DEIFERUS . Wheel of the YearOn June 20, 2025 by Priestess Dawn

THE BATTLE AT SOLSTICE 2025

If you are feeling more resistant to or challenged by the shift from the waxing to waning light this year, you are likely not alone.  The cosmic alignments this midsummer are compounding the conflict between the Oak and Holly Kings. 

On the one hand, Sun and Jupiter are making a beautiful conjunction in the first degrees of Cancer, enhancing growth and strengthening the power of light.  Jupiter is exalted in Cancer so his energies are very comfortable and well supported there.  However, this Sun/Jupiter conjunction is making a hard square to Saturn (and Neptune) in Aries, creating tension, challenge, and conflict. 

Moving from the reign of the Oak King (Jupiter) to the Holly King (Saturn) often comes with bittersweet feelings under normal circumstances, but this square will give a harder edge to those feelings.  In fact, this planetary alignment is the perfect representation of the mythological battle between the Oak and Holly Kings; challenging the king’s reign and fighting for the crown.

We know the Holly King wins and the Oak King fades back into the cosmic tomb of the Goddess, but this year offers us a rare chance to experience the energies at both the earthly/solar and cosmic levels.  So, lean into the challenge, celebrate the battle, toast the victor, and honour the cycles of life.