Holly Pruett
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Stories
  • Services
  • About Holly
  • Life-Cycle Ceremonies
    • Overview
    • Beginning of Life
    • Coming of Age
    • Weddings & Unions
    • Mid-Life
    • End of Life
    • Organizations & Community

Summer Solstice

6/20/2013

3 Comments

 
PictureJennifer Strange photo
Summer Solstice is a high holy day for those with an earth-based spiritual practice. For others, it's simply the longest day of the year. One of my Celebrant colleagues in Southern Oregon is using the occasion to conduct a ceremony for Courage and Clarity.

Despite five years of Latin, I had to consult that timeless tome of down-to-earth wisdom, the Farmer's Almanac, for the original meaning of the word: solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator. As I write this, it's still a few hours away, scheduled for 10:04 P.M. on Thursday, June 20th.

As that hour approaches, Jennifer Strange will be gathering with friends in her backyard. After a sage smudge and the building of an altar, the ceremony will open with a welcoming blessing and an invocation to the four directions and elements to create sacred space.

We have gathered here today to honor the power of Father Sun. We invite reflection on the sacred marriage between Sun and Moon, light and dark, yin and yang. Today, at exactly 10:04 p.m., a profound power exchange takes place. At that moment, the sun gracefully cedes his power of light to the moon’s darkness. 

We are here to request and offer Courage and Clarity as this longest day of the year shifts into the coming darkness of Earth’s cycle. Courage to help us meet life’s challenges … and Clarity to see clearly, with accuracy, compassion and common sense as we traverse our path.We are also focusing on Remembrance, Sacred Cleansing, Purification and the Lifting of Depression.
With these intentions set, participants will light a Courage Candle and then burn branches of dried rosemary. Jennifer told me, "I purposely left the two Burn Rituals very unscripted. This invites improvisation, inclusivity, interaction. Guests are invited to become the ritual - to literally be part of it by making their offerings, whether silent, symbolic or voiced."

Those gathered will end with a closing blessing read aloud together, after which they will look each other in the eyes, open up the sacred space, and join together for feasting and fun.
Ancient sun, eternally young,
Giver of light and source of energy,
In coal and oil, in plant and wind and tide,
In spiritual light and human embrace,
You kindle the heavens, you shine within us
(For we are suns with hearts afire –
We light the world as you light the sky
And find clouds within whose shadows are dark),
We give thanks for your rays.
~ Congregation of Abraxas    

Many thanks to Jennifer Strange Celebrancy for sharing her photo and her ceremony. How do you celebrate the change of the seasons?
3 Comments
Jennifer Strange link
6/21/2013 06:42:54 am

Dear Holly Holy (to quote the great Neil Diamond) ...
Many thanks for the lovely inclusion of our "Solstice Smudge Ceremony: Courage & Clarity" on your informative, thorough and downright fun blog.

Our ceremony was an extremely potent and powerful experience for all in attendance--both in person and in absentia. Many friends, colleagues and family had sent us their Solstice intentions/wishes/blessings/greetings/requests and we read each and every one of them aloud during the Ritual Burn of the Courage Candle and Rosemary branches ... wow! They came from all over the continent and really added that sense of SPACE and distance and connectivity to this significant seasonal shift. Thanks to all who contributed!

Following our ceremony, we walked to a dark and lonely park to witness the exact moment of Solstice -- 10:04 p.m. PST last night -- when the Sultan Sun's last, long, languid blue streaks set behind the Siskiyou Mountains and power was gracefully ceded to that Big, Bright, Bodacious Moon, who peeked out from the swirliest nighttime, backlit clouds you ever did see!

Was quite the show and we christened the almost-full Moon (full on Sunday night, by the way) "Luna Meringue" because of all the fluffiness surrounding her.

Solstice Salutations to you, Holly, and to all your readers. And Happy Full Moon this weekend!
Jennifer Strange

Reply
Ian
6/21/2013 06:59:44 pm

"We are gathered here to honor the sun.
Today is the Sun's greatest day:
a day of strength and power
...the longest day!

The wheel is turning
oh so quickly it seems.

Take time to listen
for the song birds of Summer;
breathe the fragrance
of the flowers and enjoy
moonlit walks.

Soon the shadows of the coming season
will turn us inward
once more.

May the firelight tonight
keep your spirits bright
throughout the season.

Happy Solstice!

Reply
Holly
6/23/2013 11:15:47 am

Ian, thanks for this lovely blessing. I'm just back from a weekend backpacking on Mt Hood doing exactly what you suggest - what a perfect way to spend the longest days of the year!
Holly

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Author

    I want to know your story. And I want to help you tell it. If you’re eager to embrace the meaning in your life and to connect more deeply with others, you’ve found a kindred spirit in me.

    Categories

    All
    Adventures
    Anniversaries
    Beginning Of Life
    Ceremonies
    Coming Of Age
    Community
    House Rituals
    Memorials
    Pet Loss
    Publications
    Seasons
    Transitions
    Tributes
    Weddings

    RSS Feed


  • Holly Pruett Celebrant LLC – Creative Life Ceremonies from Cradle to Grave
  • Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant ® | Funeral & Wedding Officiant | Interfaith Minister
  • holly@hollypruettcelebrant.com | 503.348.0967 | Portland, Oregon, USA
  • Copyright © 2012 | Design by Red Door Designs
  • eMail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • RSS Feed
Design by Weebly Templates and Weebly Themes
Storybrand Website Design by Red Door Designs