Summer Solstice and New Dragon Moon

The season is turning. Today the sun exerts its maximum energy on our part of the earth; the powers of outward expression are at their greatest, and the powers of inner contemplation are at their lowest.

And of course, just as we reach the point of maximum yang energy, yin energy is reborn and begins to gain strength: The next days will each be a little shorter again, until the winter solstice in December.

This transition from spring to summer is a big deal: If I celebrate the start of summer with enthusiasm, the rest of the summer will become richer and more wonderful, and I will reconnect myself to the great cycle of the seasons and the rhythms of nature.

And tonight is the new moon; The Chinese call the fifth new moon the Dragon Moon. Chinese dragons are a symbol of cosmic Chi, good fortune, and new beginnings, but the time around the Dragon Moon is strongly yang, with bright sunlight and moist heat. The Chinese consider this to be a dangerous and unhealthy season.  

Agenda for the Solstice:
1. Journal query

2. New Moon Meditation

3. Plan a fun first week of summer
4. Make a New Solar Disk

5. Make Kanelbuller (Swedish Cinnamon buns)

6. Make flower crowns

7. Build a Solstice Fire

1. Journal queries: 

Visualize and write about the ideal summer.

What amazing things do I want to accomplish?

The new moon is my monthly time for “seeding” intentions. I write down what I hope to focus on in the next 30 days or so, and then give my ideas a period of gestation, like seeds in the soil, before I take action. Having this regular time each month to focus my goals has helped to give me clarity of purpose.

What do I want for myself and for others?
What new path could I explore?How am I manifesting yin and yang now?

2. New Moon Meditation:

Light a small white candle. Center, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

3. Plan a fun first week of summer:

My first week of summer promises to be quite sedate this year - since we are in a pandemic and I'm still in quarantine! So I'm looking for creative ways to spice it up:

• Spend time outside- do some gardening, eat meals outside, and just sit outside and soak it in.
• Eat fresh raspberries, salads, and desserts.
• Pick bouquets of flowers.
• Go on at least one long bike ride.
• Get together with my family (my safety cohort)  for at least part of my celebration week, because everything is more real when shared.

4. Make a New Solar Disk:

Each year at the solstice, I make a sun mandala of grapevine with two cross arms. The outer circle represents the wheel of the year, and the arms of the cross symbolize the four seasons. I hang it high in my apple tree to remind me of summer all year long.

5. Make Kanelbuller:

Kanelbuller is Swedish for cinnamon buns, and Sweden is where cinnamon buns were first made. The Swedish variety is usually lighter and less sticky than the American version,, and they are flavored with cardamom. These are a favorite for Midsummer parties. The recipe is here.

Summer Solstice in 2018

6. Make flower crowns:

We used birch branches for the ring, then wrapped thin wire around to hold herbs and flowers.

7. Build a Solstice Fire: 

Our ancestors lit fires on the eve of the solstice, maybe to symbolize the return of the sun's power. We had our fire last night.

It’s traditional to start a solstice fire with oak and fir: Oak is the tree of power, symbolizing the energy of the sun. Fir is the tree of immortality, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun. We had lots of fir to burn, and collected some acorns from trees in our neighborhood.

We also took down last year’s battered solar disk from the apple tree and burned it.