In this episode Venus & Vesta explains the phenomenon known as the solstice. Solstice literally means still sun and solstices are a special time to mark the seasons as well as the passage of time via the light and dark available on the planet. The Earth is at its most extreme direction facing away from the Sun, although closest to it, whilst in the Southern Hemisphere it is summer and the longest day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day, a distinct lack of light in the cold winter months.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

This solstice is the most extreme. It’s when the Earth has moved furthest away from the Sun, in its angle. At this furthest point it’s like a still point, and solstice does mean “still Sun”, so it’s like a reckoning, a pause between the in-out breath that we experience. Suddenly, the Earth is going to move back towards the light – in the northern hemisphere – and away in the southern hemisphere.
On the 22nd December it takes the longest time for the Earth to rotate on its axis because of the magnetic effects of the Sun, which is fantastic because we’re experiencing the shortest/longest amount of light, but it’s not in relation to the amount of time the Earth takes to do one rotation.
The northern hemisphere does experience a profound lack of sunlight, if you’re in the northern parts of Scotland or Iceland, you’ll experience around six hours of sunlight, which isn’t a lot. For the ancients, that must have been a lot of hardship to go through, to realise that they’re in much more of a hibernation – very similar to the animals – than anyone near to the equator or the southern hemisphere. Also, all of our astrology was developed by people living in the northern hemisphere experiencing the solstice from the north.
I do think we are meant to honour and respect and take notice of these Earthly cycles, whether they are new and full Moons, eclipses, solstices, equinoxes, they are moments for us to understand how we’re here, what we’re doing here, our evolution here and how we can navigate and process it more effectively with these signposts of light and dark. 

BEST MOMENTS
‘The solstice was an important time to let them know that the light was returning and of course pertains to the ‘coming of the light’ with Jesus’ birthday a few days later.’‘The Druids were guardians of light and understood how the light and dark helped us mark and process the passing of time.’‘The solstice connects to many ancient sites around the world, not just Stonehenge where the druids still gather.’‘The Mayans and other ancient cultures understood the earth’s 26,000 wobbles as a passing of time for the planet way into the future.’
ABOUT THE HOST
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Ann-Louise Holland is a shamanic homoeopath, herbalist and astrologer.  She teaches astrology along with Steiner based anthroposophy, both of which are concerned with cultural events that bring about humanity's evolution and awareness to the soul's journey. 
Venus & Vesta is a podcast about astrology for astrologers, monthly updates on the movements of the planets and asteroids, weekly detailed discussions, aligning the stars with what is happening in the world. Interviews with astrologers and mystics who have book

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