Did you realise that our planet is "heliotropic", that it turns toward the light?
This word is often more commonly used to describe the seasonal motion of plants in response to the direction of the sun, however, when we look at the intimate relationship between our planet and the sun, our nearest star, the same can be applied.
The solstices (along with the equinoxes) are naturally occurring earth holy days, so to speak, existing for as long as the earth have evolved around the sun. As we approach the time of the solstice, I am wondering whether this is yet another cosmic connection that our ancestors were deeply aware of with there being many megalithic structures still standing today aligned with either the summer or the winter solstice.
One such structure that stands out for me is Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú) in Count Meath, Ireland that is aligned with the death and rebirth of the sun at the winter solstice. Built at least some 5,200 years old, this passage tomb was constructed with a roof box above the doorway which channels the fragile rays of the returning sun down the passage in the tomb to illuminate the chamber every year on the winter solstice. CLICK HERE to watch a video produced by the Office of Public Works that captures this amazing occurrence:
Indeed, in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the time to commune with the solar energy, and all the potential that is waiting within, in order to lighten up the dark winter months.
South of the equator, it is the zenith of the sun, when it is most potent, that we are heading towards, when the hours of daylight between sunrise and sunset are at their longest. Here in Adelaide, there will be some 14 1/2 hours of sunlight on the 22nd December (the time of the solstice).
While the solstices mark the midpoint in the earth's journey around the sun, it can take up to six weeks before we feel the effects. In fact, for me the summer solstice often heralds in a reminder that the worse of the summer's heat is yet to come as February is often our hottest month, almost distracting us from the reduction of the sunlight hours. The local Kaurna people referred to hottest and driest months of the year a "Warltati" where they would move to the coast, taking advantage of the sea breeze. This is something that many of us continue to do today despite living in our airconditioned homes.
Regardless of where we live, it is acknowledged that without the warmth and light of the sun, there would simply be no life on earth. In fact, we receive so much from the sun that, like our ancestors, the solstice offers us an opportunity to focus on what we have in our lives, to show gratitude and to give thanks. With this in mind, I thought I would share the following adorations to the sun that was inspired by the Liber Resh vel Helios ritual, and where we allow ourselves to focus on incorporating the attributes of the sun in our daily lives.
DAILY SOLAR PRACTICE
Upon rising, face East and bring your awareness to your heart centre, your inner golden sun, and say:
Hail to the Returning Light May the power of the sun flow through me this day Empowering me in all that I do.
At noon, face the North (if you live south of the equator) or the South (if you live north of the equator), again bring your awareness to your heart centre, and say:
Hail to the Triumphant Light Shining its splendour on the world Revealing the beauty within and without me.
At sunset, face the West, bring your awareness to your heart centre, and say:
Hail to the Descending Light Offering reflection upon the world Allowing me to be grateful in my ways.
Before retiring for the night, face the South (if you live south of the equator) or the North (if you live north of the equator), again bring your awareness to your heart centre, and say:
Hail to the Light at Rest The revealer of the unseen realms Enabling me to integrate all that I have received this day.