While it isn’t astrology per se, the solstice and astrology can overlap, and quite often people who are interested in astrology will find a lot to love about the solstice.
So let’s have a look at how to pinpoint the exact moment of the solstice, and how you can celebrate it in meaningful ways — wherever you are in the world.
What Is the Solstice?
The solstice occurs twice a year:
- Winter Solstice: The shortest day and longest night of the year
- Summer Solstice: The longest day and shortest night of the year
These moments happen when the Earth’s axial tilt is at its maximum angle toward or away from the Sun, creating the most extreme differences in daylight hours.
Note that when the Summer Solstice takes place in the northern hemisphere, it’s the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere and vice versa as well.
This means that while people in the Northern Hemisphere are currently experiencing the quiet introspection of the Winter Solstice, those in the Southern Hemisphere (including Australia, where I am at the moment) are celebrating the vibrancy of the Summer Solstice.
The summer solstice represents the peak of light, abundance, and vitality. It’s a celebration of life, growth, and the fulfillment of intentions planted earlier in the year. It’s a time to express gratitude, connect with nature, and bask in the warmth of the Sun’s energy. Symbolically, it reminds us to embrace joy, celebrate our successes, and align with the power of creation.
Winter Solstice Symbolism:
The winter solstice marks the return of the light after the longest night, symbolizing rebirth, introspection, and renewal. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the coming year as the light begins to grow stronger. Symbolically, it invites us to let go of what no longer serves us and plant the seeds of our future dreams in the fertile soil of stillness and quiet.
Is the Solstice Astrology?
Not quite! The solstice is a natural, astronomical event determined by the Earth’s tilt and orbit. However, astrology often intertwines with the solstice:
- Winter Solstice: In Western astrology, the solstice typically occurs close to the Sun’s entry into Cancer (southern hemisphere) or into Capricorn (northern hemisphere)
- Summer Solstice: Similarly, the solstice aligns with the Sun’s entry into Cancer (northern hemisphere) or Capricorn (southern hemisphere)
Astrologically speaking, these signs are powerful Cardinal signs and more than worthy to mark these powerful changes.
Does the December Solstice Always Coincide with the Sun Entering Capricorn?
Not always! The solstice usually occurs within a day or so of the Sun moving into Capricorn in December or Cancer in June. However, the exact timing can vary slightly due to differences between the Gregorian calendar and the precise solar year.
This year we have:
- Winter Solstice: Saturday, 21 December 2024, 9:21 am (UK time)
- Summer Solstice: Saturday, 21 June 2025, 12:41 pm (UK time)
How to Tell When It’s Solstice
You don’t need a telescope to know when the solstice occurs, but you do need to know these key details:
- Date: The solstice falls around December 21 (winter/summer) and June 21 (summer/winter), but the exact date can shift slightly each year.
- Time: The solstice occurs at a specific moment when the Earth’s tilt reaches its maximum angle.
- Resources: Websites like timeanddate.com or astrology apps can provide precise timings for your location.
Why Celebrate the Solstice?
The solstice represents a turning point in the year, whether it’s the return of the light after the longest night (Winter Solstice) or the height of the Sun’s power (Summer Solstice). Celebrating these transitions helps us align with nature’s cycles, honor our own journeys, and set intentions for the season ahead.
How to Celebrate the Solstice
Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
The Winter Solstice is a time for rest, reflection, and setting intentions for the return of the light. It’s about honoring the stillness and planting the seeds of your future.
Ideas for Winter Solstice:
- Solo: Light a candle, meditate, and journal about your intentions for the coming year. Reflect on what you want to release and what you wish to grow.
- With Friends: Host a small gathering with a warm meal, mulled wine, and time to share hopes and dreams.
- In Your Home or Garden: Decorate with greenery (holly, ivy, or pine), light a fire (or candles), and create a cozy space for reflection.
Why: Honoring the darkest night helps you embrace stillness, reset emotionally, and welcome the gradual return of the Sun’s energy.
Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere)
The Summer Solstice is about celebrating abundance, gratitude, and the peak of the Sun’s energy. It’s a time to connect with nature and bask in the vibrancy of life.
Ideas for Summer Solstice:
- Solo: Spend time outdoors, soaking in the Sun’s energy. Reflect on all you’re grateful for and set intentions for the second half of the year.
- With Friends: Host a garden party, picnic, or barbecue. Share what you’re thankful for and celebrate your collective wins.
- In Your Home or Garden: Create a flower mandala, light golden candles, and decorate with bright, summery colors.
Why: Celebrating the longest day helps you connect with joy, abundance, and the power of light, setting the tone for a vibrant season ahead.
Astrology Meets Astronomy
While the solstice isn’t astrology, it’s a profound reminder of the cycles that govern our lives, both earthly and cosmic. Whether you’re lighting a candle for the Winter Solstice or hosting a garden party for the Summer Solstice, this is a time to pause, reflect, and align yourself with the rhythms of the natural world.
This year, take a moment to honor the solstice in whatever way feels right for you — and remember, whether it’s astronomy, astrology, or a mix of both, this is a time to celebrate the beauty of the cosmos and your unique place within it.
If you love working with astrological energies, you will absolutely LOVE my free KICKSTART 2025 workshop, where I’ll guide you through ALL the major astrological events of the year ahead.
2025 is shaping up to be a BIG year, filled with transformative energies, eclipses, retrogrades, and powerful planetary alignments. Knowing when these cosmic shifts are happening and how to work with them can make all the difference.
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- Learn the key dates to mark in your diary so you can plan your year with cosmic clarity.
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With love and cosmic stardust,
Yasmin xo
