2020–12–20 Radio Show Transcript — The Solstice and The New Age
By: Bill Attride
Tags: Astrology, Responsibility, Solstice, Spirituality

Transcript of Radio Show: The Solstice and The New Age

(If you wish to listen to the show instead, here is the link on or Apple Podcasts)

In my show on November 15 (you can read the transcript for it here), I examined the significance of what Astrologers call The Great Mutation of Jupiter and Saturn. About every 200 years or so, the Jupiter and Saturn Cycle of Relationship, that is from Conjunction to Conjunction every 20 years, shifts from one Element into the next. Since 1840 they have been aligning in Earth Signs but starting tomorrow, they begin a new series of conjunctions in the Air Signs, starting with Aquarius (tomorrow), then Libra in 2040, and Gemini in 2060 and so on.

As many of you know, I prefer to understand the significance of planetary influences as being better understood as periods of times rather than discrete events, to be viewed more as waves of energy-forms that build in or wax and then recede or wane; and that waxing and waning occur over a longer or shorter period of time depending upon the planets involved. Yet, it is equally true that at any one moment in our journey we can feel these waves of energy formed by the Dance of the Planets as reaching some definitive shift, climax or turning point. These more discrete or critical moments are found at certain points in their cycle of relationships, especially the Conjunction, Waxing Square, Opposition, Waning Square and back to Conjunction.

Astrological Timing

Today I want to talk more about the timing of this significant shift of planetary energy-forms of the relationship of Jupiter and Saturn, and its impact for us. I want to note or point out that it is a rather striking coincidence, or accident of timing, or perhaps part of some divine plan, that this beginning of a new 200-year cycle is happening on one of the Four Sacred Turning points in our Astrological Calendar, the Winter Solstice of Capricorn.

The Web of Consciousness

The magisterial nature of the Cosmos, and the beauty and harmony of our Dance of the Planets, and the revolutions and vortices of the Stars and Galaxies form what I like to see as a complex spiritual-neural network; it is an Infinite Web of Spirit-Life-Consciousness, and of course we are very much part of that Mind of Spirit too. Just as we humans are made of and by one another, even though we often live with the illusion that we are separate individuals because we seemingly appear to be so distinct from each other given our bodily forms; we really are not separate from one another at all, not in the least. We, like every particle of Creation, are formed by a hierarchy of energy-forms within our bodies and equally by a hierarchy of energy-forms between one another. I like to say, we are made of one another in so many, many ways, and not the least of which is by all our experiences we create with and through one another. Truly, our Dance of Human Life mirrors the Dance of the Planets, and that is another affirmation of the great teaching, “as above so below”.

Individuality

This is most certainly true on the planetary level, as the planets form relationships with one another that mutually affect them, as well as create energy-forms of meaning and influence for us here on Earth. Moreover, in our Earth’s dance around the Sun, we do not follow a regular circuit or circle. Like any individual, and know this, all Energy-Forms are sparks of the Divine, the entirety of the Universe is composed by an infinitude of unique instances of Spirit, wherein every particle and energy-form is in some manner an Individual. That means that there is nothing that is exactly like any other nor could it ever be. The One becoming manifest is the body, soul, and spirit of the Cosmos, and that Cosmos is made so by individuation, differentiation, and diversity.

Motions and Meaning

Earth is a being too; Earth is an Individual too. Earth’s orbit is Elliptical, moving closer and further away from the Sun as we orbit around our star. Our Earth also bobbles and weaves, it goes back and forth, it moves up and down in various planes of motion. One of these variations forms our precession of the equinoxes which spans about 25,000 years, forming the Astrological Ages. Another variation of motion defines our yearly cycle around the Sun, as each polar region of the Earth will point more towards and then away from the Sun during one circuit. This tilting back and forth forms our seasonal cycling here on Earth.

The Solstice

And this is what the Capricorn Solstice represents tomorrow; it is one of those discrete moments when something “ends” and something “begins”; when we mark the changing of the seasons, formed by the dance of light shifting between the Day and the Night. I like to say that the Solstices of Winter/Summer and the Equinoxes of Spring/Fall, they are like the “Four Corners” of our year. They mark the South, the East, the North, and the West of our journey during the year; it is this very motion that defines what we call a year.

From the Winter Solstice, the shortest of days and the longest of nights, the Earth begins to tilt back towards the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere, reaching an equilibrium of Day and Night at the Spring Equinox. Earth continues to bend toward the Sun until we reach the longest of days and the shortest of nights at the Summer Solstice. From then until the next Winter Solstice, the days grow shorter and the shadows lengthen reaching a balance of Day and Night at the Autumnal Equinox, and a return to the longest night at the Winter Solstice again.

Sacred Turnings

In many cultures, one of these moments or “Four Corners” that is said to herald the “beginning of the year”, spiritually, culturally, or legalistically. With regards to the Ancient Wisdom, each of these turnings have been held as Sacred moments in Spiritual Teachings throughout the ages. Though the spiritual journey of awakening and self-mastery is continuous and ongoing, these four moments are when the most important ceremonies are held for aspirants, and the greatest Initiations for those on the path are held at these sacred times of the year.

Many traditions hold celebrations and ceremonies during this period in honor of this moment. Imagine yourself back in time, and the days are getting shorter and shorter, and the nights are longer and longer, and the Sun, upon which your entire existence depends, is disappearing. Using our civil calendar, it is on or about December 21 st, that the Sun will rise or set at the lowest point on the horizon since June 21 st. Then, for the next several days, it will rise and set at the same point on the horizon. That is what the term Solstice means, “The Sun Stands Still”, and you and the whole world waits. Will the Sun return, or will the light go out; will life continue or not? On the 3 rdor 4 thday after the Solstice, on December 24 thor 25 th, the Sun begins to move back northwards once more. The Light is returning; the Darkness is in retreat, and the promise of life, of your future and your world is there for all to see.

Initiation of the Sun

The Winter Solstice represents for one and for all the Re-Birth of the Sun; in ancient sacred rituals and ceremonies, an aspirant would have taken many steps to prepare themselves for this moment. In the Ancient Wisdom, the Initiation undertaken at Capricorn represents the “Mystic Birth of Individuality”. It is often known as the “Initiation into the Sun”.

It seems rather fitting that on the very day of the Solstice we are also witnessing the birth of a New Age, heralded by the Jupiter/Saturn Great Mutation into Air. These shifts in Energy-Forms are very real, whether the beginning of Winter for the next 90 days, or an Age of Air for the next 200 years. But these, of themselves alone, will not “create” or “make” change happen here on Earth. Enlightenment is not doled out; it is earned. A New Age is not given; it is made by what we do.

Responsibility

This is our responsibility; and you will know this is your duty when you listen to your heart. Here is the planetary message and meaning of this moment; and this message is the core experience of spirit at this time of year. Capricorn is the Sign of Responsibility. All the Signs from Aries through Sagittarius have prepared you for this moment. The Universe is asking every one of us a question: What is your Responsibility; what is your Duty?

The planets are Avatars of Meanings and Timings; they hold the messages and meanings of our journey here on Earth; they provide inspiration, guidance, and the timing for the unfolding of celestial energies. But it is on us, on you and me, it is on all of us to be the change we wish to see. We are the ones who will be the awakening; and we must understand and so act in accordance with the Spiritual principles that govern our Creation.

Each of us must struggle and strive for a greater understanding about the Laws of Spirit. We do this outwardly by observing and learning about the world around us, to see the world as it really is; and we do this inwardly, by listening to our higher intuitional self, and by knowing in our hearts what is true and good and loving. And, over time we learn to align our aims and actions, our desires, and our will to that which is more than just us; slowly but steadily we learn to choose that which is true and good and loving. We learn to live by Love; and we learn to align our will with the Will of the One.

Let Thy Will Be Done

That is what is meant by that mystical but beautiful saying, “Let thy will be done”. It is not the surrender of our limited desires and will to some outside deity or power. No, this beautiful saying is the affirmation of the Heart Doctrine of the Wisdom Teaching. The Light of the Universe is not somewhere out there; it is the steadfast gentle light within you.

The Will of the One is within us all. It is the Voice of the Silence; it is the Unconditional Love of the One for one and for all. It is your Spark of the Divine; it is your beloved who reminds you that you are awakened when you are self-forgetful, when you act to serve and help and care for one another. That is the sign, that is the proof that you are on the Path of Awakening. Quite simply, but truly, it is the way of the Wise Ones; it is the true path of Unconditional Love.

And that is the way we will build this New Age. That with this Great Mutation Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, we are being asked once more to “Let thy Will be done”.

Our Responsibility

We must think not of ourselves, but for those who will come after, those who have not yet had the gift of living and loving, of striving and lifting themselves up on this beautiful garden we call Earth. We must understand that our responsibility is to all of life on this planet, for it is precious. Now that we know what we have done to the balance of life on this planet, we must put aside our ignorance and selfishness and act for the future of life on this planet.

The planets are saying it is time, and we should heed the call.

We are here to forge a New Path; we are here to preserve, protect and love all creatures great and small. For Love is Life; and Life is Love.

We humans are here to love and be loved.

We are here to be ones of the One.

Let us make it so, and

Let Thy Will be Done.