December is the twelfth month of the year - the tenth month of the Roman Calendar, who is ruled by Sagittarius, the Archer. Ironic, because the Sag is a fire sign. And all around us the world is owned by winter. Ice glitters in the sunlight just as holiday lights glitter as the sun goes down. Snow covers the ground outside (well, not yet but there is still hope I will be able to trade this T-shirt for a sweater soon), and inside the house is filled with all the yummy smells coming from the oven that we wait all year for. Urge Old Man Winter to visit this year by decorating both the inside and outside of your house with boughs of holly and evergreens for protection and luck. It doesn't matter if you get them from nature or the Rag Shop! Drape pine over doorways to promote good health and happiness. Some even say that this will invite the faeries into your home so they can enjoy a warm place to hold their Yule festivities. Thus, insuring blessings for you and your family. Oh! And don't forget the mistletoe!

Everyone is in a tizzy for Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, and more. They are all different names for celebrations that have their roots in the same things. They are all Solar Festivals (festivals of lights, if you will) that encourage the renewal of life through the coming of the Sun (or Son, depending on your view), that will lead us out of the darkness of winter and into the coming spring. These days most of us are lucky enough to have heat and food to see us through cold days. So we can enjoy this season by spreading some good cheer! Donate a coat or a toy. OK, been there and done that? How about starting a new tradition? Surprise a random stranger giving them - or by putting on someone's doorstep - a small tin of cookies. Feel weird about doing something like that? How about leaving a note or a card with a picture of a snowball on it that says, "you've just been hit" and encourage them to "hit" someone else. The holiday season doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. Just use your imagination and create memories.