Did you know that the Winter solstice and lunar eclipse coincide for the first time in 456 yrs

[malaise]

come Monday night.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Solstice+eclipse+first+years/3983582/story.html
<snip>
This year's winter solstice — an event that will occur next Tuesday — will coincide with a full lunar eclipse in a union that hasn't been seen in 456 years.

The celestial eccentricity holds special significance for spiritualities that tap into the energy of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and a time that is associated with the rebirth of the sun.

"It's a ritual of transformation from darkness into light," says Nicole Cooper, a high priestess at Toronto's Wiccan Church of Canada. "It's the idea that when things seem really bleak, (it) is often our biggest opportunity for personal transformation.

"The idea that the sun and the moon are almost at their darkest at this point in time really only further goes to hammer that home."

Cooper said Wiccans also see great significance in the unique coupling of the masculine energy of the sun and the feminine energy of the moon — transformative energies that she plans to incorporate into the church's winter-solstice rituals.
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Unbelievable and very, very cool!

[MorningGlow]

1. Why yes

Yes, I did. :evilgrin:

Blessed Yule, everyone! And...rock 'n' roll. :headbang:

[malaise]

8. I hope these clouds disappear by Tuesday

We can't miss this.
This deserves a good bottle of wine. :D

[MorningGlow]

13. Indeed

Wassail, even better. And dancing around a fire. (Not naked; not in the northeast in December. NO WAY. x( )

It's usually cloudy 'round these parts, but 's okay--the eclipse and the solstice happen just the same. :D

[KittyWampus]

32. A good night to charge my crystal!

[Raine]

22. Yeah it's cloudy and raining here in So Cal

supposed to rain till Thurs. I hope though that it will clear enough so that I can see this.

[malaise]

41. Good luck

We really want to see this - it's raining here again.

[redirish28]

2. According to a friend it is suppose to be a very good sign too.

I don't know how but she is looking forward to both events.

[malaise]

11. I'm excited about this

I do love eclipses but celebrating something that hasn't happened for nearly 500 years is very cool.

[Delphinus]

52. Well,

if you can find out from your friend why it's a good sign of something forthcoming, do be sure to share. I think many of us could use a sign.

[Skink]

3. Great, I missed it last time.

[malaise]

12. Didn't we all?

:rofl:

[jemsan]

15. lol

[Lucinda]

4. Thankie for the post!

Off to read the link. :)

[malaise]

14. You're welcome

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear malaise!

I knew it was happening, but I did not know it was the first time in 456 years!

We probably won't get to see it; the weather is predicted to be rainy and overcast till Wednesday...

I hope other folks will be luckier!

:hi:

[Sonoman]

7. Same here.

I was really looking forward to this and we have scheduled a party for it.

Oh, well, we will still have a party.

Sonoman

[malaise]

21. Well watch both events on TV and party like it's

1554. One thing we know is that they didn't have TV or satellites. Enjoy :D

[Sonoman]

26. I wonder who will broadcast the event.

I had not even considered that option, thanks malaise,
Sonoman

[malaise]

18. I think we'll be OK - we've had

overcast weather and showers for three days - it started clearing up this afternoon.
It's pleasant - very cool temperatures.

[Control-Z]

29. We don't need to see it

to feel it. Just knowing about it lifts my mood. :)

[glinda]

6. It is my husband's and my Anniversary. We met on a blue moon also.

[malaise]

19. Now that is cool

Enjoy :hi:

[glinda]

48. Thanks!

[TheCowsCameHome]

36. 456 years of wedded bliss. Sweet.

[glinda]

49. Yes. I am grateful! lol!

[Petrus Romanus]

9. Clearly a sign from Goddess. nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

10. cool!

AXIAL TILT - IT'S THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

:rofl:

[MorningGlow]

16. Roffle!

:thumbsup:


Pagans: We don't just make shit up. ;)

[anamandujano]

46. You guys are so funny!

I've been waiting for the solstice. It always cheers me up that the days start getting longer. I had no idea it was going to be this big a deal though.

I had just started planning to bring my mother home for the day from a nursing home that she should not be in. It's been a year long nightmare for both of us.

Now I have to do it that day, maybe even an overnight. It will be good luck. Plus I'm going to burn Nag Champa like crazy for a few hours surrounding the time, 5:38 pm in Texas.

[MorningGlow]

47. That IS good luck

All the best to you and your mom. Consider it a new beginning. :hug:

[Delphinus]

53. Laughing out loud at this!

:rofl: :toast:

[malaise]

23. ROFL

:rofl:

[hatrack]

33. Bwa-hahhahhah!!!!!!!!

Brilliant - thank you!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Raine]

17. WOW this is so COOL!

THANKS so much for posting this! :bounce:

[malaise]

24. Thank the Canucks for writing about it

:D

[Canuckistanian]

20. I just noticed that this morning

The AutoStar controller on my telescope told me that the Solstice will be on the 21st. "Hmm, same day as the eclipse", I thought.

[malaise]

25. Well you should enjoy this big time

Have a ball :toast:

[Canuckistanian]

31. If these clouds ever disappear

I just bought a new telescope near the beginning of the month. There hasn't been a clear night ever since.

[MrsBrady]

27. it's scientifically cool, but I see nothing "woo woo" about it n/t

[Control-Z]

28. How cool!!

I love both but had no idea they were to coincide. Even if I can't see the eclipse because of rain in So Cal, I will know, thanks to your post.

"The unique coupling of the masculine energy of the sun and the feminine energy of the moon" does seem pretty significant. How wonderfully cool.

[muriel_volestrangler]

30. Strictly, they don't coincide

The lunar eclipse, in all forms, lasts from 05:29:17 UT to 11:04:31 UT, Dec 21st. The winter solstice is at 23:38 UT, Dec 21st - over 12 hours later. They happen on the same day, as defined by the Greenwich meridian, but not at the same time.

[dixiegrrrrl]

34. Then we get double the fun at different times!

More is good!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[TheCowsCameHome]

35. John McCain vividly remembers the last one. The previous one, not so well.

Ask him to tell you about it.

:rofl:

[malaise]

39. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaah hahahaha

I believe that :rofl:

[Obamanaut]

54. One wonders if the 17 Senators who are older than John McCain

can recall that event.

[REP]

37. Neat!

[NoPasaran]

38. 1554, the last time this happened

A little historic perspective...

Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and sister of Elizabeth I was Queen of England.

Phillip II of Spain ruled a vast seaborne empire that encompassed territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, as well as large territories in Europe.

Ivan the Terrible had recently defeated the Kazan Khanate and was seeking to expand Muscovy's power next to Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea.

Under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent the Ottoman Empire was at the zenith of its power.



Whole lot of water under the bridge since then.

[malaise]

40. I now need to know which of them

watched the eclipse that night :evilgrin:

Great stuff!

[madinmaryland]

42. December 1554? Wasn't Copernicus around at that time?

[malaise]

43. He was dead by then

1543 (I had to look it up!) :D

[Richard Steele]

44. Yes, I did know that. K&R

[bikebloke]

45. I hope it's not another end-of-the-world portent.

I've already mailed my rent check for January.

[Jeanette in FL]

50. That is so cool, malaise

I didn't know that.

Yes, it will be so interesting participating in something that hasn't happened in over 500 years.

Not sure what the weather will be here in Northern Florida, but either way in will still be happening.

Thanks for posting that information.

:hi:

[malaise]

58. Good luck with the weather

:hi:

[Renew Deal]

51. AND THAT WILL BE 2 YEARS TILL 12/21/12?

IS THAT A COINCIDENCE? NO!!!!

[malaise]

59. Huh?

:rofl:

[pinboy3niner]

63. OMZG!1!! THE MAYANS WERE RIGHT!1!!

:rofl:

[defendandprotect]

55. Celebrating Winter Solstice ... exciting ...and this makes it even more so -- !!

[malaise]

62. This is really exciting

:hi:

[annabanana]

56. Well, THANK you..

It is nice to know when the good omens come along.
:hi:

[malaise]

60. Well I think the DADT victory was a great omen

and a terrific present for those who celebrate Christmas.

[Vinca]

57. OMG - and to think my cats go nuts when it's just a full moon.

[malaise]

61. One of our strays is likely to have kittens

any time now. I'm betting she has some eclipse kittens.

[AsahinaKimi]

64. Wonders...

will it effect Monday Night Football? Bears VS Vikings?...


(kidding!!)
:hide:

[malaise]

66. LOL

Hahahahahaha :rofl:

[woo me with science]

65. Yes, the satanic rituals will be especially elaborate this year,

and all the satanic ritual abuse multiples get to be especially quivering and dramatic!

[mr blur]

67. You're not suggesting this Woo nonsense has any relevance to real life, I hope? (nt)

[kentuck]

68. Lady Jane Grey was beheaded...

And Elizabeth the first was imprisoned, for what it is worth.

[Cleita]

69. Well, it's been raining non-stop here for two days.

This is something we aren't used to in California. It's kind of like a prequel to the main event.