Holidays are one of the most important social constructions we couldâve created in terms of leisure, spirituality, and the overall role it has in shaping our society. In a sense, holidays are almost like the silver linings of both the positive and negative aspects of human history. We often think of them as capitalistic ventures to turn a profit or experiences which we all have to practice identically.In reality, itâs us [humanity] all trying to make sense of how timing is significant in relation to the human experience.
Itâs fascinating howâ despite cultural or perceptual differencesâ the timing which we each choose to commemorate our energy is strongly similar to one another. After all, every holiday mentioned is somehow based on solar or lunar cycles. Scientists can research why phenomenon such as groupthink stems from other social processes, but why is it those thingy things lighting up our sky make all of us feel a type of way⌠at the same time?
Considering we canât touch or move planets to manipulate their energy, all we can do is observe them and manipulate our own energy to reap the most of the present moment. It all goes back to psychological antiquityâ the fact astrology is the summation of the human experience through spacetime. What we can do better next time to better ourselves to fulfill our roles as co-creators.
More importantly, Iâd argue holidays are the most basic observations we have in determining the relationship between time and consciousness. So if astrology isnât real⌠then why are holidays corresponding with their zodiac season? Hmmmm?
Hereâs 9 major holidays observedâ more or lessâ in different parts of the world.
1. New Yearâs DayâTBD
The first holiday to start with is New Yearâs Day because itâs a bit controversial. We measure time based on solar and lunar cycles (depending on the culture). For this reason, I interpret the holidayâs correspondence to its zodiac season in a few ways.
Most countries celebrate New Years anywhere between December 30-January 1. However, China celebrates their New Year on a different date each year depending on the solar or lunar yearâas individuals use both based on preference. The date usually staggers between January 19-February 20. Hence, Capricorn and Aquarius season occupy these dates.
In Western astrology, Capricorn generally rules 10th house matters of success, discipline, destiny, hard work, legacy, and so forth. Capricorn season begins with the winter solstice (December 20)âwhich is when the sun is at the highest point in the sky. Checks out considering the holiday is marked by New Year resolutions and ânew me, who disâ. For the Chinese, their celebrations are different, as many customs are focused on sharing, giving back, and grand contributions. Aquarius (the 11th house) essentially rules the futureâto include humanitarianism, community, and innovation. While China is a collectivist culture, itâs still interesting how their different practices still correspond with its zodiac season.
2. Valentineâs DayâAquarius Season
Much like the sign of Aquarius, the origins of Valentineâs Day is rather unconventional and a bit all over the place. However, the story of St. Valentine is definitely fitting for its corresponding season. February 14 is Valentineâs Day apparently because not just one but two St. Valentines were executed on this same day. The St. Valentine we use, however, wasnât a romantic himself but instead married other Christian couples during the 200-100 AD era. He was considered a martyr for Christians considering this all took place during the Roman Empire was at its pinnacle (until he was executed). So in other words, the ultimate wingman of his time. *cough cough, Aquarius*
Ironically, the holiday of love and romance takes place in the 11th house, whereas Aquarius isnât what weâd exactly call a romantic. However, this is symbolic to Valentineâs storyâbearing others opportunities to love each other rather than one self. Aquarius specifically rules humanitarianism, collective effort, sociality, revolution, innovation, and service to humanity. Even if Valentineâs Day seems like a manufactured holiday created by a capitalistic society, Aquarius is the rebel in disguise aiming to better human ingenuity. Valentineâs Day and its origins are perhaps fitting for Aquarius season after all.
3. St. Patrickâs DayâMarch 17
St. Pattyâs is more than green beer and shamrock beads. In origin, this holiday commemorates the death of Christian missionary, Saint Patrick. What make his name worth celebrating are his efforts in spreading Christianity to Irelandâtherefore having implications for the future of what is now Western Europe. After being captured at age 6, he was enslaved until he later escaped back to Roman Britain. However, he eventually returned to Ireland to pursue missionary work.
March 17 takes place during Pisces season. Pisces (the 12th house) rules the pastâ including confinement, imprisonment, nothingness, liberation, and spirituality. It also rules closures and endingsâwhich is fitting considering he was a slave and a missionary. In astrology, Christianity is marked by the Age of Pisces. Hence, the Jesus fish. âUncanny coincidenceâ, my aâ.
4. EasterâTBD
Easter is a Christian holiday typically dated in early Aprilâthough it has taken place at the end of March. Today, Easterâs date is on the Sunday following the last full moon before the spring equinox. In summation, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Christ and the ârebirthâ of our souls. Passover, the Jewish celebration around the same time as Easter, commemorates the escape of Israelites from slaveryâtherefore marking ultimate freedom.
Both holidays take place during Aries season. Aries (the 1sthouse) generally rules individuality, identity, new beginnings, leadership, appearance, and so forth. Keep in mind religious persecution has everything to do with identity clashes based on evidently different characteristics such as skin color, beliefs, etc. Most importantly, Easter and Passover marking ârebirthâ is fitting for Aries season.
5. Labor DayâVirgo Season
Labor Day has more depth to its history than one would expect. It was declared a holiday in September 1894 resulting from the American labor movement. 1894 was arguably the pinnacle of industrialization where âtrust bustingâ monopolies ran on self-servitude and worker exploitation. Following the violent Pullman railroad strike in May 1894, protests erupted in Chicago, Illinois. Not only did this result in Grover Cleveland passing federal legislation that established an 8-hour workday, it included a 3-day weekend for Labor Day to commemorate the achievement on behalf of the American workers.
First weekend of September is in Virgo season. Virgo (the 6thhouse) generally rules skill sets, data, labor, community service, and physical health. Itâs also worth noting how football season starts on Labor Day weekendâwhich checks out considering Virgo also rules physiology. However, physical inclinations are also manifested into riot and protest with Virgo energyâas seen with 9-11, March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom (1963), and the peaceful NFL kneeling protests starting September 2016.
6. HalloweenâOctober 31
Halloween takes place on October 31. This holiday is more than Insta-worthy costumes, cocktails, and children dressing out their fantasies to collect candy house-to-house. Also known as âAll hallows Eveâ, many cultures celebrate their own versions of Halloween. Many Central and South American countries celebrate Dias de los Muertosâwhich translates into âDays of the Deadâ. For both, the holiday commemorates death on all scalesâfrom the death of crops ringing in winter to lovingly connecting with our deceased ancestors. Legend also has that October 31 is essentially the day where boundaries between life and death are severed. Hence, why we associate the holiday with ghosts, goblins, and monsters.
Halloween takes place during Scorpio season. Scorpio (ruling 8th house) generally rules life and death transformation, power (i.e. creation/destruction), taboo, repressed desires, to include long-term commitments such as marriage and legal agreements (i.e. taxes). For older crowds, we can see taboo come out on Halloween with the whole âone night a year a girl can dress like a sât⌠and no one can say anything about it.â
Not to mention why concerns for child safety from sex offenders and pedophiles peak around Halloween. Despite research suggesting no variation of sex and child crimes on Halloween compared to others times, they also fail to mention the heightened patrolâwhich deters criminal behavior. Either way, something is to be said about why sex and child crimes are usually present in the plots of Halloween slasher films.
7. ThanksgivingâSagittarius Season
Thanksgiving can be looked at in a couple ways in respect to Sag season. Not only is it celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every month, Thursday is Jupiterâs Dayâas Jupiter rules Sagittarius. Thanksgiving always takes place in Sag season, even if the day varies every year. The holiday has origins in the pilgrimage to the New World, but it was Abe Lincoln who declared it as a federal holiday in 1863 as âPrayer Dayâ to express thankfulness for lifeâs blessings.
However, this is also a controversial holiday due to historic sensitivities of the indigenous Indiansâ fate from what was celebrated to be âthankfulâ for. Part of the holiday originates in âthankfulnessâ for the indigenous tribesâ helping settlers with harvestsâgrowing vast quantities of corn, squash, potatoes, and other feasting foods we associate with Thanksgiving. Yeah, Iâm sure the New World settlers were thankful that the indigenous peoples didnât wipe them out the way they did them. With this side of the story, is it a âday of thankfulnessâ or a celebration of conquest?
Either way, both sides easily fit into the Sag season timeline. Sagittarius (ruling 9th house) rules physical and spiritual expansion, worldviews, belief systems (i.e. religion), travel, abundance, blessings, and ultimately serves as the rite of passage into fulfilling our destiny (10th house). Ever heard of the term âmanifest destinyâ? On collective scales, the Sag energy can manifest as conquest, militarization, and institutionalization. However you choose to look at Thanksgiving, our eating pants and appetites at this time are, in fact, abundant like Jupiter would want us to be.
8. ChristmasâCapricorn Season
Christmas is yet another controversial holiday taking place on December 25âwhich is right at the beginning of Capricorn season. Christmas commemorates the birth of Christâya know, celebrating his spirit through fellowship and giving. However, Christâs birthday is unknown (some believe it was in March or September)âand biblical scholars insist thereâs almost nothing to indicate why December 25 is the chosen day for his birthday celebration. With that in mind, letâs look at how December 25 is what was once believed to be the Winter Solstice (when the Sun is at the highest point in the sky). For pagans, this was essentially the day the Sunâtheir Godâwas âbornâ.
Some scholars argue December 25 was made Christmas in response to pagan traditions (refer back to Roman Empire explanation above). On the other hand, some believe thereâs divine significance to December 25 even Christians were attuned with. As I mentioned earlier, Capricorn (10th house) is the highest point of the zodiacâtherefore representing a peak in success and consciousness. Regardless of how it happened, it doesnât change the factâpast, present, and futureâthat we all agree for whatever reason itâs important.
9. RamadanâTBD
Ramadan is a Muslim holiday observed annually for a monthâwhich specifically involves fasting from sunrise to sunset (ifer), intensive prayer and studying of the Quran, to include altruistic service to a greater cause. Muslims practice discipline to enrich their lives physically, mentally, and spirituallyâwhich they diligently and eagerly commit to. Considering about 1.8 billion people, or about 24 percent, of the global population are Muslim, I think itâs worth mentioning on this list. Even if Ramadan doesnât take place in a certain zodiac season, Muslim-predominant countries (such as the Middle East and the Asian Pacific) are generally drawn towards the Chinese zodiac.
The dates differ because itâs based on lunar cycles (so does Chinese astrology). Chinese is different from western astrology; therefore, I canât analyze Ramadan the way I would other holidays. Point being, however, is that they still use astrology the same way we doâexcept they openly accept that solar and lunar cycles do, in fact, affect our body, mind, and spirit. Another interesting fact is how this holy month is always the ninth month of the lunar cycleâ hence, the number 9 in astrology symbolizing physical and spiritual expansion.