🌞Summer Solstice🌻

Today in the Southern Hemisphere, 22nd December, we celebrate the Summer Solstice. In Latin, ‘sol’ means sun, and ‘sistere’ means ‘to stand still’. Summer Solstice occurs as the Earth’s southern pole reaches its maximum tilt towards the Sun. We experience the longest daylight of the year, and the shortest night. The Sun travels in its largest arch and at midday reaches its highest daily altitude in the northern sky. The Sun God is thriving, giving warmth for growth, and Mother Earth has been building in one direction and reached her peak. We are invited to celebrate our solar energy, our infinite spirit, our brightness, individuality, and the peak of our self-expression.

In many cultures, Summer Solstice is viewed as a significant time of year, referred to as ‘midsummer’ or recognises the beginning of Summer. It is celebrated with special rituals, holidays and festivals with themes of religion or fertility. We celebrate our potential and our successes in full light before the darkness comes again. All plants are reaching for the light, growing and photosynthesising in their full abundance to convert light energy into chemical energy that fuels their activities, the production of sugars, starches, oxygen and the growth of flowers, fruit and seed.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Summer is represented in the Northern cardinal direction, by the Fire element, the colour red, and possesses a Yang or masculine energy. Summer symbolises warmth, heat, and light, that drives away the cold and darkness. The warm, sunny days tempt us outside to engage in celebration, fun water activities, parks, playgrounds, picnics, barbecues, holidays, camping and exploration. Red symbolises strength, protection, courage, drive, determination, action, empowerment, change and transformation. Themes of love, passion, desire, will, power and force are embodied with symbology such as the heart, sword, dagger or wand.

December brings us to the end of a huge whirlwind of a year, where energies have built up and seem to culminate, heightening emotions and reactions. We enter the lesser Sabbat of Litha, a time for positivity and celebration, however, not everyone feels quite so joyful at this time of year. For many, including myself, December hurts, and it can be a very difficult time for many people. We have worked the whole year with very little break or down time. By December we feel burnt out and exhausted, like a deflated balloon or as though we are carrying an elephant on our back. For some, the thought of family coming together for Christmas can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed. The previous loss of or long distance from the people we love, or once loved, can make Christmas a time of sadness, loneliness, and resurrect unresolved grief. Chronic disease, injury, illness, disability, or poverty during this time can amplify emotions and the sheer struggle of it all, sending us into a state of depression.

As pressure mounts to make Christmas a perfect day, we use our last drop of energy to organise the house, tidy decorations, buy and wrap presents, and shop for a huge amount of food. If we are heading away for a holiday over the summer break, there are added pressures to pack everything we need, plan for pet minding, house security, and then battle the heavy traffic. We are tired, anxious, irritated, stressed, and we have less patience and tolerance for those around us. The roads are filled with cars, the shops are crowded with people, and everyone seems to be on edge. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Please stop for a minute. Be conscious of your heightened emotions. Be aware of your breath, your body, and the greater picture, which is that you are a spiritual soul having a human experience. Question: How you can navigate through this experience in the simplest way, with the least resistance? What is really the most important thing at this moment? Your health, your wellbeing, and your sanity. Give yourself a break and take time out from the hustle and bustle of life. Lower your expectations. Be kind to yourself and to others.

If I could change anything in the world, I’d like to make this time of year less about shopping, presents, material things, decorations, and rushing to get everything organised for Christmas Day, and more about patience, kindness, and consideration for others. Having more compassion for those who are suffering. Focusing more on quality time with those we love. Taking the time to check-in with the people who have gone quiet. To make things simpler. To appreciate what is most important in our lives. To be truly grateful for everything we have.

This year, December includes a power-packed New Moon in Capricorn which invites us to look inward at ourselves, who we have become, where we are, and what we have achieved in 2022. If you’ve spent the year releasing old patterns, letting go of what no longer serves you, and envisioning what you want in your future, you can now sit back and know that the New Year holds wonderful possibilities for you. 2023 is all about travelling on your own Divine pathway. Maybe you already know what that is, or maybe you’re still trying to figure it out. Be patient with yourself. Take time this Summer Solstice to go within and see what your heart desires, what brings you joy, and what gifts you wish to bring to the world. We can only start the next chapter when we have both feet on the ground, are fully present, and have full acceptance of where we are now. Just like Mother Earth, we are leaning into a shift that moves us into a new chapter in our lives. Give yourself permission to stop, to rest, to change, to grow and expand.

If you need a recharge or some unconditional love and healing, book yourself in with me for a session of Reiki Therapy. Reiki is a traditional hands-on application of universal healing energy that calms the nervous system, rejuvenates the body, and has the potential to heal and re-balance the body on every level; physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is a very nourishing and nurturing experience.

Be well this Christmas. Take care and stay safe.

Sweet Blessed Solstice to you!

In health and wellness,

Monica ♥