Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice – the sun at it’s highest peak, it doesn’t seem possible that after today the sun will begin to wane and the days begin to shorten. How can this be? It feels that summer is yet young.
The wheel is turning a full 6 months since Winter Solstice. Now is a time to reflect. Summer Solstice is the Festival of Achievement. Today take a moment to celebrate all that you have achieved over the past six months. All too often we focus on the negatives, we focus on what we should have done, what we haven’t done. Today and over the next couple of days I urge you to take some time in stillness and look back and see how far you have come. I’m not talking about big things but each little thing you achieve each day, each week, each month. Whether it be turning up on your yoga mat, going for a walk, a run, a swim, a bike ride. Reading that book you’ve always wanted to read, finally catching up with a friend, some days getting out of bed is an achievement. Learning something new, almost every day we learn something new, it’s just that often we don’t hear it.
And then take time to Celebrate YOU and all that you are. Listen to the lovely things your friends and family say about you. All too often we dismiss a compliment, so few of us really know how to accept one. But again today and over the next few days take time in stillness and celebrate you and all that you are.
Summer Solstice sees us looking towards the next 6 months towards Winter Solstice. Now is the time to focus on what you want to bring into your life. Take time and listen to your heart, what really makes your heart sing and your soul smile? Now is the time to listen and focus and begin to bring these changes into your life.
The Oak tree is associated with Summer Solstice. The mighty Oak gives you the courage to step through the doorway to your inner strength. Sit with an oak tree, or sit meditating with an oak leaf asking for the courage and strength to not only hear the whisper of your dreams but to listen to them. Make those changes that make your heart sing and soul smile.
Sit outside under the solstice sun soaking up the creative energy.
Light a fire, give thanks to the fire for all that you have achieved and all that you are. Then let go of all that you longer wish to have in your life, let the fire burn away all that no longer serves you making room for the new. With life comes death and rebirth. Destruction makes room for creation.
Last weekend we celebrated the Summer Solstice early on our Sacred Wheel (A Path of Exploration) on Sunday we had a ceremony and I’ll leave you with some words I wrote Saturday evening and read around the fire on Sunday
My name is Freya, Goddess of Love
And yet I am no stranger to death
Upon the battlefields you will find me
Collecting warriors from their untimely death
With death comes life – rebirth
With day comes night
My husband Odur is the symbol of the summer sun
But now you and I celebrate the return to darkness
The Wheel of Life turns round and round
So now before we turn inwards
Celebrate all that you have achieved
Celebrate all that you are
Stand tall with the mighty oak, the tree of courage
He holds the doorway to your inner strength
On those dark nights look back
Remember the first swallow that returned bringing hope and joy
And as you gather round the winter fires remember the fire of the sun
The warmth and heat upon your face
Remember those heady days of freedom and
Remember that the wheel turns ever more
And the light will return once more
Until then celebrate you
Dance light of foot and feel the heat of the sun
Watch the swallows fill the skies
Until next time dear friends
Until next time.
