The Vital Energy Of The Sun

In the northern hemisphere September 23^rd marked the Autumn Equinox and the start of fall. In these days we traditionally celebrate harvests and the bounty of summer, and enjoy the last warm days before winter. But what to do about the increasing lack of sunlight?

In our psychic lives, we need the energy of the sun as much as we need water, air, or ground under our feet. Sunlight represents the fourth essential spiritual element of fire. If we don’t have enough of it, we can easily become depressed and lose touch with our psychic self.

So how can we incorporate the sun in our daily lives, even if we can’t afford a winter home in Hawaii? The most obvious answer is to make time to get natural sunlight. Sorry, but that artificial sunlamp in your office doesn’t count! Of course, if we’re able to, it is nice to take that winter vacation to a sunnier climate, but if not, a walk outside each day can prove extremely beneficial.

I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Our ancestors knew about the many benefits of the sun and honored its presence in our lives. If we look at the glyph for the astrological sign of Libra, which begins with the Equinox, we will see the image of the sun rising or setting on the horizon. This serves as a reminder that just because we have fewer hours of daylight doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.

Libra is also a sign of balance, since it symbolizes balanced scales. In this time of change, it is a reminder for us to examine the balances in our lives. Are we getting enough sleep, eating the right kinds of foods, drinking plenty of water? All our life forces are ultimately powered by the sun, so this is a subtle reminder for us to balance our natural cycles.

It’s also a good time to start new personal rituals in our psychic life. A good one for the season is candles. In addition to providing welcome light, they are a symbol of the light. Try a warm color like yellow or orange. Give gratitude for the light, even as it wanes day by day. Give thanks for the bounty of the summer and for the fruits of a good harvest, both physical and spiritual.

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do ~ Galileo Galilei

Another good way to do this is with the humble apple. In addition to being good for us, it serves as a symbol of the sun, and its seeds remind us that the long nights will not last forever. They remind us of the cycle of life; that new growth will arise from that which is dead and buried. After enjoying your apple, plant a tree if you feel inclined.

Don’t let the retreat of the sun put a damper on your psychic life. The scales of Libra are a visual reminder that nothing can stay tipped in one direction forever. The sun always will come back to us, and we must make time in our lives to honor its gifts.

So, instead of spending those shorter fall days stuck inside, venture outside and enjoy an hour or two spent walking in the natural light. Take your children or pets if you have them; they’ll appreciate it too! You’ll have a reservoir of psychic energy for those long winter nights ahead.