The Cultural Siginificance of Mid-Winter 2008

Greetings! Now that the Winter holiday season is behind us, let's look at Nature's holiday cycle, often called the Wheel of Life. Most folks are familiar with the 4 seasons and their celestial significance pertaining to the Precession of the Equinox:

Spring Equinox (around March 21): Day equals night, no shadows cast, Sphinx's gaze is true East.
Cultural Observance: Passover, Easter (Full Moon after Equinox)

Summer Solstice (around June 21): Longest Day, Shortest Night

Fall Equinox (around September 21): Night Equals Day
Cultural Observance: Rosh Hashanah (New Moon) Sukkoth (Full Moon)

Winter Solstice (around December 21): Longest Night, Shortest Day Cultural Observance: Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas

It goes without saying that there are certainly many other Cultural Observances at these times of year.
Ancient Cultures, and even some contemporary ones, were also aware of the significance of the Midseasons:

Midspring: May Day, Beltane (May 1)

Midsummer: (August 2) Lughnasad and the Dog Days, period of intense heat due to Sirius Proximity.

Midfall: (Oct. 31/ Nov. 1) Hallowe'en & Dia de los Muertos (All Saints Day)

Midwinter: (Feb. 2) The Raising of the Tree & Candlemas; Chinese New Year; Carnaval!

These are the 8 Points on the Wheel of Life.


The Mayan observance of the Raising of the Tree: remember from Winter Wisdom, the Tree of Life or World Tree in Mayan Culture represents the Milky Way Galaxy. At this time of year, the Milky Way and the Solar Ecliptic (the path of the sun and the planets) form a cross in the sky. For more information, attend the Lighthouse Lecture Series, or download one of the lectures.....

In the Wiccan culture, Candlemas signifies a time of more and more light (due to the motions of the sun and increasing daytime light): the days are getting longer.

In the past, I have remained distant from observances from the People of the North after Rome tried to dominate the entire planet, ie. the Church. This year, however, I find my self in a culture that, in order to sruvive, had to adopt, and adapt to, some elements of the Oppressors. This includes observances like Carnaval. Much of the spiritual culture of Brasil of today is based upon African Customs. People assume it just came from the Church. Of course, further reflection reveals that the Church, once again, has placed one of its observances on top of what was already in place. Carnaval, associated with Lent, is no different in my opinion. What is Lent, but the New Moon at Mid-Winter or 40 days before Eaostar or Easter, which is the first Full Moon after Spring Equinox. New Moon at Mid-Winter is also known as the Chinese New Year. Mid-Winter is also celebrated as the Raising of the Tree by the Mayans, Candlemas by the People of the North, even Ground Hog Day here in USA. One of my friends in Rio de Janeiro says that North America is also part of Latin America, because most of its holidays and customs stem from the Church. Even English is based on Latin. Gives you a different perspective. It might not be Catholic, but it is definitely a Christian Country or at least the government is.

So, here are some links about Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro 2008.

Carnaval 2008

Sao Clemente! My Samba School, #1 in Rio this year!

And, my costume for Carnaval at the fitting. The Fantasia is called Ala Sol Bailho e Alegria.

After Carnaval, I will post more pictures and even some video from the Samba School...

Beijos! Ciao! Tchiya Amet