solstice
Spiritual Rituals Provide Sacred Space
Spiritual ceremonies, where humans gather together in a circle, are especially potent. An energetic hoop gathers over the circle to assist in the endeavor for the gathering, whether it be for the purpose of celebrating a new birth, honoring a solstice, or to express anything of importance to humanity, as individuals, or as a group.
Altars are also powerful. They are a gathering place for spirits to provide protection and shielding, to aid in a calling or, perhaps, to provide a sacred place for the energy of one who has crossed to another dimension to gather and connect. Or, we might choose to build an altar dedicated to providing an anchor for our business when we are away, the same as when we are present. Continue reading
The Cosmic Weather Channel
We have all checked a daily weather forecast at some point. Will it be hot or cold? Will it rain or snow? But did you know that a different kind of ‘weather’ affects our lives just as much? We are also impacted by the ‘cosmic weather’ – the astrological positions of the planets and other heavenly bodies, as well as related phenomena, such as eclipses, solstices, equinoxes, aurora borealis (Northern Lights), solar flares, and meteor showers.
The recent “Great American Eclipse” was a large-scale event which many people observed. But what did it mean? Solar eclipses represent the shadow of the Moon (the yin, feminine, and intuitive) obscuring the Sun (yang, masculine, and logical). An eclipse therefore creates the illusion of twilight in the middle of the day. From a metaphysical perspective it is the perfect time for added insight, previously hidden knowledge, and inspired ideas. Continue reading
The Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice was celebrated in the ancient world in different traditions. It is known in pagan traditions, and others, as the ‘longest night.’ There are similarities in various world beliefs.
The sun moves into Capricorn at this time and it is the start of the new solar year. This solar occasion is often seen as the rebirth of the sun, symbolized by a Goddess and the birth of her son, celebrated as a festival of light. The ancient cultures of India, Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Ireland and Wales all shared the belief of a son, born near the winter solstice on the 25th of December, and who died in the spring.
In pagan Europe, this holiday was known as Jul, which means wheel, or Yule. The ancient Egyptian myths of Isis and Osiris repeats in the story of Mary and Jesus. The modern day celebration of the birth of Jesus, is what we know as Christmas. Continue reading
Solstice Forecast 2016
The most recent Solstice took place on June 20th, marked with a rare Full Moon in Sagittarius. This signifies the perfect time for us to become ‘archers’ and use focus, courage, and persistence in manifesting our biggest dreams and visions for the second half of 2016.
Since March this year, we have all been struck with spells of confusion, exhaustion and scattered energy. You can thank the intense solar flares, two eclipses, and the ongoing retrograde activity in Mercury, Mars, and now Neptune, for some of your most frustrating moments. This planetary non-movement has been forcing us to slow down, prioritize and reassess our lives, to rid it of anything that isn’t helping us grow. Look at it as a blessing in disguise!
Once Mars goes direct today, on June 30th, it will release a fire of emotions and aggressive energy which are going to increase as we move closer to November. With two Full Moons in Sagittarius, back to back, we are being given the opportunity to change our world by removing the old, outdated ways of existing and replacing it with fresh, forward thinking. Continue reading
The Beautiful Season Of New Beginnings
Back in the Fall I posted a blog, titled Autumn Wishes, where I mentioned planting bulb, while wishing for a beautiful flower and praying for the fulfillment of a desire. At that time in October, it was my invitation for us to pause and notice the inexorable pull toward Winter Solstice. The days were growing incrementally shorter, ultimately culminating in the darkest day of the year.
But here we are now, and it is Spring again. Yes, it is the beautiful season of new beginnings, renewal and rebirth! Fresh buds are blooming, hibernating animals have been awakening and the earth seems to be coming to life again. Farmers and gardeners are now planting their future harvest, as temperatures slowly rise. Continue reading
Moon Metaphysics – The Long Night’s Moon
This year’s final Full Moon is today, on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2015. The Native Americans and the Celts traditionally refer to today’s Full Moon as the “Full Cold Moon” or the “Long Night’s Moon.” Neo-pagans also know it as the “Moon before Yule.”
This year the Winter Solstice took place on December 21st, 2015 – the date on which the day in the Northern Hemisphere is the shortest and the night is longest. Due to the long, dark nights at this time of year, and the fact that the Moon’s orbit travels a high path across the sky, the Full Moon stays in the sky a long time. It is worthwhile to look out for. This is the time of the year when the Northern Hemisphere is held in the icy grip of winter. Traditionally, most of the time around this period was spent in leisure pursuits: teaching traditions to the youngsters, and re-telling the stories of the ancestors. The Celts traditionally have a ceremony welcoming the return of the Long Days. Continue reading
Smile With Hope In The Coming Year
The miracles of the recent holiday season will hopefully keep our hearts alive with hope, faith and gratitude throughout the New Year.
Let our souls continue to rejoice with the miracles of joy, hope, faith and love of this most recent Christmas of the Christians; Yule of the Pagans; Candle-mas of the Celts; Hanukkah of the Hebrews; Eid ul-Fitr of Islam; Pan-African festival of Kwanzaa; and Hindu celebration of Diwali.
In the old days, before the reformers came, the Old Oak King conquered the Holly King every year around this time. Mother Earth would then sleep under a white blanket of snow, the quiet ice of still waters, everything waiting for the Summer Solstice, when the Holly King would win the battle in turn. Continue reading