Did you know: December

Fun Facts:

• Did you  know that December is National Pearl Month?
• The month of December originally had only 30 days.
• In the Roman Calendar December used to be the 10th month. That calendar also started with March.
• December comes from the Latin word Decem, meaning, Ten. 
• December's full moon , the “Cold Moon,” appears on Saturday December 18th.
• Look at the sky on December 13th after 9pm for a chance to see Geminid Meteors.
• December 5th 1901 is when Walt Disney was born.
• Taylor Swift, Brittney Spears, Denzel Washington and Vanessa Hudgens were born in December.
• National Handwashing Awareness Week –  first week of the month
• Human Rights Week – second week in December
• Thank a Soldier Week – the week including Christmas

Festivals in December

There are many different festivals celebrated around the world in December. Some of the more popular festivals include Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It starts this year on Dec. 18th and is celebrated until the 26th. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, eating fried foods, and playing games. There are lots of stories about Hanukkah. One of the major stories you will hear is: Although the Maccabee’s were outnumbered, they fought the Syrian army for their right to practice their religion. They reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem, they unfortunately found it destroyed. There was enough oil for the Menorah, they knew the oil they had would only last a night, but a miracle happened, and it burned for the eight days. Video of the story of Hanukkah. 

The winter solstice is a pagan holiday that marks the shortest day of the year, this year it lands on December 21st. In addition to marking the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice is also a time to celebrate the return of the sun. For many pagans, the sun is a symbol of hope and life, and the winter solstice is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year to come. For some, the winter solstice is also a time to celebrate the earth and its bounty. In the darkest days of winter, we can remember that the earth still provides for us, and that spring will come again.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is celebrated around the world, but the way it is celebrated varies from country to country. For example, in the United States, people generally exchange gifts, decorate their homes, and attend church services on Christmas. The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336. In the 3rd century, the date of the nativity was the subject of great interest. Christmas is Also called: Noël, Nativity, Xmas, and Yule.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. It starts on Dec. 26th, and it goes through Jan. 1st.  Kwanzaa is celebrated with the lighting of the kinara, feasts, and the exchanging of gifts. On the sixth day, there is a communal feast called Karamu. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. 

No matter what festival you celebrate in December, it is a time to come together with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season.

Zodiac Signs and Horoscopes of December

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

The first part of the month is not very favorable to the blossoming of your emotional and relational life. A little adjustment is necessary for your partner. Fortunately, from the 16th onwards, Venus in your sign resolves conflicts and calms down heated minds. If you are single, you can expect to experience the heat of passion. Mars retrograde but also Neptune, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus badly aligned are all bad notes in your book. You want to react to blockages, but your energy goes in all directions and nothing constructive comes out of it. 

Capricorn December 22nd - January 19th

Around the 8th, a friendly blow-up is possible. If someone disappoints you, you're not the type to have moods for days and walk away. In love, the warmth does not leave your home. If you've been in a relationship for a short time, you're becoming more and more fused. To deal with a certain weariness that has set in, rely on your intuition, which is reinforced by Pluto and Neptune to guide you. This is a good time to review your priorities and rearrange your tasks to save time. In business, rely on the first two weeks to negotiate to your advantage! You find it difficult to focus your energy on a specific area of life. The trick is not to lose your bearings during this month, which is both emotionally charged and filled with various responsibilities. Count on friends and family to help you out with the children, for example.

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