This year our Summer/Winter Solstice falls on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 2:19 pm AEST – a time of celebration in the Southern Hemisphere (Summer Solstice) and a time of deep inward reflection in the Northern Hemisphere (Winter Solstice).

Energy & Meaning of the Solstice

The word Solstice comes from Latin Solstitium, or Sol (meaning Sun) & Sistere (stand still).  From the viewpoint of Earth, it appears our Sun or Sol ‘stands still’ as it reaches its peak and the days become shorter (Southern Hemisphere) or longer (Northern Hemisphere).

The Sun represents the yang Masculine Archetype, our energetic expression in the world.    During our December Solstice the Sun enters Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn – representing our yin Feminine of the Matriarch (Crone, Chronus), compassionate & understanding wisdom through time.  By way of note, I view the Saturn archetype as Feminine (no Masculine), but that is a conversation for another day!

So as the Sun seemingly stands still (sistere) in Capricorn, the Masculine & Feminine engage in a sacred dance.  The Sol (Sun, Masculine) meets the Feminine and in rapture of her beguiling presence he stands still… and then seeks to usher in a Feminine Sol Cycle of shorter days (in the Southern Hemisphere) or builds towards a Masculine Sol Cycle of longer days (Northern Hemisphere). 

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is a time of celebration of our Light as the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky.   It is a time to experience yourself as part of nature, as part of something bigger than you as the world around you is in full bloom.    Abundance, gratitude, joyful play, sharing the fruits of your labours and dancing in the lightness of your being as you bath in the lightness of the Sun and deeply exhale this light into every area of your life.  A time to embrace your en-light-enment through the Divine Masculine.

The energy of Summer Solstice is summed up in these divine words…

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is a time of moving inward, a deep reflection of our Light within as the Sun reaches its lowest point in the sky.   It is also a time to unite with our shadow, the darkest point within ourselves and the darkness that we may experience within the world.  Without darkness, how we would recognise light, how we would embrace en-light-enment, how would be experience light-ness of being?  The Winter Solstice draws you into your inner-light through the Divine Feminine, to see that during times of darkness the light is never extinguished, but rather is a yin cycle of presence & stillness that precedes the unfoldment of the great breath of light out again.   Trust, faith, hope & grace are your guides home at this time.

The energy of Winter Solstice is summed up in these divine words…

How to embrace the Solstice Energy ?

Where ever you are on Earth, the Summer/Winter Solstice represents an opportunity to celebrate LIGHT.  To experience the LIGHT within yourself, to see that same LIGHT in others.  To experience the interplay of LIGHT of the Masculine & Feminine in your life, within the Earth and the cycles of the Sun & Moon.

The Solstice is also a time of healing.  Gracefully observing the interplay of light/darkness within your life and within our world… owning every part of yourself.   It is a time of deepest empathy, offering your light to those during times of darkness… and a time to gracefully receive this light during your time of need.

Here a few things you may wish to consider to embrace & experience the LIGHTness of our June Solstice energy…

1. Light a Candle

There is so much love in the world, but at times it maybe hard to see it.  Over the last week my Heart has been heavy as I witnessed the separation of young migrant children from their parents in the US, and here in Australia the random rape & murder of young woman walking home from work to name but a few.  During this weeks Solstice, I will be lighting a candle – a candle of hope, a candle of change, a candle of LIGHT that illuminates a greater possibility for humanity.   If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, may the LIGHT of your candle foster connection, action and find humane solutions that demonstrate a more beautiful world.   If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, may the LIGHT of your candle reflect the magnificence of the LIGHT that exists within you.. the possibility to be the change in every action, thought, word & deed.

2. Breath in the LIGHT of our Sun

Stand on the Earth (preferably barefoot) and breathe the Solar Rays of joyous Light into your Heart.  Feel it renewing every cell of your body, liquid light energy revitalising, replenishing & nourishing.   Then breathe this LIGHT out and take it down deep into the Earth.  Visualise this same liquid light energy revitalising, replenishing & nourishing Earth, the rivers, the oceans, the animals, the forests & our crops.   If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, maybe rise with the Sun and engage in the breath, the rich fullness of the day.  If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, connect with the light as the Sun sets and breathe the light into your heart as a blanket of darkness falls upon the Earth.

3. Fire Ceremony

Light a fire and celebrate the Solstice with friends & family, or take the warmth of the fire inward to your Heart.  Set an intention of what YOU can do to make this world more beautiful (refer to lighting a candle above).