Embrace the Summer Solstice
A Journey of Wellness and Ritual
Summer is upon us and I have gathered some resources to help support you mind, body and spirit through this summer, with the upcoming Solstice and Full Moon. I plan on starting the day by doing 108 sun salutations on Thursday morning, a traditional way to honor the zeineth of the sun! Can you believe after Thursday days get shorter?
My coven and I (pictured above) are gathering for a ritual to promote enlightenment for the world. I'll also be harvesting herbs from my yard to capture the peak solar energy, ensuring I have this energy throughout the year. I'm also planning to make solar/lunar tea and water, given the Full Moon on Friday following Midsummer Thursday. Instructions and information are below.
Any questions or for more personalized guidance and wellness practices, feel free to reach out or book a session. <3 abby
The Summer Solstice, arriving on June 20th, marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This celestial event ushers in a time of celebration, reflection, and transformation. This year, the solstice is followed by a Full Moon in Capricorn on June 21st, creating a potent cosmic combination for personal growth and spiritual practice. Let's explore how you can harness this vibrant energy to enhance your well-being and embrace the season's potential.
The Significance of the Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice is a moment when the Earth is tilted most towards the sun, bringing the longest daylight of the year. This event bathes us in the sun's most potent rays, symbolizing warmth, light, and renewal. Historically, cultures worldwide have celebrated the solstice with festivals and rituals, viewing it as a time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future.
Dagaz: The Rune of Summer Solstice
In the Runic calendar, Dagaz represents the period from June 14th to June 29th. Meaning "day" or "dawn," Dagaz symbolizes epiphany, transformation, and the balance between light and darkness. It encourages us to honor the good in our lives and focus on what truly matters.
Dagaz embodies the climax of the solar cycle, urging us to seize the day and make meaningful changes. It reminds us that every day holds potential for growth and enlightenment, encouraging a profound internal audit of our values, relationships, and joys.
Summer Solstice Ritual: Embrace the Light
Here is a simple yet powerful ritual to help you connect with the energy of the Summer Solstice (adapted from Runic Book of Days by S. Kelley Harrell.)
Find a Sacred Space: Choose a quiet, sacred space, either indoors or in nature. Gather meaningful items such as crystals, candles, or natural elements to create an altar.
Fire Breathing: Engage in fire breathing to enter a light trance. Inhale deeply and exhale forcefully through your mouth for a count of 50 breaths.
Visualization: Imagine yourself in a serene, natural setting. Feel the sensations, hear the sounds, and smell the aromas of this space.
Invocation: Invite your spirit allies to join you. Feel their presence and the energy they bring.
Expression: Speak aloud whatever comes to mind. Honor all aspects of yourself without judgment.
Reflection: Pay attention to the sensations in your body from head to toe. Acknowledge the wisdom you've gained from this experience.
Galdr Chant: Sing the Galdr of Dagaz: “dah-zenith-dahga” and note the feelings and memories it stirs.
Grounding: Gradually return to your normal breathing, open your eyes, and feel the presence of your fully integrated self.
Affirmation: "Under the brightest light is truth, shadowed only by my protection, knowing my darkness is just as divine."
Journaling Prompts:
How have you changed since the Winter Solstice?
What makes today unique?
How do you celebrate repetition and honor diversity?
How can you carry the feelings of the solstice throughout the year?
Full Moon in Capricorn: Release and Renew
The Strawberry Full Moon in Capricorn on June 21st offers an opportunity to release old patterns and embrace new beginnings. Use this lunar energy to let go of inflexibility, apathy, and worries, also issues related to your teeth, bones and skin.
Questions for Reflection:
What old habits or beliefs are you ready to release?
How can you bring more flexibility and empathy into your life?
What self-care practices can support your physical and emotional health?
As you navigate this potent time, remember that the journey towards wellness and enlightenment is ongoing. Embracing the energy of the Summer Solstice and the Full Moon can help you create meaningful change while celebrate the light within and around you.
Understanding the Fire Element
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season is associated with a specific element that influences our body and mind. Summer, governed by the fire element, is a time of growth, joy, and expansiveness. This season is connected to the heart and small intestine, along with the functions of circulation and heating in the body.
Heart: The Emotional Core
The heart, associated with the fire element, symbolizes our emotional responses and stability. It influences how we express ourselves emotionally, encompassing love, passion, and compassion. The heart governs the central nervous system, brain, and spinal cord. When the heart is out of balance, it may result in emotional instability, lack of passion for life, and lack of inspiration.
Small Intestine: Assimilation and Nourishment
The small intestine plays a crucial role in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, impacting the overall nourishment of our body. It also influences the regulation of shock, the female reproductive system, and the quality of menstrual cycles. Imbalances in the small intestine can lead to poor digestion, inability to absorb nutrients, abnormal menstrual bleeding, low back pain, TMJ problems, and neck and shoulder issues.
Supplemental Meridians: Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater
Pericardium
The pericardium governs circulation, protects the heart, and influences the quality of sleep and dreams. Imbalances can cause poor circulation, cold hands and feet, varicose veins, blood pressure issues, heart problems, sleep disturbances, overactive dreaming, and emotional boundary issues.
Triple Heater
The triple heater regulates thermal adaptation, protects through the lymphatic and immune systems, and aids temperature regulation. Imbalances can result in a weak immune system, neck and shoulder problems, airborne allergies, and sensitivity to environmental changes.
Seasonal Influence and Lifestyle Adjustments
(Staying Healthy with Season’s by Elson Haas)
Summer is a season of growth, nourished by the rains of winter and spring. The brilliant sunshine of summer allows nature to flourish, paralleling our projects and personal growth. This season invites us to tend to our physical and emotional well-being, much like nurturing a garden.
Diet and Exercise for Fire Element Balance
Maintaining a healthy heart and robust fire element requires proper nutrition and regular exercise. A summer diet should focus on eliminating refined foods, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco. Reducing animal fats, particularly red meat, dairy products, and other fatty foods, is helpful for heart health. Exercise promotes good blood circulation, essential for overall vitality. Aim for an hour of exercise daily to enhance your well-being in the summer sunshine.
Herbal Allies for Heart and Small Intestine Health
Heart Tonics
Hawthorn Berries: Used as a heart tonic, diuretic, and astringent. Steep 2 ounces of berries in a quart of boiling water for 30 minutes.
Ginseng Root: A rejuvenator that strengthens the heart and enhances stamina.
Borage: Brings happiness and emotional relief. Use the flowers in tea.
Small Intestine Support
Comfrey Root: Heals the intestinal lining. Boil one tablespoon in two cups of water for 20 minutes.
Fennel Seed and Anise Seed: Relieve intestinal gas and indigestion. Simmer one teaspoon per cup for 15 minutes.
Embracing Summer’s Energy
Summer is the perfect time to recharge with solar power, balancing fire with water inside and out, and keeping the body active. It's a season for growth, fun, and preparation for the future. Strengthen your fire element with sun exposure, exercise, and a healthy diet.
Stimulating Herbs
Cayenne Pepper: A stimulant and blood cleanser. Take in capsules or mixed in water.
Ginger Root: Enhances circulation and body heat. Simmer slices in water and drink daily.
Herbal Teas and Seasonal Practices
Make solar teas by placing herbs in a glass jug with water and leaving them in the sunlight. For a lunar twist, make teas under the moonlight during the full moon, and since we have the Summer Solstice and the Full Moon in Capricorn this week, it’s a perfect time to do it. Harvest herbs on the summer solstice to infuse them with the sun's power, using them throughout the year to harness summer's energy.
Summer is a time to embrace the vibrancy of life, nourish our bodies, and prepare for the seasons ahead. By aligning with the fire element, we can enhance our physical and emotional health, ensuring a prosperous and joyful season.
-Cheers if you made it this far! Wishing you much joy this Summer. xo ajp