Today is the Summer Solstice. Opposite that which marks midwinter in the southern hemisphere… it is the longest day. It is also referred to as midsummer – think Shakespeare and a playful band of faeries. When we look at the wheel of the year from a symbolic perspective, from where we started to where we are headed… this is the halfway point of our manifestation. We planted our seeds at Imbolc in February, saw the early sprouting of our desires in March at the Spring Equinox, consecrated our passion in May at Beltaine, and now we are seeing our intentions beginning to bear fruit.
Well… this is a rather unusual year, as you know. My Sacred Gardeners and I gathered to plant our seeds of intention in February. We would have met again to nurture those intentions in March, but alas… the world went into quarantine. So, we adjusted the light and shade to nurture our seeds in a virtual setting, instead.
The sun is at its height on this day, so it is a great time for healing. Be sure to take a walk in nature and soak up some vitamin D. Goodness knows that the road ahead is long and bumpy, and our best defense against this virus is to build our immune systems for better health and if infected, a better chance of full recovery.
From this day forward, the days will begin to grow shorter, as we slowly turn toward the Autumn Equinox. The energy of the sun is expansive, so consider in what areas of your life you’d like to shed a bit more light. Does your soul require a bit of rest while reading a good book at the edge of the ocean, or would it be best served by playfully flying a kite in a grassy, green field of freedom and delight? The sun reminds us to shine brightly! If you’ve been taking care of everyone else throughout the first half of the year, remember to care for the caregiver, and practice extreme self-care. You deserve your own love more than anyone!
Speaking of A Midsummer Night’s Dream… I am reminded of the year that my Tribe (goddess group) decided to celebrate the day with the faeries in a local park we call the ravine. It is a lovely surprise near downtown that you can walk down into, and find yourself surrounded by azalea bushes and oak trees. We figured that we would gather there at twilight to leave offerings, and see if anyone would come out to play with us. Alas, it was only the local police that showed up, but they were not playful AT ALL! Ha! So… we left behind our offerings of flowers and berries, and had to wait for the faeries to find us in our dreams.
The following is a meditation that came through me when I put my fingers to the keyboard and asked for a vision of Midsummer to go with an image that crossed my screen from an art page on social media. The words just flowed through me and onto the page without much thought or direction. At one point, when the purpose of the journey was revealed to me, I literally gasped aloud. It was a moment of pure magick I hope I will never forget.
It is printed below, and you can also listen to it by clicking on the YouTube link. Keep in mind that I am self taught in all things technical.
https://youtu.be/Jf9z1xL6hgs
MIDSUMMER MEDITATION
Close your eyes, adjust to your comfort, and breathe deeply.
Find yourself in an open field of the softest green grass on the edge of twilight. The air is warm, and filled with the scent of sweet grass, and fireflies hover and dance. It’s as if the stars that will later shine in the night sky, are temporarily twinkling upon the earth. A gentle breeze caresses your skin and plays with your hair. In the distance, you can see a stand of old trees, and you feel called to seek their shelter.
As you leisurely stroll through field and green, take notice of what you see here. Someone may appear to join you on your stroll… maybe a spirit animal, or guide. Each step brings you closer to the wooded edge of the field. As you come into close proximity, an opening or archway created by the bend and limbs of trees informs you of the entrance, and dancing in the middle of that arch is a glowing light.
You assume it is a firefly, though its glow has a slightly different hue. It beckons you to follow, and you comply. You step into the woods, and find the light here to be dim, but plenty for navigating safely. The tiny ball of light is ahead of you, dancing and bobbing, guiding you forward. There is nothing to fear here, as you feel guided and protected on this mysterious journey.
Now, you begin to see a brighter glow ahead. The light is drawing you to a giant, ancient tree in the center of the wood. It is illuminated from within, as if there are windows along every level of its height, emanating a blue-white luminescence. You are led to the base of this magickal tree, and onto the staircase that spirals upward around its trunk.
Following the orb, with grace and ease, you move up one flight of stairs, turning clockwise around the trunk… you move up a second flight of stairs, around the luscious curve of sparkly bark… you move up a third flight of stairs, catching hints of lavender and jasmine on your breath… you move up a fourth flight of stairs, feeling a sense of longing in your solar plexus… you move up a fifth flight of stairs.
Though there is still more tree above and steps to climb, this is where the guiding light has stopped. From here, you have an incredible vantage for viewing the mystical wood that surrounds, and you can see all sorts of woodland creatures. On the ground there are deer and 7-tined stags, rabbits and hedgehogs. In the branches of the surrounding trees there are raccoons, birds of many colors and songs, and squirrels.
As you turn back to face your glowing guide, you gasp in wonder to see that the tiny ball of light has transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman with wings. Take a moment to gather her features, for the Queen of the Faeries looks different to each of us. Breathe in the radiance of her skin, the shimmering colors of her dress, the shape and sheen of her wings, and the warmth of love on her face… as she gazes adoringly into your eyes.
She brought you here to offer you words you’ve been longing to hear, a message of comfort, reassurance, healing, and hope. Listen for the words she is gifting you, as she leans in to whisper, like a lullaby, into your ears and open mind. (long pause)
Message received, you look up into her eyes, and find that her words were so loving, so sincere, that a single tear is sliding down her cheek. It sparkles with the same luminescence that surrounds, and she plucks it from her cheek… the crystalline gem the size of a seed.
Reaching out to you, she takes this faery seed, now glowing green, and plants it inside your heart chakra. The glow radiates from your chest, and slowly turns from a deep shade of emerald green to a lighter shade, and then… into a pale pink, the color of rose quartz. The glow of this gift, now deeply planted inside your being, expands to light and warm your entire body. You are filled and overflowing with a sense of love that you once knew, but had forgotten. This is divine love, complete love, unconditional love… and it is ALL yours. It is ALL YOU!
You ARE divine love. You were never separate from it, the mundane world just got in the way and disconnected it from your knowing. But now it is back, and no one can take it from you. You did this work, you followed your intuition and your guides, you climbed the steps with focus and determination, and you stood with reverence and awe as your own light was reflected back at you.
Yes, that’s right… the light you followed was your own north star. The image that looked back at you was the embodiment of your own heart. The wisdom you received was from your own higher self. You were never alone, and you have never… not for one moment… been unworthy of love. YOU. ARE. LOVE!
Knowing that your purpose here in this magickal place has been fulfilled, you hug your heart… your own true faery queen, and turn to descend. Though the sky above is now only lit by stars, you have no need for a guiding light, for you are illuminated by the pink glow of your own self-love.
It is so radiant and infectious that the woodland creatures that witness your journey downward watch with fascination and awe. Slowly you make your way down the fifth flight of stairs… counter-clockwise you spiral – down the fourth flight of stairs… extending your own light as a glowing egg of protection – down the third flight of stairs… remembering the message you received – down the second flight of stairs… knowing that this sacred light you carry will heal and lighten the hearts of those you love – you descend the first flight of stairs to forest floor.
Feeling joyful and lighter than ever, you practically float out of the ancient wood… glancing back at the iridescent faery tree, you carry forth gratitude – knowing that anytime your light feels dim, you can return to this sacred place to be refilled. Feeling clarity like never before, you step into the open field and bathe in milky white light of the moon and one last time, breathe in the sparkly white light of the stars. Every cell of your body is filled with this sparkly white light, and you feel amazing… as you… open your eyes.
Thank you for walking this path with me.
I am grateful for your warmth and light.
Bee the Light 