Setting intentions, fueling courage, and letting go with the season
Summer represents the time of year when the most sunlight is available to us, which, in terms of consciousness, also reflects the time of year when we are the most present to ourselves and who we choose to be.
The Solstice represents a time of renewal; engaging in our connection with the earth and cultivating and deepening that with ourselves and everything around us. It's a time of expansion as our souls open to receive the healing power of the abundant summer sun.
We can show gratitude for all that we receive during this time by acknowledging and sharing appreciation for those gifts. Many cultures and communities celebrate Summer Solstice with ceremony and ritual, honoring the force of life that we each embody and sharing the blessings that accompany our lives.
Some components of Solstice ritual and ceremony, which anyone can partake in, include:
Fire. This symbol of summer, is offered as a tool of Solstice celebration in multiple ways, which can include:
Keeping a small fire going*, even in the form of a candle, throughout the day out of respect for the sun
Partaking in a burning ritual to release that which no longer serves your personal growth and wellbeing
Sunbathing. This is about more than just laying out in the sun; this is about intention. Solstice represents the time when the Earth is its strongest, and sunbathing is about reflecting that strength and tapping into your own inner fire.
Choose a quiet space and begin to imagine each of your breaths pulling in the fiery heat of the sun, adding to your own fire; amplifying your strength; growing and expanding. Focus on this intention for a few minutes alone, and you will continue to carry that fire (passion, confidence, and creativity) with you long after you rise.
Journal. Set aside some time for self-reflection as it aligns with the season, pondering such things as:
In the season of fire, what ways does your personal fire manifest in your life? What has it helped you accomplish recently? Be sure to also acknowledge and write out gratitude for each component.
With the sun at its peak, what are some peak moments you've experienced this year? What have you accomplished recently that you feel really proud of?
In the spirit of letting go, what has come to completion in your life? What are you realizing no longer serves you that you must let go of? How will letting go of these things allow you to change and grow?
Mantras. Repeating simple mantras to invoke the power of the sun is a beneficial addition to your personal practice year-round. Speak or sing it (aloud or to yourself) and, as always, write it down (the power!!) Try one of these on for size:
My strength is vibrant, powerful, and abundant like the sun.
As the wheel of the world turns, so do I.
I honor the balance between light and dark and the cycles in between.
I use the past to see what's held be back and choose to release it.
"Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun. - Kalil Gibran
*Be mindful of the climate in your region as summer is also a time for wildfires, and this post in no way supports acts that will contribute to those bad boys.
By Sam Jump
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