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| Writings: Cosmic and Natural Cycles: Seasonal Turning Points | |||||
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The Solstices The Solstices mark the longest and shortest days and nights of the year. Summer Solstice celebrates the longest day and the shortest night of the year as the Earth's North Pole is tilted most directly towards the Sun. The Sun's energy is at it's peak. It is a traditional time to honour the Sun’s power, giving thanks for it's life-giving rays. Winter Solstice celebrates the shortest day and the longest night of the year as the Earth's South Pole is tilted most directly away from the Sun. We emerge out of the darker part of the year and start our movement into lighter days. Light a candle to welcome back the Sun. Summer Solstice The Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its closest point to the Sun today, giving us the longest day and shortest night of the year. Traditionally the Solstices are celebrated as turning points in the year. The Summer Solstice marked the pagan Midsummer Festival, celebrating the Apex of Light when the Sun reaches its peak of power. The God as its representative is at the peak of his manhood and the Mother Goddess-Earth-is seen as pregnant. Bonfires were lit to magnify the energy of the sun so that its rays may remain potent and ensure bountiful crops for the harvest time. It is a time to honour the earth and the feminine. Where we have concentrated on doing, we now start to open up to simply being. Where we have focused on giving, we now ready ourselves to start receiving. Open up to the powerful Summer Solstice energies. Go outside and sit or lay down on the Earth feeling her support you, whilst the rays of the Sun shine down on you from above. Notice how the Sun shines to give all on Earth life, and how the Earth responds with her productions of nature. A partnership sustaining life for all. Take time to say thank you. Winter Solstice The Southern Hemisphere is tilted at its furthest point from the Sun today, giving us the shortest day and longest night of the year. Traditionally the Solstices are celebrated as turning points in the year. The Winter Solstice is marked as a time of renewal and joy. After a period of increasing darkness the Sun is reborn from the womb of the Goddess. It is a time to honour the heavens and the masculine. Where there has been dark there is now light, returning to our days in greater amounts. Welcome in the new solar year by lighting candles of red, green or white, or place leaves of green around your home to represent new energy, renewal, new growth, and light.
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