A Midsummer Awakening
12 MINUTE READ
The pagan holiday known as Litha has a long memory as it was originally honored and embraced by Celtic, as well as other European traditions. The festivities of Litha take place on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. This year, it will fall on June 21st in the northern hemisphere and December 22nd in the southern hemisphere. I myself have come to observe this spiritual celebration as a representation of unity, strength, and power.
Over time, people have manifested so many traditions and creative ways to explore the energies of a spiritual Litha. There is no shortage of suggestions available online. However, I implore you to consider two questions before searching. What has Litha come to mean to you? How should you celebrate Litha? These questions are important because what is right for you may or may not be what is traditional or commonplace. It is not what Litha is “known for” that really matters. The impactful source of renewal it can offer to you is what makes all the difference. This is just another means for us to exercise and build on our authenticity.
If nothing else our commemoration of such a magical season should be genuinely contemplative and evoke actions of productive possibility. If whatever we birth from this sentiment is perfectly imperfect and wonderfully messy then I happen to believe we are doing it right. It is my experience that the discovery of what it can bring to us is like walking in a desert, it takes a lot of tiresome steps before finally reaching an oasis.
I am hopeful that some of the ideas and perspectives expressed below can help us to make sense of the chances and circumstances that present themselves throughout our own explorations.
•
A meditation that covets the energies of the summer solstice is a good place to start. One in particular that I resonate with is Spiritual Light Body Activation Guided Meditation for Summer Solstice by Sarah Hall.
Before listening to this meditation, we might think on the idea of the sun being the symbol of midsummer’s gaiety. The sun is arguably considered the most important “planet” in astrology. It is symbolic of a person’s will and ruled by the sign of Leo. Leo is representative of forever present passions and loving energies that are as constant in the lives of those that surround them as the sun is to the Earth. This bright and forceful entity is exalted in the sign of Aries. This would appear to make sense when you think of the sun as a life enforcer and source of “brilliance”. The sun, exalted in Aries, is a powerful symbol of consciousness that harbors the spirit of leadership, courage, activity, and so much more.
•
In the Celtic traditions of Litha, a large wooden wheel, an emblem of the sun, was set ablaze and rolled down a hill into a river where the fire was then extinguished, and only the dark remained. This marked the end of the longest day of the year and the beginning of less and less daylight to come with each passing day thereafter. One of my absolute favorite stories in regard to this meaningful event is that of the Oak King and the Holly King.
The Oak King is understood as the emblem of daylight which in my own humble vision is connected to the conscious state of being. Thus, the Holly King owns the night, the dark. Making it, for me, the manifestation of the subconscious awareness. The Oak King and Holy King are in a constant battel for supremacy. Such constancy allows for true balance. Neither gives in and neither gives up. They both concede to one another with humility and wisdom when they need to so as to gain strength to triumph again when the time becomes right. They both fight with pride and faith to finally conquer one another once again when their appointed time comes back around. They understand that with that final push, if they do the work, they cannot fail because fate cannot be denied. Therefore, in theory, neither is ever truly dethroned.
The Oak King wins favor and reigns at Yule, the day of the winter solstice. It is the Holly King who takes control mid-summer, at the time of Litha. I always think of a Holly tree as a representation of winter. This is why this scenario is so very interesting to me in that there is so much light to be found inside of our own depths and in my opinion when we embrace it, in our unique ways, it rivals that of the sun.
•
This is actually a fascinating astrological time for Litha in that Pluto has in recent days retrograded back into Capricorn from Aquarius and will not be steadily back in the arms of Aquarius until January of 2024 which just so happens to coincidentally be when the Oak King will take hold of the throne once again. Consider how Aquarius is representative of higher consciousness in many ways and that Pluto is connected to the subconscious.
Pluto is all about transformation as we are reborn from the ashes of what we leave behind in our dark corners. There can be so much fear surrounding this and thus it can lead to things becoming very muddled and confused. The good thing is that Capricorn is a sign of success and authority, a sign of visionaries and trail blazers. This sign gives us the strength to harness those parts of us being transformed in such a way that we will then be able to guide our own journeys forward in rooted and constructive manners. This can allow us to better balance what we control, as well as what ultimately controls us.
The sun is all about one’s true self and one’s destined way of being in the world. Be careful because when honoring the sun, a shadow of that is our ego as we become lost in the depths of Pluto as opposed to having a firm grasp on the clarity of a higher purpose of self that can be harnessed by remembering to also embrace what Capricorn has to offer here. There is balance to be found everywhere if we look long enough and with a reflective lens.
Mercury has also now transited into Gemini just as Pluto has recently changed its circumstances. Mercury will be in Gemini until the 26th of this month. Mercury in Gemini is all about connection through communication as it is recognized in all of its possible forms. Communication strengthens community.
•
Certain sounds and music also go far in eliciting balance by acting as a source of healing via the right vibrations and tones so as to stimulate an individual’s parasympathetic nervous system to allow for the body systems to slow down. This acts to then open up ‘closed doors’ that are blocking a sense of flow and connection, so as to allow for an ease with which to integrate with all the aspects of ourselves. Thus, allowing for an equality of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
An example of some melodies that have a very positive impact on me can be experienced amongst sounds expressed in the beautiful video Litha by Carolyn Walker.
•
Immersing ourselves in the realm of tarot is yet another way to discover balance from within by actively wiping away the cobwebs of self-deceit and honestly figuring out what ultimately needs to be understood about us, by us, and for us.
As the summer solstice is a time illuminated by the magic and folklore of the Fae and legend suggests it is a time when the fairies are upon us, I chose to work with The Faeries Oracle deck by Brian Froud with text by Jessica Macbeth.
I did a wheel spread as a representation of the sun. Six cards were pulled once six questions were chosen.
1) Where should I be focusing my energy and consciousness right now? – card drawn was the faery who was kissed by the pixies.
Summary of my contemplations – open heart, give and receive love for the betterment and enjoyment of building worthwhile relationships.
2) What needs to be celebrated in my life right now? – card drawn was he of the fiery sword.
Summary of my contemplations – the qualities of yang philosophy manifested and understanding they were born of the wisdom of yin.
3) What card represents my journey through the last 6 months of the Oak King’s rule? – card drawn was O! that gnome.
Summary of my contemplations – stumbling to get back up even stronger, losing the way to end up in an even better place, blurred vision leading to creative new thought and an unexpected clarity.
4) What card represents my new journey for the next 6 months of the Holly King’s rule? – card drawn was the piper.
Summary of my contemplations – communication through emotions and the sounds of music in the traditional sense, in nature, or wherever heard; melodious healing and meaning.
5) What does my subconscious awareness need to shed light on for me moving forward? – card drawn was death.
Summary of my contemplations – step into darkness and loss, facing fears through risk, freedom through release, closure to make way for newness, acceptance of inevitable change despite unavoidable blindness to the future.
6) What secret does mother earth have to tell me in order to guide me forward on my journey towards continued growth and illumination? – card drawn was faeries of the future.
Summary of my contemplations – guidance, go at your pace to your place, gratitude discovered through grounding, feasible steps forward either alone or with those who share in your purpose.
Note: all that matters here is what these cards mean for me because they would not mean the same for or provide any answers to another, in that nobody else would be presented with my same cards, experience my same circumstances, nor would they necessarily resonate with my same questions. Maybe take this idea and make it your own. I am sure the results will end up being fruitful as it pertains to you.
Be aware that this deck, as do most, comes with a guide to help with the details of interpretations for those who are still working on building a sturdy connection and trust with their own intuitive voice.
You can refer back to my previous post, The Symbolic Journey of Beltane and Tarot, as a reminder of more depth and insights regarding the involved nature and many facets of Tarot.
•
How will you celebrate Litha and the summer days that are still yet to come? Will the balance you find within help you to better balance healthier relationships out in the world with others and communities?
“Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirit fly.” – Van Morrison
To close, I have written a small poem that, for me, incorporates the wonders of summertime and the beauty of connection:
The Ties That Bind in Midst of Summertime
Rise and shine, the gathering of summer is yours
and mine. Fates of community, peers,
and all that thrive do intertwine. Invest and
collect; give and receive. Oh, the places it
will lead. Reach and grow, as a vine
finds support from a wall as it climbs. Fully
realized in the presence of the sun, open
your hands, and in this state of bloom,
offer your gifts across the lands. A
servant’s heart is hard to find, but once
found it expands. Such give and take is not only
found in what we make. It exists all
around, the natural world is our ancestral
teacher and her lessons are treasures found.
Look and you will see so many creatures
that depend on a sense of harmony. A gift that
one may have another may not, but what the
other holds may form the knot. Notice the
deep richness that surrounds. See beyond
the emerald shower, beyond the smells of the
earth, grass, and flower. See beyond the creatures
seen and those unseen, either hidden
in plain sight or hidden deeper still in places
beneath. The lushness of all finds its way,
offering and inviting protection, food,
support, travel, shelter and more in a dense and wild
ballet. In this is the pure magic of summer days.
Trees bask in the daytime sun, so as to be fed,
grow, and then seed from energy spun. They
need the breath we release, as we need the air they
supply for our hearts to beat. The warmth of the season
will not be denied. Insects lay eggs and
multiply. Such life, a major source of food, in
abundance they offer energy so that many a
creature might survive. Birds, butterflies,
and bees, oh my! They covet the ambrosia of the
flower and in turn pollinate the earth, offering
the delicate and gentile flower a source of
power. The majesty of bees so often unseen
and more so ignored, for their sting brings unease.
Yet above all others, they rule the pollination of
fruits and vegetables, without them, oh,
what a dire situation. For plants would not
grow and food sources would disappear. The
opulent sustenance we enjoy then subdued
to that of a thin veneer. Strength in numbers and
diversity brings a time to flourish and stand on
your feet, rather than bow on your knees.
Thus, creatures of the natural world find the
strength and courage to raise their young in the
summer deep. Harnessing the depths and knowledge
of oneself is a long and hard road, fraught
with struggle when you do it alone. In the light of
long days create bonds and partnerships that are as
durable as stone. For in righteous companionship
found, there is positivity and light abound.
As poetry is a powerful tool used to indirectly bring ideas of value to the surface for continued learning and subsequent healing, keeping with this sentiment, my poem, His Majesty Sol, is an additional opportunity to re-enforce the brilliance and vulnerability belonging to both the sun and man. Perhaps discovering a deeper resonance with the connection between the two through this additional work will open the flood gates in ways not yet realized or in ways that we never DREAMED possible.
•
I Hope You Enjoy all the summer solstice has to offer and may the remainder of your summer days and nights hold a depth of enlightenment for you in ways Both big and small.
•
If you were moved by anything that I had to contribute here please contact me regarding your experience. I am excited to travel this path and learn along with you. I look forward to our communications.
Please consider poeticevolution.com to be a safe and accepting place, as well as a home you can come to and experience in whatever ways it feels right for you.
Disclaimer: My blog articles are for information purposes only. What I write is based on my own personal journey and experiences. I am not endorsing any products of any kind that I mention in my blog posts nor any information that I provide to subscribers. Any and all information provided is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a physician, therapist, or any other trained expert in regard to my contributions in this blog and information provided to subscribers. Always seek advice from qualified professionals or trained experts for anything regarding your well-being. You need to make your own enquiries to determine if the content, material, information, or services provided are relevant to and appropriate for your needs and intended use. Your reliance on any information provided is at your own risk.
Disclaimer regarding all communications: I am looking forward to engaging with you, so please feel free to subscribe and/or contact me and I will ALWAYS respond to any and all questions, suggestions, comments, opinions, and offerings. My responses will come as opportunity and time allow. I retain the right to remove any persons from my E-mail list and/or not to respond to communications should I deem it a necessity to maintaining the integrity of the spirit of my website. This site is a place for maturity, sincerity, positive learning and growth both inside and out, and as such it is important to connect and respond in kindness and with respect towards each other no matter our opinions.
