The word solstice derives from “sol” (Sun) and sistere (standing still). Truth is, the Sun does not really stand still it just appears to from our vantage point here on Earth; as it finishes its northern journey to 23 degrees north, 27 minutes at the Tropic of Cancer. This period lasts for about three days. In the above chart (at the top), you will see that the symbol for the Sun (circle with a single dot in the center) will reach 0 degrees, 0 minutes of Cancer at 5:43 pm here in Cleveland this Saturday, June 20, 2020. This is one of the four cardinal points in astrology, and marks the first day of summer for those of us living here in the northern hemisphere. Cardinal energy is associated with beginnings, it gets things started.
Western astrology follows a system known as the Tropical Zodiac. It was created in second-century Alexandria by the great mathematician and astronomer/astrologer Ptolemy. Rather than following the movement of the visible stars and constellations, Western astrology is based on the apparent path of the Sun as seen from a geocentric point of view. Obviously though, we know that in reality, the earth orbits the Sun. As we observe the Sun, from our perspective here on Earth, it appears to pass through 12 different static zones, named after constellations, in about a 30-day period. This is referred to as a zodiac sign cycle. We will enter the Cancer season, June 21st, marking the beginning of summer, and the Sun will then continue its journey through two more zodiacal signs, Leo, the middle of summer, then Virgo, marking the ending of summer and the point where the Sun transitions to Autumn.
A common misconception about solstice is that we are at our closet point to the Sun, thereby accounting for the increased temperatures. This is actually not true. The Sun is at its furthest point from Earth at Summer Solstice, we are just tilted in such a manner that the rays of light emanating from the Sun are hitting us more directly; being directly overhead at this time of the year. This positioning in relationship to Sun is what brings the increased hours of light we have in the summer.
There are many rituals surrounding Summer Solstice. These celebrations go way back, in Egypt it coincided with the first phase of the Nile flooding, the Egyptian New Year. In China, they celebrated the switch from yang to yin energy for the next half-year. The Romans held a solstice soiree with their Vestalia celebration; honoring goddess Vesta. And the Greeks honored Cronos, or Saturn, the god of agriculture at their Kronia festival. During this festival, slaves and free people feasted as equals.
Both equinoxes and solstices are sacred markers in time that help us to connect the dots to the mystery behind the Earth’s never-ending circle of life. It is through connecting to these larger life cycles that we begin to understand our own seasons in life. Last year I wrote the following concerning this cycle:
What is fascinating about this is that it can be illustrated by a sine wave . This universal pattern, set in motion by our Sun, is replicated down through all of creation. The process works something like this… At the winter solstice, dark and rising, the Sun is at its southernmost point, from here it begins to rise up, similar to a plant germinating in the earth. At the spring equinox, bright and rising, it reaches the equator, the point in time where plants begin to burst forth with new life and the light steadily increases each day. The Sun reaches its peak declination (highest point) at summer solstice, bright and descending, when plants are in full bloom. Life at its fullness, abundant light. The Sun then begins its fall, reaching the autumnal equinox, dark and descending, where plants begin to surrender to the decrease in light, and they let go. These four phases permeate all life. This coincides with the concept of Samsara, birth-life-death-rebirth. The seasons provide a valuable context to our own unfolding.
The Sun goes through this seasonal rhythm in a year, the moon in a month, and all the planets in our universe on their own respective schedules. We can even see this pattern in a single day. Sunrise is spring, noon is summer, sunset is autumn and midnight is winter. What this rhythm is teaching us is that we can’t always be at a peak experience, basking in full sunlight, life is comprised of both the light and dark. And we don’t need to see a lack of light as negative, it’s a time when new things can germinate, preparing for the return of the light. From a Shamanic view, it is when we become partners with this universal pattern that we achieve peace and harmony within; and perhaps achieve our release from Samsara.
This rhythm can also be found in our own psyche. An idea comes into our mind, the Winter. It begins to germinate and take shape. Then at some point, we take action on our idea, what was germinating in our mind springs forth into existence, it emerges. The idea eventually becomes realized, we manifest it into its fullness, the Summer. Once this phase is reached, we celebrate our success, and soon this idea begins to fade, falling from our awareness. It’s Autumn. We then head back to the drawing board, germinating new thoughts and ideas, in moments of quiet reflection. We are back at winter. It’s the same sine wave, cycle, it’s the universal pattern. There is no beginning and there is no end.
Happy Summer Solstice.
Written by: Urban Shaman
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