Dark to Light
This Friday, December 21 at 5:23 PM Eastern Time marks the winter solstice the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day of the year. Clocking in at only nine hours and 15 minutes of daylight on the East Coast, Friday will be spent mostly in darkness.
The last full moon of the year, when it coincides with the winter solstice, was also called the Long Night Moon by some Native Americans, as it occurred on the longest night of the year. The full moon at this time takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low sun, so the moon will be above the horizon longer than at other times of the year,
This year, the solstice arrives one day before the full moon on Friday and will technically still be a waxing gibbous. Spiritually speaking, this lunar phase is associated with growth, development, and progress. The waxing gibbous moon is the final stage before the full moon and its energy matches that anticipation you feel just before finishing a major project or meeting a long-term goal. In other words, this phase holds a lot of promise for us, energizing us to keep moving while reminding us of all we've done so far to reap the fruits of our labor.
How often do these events coincide, where the winter solstice is adorned by a full moon? The last time it occurred was in 2010 and the next event will not be until 2094. On December 21 you will also be able to see Mercury and Jupiter in conjunction in the long night sky. On top of all that, the Ursid meteor shower will peak on the nights of December 21 and 22, adding shooting starts to the mix.
The fact that the waxing gibbous and its corresponding influences coincides with the winter solstice and the Ursid meteor shower is truly the happiest coincidence.