Every wondered why the three days in winter myths are so significant? The answer is the solstice points. The winter solstice point is when the sun enters 0 degrees of Capricorn. This marks the end of the sun heading south and the days getting shorter. It is the longest night of the year. Yet the sun stays slow at this point not moving a complete degree a day. Then it starts to move a complete solar arc a day.
This means that the sun emerges to full arc on the third day. This is the time that many myths proclaim that the sun has left the depths of darkness — for those of us in the northern hemisphere. The emerging of the light, the beginning of longer days is upon us.
These three day interval is why Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days, Jesus returned after three days. The three day turn around is key to understanding this.
We must also realize that ancient cultures did not have the astronomical exactness we have today and that adds another dimension to this interval and how holidays might be timed. The solstice is celebrated in many cultures as a feast day. Killing of livestock often occurred and the meat cured for the possible starvation days of winter. No further feasts happen until the equinox. The slaying of the cattle meant there would be more hay to feed those who remain. More might meat be available later, if necessary. But at the solstice holiday, everyone ate well.
In our age of agriculture and storage we can be sure of food in western countries. The event is not more of a commercial holiday that a spiritual event of hope for the light’s return. Third world countries still live in a world where starvation is a reality that must be seasonally worried about. They celebrate the light returning as the return of the agricultural gods and the seeds of new life, a new year.
The solstice is the coming again of the sun god, the king of light. Jonah had to save the others by being thrown into the sea and endure the belly of the whale and his light was passing on spiritual light– guidance to man. These experiences into cosmic darkness bring the seeing of the light, the assurance and hope that the light will bring a spring for the planting of the seed. The seed of the soul’s journey The celebration of civilization will have the heat and food it needs to live on and the assurance of the light of spiritual growth. The savior is born on the third day after the solstice
In myth we find the light, the thread, the golden bough, the morning of Masda, assurance that the cycle of light and darkness continues, that the light will bring the insight of the cultural survival. The rebirth of the year. Certain tribes in different cultures considered wisdom based on how many winters one had lived through, how many solstices had been experienced.
And for us all the solstice is a marking point for spiritual growth. It is a time for New Years resolution, the hope of doing better in this visitation of the rising light of a new year.