In the ancient Norse culture, they used a word that has worked its way into our modern culture to describe what are the Christmas holidays, Yule. From the old Norse word for wheel, Yule, refers to the moment when the cycle of the year is at its low point, ready to rise again. It was a celebration of the rebirth of the Sun and days with more light. This celebration took place annually around Solstice and lasted 12 days.
As far back as 10,000 BC, history is abundant with carvings and paintings reflecting respect and adoration for the Sun. This was undoubtedly driven by the recognition that this light not only saved our ancestors each morning from a night filled with predators and darkness, but it was also responsible for the growth of crops as well as bringing warmth, light and vision. Without it, life as we know it, would cease. Likewise, our ancestors were very aware of the stars, which they tracked and catalogued meticulously as well as the moon.
They used these observations to record and anticipate events and began to organize celestial groupings into constellations. Ultimately, this led to the development of the cross of matter (see below, one of the oldest conceptual images in human history) and the plotting of the Sun’s movement’s through twelve different constellations they had defined. This symbolic cross and circle reflects the movement of the Sun throughout the course of one year as it moves through these constellations, the twelve signs of the zodiac. It also reflects the twelve months of the year, the fours seasons, the equinoxes and solstices. These zodiacal signs became anthropomorphized, given human and animal characteristics, and became the source of myths and stories. The Sun being at the center of this dramatic play became identified with the unseen creator, the light of this world and savior of humankind.
An example of anthropomorphosis is the Sun God, Horus, dating back to 3000 BC. His life was a series of allegorical myths involving the Sun’s movement. Horus had a daily battle with Set, the God of Darkness. Horus vanquishing Set each morning with overpowering light and Set being victorious at nightfall. The story of light vs dark is ubiquitous, stretching back as far as we can see. Some points of interest, Horus was purported to be of virgin birth, his birth was heralded by a bright star, and he was adored by three kings. Deeper examination reveals that this is likely related to the star Sirius and Orion’s belt consisting of three stars.
Soon we will be celebrating Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere on Saturday, March 20. It is on this day that darkness and light come into balance, and every day thereafter we experience more and more light. This is the time when the Sun after its long journey from the southernmost point, at 23 degrees 26 minutes south, or the Tropic of Capricorn will return to the earth’s equator. The journey to arrive there starts at summer solstice, when daylight reaches its peak and thereafter the days become shorter and colder until we reach winter solstice, the longest night (darkness). During this time the Sun appears to move south, getting smaller and scarcer. Trees lose their leaves, crops and other plants die. Solstice (meaning Sun stands still) marks the point where light begins to return as does warmth, and ultimately at the Equinox, after the Sun has risen from the underworld, life returns and plants and nature rejoice in a rebirth. Anciently, this journey of the Sun from summer solstice to winter solstice was viewed as the death of the Sun.
This death, reaches its climax, after moving south continuously for six months, until on December 22, it reaches its lowest point in the sky. Something very curious occurs at this time, for those living in the northern hemisphere the Sun appears to stop moving, and for three days, seems to stand still, December 22,23, 24. At this time, the Sun resides in the vicinity of the Southern Cross. On December 25, the Sun moves 1 degree north, arising from its three-day slumber and ultimately climbing out of the underworld to bring warmth, light and foreshadowing Spring when new life occurs. Our ancestors officially celebrated this rising in Spring, due to the fact that it is at this point the Sun overcomes darkness, and light becomes longer in duration than the night. They saw this as being saved.
And so, as we approach Spring equinox, it is important to remember this remarkable cycle we are all part of, and like our ancestors, look forward to and celebrate the return of Apollo. His mythical chariot will once again pull the Sun into position at zero degrees of Aries, marking the beginning of a new astrological year. May this return help us to feel renewed and invigorated as the increasing light illuminates new possibilities and a fresh start. Here comes the Sun…
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