Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Psychic Source

by Emrys x7565 

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice, which occurs this year on June 20, 2008 at 7:59 PM EDT, is the date that the Sun reaches the Equator, thereby noting another quarter of the year and ushering in the season of summer.  Astronomically speaking, the Sun appears to stand still in the sky, moving neither north nor south (the word solstice comes from the Latin words sol for Sun and sistere which means to stand still) and, from an astrological perspective, reaches the 0 degree mark which begins the sign of Cancer.

Known by many names and celebrated by almost every culture since prehistoric times, regardless of religion or locality, the Summer Solstice marks the longest day and, therefore, the shortest night, of the year. As many early civilizations were agriculturally based societies, enormous reverence was shown to the Sun, which was assigned godlike powers.  Great festivities, which often included huge bonfires representative of the Sun, as well as dancing and general merrymaking, were held to appease and give thanks to the Sun God and to just simply enjoy the warmer weather, longer days, and more plentiful food.

Due to cultivation cycles, summer is generally associated with fertility and growth. In many cultures, the principle of the feminine divine is represented as Mother Earth and, as our home and the provider of the food we need for nourishment, is just as important as the masculine divine represented by the solar deity. The union of these two powerful and life-sustaining forces, which takes place on or around May Day, is now bearing fruit, evidenced by young crops in the fields, more lush foliage on shade-giving trees, and the abundance of honey in busily buzzing beehives…

Carrying on the fertility association of the holiday, and very appropriate to the Cancerian association with home and family, many marriages took place on or during the days surrounding the Summer Solstice. Mead, a spirit made from fermented honey which often includes herbs, spices, and possibly fruit, was a common beverage at Solstice and wedding festivities, which in time resulted in the Full Moon in June being named the Honey Moon. Couples would also jump over the bonfires for good luck and to predict how high their crops would grow that season.

Although most of us are not farmers and need go no further than the local supermarket to obtain our food, we can still benefit from the energies associated with the Solstice: Fertility and pregnancy can be recognized in many forms, whether through artistic creativity, a new business venture, or the undertaking of a personal goal.

Meditation on the nature and manifestation of Light in our lives, be that light of a spiritual nature, which sustains and nurtures the soul, or an appreciation of the long hours of daylight, which will shorten and wane day by day until the time of the Winter Solstice. This is a time that can put us more in accord with the natural cycles which surround us.

Eating foods or drinking beverages containing honey generates an awareness of the sweetness of life. Dressing in colors or brightening up our homes or workplaces with flowers in colors associated with the Summer Solstice, green, yellow, white, and blue, can stimulate our psychic receptors and make a connection between our awareness and the energies of the day.

Engaging in the time honored art of divination will provide an overview of the people, events, and issues that will present themselves during the summer season.

But no matter how we choose to manifest in our lives the unique energies of the Summer Solstice, celebrating Love, in whatever form it takes, be it love for family, friends, humanity in general, a pet, or just a loving appreciation of Life itself, will stimulate the heart charka and help to keep us in good emotional health.

Blessed Solstice from Emrys and everyone at Psychic Source!!!