Hi friends, family, and lovers,
Welcome to your weekly Cycles of Time forecast. In this episode, the sun is shining on the Northernmost point of the wheel, a part of the greater cycle that emphasizes spiritual wisdom, respecting our elders and owning our own elderhood, and the ever-moving, ever-adaptable qualities of wind and water. I associate the northern part of the wheel of the year with the process of erosion. Just as wind and water in the winter season change and shape the landscape through slow yet consistent movements, we also mirror that process in our bodies and minds in wintertime.
Erosion is a long-game process, a game that can only be recognized by elders after living through many seasons. As children, youth, and adults, the process is different, with a more rapid turnover. It is in elderhood, in winter, that we can witness and appreciate the small steps that accumulate along the way.
I’m personally tapping into this wisdom this week so that I don’t get bogged down with frustration and overwhelm. The sickness that I picked up in New York is lingering in my sinuses, making me feel like I’m inside a giant bubble., and this Mars Retrograde through my first house of self is making me feel like I’m dragging my legs through tar. Weee! To add even more lead to the stew, that full moon in Gemini on Sunday was square Neptune in the sky AND opposite my natal Neptune, so the delulu- dreaminess of Poseidon’s planet has been infiltrating my logic-loving mind in a big way.
I’m soooo dang tired, y’all. How bout you? How are you feeling as we enter the darkest time of the year here in the North?
Honestly though, t’s times like these that I truly appreciate this journey through the wheel of the year that I’m on. When I think about the North and elderhood and water and wind and erosion, I’m able to get some much-needed perspective on the current moment. This is a slow time, a dark time, a wide-lensed time of year… and it won’t always feel this way. My Neptune is squaring Neptune in the sky, making me feel one day inspired by the possibilities in the soup, and the next day drowning in the soup. But this, too, shall pass.
I made an IG post for the full moon in Gemini on Sunday where I gave some advice based on the Human Design Gates that the full moon activated: the sun in the Gate of Ideals (Gate 11) and the moon in the gate of Caution (Gate 12).
“This full moon, let new ideas and ideals flow through you, without holding on too tight to them. Let the possibilities of the infinite wash over you. You don’t need to know all the answers. Not yet, anyway.
This full moon, go inward. Touch in with the place where your daydreams meet your night dreams. Simmer on the messages from that place until they reach a boil. Only then are they ready to be revealed”.
The moon is waning away from its fullness now, but the sun remains in the Gate of Ideas until this Wednesday, still making a square to Neptune. So my message holds true. As frustrating as it might feel in the beginning of the week, let the infinite sea of possibilities move through you, and don’t hold on too tight. Some good news: Mercury has now stationed direct after 3 weeks in retrograde motion, so this week could feel a return of some forward momentum. Maybe some brilliant idea that came through and sat within you on Sunday’s full moon is ready to be shared with the collective- go for it this week!
The Winter Solstice is here on Saturday the 21st, welcoming Yule and Capricorn Season, and it is a beautiful occasion to shine your inner light out into the darkness. I just went with my family on our annual pilgramage to the Pecos Wilderness to find a Christmas tree. As tired as I have been, making some effort to decorate and light up the inside of my house with twinkly colorful lights and ornaments made me feel so much better. The Gate that the sun is transiting through on this week’s beautiful Solstice Saturday is the Gate of Self Love, so it’s time to decorate and light up your inner world, too….
Let’s get into the forecast.
This week’s highlights:
Saturday, December 21: Winter Solstice, the longest night and shortest day of the year (Northern Hemisphere)
December 21: The Holy Day of YULE in the Pagan Wheel of the Year
December 21: Sun enters Capricorn, the season of the Sea-Goat
Human Design/I’Ching:
Last Friday Dec 13th -Wed, Dec. 18th: The Gate of Ideas (11)
Thurs. Dec 19th -Mon, Dec. 23: The Gate of Self-Love (10)
This week’s themes:
Let idealistic ideas flow through you and out of you, lighting up the world.
Self love is not self-obsession, it is a natural alignment with your inner truth
Light the Yule Log, welcome the longer days ahead, and shine your radiant light into the larger world around you
Our Place in the Wheel of the Year
Medicine Wheel Direction: North (Wind, Elderhood, Spirituality)
Wuxing Cycle Element: Water
Pagan Season: Yule season is here
Zodiac Season: Sagittarius-Capricorn (December 21-January 21)
Moon Phase: Waning
I Ching Hexagram/Human Design: Gate 11 (Mon-Wed), Gate 10 (Thurs-Sun)
11: Earth over Heaven (“Peace”) or the Gate of IDEAS
10: Heaven over Lake (“Small Steps”) or the Gate of SELF-LOVE
Mon-Wed: The Gate of Ideas
The first few days of the week (Mon-Wed), the sun is transiting through the Gate of Ideas, Gate 11, which is the last full Gate of Sagittarius season. I talked about this gate in last week’s episode more in depth, but a little recap:
Human Design Gate 11, known as the Gate of Ideas, is a portal for conceptualizing and sharing visions that inspire others. Rooted in the energy of the Ajna Center, it brings a profound ability to explore the realms of imagination and possibility. From the perspective of the I'Ching, it aligns with Hexagram 11, "Peace," symbolizing a harmonious flow between creative forces and receptivity. In the Gene Keys, Gate 11 invites us to move from the Shadow of Obscurity—a state of confusion and disconnection from truth—into the Gift of Idealism, where ideas are grounded in hope and clarity. At its highest expression, the Siddhi of Light emerges, offering transcendent wisdom and the capacity to radiate truth and beauty. Gate 11 teaches us the power of storytelling and how ideas, when shared with integrity, can bring peace and enlightenment to humanity.
The energy of Sagittarius season was to gallop toward the horizon with strength and focus, keeping a steady rhythm, gaining perspective on the world at large and our place within it. The final two gates, the Egoist (26) and the Gate of Ideas (11) are about showing up in our fullness and recognizing how important the contributions of ourselves and our ideas are to the world. After the traveling Centaur archer sees all the corners of the earth and recognizes himself within them, he is ready to give of himself to something larger in a meaningful way. But first, he must sit in the darkness of the Winter Solstice, the longest night, and find the light within himself that can carry him forward.
The Human Design gate that links Sagittarius season to Capricorn season is Gate 10: the Gate of Self-Love. Before Capricorn can evolve from the fish to the mountain goat, fighting the good fight and selflessly taking one for the team, he must begin with a deep love of self, a bright spark within. Inner self-love is the culmination of Sagittarius’ quest for wisdom, and sets the stage for the Capricornian peaks that lie ahead.
Thurs-Mon: The Gate of Self-Love
The Gate of Self-Love, also known as the Gate of Behavior of the Self, is a deeply individual energy rooted in the G Center, emphasizing self-love, self-awareness, and authenticity. This gate inspires us to live according to our inner truth, guiding how we act and express ourselves in the world. It aligns with Hexagram 10 in the I'Ching, "Treading," or “Small Steps” which speaks to walking a careful and intentional path with integrity. The wisdom of this gate reminds us that how we interact with life is a direct reflection of our inner alignment, and it carries the potential to influence others through the example of self-assuredness and correct behavior.
In the Gene Keys, Gate 10 holds the spectrum of frequency between the Shadow of Self-Obsession, the Gift of Naturalness, and the Siddhi of Being. In the Shadow, we become fixated on our flaws or overly absorbed in our individuality, creating feelings of isolation or insecurity. However, through self-acceptance, this energy transforms into the Gift of Naturalness, where our actions effortlessly align with our authentic essence. This state reflects a deep connection to the moment, where we live and act without pretense or effort. At its highest expression, the Siddhi of Being emerges— this is a transcendence beyond self-identity into a pure state of presence, where life is simply lived as it is, without need for justification or explanation.
Gate 10 is ultimately about self-empowerment and the courage to walk your unique path. It invites us to examine our behavior and motivations, not from a place of judgment, but from a place of self-love and reflection. When fully expressed, it serves as a guiding light for others, showing the beauty of living authentically and inspiring those around us to embrace their own truth. It is a call to honor the inherent perfection of being yourself regardless of external expectations.
This Winter Solstice, Shine Your Inner Light
The Winter Solstice, marking the longest night and the rebirth of the sun, offers a profound opportunity to reflect on and embody self-love. This sacred time of year invites us to honor our inner light, even amidst the darkness, and to nurture ourselves with the same care and reverence we extend to others. Self-love during the solstice can be cultivated through intentional rituals that acknowledge our worth, celebrate our resilience, and affirm our connection to nature and the cycles of life. By embracing stillness and turning inward, we can rekindle a sense of gratitude for who we are and the unique journey we walk.
In the celebration of Yule, rich symbols like the Yule log, the goat, and holly and pine remind us of renewal, protection, and strength. Lighting a Yule log, for example, can symbolize the burning away of self-doubt and the illumination of our inherent beauty and potential. As the flames crackle, we can set intentions for self-compassion, releasing any harsh judgments we’ve held against ourselves over the past year. The Yule goat, a symbol of endurance and the enduring spirit, can inspire us to recognize and honor our own perseverance. Decorating with holly, pine, and juniper, whose sharp leaves and vibrant berries represent protection and vitality, serves as a reminder to shield ourselves from negative self-talk and to embrace the life force within.
This year, I collaborated on a product design with my friend Justine Kahn’s organic skincare company, Botnia. (She was on the podcast back in August for her Leo birthday gate!) I did a couple watercolors of Pinon and Juniper trees for her seasonal hydrosols, and it was fun to think about the resilience of these beautiful trees. If you want to get a self-love present for yourself this Solstice, I highly recommend all of Botnia’s products! (The limited edition pinon and juniper unfortunately have sold out, but there are so many other amazing botanicals to choose from)
This winter season encourages us to rest, reflect, and honor our inner cycles, much like nature does. By aligning with the themes of Yule and the Winter Solstice, we can create a space for self-acceptance and love, planting seeds of kindness toward ourselves that will blossom as the days grow longer. It is a time to celebrate not just the return of the sun, but the radiant, divine light that resides within each of us.
2 Goats of The Solstice: The Yule Goat and the Sea-Goat
Yule, known as Jól in Old Norse, was a midwinter festival marking the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The origins of Yule trace back to ancient Germanic and Scandinavian pagan traditions, long before it was incorporated into Christian customs as Christmas. Deeply tied to nature and the cycles of the sun, it reflected the spiritual and agricultural rhythms of early agrarian societies.
Among Germanic peoples, Yule honored the rebirth of the sun and the promise of longer, warmer days to come. The festival was characterized by feasting, merriment, and rituals aimed at ensuring fertility, abundance, and protection for the coming year. One of its central customs was the burning of the Yule log, a large piece of wood symbolizing light triumphing over darkness. The fire was believed to hold protective and purifying qualities, with its embers often kept as charms for the year ahead.
In Norse mythology, Yule was closely linked to Odin, the chief of the gods, who led the Wild Hunt, a spectral procession of spirits across the winter sky. Odin, also called Jólfaðr ("Yule Father"), was associated with wisdom, magic, and mystery, adding a mystical dimension to the festivities.
Some people have speculated that Odin was the true origin of Santa Claus. The connection between Odin and Santa Claus, especially with Santa’s eight reindeer, has its roots in Norse mythology and the evolution of pagan and Christian traditions over time. Odin, one of the most prominent gods in Norse mythology, was often depicted riding his magical, eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, who could gallop through the air and traverse great distances. Sleipnir’s ability to travel swiftly between worlds bears a strong resemblance to Santa’s airborne sleigh pulled by eight reindeer. Children would leave offerings, such as food or hay, for Sleipnir in hopes that Odin would bless them with gifts or good fortune in return. This custom is strikingly similar to the modern tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.
As Christianity spread across Europe, many of Odin’s traits and traditions were absorbed into the figure of Saint Nicholas, who eventually evolved into Santa Claus. Over time, Sleipnir’s eight legs were reimagined as eight reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh. The number eight may have persisted as a symbolic echo of Sleipnir, blending seamlessly into the emerging holiday lore.
Many Yule symbols were drawn from the natural world, such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, and evergreen trees, which symbolized eternal life and resilience during the harsh winter months. Feasting and wassailing—offering toasts and blessings for health and prosperity—were common practices that strengthened communal bonds. Additionally, sacrifices and offerings, often involving animals or food, were made to gods and spirits to ensure good fortune in the coming year.
Astrologically, Yule’s timing aligns with the zodiac sign Capricorn, as the winter solstice falls during this earthy sign’s reign. Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, embodies qualities of discipline, endurance, and structure, which resonate with the themes of Yule. The solstice marks the return of light after the year’s darkest point, reflecting Capricorn’s grounded and persevering energy that supports the gradual rebuilding of strength and vitality. Saturn’s influence also connects to the cyclical nature of time and the reflective qualities of winter, inviting introspection and planning for the future, which were integral to Yule’s rituals for ensuring abundance and renewal.
The Capricorn goat, a symbol of the zodiac sign Capricorn, has roots in ancient mythology, particularly Greek and Babylonian stories. Capricorn is often shown as a sea goat—part goat and part fish. This unique combination represents balance between the earthy and watery worlds, symbolizing resilience, adaptability, and a mix of practicality and intuition.
In Greek mythology, the sea goat is linked to Pan, the playful god of shepherds and nature. One famous story tells how, during a battle with the terrifying serpent Typhon, Pan tried to escape by jumping into the Nile River. To survive, he transformed into a creature that was half goat (his usual form) and half fish. Zeus, impressed by Pan’s cleverness, honored him by placing the sea goat in the sky as the constellation Capricorn.
The sea goat also shows up in Babylonian mythology, tied to the god Ea (or Enki), a deity of wisdom and water. Ea was often depicted as a goat-fish, representing fertility and the life-giving power of water. This connection gives Capricorn a link to creativity and the blending of practical and emotional energies.
The goat part of Capricorn’s symbol reflects traits like determination, resilience, and the ability to climb great heights—just like real goats scaling steep mountains. It’s a perfect metaphor for Capricorn’s ambitious nature and their steady drive to achieve goals, no matter how tough the path. The fish tail adds a more emotional, intuitive side, reminding Capricorns to stay connected to their feelings and inner wisdom while working toward their dreams. Together, the sea goat is a symbol of balance—between the material world and the emotional one—and reflects the unique mix of qualities that makes Capricorn so grounded yet complex.
Interestingly, far away from Babylon and Greece, a goat also served as a symbol of Yule. The Yule Goat is a fascinating and enduring symbol of Scandinavian Yule traditions, with roots stretching back to pre-Christian pagan practices. Historically, the goat was associated with Thor, the Norse god of thunder, whose chariot was said to be pulled by two magical goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. These goats were believed to embody strength, protection, and fertility, themes that were integral to midwinter celebrations. Over time, the Yule Goat became a central figure in Scandinavian folklore and was linked to Yule festivities, often as a bringer of gifts or as a figure associated with mischief.
During the Christianization of Scandinavia, the Yule Goat evolved into a more festive symbol, often represented as a straw goat used in decorations or holiday rituals. Today, the Yule Goat is a beloved part of Scandinavian Christmas traditions, with the famous Gävle Goat—a massive straw goat constructed annually in Gävle, Sweden—standing as a modern homage to this ancient icon. Whether as a guardian of winter’s mysteries or a cheerful holiday emblem, the Yule Goat remains a powerful connection to the season’s rich history and mythology.
As Christianity spread across Europe, many Yule customs like the Yule Goat and Odin’s Wild Hunt were absorbed into Christmas traditions. By the 10th and 11th centuries, Christian missionaries adapted the celebration of Yule to align with Christ’s birth, which had been positioned around the winter solstice. The Yule log, evergreen decorations, and themes of light and renewal became intertwined with Christmas, blending pagan and Christian elements into one holiday.
In modern times, Yule has seen a revival among neopagan and Wiccan communities, who celebrate it as part of the Wheel of the Year, a cycle of seasonal festivals. Contemporary Yule festivities incorporate ancient practices, like lighting candles and honoring the solstice, alongside modern customs such as gift-giving and festive meals. It remains a celebration of nature, the turning of the seasons, and the enduring light within the darkness, while its associations with Capricorn’s steadfast energy remind us of the importance of resilience, reflection, and the promise of growth.
Solstice blessings to all!
However you celebrate the Solstice, be sure to take time and give yourself some love. It’s the season’s assignment, given to us by the ancient I’Ching, the wheel of the year, and…. probably Santa Claus too.
I’ll see you next Monday as the sun begins its transit through the first full gate of Capricorn season, Gate 58: the Gate of Vitality.
Let me know in the comments how you celebrate the solstice or Yule- I’d love to know!
And for a solstice wish, I’d truly appreciate if you shared this transmission with someone you think would resonate, gave a 5 star review on Spotify, or subscribed to the Substack!
All the love for this week of ideas, self love, and the dreams of the deep dark night!
xo
Alison
Follow me on Instagram: @cyclesoftimepodcast and @astro.somatics
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