Summertime, Solstice, an Eclipse and a New MoonI would like to extend a nice warm welcome to summertime. Well, truthfully, I would prefer to keep springtime around for quite a while longer. You know, like those days recently that started off cool, topped out in the 70s, and had no humidity. That’s my kind of weather! Alas, springtime has passed and summer is here. Today, in fact, is the Summer Solstice, considered to mark the official arrival of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. (Unless you’re a meteorologist, in which case you deem June 1st as the beginning of summer.) Here in Maryland it begins at precisely at 5:44 pm EDT. But what is the solstice? Scientifically it has to do with orbits and a tilted axis, but school’s out now and I’m not getting into those details. What I will tell you is that solstice is Latin for sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). Not everyone uses the term solstice, though. In Northern Europe they prefer Midsummer. Celtic Pagan traditions call it Litha, which means light. Some Christian religions use the term St. John’s Day. No matter the name you use, the summer season is upon us, and today we experience the longest daylight of the year. Also happening today is a ‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse. According to House Beautiful “this type of solar eclipse occurs when a new moon is near its farthest point from Earth, forming a straight line with the Earth and the sun. The moon partially covers the sun. Since the sun's outer rim remains visible, though, the sunshine appearing around the moon creates a stunning ring of fire effect.” You have to live in Africa or Asia to witness it in person, but you can watch it live on Space.com. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, we round out the weekend with a New Moon. It’s a bit like the solar eclipse – you can’t see it. The Full Moon steals all the glory and leaves the new moon in the dark, like a blank slate. I love the new moon because it brings us opportunities for beginnings and rebirth. It’s about second chances and the ability to try again. The new moon helps us find our way to new experiences or to new people. It may lead us to unknown paths or tap into buried talents. If you want to look at something in a new way - from a different perspective - the new moon is the perfect time for such an endeavor. Both the Summer Solstice and the New Moon are excellent times for purification, which is the process of making something spiritually or ceremonially clean. This is the perfect time to celebrate the sacred marriage between earth and sun with love and abundance. There are many ways to do this - and in fact I did an entire workshop on this topic!. Consider creating a purification ritual of your own using elements such as earth, fire or water. Inhale the scent of flowers or use aromatherapy. Chant, dance or listen to music. Align your chakras to start this moon cycle grounded and balanced. Find something that feels right for you. Then step forward into summer, cleansed and ready for whatever comes your way.
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