The Return

The winter solstice each year marks the date (normally 22 December) when the Sun reaches its most southerly point (on the Tropic of Capricorn, 23.5º south of the equator) and once again appears to 'stand still' for approximately three days before beginning its northward journey. On this date the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. For the next three months, the days begin to get longer again as the Sun travels northwards, entering the sign of Aquarius (approximately 21 January) and Pisces (21 February) until once again it crosses the equator at the spring equinox.

The seasonal year

Approximate Date	Cardinal Point	Sun enters:	Sign	Mode
21 March	Spring Equinox	Aries		Cardinal
21 April		Taurus		Fixed
21 May		Gemini		Mutable
21 June	Summer Solstice	Cancer		Cardinal
23 July		Leo		Fixed
23 August		Virgo		Mutable
23 September	Autumn Equinox	Libra		Cardinal
23 October		Scorpio		Fixed
23 November		Sagittarius		Mutable
22 December	Winter Solstice	Capricorn		Cardinal
21 January		Aquarius		Fixed
21 February		Pisces		Mutable