Summer Solstice and First Quarter 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.

Tonight is also the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

I use this June quarter moon's energy to create patience: I will remember to pause and breathe often, to slow down my racing mind and enjoy the slower summer pace.

Agenda: 

1. Read "Intrinsic Hope"

2. Journal queries

3. Make a full effort plan

4. Make a New Solar Disk

5. Harvest herbs

6. Make Kanelbuller (Swedish Cinnamon buns)

7. Make flower crowns

8. Build a Solstice Fire

1. Read "Intrinsic Hope":

I'm reading this book by Kate Davies (2018), with the subtitle, Living courageously in troubled times. She talks about what she calls the global eco-social crisis, and how everything is interconnected: biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, climate disruption, invasive species, pollution, overpopulation, over harvesting, agricultural and lumber practices, housing and infrastructure, water scarcity, poverty, unemployment, fascism and racism - all the environmental problems and their social, cultural, and economic contexts.

"Hopelessness leads to paralysis and inaction, guaranteeing that things will continue to get worse. To stop this downward spiral, we urgently need to uncover a realistic sense of hope and find ways to nurture it." 

Chapter 3 is Intrinsic and Extrinsic Hope. Extrinsic hope is not bad, but it has limitations. No matter how altruistic my extrinsic hopes are (that everyone stops driving cars), they can seem arrogant; perhaps I don't always know what is best. And the hope makes me less satisfied, and always fearful that what I hope for will not take place. And when I have a hope for the future to be better, I can lose sight of the present."...extrinsic hope can prevent us from seeing our situation and preclude appropriate action, thereby reducing the chances of success."

And the worse things get, the more we cling to hope, creating a cycle of hope, fear, disappointment, sadness, despair. This is why it is so important to nurture intrinsic hope.

2. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. My theme is integrity, which requires me to discern my truth and act on it with diligence.

The challenge to integrity is ignorance and lethargy. If I'm uninformed, I cannot be truly conscious, and if I delay, I'm not acting in the now. Practice seeing clearly and taking one step at a time.

What potential challenges, restrictions, limitations, and obstacles do I face this week and month? How can I best meet these challenges?

Where do I need to shine the light of Truth? 

How can I find the passion to be persistent? 

From my journal: My challenge is dependance on (and frustrations with) others; how can I step up and tackle big tasks on my own? Or find the right person to help? As always, it's probably doing one tiny step at a time... small bites, frog!

3. Make a full effort plan:

Today I'm making a plan for painting the house - do a small step each day at 11:30: 

• Sun: Discern a starting point - the studio. Clean and brush.
• Mon: Primer on door and wall where needed.
• Tues: Topcoat - trim.
• Th: Top coat - wall.

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. 

My old solar disk has been hanging for one year on our grape arbor, to remind me of summer every day. Today we will take it down and replace it with a new one.

5. Harvest herbs:

According to tradition, the summer solstice is the “day of all days for gathering the wonderful herbs”. Scientifically, this is because the plant's energy is not yet directed into making flowers or seeds, so the flavor and scent is potent. Today I harvested  sage, mint, catnip, rosemary, and lavender.

I will gather some into a bundle for burning. Typically Native people burn white sage, but I burn my homegrown culinary sage, and sometimes add other herbs to the bundles.

My magical smudging bundle:

Sage: For wisdom.
Catnip: For love.
Lavender: For peace and happiness.
Peppermint: For healing and renewal.
Rosemary: For clear thinking.

6. 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 in Sweden for Midsummer parties. The recipe is here.

Summer Solstice in 2018

7. Make flower crowns:

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

8. Build a Solstice Fire: 

Solstice 2022

Our ancestors lit fires on the eve of the solstice, maybe to symbolize the return of the sun's power.

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 will have our family fire tonight, and burn last year’s battered solar disk.