Celebrating the Summer Solstice

June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, a solar festival and important to all pagans and part of the Celtic wheel, and one that is celebrated traditionally at Stonehenge and other significant sites. The sun is at the height of his power and moves into the astrological sign of Cancer which is ruled by the moon. So it is the joining of the masculine and feminine , the God and the Goddess and the longest day of the year.

This is a turning point of the year's cycle and just as it is not time to harvest yet, we should charge our goals with the power of the sun so we all prosper.

A salute to the sun is a powerful way of doing this and welcoming in the first rays of the morning, having roses for the Goddess and oak leaves for the God. Celebrate growth and life for this is a time of balance in the world and the seasons start to shift as the sun begins it's decline towards winter.

Shamanism as a way of life

Using some of the shamanic techniques in your everyday life can transform the way you act, think and connect with others and your environment. I like to start my day by setting my intention and invite into my life the spiritual energies for the day ahead. As everything we do on the inside affects our world on the outside welcoming in love, peace, joy and freedom is what you are then putting back into the world.

Living in the present and focusing on what you are doing rather than what you have done in the past, or what you may do in the future sharpens your awareness of the Middle World, the world we inhabit along with many others.

The past does not dictate the future, our only point of power is in the present

I often hear people talking about what happened in the past and then what is going to happen in the future and worrying about both of them. The only thing you can influence is what you are doing now - in the present, so worrying about things you can do nothing about is a real waste of time and energy. It is good to give 100% focus and attention to what you are doing; in shamanism we call this "being present"

As Mark Twain said "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened"

Balancing the elements

One way I use to start my day is a ritual to achieve balance and I do this by creating my own circle - a sacred space - and then I invoke the spirits of the elements. The circle or wheel is the container which holds all the elements; the east is air, changing and growing as I learn and develop; south is fire for my achievements and goals and also letting go of what no longer fits with my life's purpose; west is water, my relationships with people and responding to their needs; and then the north, the earth, my physical body and grounding.

The centre of the circle is ether, spirit where it all comes together. Just by this simple ritual I start my day with a feeling of well being and balance.

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb

I remember the old saying "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" and I am seeing more of the "lamb" this month with the power of the sun growing stronger and the light extending.

March the 21st is the pagan festival of Oestara when we celebrate with spring flowers and decorated eggs; I love this time of year, so much promise of things to come, a time to plant seeds and watch them grow.

The snow drops in our garden have been out for sometime braving the cold and snow and now the other bulbs are just beginning.

What if .......?

I subscribe to several newsletter and one I really like is by Sandra Ingerman, her Transmutation News. The February one is a good reminder for me that we are all connected and working together and focusing on a world filled with love, peace, joy and freedom is how we will effect the change we want to see in the world.

I am now working on maintaining my energy even in the face of the news that is all around us by asking myself the question "What if ....." and focusing on the positive.

What if it is possible for the global community to create positive change?

Imbolc Festival

Today is the festival of Imbolc, a Celtic Fire festival and this is celebrated with white candles and snow drops or other white flowers. The light of the sun starts increasing from today and although very cold the first signs of spring are around.

We have snowdrops in our garden and they have braved the snow and cold to put in a welcome appearance. So today I have some lovely white flowers and will light a white candle and use jasmine as an incense.

Brigid, a solar goddess, presides over this festival and energises our goals and wishes.

Have a wonderful Imbolc.