Summer Solstice and Waxing Gibbous 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 this is the time of the waxing gibbous moon - the not-quite-full moon: Waxing means getting larger, and gibbous means humped or protuberant. This phase of the moon has the high-energy that provides a push towards completion. In four days, at the full moon, we will turn again towards the yin time of inner activity, so I make an effort in these next few days to finish my tasks that require greater physical effort. The waxing gibbous moon is a time for reevaluation, refinements, and creativity.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Creative visualization

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:

At this point in the moon cycle, things in my life might feel like they are aligning into a good order, and I will clearly see those things that are out of alignment. It's a good time to take a new look at my goals, reevaluate and refine them, and adjust my plans.

Do I still want to complete all the goals I listed at the new moon?

Which can appropriately be saved to complete in the waning (yin) phase, and which should I make an effort to finish now?

Which can be put off until next month?

What new habits will help me to nurture my ideas and projects? What creative shifts in thinking or acting can I take now?

Visualize and write about the ideal summer.

What amazing things do I want to accomplish?

2. Creative visualization:

At the gibbous moon, my burst for action, I call on the practice of visualization to help bring my goals to fruition. Today I choose my top three action goals to shine a light on - a Plastic recycling project, exercise, and gardening.

Creative visualization is a technique that uses my imagination to create change. It has three steps:

• First, center and relax each part of my body; count from 10 to 1, then open a connection to Spirit. Feel a soft warmth begin to grow and spread through me, until I am radiating quiet energy.
• Second, create a clear, detailed picture in my mind, as though the objective has been reached. Paint a vivid mental image of exactly how my sewing shelves will look on my wall, and how it will feel to see them, and put as much positive energy into the image as possible. 
• Lastly, affirm that this is what I want with a short positive phrase in the present tense; for example, "My garden is producing abundant food for my family and friends."

The thought-image is like a signal-flare that guides the physical thing or deed to manifest in my life (or it's just a good way to keep my intentions in my mind). I will carry the vision of the completed goal with me, and focus on it often during the day, in a gentle manner.

3. Plan a fun first week of summer:

I want to kick off the summer with pizazz:

• To start, we are having a family potluck at my son's house!
• It's going to be a hot week, so we will have morning time in the yard for water play and gardening.
• Eat fresh raspberries, salads, and strawberry shortcake!
• Pick bouquets of flowers.
• Go on at least one long bike ride.
• Plant lettuce.
• End the week with a birthday party!

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.