Take some precious time for yourself today to turn your focus inward in recognition of this darkest of dark times of year as we call forth the return of the light once again. I offer you these words from my favorite astrologer, Barbara Hand Clow in celebration of the Winter Solstice:

"The modern calendar abuses our consciousness! The time to make plans for each year is during the Spring Equinox, not during the so-called "New Year". The most philosophical and spiritual time of the year is the Winter Solstice, which is reduced to addictions and consumerism by Christmas shopping, eating, and drinking. In fact, December 21st to March 21st, the last quarter of the year, is our yearly completion time. The special days and nights right before the Winter Solstice are the most mystical time of the year, and we should meditate for hours during this time. Then when the Sun is in Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces before the Spring Equinox, we should be deepening our understandings of all the things we have learned during the last nine months-the previous Spring Equinox to the Winter Solstice."

Winter Solstice - December 21, 2009, Sun enters Capricorn at 9:47 am PST