Hello and welcome to this Summer Solstice Meditation.
I am Kristen and I am grateful to share this space with you today.
Before we begin,
If you'd like to have a journal handy,
Or perhaps even a cup of tea,
Please grab that now.
I will provide you with some background before beginning the meditation.
The Summer Solstice,
Or Estival Solstice,
Occurs when the Earth is tilted towards the Sun at its maximum point.
In the Northern Hemisphere,
This happens each June around the 21st.
The Southern Hemisphere celebrates the Summer Solstice around the 21st of December each year.
The Summer Solstice is the day with the most sunlight,
Totaling about 13 hours and 34 minutes.
The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol and sestire,
Which means sun,
And to stand still,
Respectively.
As on this day,
The sun appears to stand still in the sky.
The Celts viewed the solstice as a time for banishing evil spirits,
As the additional lights would drive them away.
Weddings or hand fastings were also prevalent,
As young lovers would entwine their hands and jump over a fire to promote a happy and healthy marriage.
The Solstice,
Or Litha,
Is a time of celebration and harvest.
You may choose to celebrate by hiking or walking in the woods,
Listening to the life hidden in the verdant forest.
Your senses will delight in the scents,
Sounds and other sensory stimuli as elusive patterns emerge,
A glimpse of the mystery of Mother Nature herself.
Or perhaps you may gather with friends and light a bonfire to keep a symbol of the radiant light which you have moved through gracefully while the sun rides high in the heavens.
The solstices are the perfect time for shadow work,
As we can explore the shifting of light and dark aspects within.
Each one of us is a combination of shadow and light,
Each creative and destructive.
This allows for a balance of energies,
Uniting our sides into wholeness.
This time of light which is coming to a close,
Gives us space to shine in all of our truth,
Holding our shadow self in light and love,
Nurturing those aspects which no longer serve us,
Yet we have been unable to release.
In a few moments,
We will begin to gently harvest the fruits of our nurturing and release those things which no longer serve us.
On this day of light,
The attachment of the past is ripe for release.
Our light has nurtured these attachments,
Growing slowly into acceptance and forgiveness,
Slowly blooming into liberation.
Allow yourself to seek the place of shadow within.
Seek those aspects we have tended to,
Those aspects we hide.
We can hold our shadow selves in love,
In the sacred space we co-create.
As we journey through this meditation,
Keep in mind these questions.
What parts of yourself have you learned to accept through your personal growth?
Are there any parts of yourself that you find difficult to embrace?
Allow these questions to settle at the back of your mind as we journey within to our sacred center,
The place of stillness and connection to the universe.
Please make yourself as comfortable as possible,
Sitting up or lying down,
Whatever you feel called to do at this moment.
Allow your hands to rest gently in your lap or at your sides.
Let your eyes close.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and release through your mouth.
We will do that again.
Deep breath in through your nose,
Holding briefly at the top,
And exhale,
Being sure to release all of the air from the depths of your lungs.
Allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm.
Allow your awareness to settle on your body.
Are you comfortable?
Make any adjustments you need to relax into your space more deeply.
Now return your awareness to your breath.
You do not need to change your breath,
Only follow its natural rhythm slowly and mindfully.
On your inhale,
Feel the sensation of air flowing through your nostrils,
Allowing your belly to rise.
On your exhale,
Let it be natural yet complete,
Releasing any stagnant energy from the depths of your lungs.
Continue to follow your breath.
If your attention drips,
Kindly return your awareness to your breath.
Now gently allow yourself to seek the place of shadow within.
Seek now those aspects which we tend to ignore or hide.
Whatever it may be,
Things like righteousness,
Bitterness,
Or ungratefulness are some of the emotions and actions that may cause us shame.
Those actions or thoughts we feel shameful about,
Even though they seem to be an integral part of our essential nature.
In this sacred space,
We can hold our shadow in love and allow the transformative powers of love and light to open us to possibility.
We have the potential for change.
We have the potential for release.
Notice any sensations in your body,
Any tightness or constriction.
Breathe deeply into these spaces with love and light.
Allow these areas of stickiness to be released with loving kindness.
Say aloud or to yourself,
I forgive myself for my past transgressions and learn from my errors.
It is ok to make mistakes.
My life is a journey of self-discovery.
I release those things which darken my path and my vision.
I release those actions which have caused me shame.
I no longer live in the past.
I move mindfully through nowments.
I am the embodiment of present moment awareness.
Take a deep breath in and exhale through your mouth with a sigh,
Releasing any bits of tension you are still clinging to.
Allow the light of the solstice to burn through and transmute any pain or fear.
Breathe in light.
Breathe out fear.
Breathe in love.
Breathe out pain.
Allow the integration of your shadow self.
Deep within you is ripened discernment.
Your inner knowingness alights your sanctum with the fruits of your shadow work.
You can pluck each attachment from the vine of the past.
As you prune your sacred vessel of past transgressions,
You feel lighter as stagnant energy is released.
Your inner bounty of transmuted attachments can now nourish your soul.
These lessons now grant you new growth and the promise of renewal.
The radiant sun streamed rays of light deep into this fertile ground that holds the sacred seed of your truth.
The sunlight kisses the tiny seed and as you take a deep breath,
The seed sprouts.
The radiant light and force of your breath allow your truth to be reborn.
With each breath,
You grow in love and compassion.
I understand that feeling lost can be scary.
This light will help you find your place and feel more rooted in the world around you.
Allow it to guide you and bring you comfort as you continue to cultivate your love,
Confidence and vitality.
Blossoming and striving for the brightness and positivity that awaits.
Even in the most challenging times,
The truth will emerge,
Uncovering your authentic self.
Say aloud or to yourself,
I am grateful for the lessons my shadow self provides.
I offer loving kindness to all parts of my being.
Through this practice,
I no longer live in the past.
I move mindfully through nowments.
I am the embodiment of present moment awareness.
Breathe here,
Feeling radiantly anchored in your whole being,
Your authentic self,
And I will mind the time.
Now gently bring your awareness back to your body and your space.
Allow soft movements to return to your fingers and toes as you gently deepen your breath.
When you are ready,
You may open your eyes.
Please take some time to reflect and write down your thoughts after the meditation.
Remember to ask yourself,
What parts of yourself have you learned to accept through your personal growth?
Are there any parts of yourself that you find difficult to embrace?
Please refer back to these questions or the meditation whenever you need to.
Developing love and compassion for all sides of our being allows us to more fully accept ourselves and others.
I wish you a peaceful solstice and may love and light surround you always.
Thank you so much for joining me today.
I am grateful to have met you on the path.
Namaste.
