Embracing the Radiance of the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice marks the day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the year. The word solstice originates from the Latin word solstitium, which means “stationary or stopped (stiti-) sun (sol). The solstice has been celebrated since time immemorial and is one of the earliest astronomical observations in human history. The summer solstice is not just scientific observations. It is also has deep spiritual meanings that many have celebrated through the millennia and continue to celebrate in our modern times.

The summer solstice is a celebration of the return to light. It powerfully reminds us of the light within each of us and the full potential of our individuated as well as united light or cosmic sense of unity. The solstice is about awakening, reaching enlightenment or radiating our inner light and acts as a powerful symbol the ultimate triumph of light over darkness. This summer solstice feels particularly potent as we globally emerge from the Corona pandemic.

Ritual
Ritual has been a particularly powerful component of civilization since the beginning of humanity. Every culture, race, religion and society on the planet has some sort of formal celebratory formula in the form of ritual. These rituals have been created for many purposes, some include births, deaths, marriages, national holidays, religious holidays, inductions, academic accomplishment commencements, anniversaries of every kind, cycles of the seasons, the turning of the New Year. Rituals represent
opportunities to gather, to celebrate, bless, to give gratitude, to gather in support of each other, mark special occasions or changing of the seasons and years.

A ritual is typically an act of honor to celebrate appreciation or respect that is observed or performed on a regular basis. Rituals often define the customs and traditions of cultures, religions, and societal belief systems. A ritual can be something as simple as a routine that one follows on a regular basis, like a yoga or
meditation practice. The repetitive, care-free nature of rituals can be very healing as they provide an opportunity for you to surrender to a higher power and act in ways in your life that are aligned to your highest truths while nourishing and expanding yourself.

​Rituals are a powerful easy way to cultivate and send positive energy, thoughts, and actions into the universe. It is fun and interesting to explore practices
from diverse traditional healing cultures and their methods of ritual empowering you to create your own special way of celebrating gratitude, cultivating health, happiness and positive personal transformation.

Healing Traditions
Many rituals are practiced in order to attain spiritual enlightenment and improved health. The following are some examples of healing traditions that lift the spirit:

• Prayer – a simple daily prayer of reverence or gratitude can work wonders. More than 1600 studies have demonstrated that religious practices can greatly enhance health.
• Meditation- Meditation is best practiced on a regular basis so they become routine.
• Tea Ceremony – tea is a healing drink on its own, but making your cup of tea into a moment of peace and appreciation enhances its benefits. Consider these words from Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh: “You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea. Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup. Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy. If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea. You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.”
• Burning Incense – the basic act of burning incense brings in the healing elements of aromatherapy, and is a tradition that has been practiced for centuries.

Shamanic Ceremonies
Most Shamanic rituals aim to honor and invoke the spirit of the natural world. The following are some examples:

• Full Moon Release – A full moon signifies completion and is an ideal time for letting go of things that you no longer need.
• New Moon Creation – The new moon is said to represent a time of rebirth and growth, and an ideal time to create something new.
• Seasons – Spring and Fall Equinox, Summer and Winter Solstice
• Dancing / Chanting – dancing, singing and chanting are prevalent in many cultures. Shamans often use these tools to move the spirit and universal energies in a positive direction.
• Smudging – Burning sage is often done in a ritual known a smudging. This act is said to drive away negative spirits and energies.

Find information on how to conduct a Native American Smudging Ceremony here.

• If you’re feeling stuck, negative, sluggish, or even downright depressed, it may be due to some stagnant energy in your field to allow positive energy to enter. Your field can include your emotional, energetic, mental, spiritual or physical body, and your environment—whether it’s your home, office, or other physical space. Stagnant or negative energy can have extremely detrimental effects on your mental and physical state and is even believed to manifest into things like a lack of happiness and success as well as pain and disease.
• Smudging can help combat this negativity, clear the energy in your field, and help you start anew. Smudging is an ancient ceremony in which you burn sacred plants, such as sage, to allow the smoke to clear and bless a space.

Yoga, Movement & Dance
Any kind of movement can be releasing, liberating and healing. Especially in a modern society that keeps us bent over devices for everything most of the day. Opening and grounding into your body is an ancient technique for working with subtle energies. Connecting to the body through movement is healing.

Through how we move our bodies we tell much about ourselves. Our physical health, mental emotion and attitudes are all readable in our posture and movements. Some cultures tell stories and pass on ancient cultural history though sacred dance and movement. There is an entire field based on neuroscience and embryotic development science in Somatic healing.

Modalities of movement are endless here a few ideas:

• Yoga
• Stretch
• Dance
• Jump, skip, roll, leap, hop
• Tumble
• Walk funny on purpose
• Walk a labyrinth
• Hike
• Dance in a circle around a fire, under the full moon

Solstice Ritual
This ritual is best done between June 19st - 22st
You will need:

• Your favorite smudging tools
• Paper & pen
• Candle
• Incense/Essential Oil burner

Directions:

1. Have all of the ingredients for your ritual out in front of you on a table or on the floor. Set up your space by lighting your candle, and having the incense or essential oil burner on.
2. Begin by smudging your aura and your entire space. As you cleanse recite the following mantra or write your own – “Dear spirit guides and guardian angels of the highest light, I ask that you cleanse and release me and my space from all energy that no longer serves my highest good. I ask that you gently loosen me from the grips of patterns, attitudes, thoughts and beliefs that are keeping me stuck, I ask that you cleanse me of any heavy weight that is no longer mine to carry. I set the intention and know that it is done. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.”
3. Get comfortable. Take a few breaths here. As you breathe, try to inhale deep into your belly. Feel your belly and ribs expanding on every inhale and contracting on every exhale. Repeat this belly breathing for 7 breaths.
4. Write 3 Solstice intentions on small pieces of paper. One for the world, one for your family and friends and one for you.
5. Hold the paper to your heart with good thoughts about your intentions as already happening.
6. Now place your paper into the fire cauldron and let it burn to ash as you recite the following (or make up your own) prayer. “I place the power of my intention on this paper into the fire to release that which needs to be released and activate my highest potentials for the greater good. I intend this fire to cleanse my mind, body, and soul and empower my Solstice intentions. I intend this fire to recharge my spirit and fuel me with the energy of inspiration, radiance and Divine love.”.
7. Hold your hands in prayer position over your heart giving thanks to your angels and guides. Sit as long as you like or dance around the fire. Let the fire cauldron safely cool. Scatter the ashes into the earth or into a body of water.

GO FOR IT!!!.. it let your spirit free to flow in celebrating this Summer Solstice.
Have fun!