My painting 'The World is Yours'
MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE
The Summer Solstice also known as Litha or Midsummer, carries profound meaning, etched deeply in our heritage, with ancient sites such as Stonehenge and many others around the world all aligned to celebrate its occurrence. For our forebears, dependent on the natural world, the flourishing verdure at midsummer surely heralded a time of festivity.
Traditionally, the lighting of bonfires represented the sun's vital force, kindling hopes for a bountiful harvest. It was customary for livestock to be guided through the smoke and for folk to leap over the flames—a ritual said to foretell the prosperity of the season's crops by the height of the highest jump. The ashes, imbued with this potent energy, were spread across the fields to bless them with fertility. The night itself was alive with joy—people danced, sang, and feasted until dawn, united in celebration of the sun at its most powerful.
At this time, we also honour the Oak King, embodying strength and fertility at his zenith, before yielding to the introspective rule of the Holly King, who presides over the winter months. It's the prefect time to find yourself a King of the Forest. The Oak tree was called Duir in Celtic and means doorway. Choose your oak and spend some time with it contemplating what you want to head towards in the second part of the year and meditate with this majestic being and ask for guidance.
It is the perfect opportunity as the solstice invites a pause, its very name suggesting a moment of stillness amidst the year’s bustling rhythm as it derives from the Latin word "sol" meaning sun and "sistere" meaning to stand still. It provides a sacred space for reflection, an opportunity to reassess where we stand and to set intentions for the forthcoming half of the year.
As we mark this day of heightened solar energy, let us also celebrate our own paths—infusing our lives with the sun's renewed vigour and clarity. Watching the sunrise on the Summer Solstice is a particularly transformative experience, an embracing of the light and power on the longest day of the year, a beautiful rite that I joyfully anticipate each year.
This enchanting threshold not only connects us to the earth's celestial rhythms but also to the deepest parts of ourselves, urging us to manifest our desires and dreams with the full backing of the universe’s luminous energy.
I love this photo I took of a bumble bee's bum! He was having a great time in the sun.
REVIEW & RENEW
As we approach this pivotal moment in the year, take some time to reflect on the months that have passed. Celebrate your accomplishments—each step taken, every challenge met with grace and resilience. Consider what you have learned and acknowledge how these experiences have contributed to your growth.
Contemplate what may no longer serve you, identifying those elements you ought to release to make room for new growth. This process of letting go is vital as it frees you to fully embrace and step into the unfolding chapters of the year.
Now, ponder deeply on who you aspire to be in the coming six months. What qualities do you wish to embody? How are you being called to step forward and shine? This reflection is not merely an exercise in thought but a call to action—a summoning of your deepest potentials to the forefront of your life's stage. Let this solstice be your beacon, guiding you towards your truest expression and brightest light.
JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR THE SOLSTICE
The Summer Solstice is a perfect time to use a journal to reflect. Here are some prompts to help with the process.
Reflection on Achievements: Reflect on the accomplishments and milestones you've reached so far this year. How do they make you feel?
Growth and Learning: Consider the significant lessons you've learned over the past six months. How have these lessons contributed to your personal growth?
Letting Go: Identify aspects of your life that no longer serve your highest good. How can you release these elements to make space for new opportunities?
Setting Intentions: As you step into the second half of the year, what are your intentions and goals? How do you plan to achieve them?
Embracing Light: The Summer Solstice is a time of maximum light. How can you bring more light into your life, both metaphorically and literally? You could start by physically inviting more sunlight into your home by rearranging furniture to ensure windows are unobstructed, or spending more time outdoors during daylight hours, perhaps starting your mornings with a coffee in your, garden should you have one, or a walk to soak in the sun's energy.
Metaphorically, you can focus on cultivating a positive mindset. This might involve practicing daily gratitude, surrounding yourself with uplifting and inspiring people, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Additionally, you can work on trying to let go of negative thoughts and patterns, replacing them with affirmations and self-compassion. By actively seeking and embracing positivity, you can ensure your inner light shines as it should!
Personal Renewal: Think about ways to renew and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit during this time.
Connection to Nature: Reflect on how you feel most connected to nature and how you can deepen this connection during the Summer Solstice. Where can you go locally, to get a nature fix?
Manifestation: What dreams and desires do you wish to manifest in the coming months? What steps can you take to bring them to fruition? I offer retreats and workshops that specialise in the art of abundance and manifestation. You can check them out on my events page here.
Celebrating You: Consider what you love most about yourself and how you can celebrate these qualities more fully. Just thinking about what you love most about yourself is a powerful exercise at any time of year and worth doing regularly.
Gratitude: What are you most grateful for at this point in the year? How can you cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude moving forward?
Sun's Energy: How can you harness the powerful energy of the sun to fuel your passions and projects?
Community and Connection: Think about how you can strengthen your connections with others during this time of abundance and growth.
Self-Care Rituals: Identify self-care rituals you can incorporate into your daily routine to honour yourself and your journey. We are so busy these days, self care rituals can fall to the very bottom of your to do list. I know they do for me, so let's get them back near the top in these coming months!
Dream Exploration: Spend some time exploring your dreams and aspirations. What steps can you take today to move closer to them?
As we celebrate the Summer Solstice, let us embrace the energy and light it brings into our lives. By pausing to honour the sun's peak and our own journeys, we connect more deeply with the rhythms of nature and our inner selves.
Let this moment of stillness inspire you to set clear intentions, release what no longer serves you, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether through journaling, meditation, celebration ceremonies or simply basking in the sun's warmth, use this time to align with your true purpose and manifest your dreams. As the sun stands still, may you find clarity and strength to move forward, shining your light brightly into the world.
Comentários