Litha is the ancient name for the celebration of the summer solstice,
The peak moment of the solar year.
From a Wiccan perspective,
This is when the masculine Sun God is at his peak,
Bringing forth the gifts of the feminine goddess of the earth.
This is a time for heat,
Light,
And the abundance of fruit,
Especially sweet red strawberries.
This is also said to be the time when the veils between our world and the fairy world thin,
So it's a powerful time to connect with magic,
Especially the magic of the earth,
Of plants and animals,
Of the natural world.
If you haven't already,
Take a moment to get settled for your meditation.
You could take any shape that works for you,
Including seated or laying down.
We will be focusing on our connection with the earth and the sky,
So if you like,
Lay right down in Shavasana,
Spread out on the ground.
You could even do this outside in the sunshine or the shade,
So be aware of getting overheated and protect yourself appropriately from the Sun.
Take a moment to consider the land that you are on,
This particular place in the world and your relationship with it,
How you or your family got here,
How long you've been here,
If you feel like a visitor or if this feels like home.
Also acknowledge how it feels to be here right now in the sunshine,
On the dirt,
See the plants and flowers that have been growing around where you live lately.
Notice how this moment of the year feels inside your body.
Take some deep breaths,
Drawing this experience in,
Getting curious about how it feels to be a body on the earth at this peak moment of light in the solar year.
Feel the earth beneath your body.
Feel its solidity,
Its expanse,
But also its responsiveness.
Notice the way it contains death and life all at the same time,
That seeds are nourished by the earth and can grow to become wide,
Tall trees.
But that this same earth can also absorb a fallen branch.
It can use dropped leaves as food.
But everything that dies eventually returns to the earth.
Feel the power of that capacity to hold life and death at once,
To allow for change,
To open to transformation.
And this moment is about life.
The energy of the sun is at its peak,
Nourishing the earth,
Bringing forth fruit and flowers.
The sun and the earth are in an intimate relationship right now,
A dance of life and possibility.
Imagine the magic of this relationship that can create the sweet red strawberry and so many other fruits and vegetables and herbs that nourish us.
Allow your body to be nourished by the energy of the sun,
Whether it's the sun or the clouds.
Allow your body to be nourished by the energy of the sun,
Whether it's actually on your skin at the moment or not.
Imagine the intensity of the heat of the sun at its peak.
Allow this energy,
This force to nourish your cells,
Your bones,
Your breath.
Feel your lungs fill with sun energy warming you on the inside,
Energizing your breath.
Feel the warmth of the sun powered breath moving through your body,
Gently releasing anything that doesn't belong within your system,
Filling your blood with energy and possibility.
Everything within you that needs nourishment and encouragement to grow is being touched by the warm,
Loving golden glow of the sunshine.
There is nothing that you need to do with this energy in particular.
If you have plans and intentions right now,
That's fine.
But in this moment,
Your only job is to enjoy feeling connected,
Feeling nourished,
Remembering that you are a fundamental part of this earth,
Fed by the energy of the sun.
You are enough exactly as you are.
You do not need to do anything different.
You already have a right to joy,
To pleasure,
To being in your body.
This body is deeply connected to the earth and the sun.
You already have everything you need.
Take a few more deep breaths here.
Simply enjoying feeling connected,
Nourished.
Feel and experience your body in this moment.
Explore what it might be like to be enough right now.
When you're ready,
In your own time,
You can gently begin to move your body with little intuitive movements and stretches.
Take your sweet time to move out of this meditation,
Keeping with you this feeling of connection with the earth and the sunshine.
And have a wonderful Litha summer solstice.
