an opportunity for rest, introspection, and planting the seeds of intention for the year ahead.

The End and the Beginning

Each time a new season begins, we embrace cardinal energy in astrology. The four cardinal signs of the zodiac are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Cardinal energy is linked to new beginnings, action, and forward movement. But this energy looks different for each of these zodiac signs, based on their planetary rulership. Capricorn is ruled by outer planet Saturn, which is considered to be the greater malefic. Before the discovery of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, Saturn was believed to be the planet furthest from the sun, and is visible without a telescope. This is why Saturn is linked to boundaries, restriction, and time, amongst other things. As a malefic planet in traditional astrology (the other being Mars), Saturn often gets a bad rap, but the energy of Saturn is needed to maintain order and balance. Wherever Saturn and Capricorn are in your natal chart, indicates where you have strong ambition, and need to learn discipline and how to commit and take your time, in order to reach great heights. While Capricorn season begins at the end of the year, it signifies preparation for a new beginning in the new year, celebration for your hard work, and Saturn may actually reward you for the efforts put forth in the months prior.

Winter Solstice 2024

The winter solstice occurs on Saturday, December 21 at 1:21 am  PST / 4:21 am EST. There is a double Saturn influence because the word Saturday is derived from Roman god Saturn, and is “Saturn’s Day.” 

The day of the winter solstice can be interpreted like an astrological natal chart, and looking at the winter solstice chart, the ascendant or rising sign is cardinal sign Libra, and the chart is ruled by Venus. This indicates that relational issues will be on the horizon for all of humanity with Venus currently in Aquarius, the sign connected to people. 

The sun in Capricorn is in the 4th whole sign house of ancestry and the past, putting an emphasis on the need to go backwards in order to move forward. The sun in Capricorn squares the nodes of fate, currently in Aries and Libra, so guided action must be taken, keeping the past in consideration. 

Saturn, the ruler of the sun, is in Pisces and exactly opposes the moon in Virgo. Saturn and the moon are not friends in traditional astrology, so we will all need to find practical ways (Virgo) to become more heart-centered and compassionate (Pisces). There is a mutable grand cross present, indicating a challenge that needs to be overcome, but we have the flexibility to do so with the mutable energy of the signs involved. 

Mercury is currently in Sagittarius squaring Saturn along with Jupiter in Gemini, so multiple truths and an abundance of information are present, creating conflict, but we should try to avoid repeating patterns. 

Venus and Jupter, and Mars and the nodes of fate in harmony will guide us through, providing knowledge and tools for navigating uncertainty. We are all truly in this together with Pluto in Aquarius, but let’s look at how the winter solstice may affect you personally.

Winter Solstice for Each Zodiac Sign

The winter solstice can bring rewards but also new responsibilities, a sense of renewal, and the desire to begin something new in the area of your chart ruled by Capricorn. Read below for your sun, moon and rising sign, to see the areas of your life you may want to turn your focus to over the next six months. If you don’t know your moon or rising sign, you can run your free birth chart here.

• Aries sun/moon/rising – Career, reputation 
• Taurus sun/moon/rising – Travel, higher education, spirituality, legal issues 
• Gemini sun/moon/rising – Resources & contracts with others, occult subjects, intimacy 
• Cancer sun/moon/rising – Romantic and platonic relationships and partnerships 
• Leo sun/moon/rising – Daily routine, work, health 
• Virgo sun/moon/rising – Creativity, children, self-expression, romance & dating  
• Libra sun/moon/rising – Home, family, ancestry 
• Scorpio sun/moon/rising – Communication, short-distance travel, siblings, & distant relatives 
• Sagittarius sun/moon/rising – Finances, material wealth, self-worth 
• Capricorn sun/moon/rising – Yourself, your personality, your physical body 
• Aquarius sun/moon/rising – Your subconscious, hidden fears, karma, faith, endings    
• Pisces sun/moon/rising – Friends, your network, community, hopes and wishes

If you have the sun in Capricorn, or personal planets or points (rising, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, midheaven), embrace this powerful energy and lean into the possibilities of creating something new that is significant and long-lasting. 

But we can all benefit from this reflective and renewing energy, so enjoy the journey. Happy winter solstice!