“Death has occurred, and now the birth of Christ is at hand.” - Way of Mastery, Way of the Heart: Lesson 10
The birth of the Light—three days after the darkest day of the year. Winter Solstice. The Sun begins to rise again. solar, cosmic, mythic.
The Christ child is the symbol of the divine spark in each of us. Born in the dark. Born in the manger of the body, or the soul. The divine entering the human. The eternal Light entering the mortal world. We are the child. We are the ones meant to be born anew.
- Winter Solstice = Sun at its lowest. Then, it begins to rise again. Just like Christ, just like the soul. 3 days in stillness, then rebirth.
- Christmas = December 25 = return of solar light. Archetypal resurrection.
- The nativity story = full of symbols. Manger = humility. Animals = instincts. Shepherds = watchfulness. Magi = higher knowledge, alchemical triad (gold, frankincense, myrrh).
- Mary = pure vessel. Virginity = not sexual but symbolic. Purity of mind/heart.
The story of Jesus’ birth overlays the story of the soul being born into time and space. Also the sun returning from the underworld.
The Star = inner guidance, gnosis. The Light in the mind.
The Three Magi = alchemical + astrological initiates. Gold (Spirit), Frankincense (Soul), Myrrh (Body/death). Also possibly linked to Sirius or other stellar markers.
Capricorn = ruled by Saturn. Saturn = lord of time, restriction, incarnation. So the Christ child being born in Capricorn... Light entering the world of matter and time. The soul descending into the density of incarnation.
The Stable = the cave, the underworld, the womb of the earth. Philosopher’s cave. Where the Stone is born. The inner work.
A Yearly initiation
- The death of the light at Solstice.
- 3 days in darkness (Dec 21–24)
- The rebirth (Dec 25)
A time of waiting, listening, surrendering. Preparing to allow the Christ within to be born.
Reflective practices:
- Meditation on the inner Light.
- Imagine Christ being born in the heart.
- What gifts do you bring? Gold = truth. Frankincense = devotion. Myrrh = surrender, mortality.
- Be with the stillness of winter. Let it teach you about inner renewal.
Wheel of the Year Initiation Cycle
- December 25 – Birth of Light (Winter Solstice)
- Jan 6 – Epiphany: Recognition of the divine spark
- Imbolc (Feb 1–2) – Baptism/initiation, first stirring of the spiritual life
- Spring Equinox – Ministry, teachings, miracles, light growing stronger
- Good Friday – Crucifixion, sacrifice, ego death
- Easter – Resurrection, return of life, spirit over matter
- Ascension – Rising back to Source
- Pentecost – Descent of the Spirit, empowerment
- Lughnasadh – Transfiguration, first harvest of the soul
- Samhain – Descent again, promise of return, remembrance
A spiral cycle. Every year, it turns. Every year, we get the chance to deepen. To allow the Christ to be born more fully. In us. As us.
A sacred story we live.
We are all on the path of the Sun. The path of the Light. The path of the Child who comes bearing the seed of redemption for the world.
Keep returning to the mystery. Let the Light be born in the manger of the heart.
Christ - mass