© linda falorio, 1978, 1996, 1998

I = 3

Three strokes compose the letter I, third in the vowel sequence, corresponding to the third Sephira of the Tree of Life, Binah, the sphere of Saturn, Kali, Lady of Time, Ruler of Karma, and associated with destiny and death. The Three Fates, the three Graeae, are symbolic of the Goddess in her aspect of Lady of Death in Life.  It is She who clothes existence with form, implying death, for all that lives eventually must die. Thus the Giver of Life is also the Bringer of Death.

The Eve of the Winter Solstice, the year's longest night, the mysterious "extra" day upon the lunar calendar and the last day of the dying solar year, was anciently assigned the death-letter, I. At this time of year, the Sun's warming rays seem farthest from us and the long night is ruled by Saturn's remote starry light. The feast of Saturnalia, celebrated in Roman times for twelve days following the Eve of Winter Solstice recalled halcyon bygone days of Saturn's celestial reign, the fabled Golden Age, when the center of our solar system was not our present Sun but the planet Saturn. ~ It is said that in a future age our Sun will grow cold, and the planet Jupiter will ignite instead with warmth and light~

Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn, brought in by the Winter Solstice, and familiar "Santa", wearing white, red, and black, which are the colors of the Triple Goddess, is the modern version of the Lady of Karma, bringing gifts or lumps of coal, on Christmas ~ i.e. Winter Solstice ~ Eve.