The Holly King and Oak King duked it out for control of the seasons on Friday, December 21, 2018. Who won you asked? It was the Oak King, of course.

In the Celtic wheel of life, the year is divided into two solstices and two equinoxes. The two solstices are the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice, and each solstice the Holly King and Oak King duke it out for control of the seasons.

Winter solstice is the longest night of the year, and beginning the next day, the days start getting longer and keep getting longer until the Summer solstice.

The Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and once more the Holly King and the Oak King duke it out, but this time the Holly King wins. The days begin to get shorter and shorter until the Winter solstice, and the cycle begins once again.

The Holly King and The Oak King are the physical representation of the battle between light and dark. The Holly King is the ruler of the dark, while the Oak King is the ruler of light. This year, the fight between the kings is marked by a full moon. The full moon is known as the cold moon, which makes sense as it makes its presence in the cold of December.

In Celtic symbology, the full moon represents the culmination of events or the fulfillment of wishes. It is at the point where everything one works for or dreams comes to completion and manifests into reality. We are coming to the end of the year, and slowly the darkness is being pushed back by the oncoming light of the new year, as well as the light of the full moon. The full moon represents the culminations of our hopes and dreams energetically.

What does all this mean? Well, it means that a new year under the Oak King’s rule begins, a year that brings the warmth and light of the new year, energized by the light of the full moon, representing the culmination of our dreams. What better way to end one year and begin another than with hope.

The extra energy, of course, will be felt by the various signs too:

Aries will be calmed by the energy of the full moon. It will provide some much needed discipline to harness that energy.

Taurus doesn’t need any additional help from more earth energy, already being pragmatic and fixed. The energy will highlight Taurus’ ability to earn money, though.

Gemini’s flightiness definitely benefits by Capricorn’s earthy stability and uses that rock steady energy to keep his cool when under pressure.

Cancer is opposite of stodgy Capricorn and rules the moon. The full moon cannot help but influence the timid Cancer. Don’t rule out Capricorn’s steady emotional influence.

Leo will not like the wait and see of Capricorn or the urge to work first before playing. Leos are basically big kids and like to play, so the work first before playing is not going to go well with King of the Lions.

Virgo, which is another earth sign, will be weighed down even more with big, slow moving Capricorn. Saturn rules Capricorn and is known as the task master sign and state. Virgo is over-analytical and can be even worse with Saturn’s stark energy ruling their brains.

Libra actually gets help from the stodgy ruler as he provides well needed discipline that they need to make a decision or have an opinion.

Scorpio is a dark, intense energy and meshes well with the dark, moody energy of the Capricorn.

Sagittarius gets weighed down with the seriousness of Capricorn’s no playing until the work is complete. They want their freedom and their right to play.

Double Capricorn energy combined with the energy of the full moon, will be even more stodgy. Capricorns will be twice their personified traits, which will make them work even harder.

Aquarius will do well under Capricorn energy as they need the determination and discipline that Capricorn will provide. Aquarius loves to think up new ideas.

Pisces will not have an easy time with Capricorn’s dark and sometimes moody energy, as they are already dark and moody. Pisces like to day dream and escape into their world when they get overloaded by life. Capricorn’s influence will limit that ability to escape and tune out Capricorn’s innate darkness.

This energy will be felt for around for two weeks or more, so clean out the past and make room for the coming new year. Make space for the light that will soon be coming

May you and yours be blessed this Winter Solstice.