The beauty of these dark days is the symbolism that pops up everywhere. Not only in the Christmas tree as a symbol of the structure of the cosmos, but also, for example, in the Advent wreath with its five candles. Every Sunday of Advent, one more candle is lit and finally at Christmas the fifth central candle. That is the light of Christ, of course, but more cosmologically we go through the four dark material elements to finally arrive at the origin, the liberating Ether element. The Advent season therefore has a dark “penance” character in the church, expressed in the purple liturgical color.
Goat-Fish
The symbolism is clear, in the dark days we go deep into the material and many people feel that too, the cosmic energy is very melancholical. This is reflected in the sign that is central to this time of the winter solstice, Capricorn. In medical astrology, Capricorn is the most harmful sign, because here we find the greatest excess of cold and dry black bile, very hostile to life. On another level Capricorn is also the sign of the transition to the next state, reflected in the traditional image of the Goat-Fish, belonging to Capricorn. This shows a transition from the earthly level of the goat to the more spiritual condition of the fish. Capricorn is therefore also associated with dying.
The Raw Nights
This whole cosmic phase of the solstice and the passage through darkness of matter also finds its expression in the traditional idea of the twelve Raw Nights. This means that, usually starting with the solstice, there are twelve nights ath end of the year that are “out of time”. This is based on the cycle of the Sun and the Moon with a difference of twelve days between them. Each day of the period is a prefiguration of a month of the year that is coming up and they are used in more occult circles to perform certain rituals.
Perchta
The idea of a turning, a short standstill, an end and then a new beginning is clear, but there is also a threat in the air, it is said that the ghost of Perchta is going around who looks terrifying. That threat is the too strong connection with the material that may completely suffocate us, kill us spiritually if we are attached to it too much. On all levels, in various ways, we see the same thing, in the deepest darkness the transcending light is born , Christ in the manger is the light in the midst of the animals, the ox, and the donkey, the symbols of matter.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete
Pegasus Advies wishes you a blessed Christmas!!