Vered’s Blog

The Wheel of the year turns again and we arrive at Summer Solstice.
This is a magical time of the year, with long, hot days and warm, short nights.

The Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year.
The sun has grown to its full strength, and summer begins.
Even as we enjoy swimming and picnicking, we know that the days will begin to get shorter again as soon as Solstice passes.

The Summer Solstice reminds us that nothing lasts forever.
We do not live in the unchanging twilight realm of the Fairy, but in the living, dying, fading and growing realm of earth.
Whenever something is completed, we must let it go.

Because the things we love do not last forever, we love them all the more while they are here.
But letting go of things and people we love is never easy.
The Summer Solstice is a time to practice giving things away, letting go of what is completed and done.

Midsummer is the perfect time to hold ritual out of doors. I would like to offer you a ritual that can be done by a single person (or maybe two), out of doors in a public place.

Often we would like to perform ritual out of doors but feel embarrassed or are afraid of what others might think. If we perform our ritual in its purest form, with our minds and by pure thought, no one will need know or think anything.

Sitting in the grass would be perfect, or a park bench will do. Close your eyes. Don’t worry if you think someone’s watching. They will probably think you are catching some sun.

Ground and center yourself, meditate for a short bit, concentrate on clearing your mind, releasing the mundane world and all of it’s problems and cares. Find within yourself that still point where you totally authentic.

In your mind, cast your circle around yourself. Make the circle glow in your mind and cast it three times round.

Now, think of what talent and quality you have mastered this year and what quality and ability you are now strong in and see if you can let it go and give it now to another person. Imagine putting it into a balloon and letting it fly away into the sky.

Letting go does not mean just getting rid of it. When we let go, we allow someone to change and grow and become different. We allow new things to enter into our life.

Midsummer is also a time when the earth ripens, as does the mother with her child. She gives us an image of a healthy woman caring for herself and her unborn baby. We can carry this imagery into our own lives; in caring for the Earth, or caring for ourselves and each other. It is respect for life, a duty we should all pursue actively.

There is the enjoyment of the season, as the Mother enjoys the blossoming of her belly, full with child. She is aware of the joys she will have. We should always be aware of the joys of family, friends, good health, clean air, and a healthy planet.

You can contemplate who are the people in your life that you would like to enjoy this joy with and how? You can also contemplate on your spiritual path and your relationship with God or the Goddess.

In my own belief system, I seek harmony, beauty, and growth. Your path may be different. It is an individual thing, but whatever your path, it is one of love and respect for one another.

Finally, you can examine how your path reflects your beliefs. How do you reflect your beliefs? Do you integrate your spiritual life into your everyday world? How do you, each day, incorporate your spiritual beliefs into your daily life? Do you seek to improve your ordinary world by incorporating your spiritual paths? Do you walk your talk? How can you do better? These may seem like big questions and high goals, but if you stretch your mind just a little bit every day, you can get a good start on it.

Once your meditations are over, you can say some positive affirmation if you want. If not, you can take out the “cakes and ale”. Don’t worry; it will look like you are having lunch or a snack.

When you are done, send some blessings to all those unseen forces that might have supported you this year and thank them. Allow yourself to ground and center yourself and leave the place with a grateful heart for taking the time for yourself.

Have a great day!