“The edge of the solstice, the barren darkness, the wheel.
Nature knows
That every cycle must return
to stillness and silence.
That every inhale has an exhale.
That every ending births a beginning.
That the light always returns to a future
beyond imagination”
~Victoria Erickson
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#light
#dark
#cycles
#seasons
Solstice
Sacred Sun Time
Turn your face to the Sun
And let the shadows fall away…
☀️
#summer
#longestday
#cycles
#seasons
#grateful
☀️
Photo by Michael Probst/AP
It’s spring equinox!
The lands of the northern hemisphere are now warming and coming back to life after the long dark winter. Light and darkness are coming back into balance now.
The Germanic Goddess Ostara (aka Eostre) is associated with spring and the return of the light. She is said to withdraw to the Underworld throughout the cold, dark winter. The land slumbers quietly awaiting her return. Then at Spring Equinox, Ostara returns to the surface of the Earth and life begins to stir anew.
Take a few moments to pause and celebrate sunlight, new life, rebirth, and growth.
#springequinox
#goddess
#ostara #eostre
#awakening
#mamearth
#rebirth
#returnofthelight
#wheeloftheyear
#happyspring
🌱
As our Earth grows dark tonight
and the north winds blow,
As the fire dwindles to ash
and ice blankets the land,
May the light of our Sun
find its way home.
~Nancy Lankston
✨
#solstice
#dark
#light
✨
Image: Celtic Tomb,
Ireland
Originally published November 1, 2017
Certain times in our lives are filled with potency and magic. Twilight is such a time, as is dawn. These are magical moments when it is neither day nor night. Birth is another potent in-between time, along with death. These special times mark borders and transition zones. The in-between is a sacred time when magic is afoot.
Here in the northern hemisphere, we find ourselves on the boundary between autumn and winter. The light is slowly fading away as our Sun drops lower and lower in the sky and our nights grow longer. This is another potent in-between time. The ancient Celtic people would celebrate Samhain (Sow-in) at this time. Some tribes chose to celebrate at the 1st new moon after late harvest. Other tribes celebrated at the 1st full moon after harvest. The celebration of Samhain was a beautiful way to honor the seasonal transition out of the light and into the dark.
The veils between the worlds grow very thin during this sacred in-between time. Loved ones who have departed this Earth are believed to be nearby. Many people in Mexico honor this by celebrating Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at this time.
Samhain is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate the sacred cycles of birth – growth – death – rebirth that are an integral part of Nature.
♾
Some suggestions for acknowledging and honoring the magical in-between time of Samhain:
Take a few moments to honor everything you have “harvested” this year.
Bow to your ancestors and thank them for giving you this life.
Offer love and prayers to loved ones who have transitioned.
Thank the brilliant light of summer and embrace the deep dark of winter.
Listen for spiritual guidance to help you in the coming year.
♾
Split Boulder Photo by Nancy Lankston
Winter Solstice is upon us in the northern hemisphere.
Our Earth has reached a transition point in its journey around the Sun (far right in the graphic above). Here in the north, our days have been getting shorter and shorter since summer. But now, the light begins to return to us. Our days will gradually lengthen and lighten until Summer Solstice in June (far left in the graphic).
At Winter Solstice, our ancestors paused to celebrate this seasonal shift and the return of life giving sunlight. Now is a time for earthy rituals.
Light a candle, say a prayer, walk in nature and offer our Earth and Sun gratitude for the alchemical magic of sunlight, water and soil that sustains us all.
🌞🌎
#CyclesandSeasons
#ReturnoftheLight
Image: Wikipedia