Happy Solstice Dear Friends,
June 21st is the Summer Solstice. Ancient people knew that the Mother Goddess was pregnant and would give birth at Lammas (August 2nd) with her abundant harvest.
Also known as Midsummer, it is one of the eight great spokes on the Celtic wheel of the seasons. The Solstice (meaning sun stands still) is universally recognized in all cultures as an important turning point—it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Sun energy is at its peak and we feel the primal creative force of the Sun God. I wonder if those who chose to make Father’s Day so close to the Solstice each year knew this. Just as Mother’s Day is close to Beltane which is the ultimate celebration of fertility, Father’s Day is close to the Celtic tradition of honoring male energy. Hmmm.
Midsummer’s Eve is one of the three important spirit nights of the year; the other two are Beltane (May Day) and Samhain (Halloween). When the veils are thinnest between the worlds, we can communicate with the spirit world more easily. Since you are especially close to spirit guides and ancestors at this time, pay attention to the messages you receive. Do you remember Shakespeare’s comedy, The Tempest? The famous Bard taps into the common beliefs, even as late as Elizabethan times, of this spirit night.
The Druids celebrated Midsummer as the wedding of Heaven and Earth: the Great Marriage (Hieros Gamos in Greek) of The Lord and The Lady, and the union of Yin and Yang. The moon around Midsummer is called the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was served at wedding ceremonies. This celestial phenomenon is one of the best times to celebrate love in all its forms.
Try repeating this affirmation often: I choose to focus on love in each moment. This might mean choosing the most loving action, or choosing to see the very best in friends, family, or business associates. It is especially powerful to focus on the best qualities of your Beloved. Please remember that what you focus on expands and when there are powerful celestial influences aligned, you can feel the effects even more. Most importantly, at any given moment, choose to love yourself even when you are feeling less than perfect.
With love and blessings,
Linda
|
