Summer Solstice InSight Collage

Happy Summer Solstice! Today is the longest day of the year and brings the shortest night. In magic, summer is associated with the direction of the South, the element of fire, energy, spirit, creativity, action, the Sun, fiery colors, creatures of the South, heat, the phoenix and Solar Lion. We honor the Goddess as Mother and lay hands on the Earth in gratitude and as a reminder of where we come from. Today we beat the drum, soak in the Sun and celebrate the power of fire – the Sun, the Earth’s core, and the Fire that burns within each one of us.

Today’s Ritual: Take a deep breath and close your eyes. Imagine yourself sitting in front of a campfire… relaxed and at ease. As you sit in front of the campfire, let that same campfire be mirrored in your own heart. As you inhale, ask for a word that celebrates your inner fire, brightness and light. Allow that word to show up easily in the flames. When you are ready, ask yourself “what is one small activity I can do today to honor my inner fire?” Let the pictures/feelings come. What do you see yourself doing, being, having. Ask to see it in it’s simplest form. Without judging, say yes and do it today. Trust that this is what wants to happen.

During my own meditation, the fire gave me the word Love. I had a lot of judgments pop up, but when I let myself feel into it, it felt like doing the things that I loved today. As I continued to relax,  the activity that showed up to honor my inner fire was/is to create… specifically, to paint. So, that is what I am going to do… in the smallest way possible, with the simplest supplies. I don’t overwhelm myself, right? What about you?

Our Summer Altar - Solar Banner, old drill saws and fresh flowers from the garden.

Seasonal Altar: Addie and I made Suns to string together a Solar Banner for our Summer Altar (over the mantle.) My husband joined in with a few Suns of his own. Again, the idea is to keep it simple and let the whole family play. I’ll talk more about this in an upcoming post. For now, here are some More Ideas about celebrating the Summer Solstice and honoring Summer.

The Sun
by Mary Oliver

Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful

than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone–
and how it slides again

out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance–
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love–
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure

that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you

as you stand there,
empty-handed–
or have you too
turned from this world–

or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

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Today, Wednesday, June 15th, we will enjoy a total lunar eclipse with a juicy Full Moon shining in Sagittarius. Along with the sun in Gemini (communication & information) this naturally optimistic and enthusiastic moon brings increased awareness through investigation and conversation. Even if your own personal darkness and demons of habit are in your face, you can choose to allow the light of this moon and your awareness to open new doors for healing, gratitude and understanding. Sagittarius believes that everything happens for a reason – not to bring blame or reward – but to gain a deeper understanding of your purpose and the meaning of your own sweet, unique life. It’s all about the JOURNEY. Whether that means traveling, meditation, doing a shamanic journey, or simply reflecting…take some time to go on a journey this next week.

• perfect time to quit a habit – Ask yourself, “what is the one thing that has got a hold of me…that I am NOW ready to let go of?”
• turn off the machine (tv, radio, ipod, etc.) and tune into your own natural awareness – breath & listen
• campfire time – tell tales, roast marshmallows, sleep in your back yard!
• go on a mini-adventure – visit the local “sites”, try a new restaurant, make a date with a new friend or an old one that you never see.

TIP + Celebrate Life Locally – The Farmer’s Markets are opening. Enjoy red ripe strawberries, hearty veggies (fresh & dirty), gorgeous flowers and families strolling. Take a mini adventure and visit your local market(s). Dare to taste, to listen, to watch. Celebrate the season and the full moon by making a meal of locally grown delights to share with friends and family. Give thanks to all the beings, and forces of natural (seen and unseen) that make the feast possible. With each bite, connect to your love of life and the beauty of living it.

MIDSUMMER / SUMMER SOLSTICE – Tuesday, June 21st
The Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) is a turn of seasons leading toward the heart of ourselves. It is officially the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. It is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe. The Goddess manifests as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. In celebration people light fires, stay up all night, bedeck themselves with flowers, it’s a perfect time for a love-shakin’ pagan party! Summer Solstice is ACTIVE – doing, expanding and living the dream envisioned in winter. This holiday beings the Maiden Goddess’s transition to the cycle of the MOther Goddess as Maker/Creatrix. (Who doesn’t love the word Creatrix!) Feed your creative Fire! Nurture, sustain and protect your creations like a good mother would. Water your genius like you water your garden. Start your Summer Altar Now

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Happy Summer everyone!

It’s been three months since the Spring Equinox and Sunday, June 20th is the Summer Solstice. The Sun is at its strongest, Day at its longest.
It’s time to pause and take a breath. Time to take time for yourself & let old Mother Earth pull some of the worry out of you. No matter what’s going on in your life right now, you can make it easier if you hang out in nature for a while. Watch what’s going on outside your door: Life is trying to give itself to you. In the Northern Hemisphere, everything is flowering, flowing & getting juicy.

As we enter Summer this year, however, it may seem especially difficult to let go and relax. In the language of Astrology, Pluto, Saturn and Uranus are locked in a very tight t-square and are having a tricky time getting along. Translation: Pluto (Transformation/Power) is trying to get Saturn (Structure/Rules) and Uranus (Freedom/Innovation) to find ways to work together. New ideas, new experiences, new relationships are all trying to happen but there are power struggles & entrenched interests blocking the way.

In our personal lives old structures are falling apart. When that happens we experience grief & fear. We try to hold on to what is leaving. That’s human nature… But it is also human to learn the lessons of life through Nature. At Summer Solstice, Nature shows us Right Action: Open your arms wide and fill yourself with light. Open your hearts and allow yourself to be fed by something new.

Blessed Be all you Beautiful Souls,
Mary

Here’s a little poem from the Tao Te Ching (translated by Stephen Mitchell)
Throw away holiness and wisdom,
and people will be a hundred times happier.
Throw away morality and justice,
and people will do the right thing.
Throw away industry and profit,
and there won’t be any thieves.
If these three aren’t enough,
just stay at the center of the circle
and let all things take their course.

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