The Winter Solstice
There is a place that shows today the same amazing potential that can be achieved by the combination of energy and physical architecture. Of course, this place is Stonehenge. A fine example of the art of placement as defined by astrology and numerology, it still stands, engaging the alignment of celestial bodies, most especially at winter solstice, each year.
As the solstice starts, the streams of light from the sun enter the temple structure in their assigned place, recreating their previously understood effect. The astrologers and numerologists of those days are gone, but the structure that reconstructs their beliefs remains.
The Advent of the Winter Solstice
The winter solstice was the day of celebration, for it marked the Earth's birthday. According to the Celtic faith, each person's birthday was embraced as an embarking point for a new cycle of personal learning. On winter solstice, the Earth, as a living female planet, was embarking on her new cycle of learning as well. It was the most auspicious of times to harmonize one's personal process with the larger process of the Earth and coordinate it to all the universe. It was a day of ritual, celebration, wearing the finest clothes, feasting, and rejoicing in the wonder of life and love.
The ritual of winter solstice, which started when the first rays streamed through the Stonehenge pillars, was designed to clear and cleanse from the soul the shadows of trials of the previous year. The energetically engaging ritual facilitated preparation for a new year. There was a deep desire to embrace with a receptive heart the new learning the coming year would bring.
Ritual Was the Tool for Energetic Clearing
The winter solstice ritual was done in profound reverence and gratitude for the Earth, the universe, and our place in it all. This was not ritual as we generally know it today–a series of meaningful steps repeated as touchstones, or memory markers whose purpose is to enrich and anchor our personal lives. No. Each element had its pure energetic contribution, given a place of predetermined mystical placement to enhance its quality of contribution.
Elements, goblets, and musical tones didn't represent something else in a metaphoric way. The elements of ritual were the language of the ritual. Where the people stood, the colors of their clothes, the movement of their dance, the music, aromas, and smoke were part of the energy of the ritual. Each one was used with skill, intent, and knowledge of the energetic properties it would bring to the solstice.
Ritual was not used to remember or reassure. It was divined to enhance energetic alignment and liveliness between the people, the Earth, and the universe. Placement and correct astrological timing energetically coordinated each element and each person for an event of majesty, simplicity, and great spiritual enhancement.
Rituals of Today
We still have wonderful rituals that carry with them a strong feeling of magic that enfolds the event. Marriages, christenings, funerals, celebrations of victory, and sharing the grief of loss are just a few. In the past, people called upon the numerologist to coordinate the numbers of the bride, groom, place, day, time, and year. Through this coordination, the numerologist's goal was to create a placement in time that would bring the best possible life situations, viewpoints on those situations, and harmonious resolution to the embarking couple. This is one way numerologists still serve the people in this day and age.
