Summer Solstice is here, the longest day of the year as the sun reaches the highest point in the sky. Summer solstice usually occurs between 20/21st June.
This year Summer Solstice occurs on 21st June at 11.34am GMT...
The journey of the sun through the solstices and equinoxes mark new phases, chapters or rites of passage for our own inner journey. Rising up from the darkness of winter as seedling, pushing through the surface at Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice marks the culmination, completion, reaching the top of the mountain top rest, replenish and rejuvenate in the Light of The Sun.
Solstice comes from the Latin word 'sistere' meaning "to stand still". This day offers great supportive energy for reflection on how we have come, in turn, helping to guide us forward.
Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate the Light, which has been increasing and reaches its peak on this day being the longest day and shortest night of the year. After this, the days will increasingly become shorter until the night takes over beginning at Autumn.
We move from an energy of action to one of nourishment, the seeds planted are now blooming and
blossoming into all kinds of beautiful plants, flowers, grains, veg, fruits, ideas, projects etc... All that is left to do is to have patience and wait, not all the food and crops are not quite ripe for picking yet, we allow Mother Nature & Father Sun to do their thing while we enjoy. This is a time to trust that what we have put into actions will come to fruition.
In Ancient China this was a time to honour Mother as we tip over into the Yin, feminine part of the year, which carries more passive energy. This is the time of year we get to witness all the beauty and abundance Nature has to offer.
In Ancient Egypt, Summer Solstice marked the coming of the star Sirius & coincided with the Flooding of the Nile, which marked the New Year and predicted the coming harvest. Ancient Egyptians connected this time of year to the Goddess Isis/Aset & Amen-Ra.
Tribes in Native America hold ritual dances in honour and celebration of the sun. The sun dance often performed by the tribes warriors consisted of singing, dancing, drumming, deep prayer, meditation & skin piercing as symbolic act of rebirth & renewal.
In Ancient Europe and in places still to this day Summer Solstice was honoured with feasting, festivals and bonfires, with the intention to banish evil forces and harness the power of the sunlight for the journey onward.
There are so many ancient and traditional practices of honouring the cycle of the sun all across the world, showing how significant the spiritual path of the sun is to our daily an inner lives! Ancient Monuments have been constructed that date back thousands of years which are aligned to the cycle of the sun. The Great
Pyramids at Giza, Machu Picchu in Peru, Stonehenge in England are all places that are visited still to this day to honour the cycle of the sun. These ancient monument were built to align with the seasonal cycle of the sun!
Summer Solstice occurs in line with the sun moving into the astrological sign of cancer, the mother, nurturer and feminine sign.
Cancer rules over the home, family, roots, cooking, nourishment and nurturing. All qualities associated with this time of year, and we might find that these qualities, needs and desires become heightened at this time. One key word associated with Cancer is nurture, and this period of time, midsummer reminds us to have patience and faith that our dreams, goals and desires that we have planted are being nurtured to full force and flow.
With the Summer Solstice being marked by the sun's masculine force crossing into the sign of Cancer ruled by the moons feminine force we have a symbolic representation of masculine and feminine energy working together to produce and re-produce. This is a fertile time as the sun shines down giving us all the light we need for the next 3-4 months while Mother Earth's garden grows for us to reap the nourishment at harvest time.
How can you Honour the Summer Solstice?
Go Outside / Gather Midsummer Herbs & Flowers
The sun is at its highest point in its celestial cycle, now is a great opportunity to go outside and spend time in nature soaking up the rays of the sun. Especially for us who experience extremes in temperature through the cycle of the year (sometimes multiple changes a day) now is the time to harness the light as we begin to move towards shorter days and longer nights.
Gathering of herbs, plants and flowers that are common to this season was practiced at this time particularly by the Druids as it was believed that they would carry the greatest medicinal and magical properties at the time. Some Herbs and Flowers classic to midsummer are: Lavender, St John's Wort, Calendula, Vervain, Rosemary, Thyme, Roses, Mint, Sage, Mugwort, Hemp & Chamomile.
Remember to express your gratitude for what you have harvested!
Cleanse your space...
Take time to cleanse your space and yourself so that you can invite in the positive energies of the sun and the nurturing energy of Cancer who is ruled by the moon. You can do this in many ways, using smudge sticks to remove and reset your area, incense sticks of a fragrance that represents what you wish to bring in...
Foe Example: Jasmin for love, Lavender for peace, Cinnamon for wealth, dragons blood for protection. Do a little research to see which would be best for your desired outcome.
Do a Fire Ritual...
Across the world and through time our ancestors have used the element of fire represent the sun and this time of year. If you can safely gather a group of close family and friends and hold a bonfire celebration to honour the time. For many this will be impossible, so instead you could simply light a candle (or a few) as symbolic representation of the Sun.
Make a Gratitude List
Take some to to reflect on all you are grateful for, and all that you are welcoming with a grateful heart into your life. You might also want to write a list of the things you wish to release and cast them into the flames of your candle (or bonfire) to show your commitment to letting go.
Dance, Sing & Enjoy
There is no better way to honour the sun by having a good time. Whether it is alone or with a a group play your favourite music or playlist and let go, dance sing and harness the illuminative energy of the day!
Maybe you could organise a gathering and combine all the elements suggested!
Make an Altar...
Creating an Altar to honour the seasonal changes is a great way to stay grounded in their wisdom.
Some ideas for your Altar:
Themes:
Illumination, Feminine & Masculine, Growth, Abundance, Joy, Harvest, Abundance, Fertility, Love, Lust, Creativity, Beauty, Sharing,
Natures items:
Fruits, Vegetables, flowers, herbs
Crystals;
Amber, Citrine, Fire Agate, Bloodstone, Pyrite, Carnelian, Sunstone
Deities:
Isis, Aten, Horus, The Green Man, Amaterasu, Vesta, Mawu
Colours:
Yellow, Gold, Forest Colours, A colourful altar for the beauty of Earth's Garden!
Incense/Oils/Herbs:
Mint, Rose, Calandula, Rosemary, Lavender, St John's Wort
Summer Solstice is a time for celebration, bathing in the beauty that Mother Nature offers and honouring the peak of the light, warmth and illumination giving by the sun. We get to witness the unfolding beauty and richness of life and trust that all we our desires will be ripe for picking at harvest time!
Love & Life
Li High Pri 🌹
NATURAL MYSTIC ☥
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