Happy Solstice!

This turning of the seasons arrives on Tuesday. Marking the moment when the Sun moves into the tropical sign of Cancer, it ushers in a month in which we’re focused upon home and family, roots and traditions. During this time, we may find ourselves more connected to gathering, tending, nurturing, and protecting, let alone feeling a greater sensitivity and instinctive pull to orient from our emotions.

In the Northern Hemisphere (where I am located), this moment is known as the Summer Solstice. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the Winter Solstice.

There are numerous Summer Solstice rituals the world over, some connected to neopagan holidays such as Litha and *Midsummer, that occur in accordance with this astronomical event. At the root of many is the recognition of the interplay between light and dark. After all, it’s a day heralded as featuring the longest day and shortest night.

I found it interesting when I was doing research for my upcoming book, The Complete Guide to Living by the Moon, that each of the eight lunar phases is associated with a different seasonal festival. And not surprisingly, with its abundance of light and illumination, the Summer Solstice accords with the Full Moon phase.

One of the ways that this dance of light and dark is honored is in the folkloric traditions of the Oak King and Holly King. The Oak King, said to rule the light, was thought to have maximum influence leading up to the Summer Solstice. At that moment, he and the Holly King—who governs darkness—struggle for power with the latter wresting it back, as the days begin to get shorter and the nights longer (at the Winter Solstice, the Oak King wins back dominance again). During Summer Solstice celebrations, may people take the time to focus on the interplay of light and dark, meditating on it within themselves and the world around them.

The extreme of the light and heat shows up in numerous Solstice folkloric traditions in the form of fire. Bonfires are quite common at these neopagan celebrations, with many dancing around or even jumping through the fire. In some countries, the event is celebrated with fireworks. There is also an early European ritual by which a large wheel was lit on fire and rolled down a hill until it reaches a body of water that extinguishes the flame. Reflecting the link between neopagan celebrations and ensuring the most bountiful harvest, given that fire was considered to offer protection from mischievous spirits who could endanger crop yields, it makes sense that it plays/played such a prominent role.

I find these folkloric traditions fascinating. Learning more about them has helped me to understanding why I and others incorporate the rituals we do into Solstice celebrations. Speaking of, what do you usually do to celebrate the solstice? Do you have plans this week to honor the turning of the light? I’d love it if you could share your experiences, thoughts, and ideas below in the comment thread so that we can all learn from each other.

In addition to the Solstice (and the Sun entering Cancer) what else does this week inspire astrologically? Well, it does seem to have a strong communication-appreciation component. Monday we have the Mercury/Jupiter Sextile, in which we may sense that there’s an ease and flow when it comes to gathering and sharing insights. Then on Wednesday, Venus flits into Gemini, where it will reside through July 17. And with that, curiosity becomes a greater asset. We may also find ourselves especially enriched by education as well as discover that having multiple options is something we treasure more than usual. Before Venus shifts into Gemini, it will make a harmonious trine to Pluto, inspiring us dig a bit deeper when it comes to understanding why some relationships feel aligned and others don’t.

Note too that next week—on June 28—Neptune will station retrograde. Given that days before/after a planet enters or leaves it retrograde cycle, what it represents is thought to be more pronounced in the collective, this coming weekend may be filled with Neptunian themed inspirations and events. Think water, mysticism, dreams, the blurring of boundaries, and the desire for spiritual understanding. More on this subject in next week’s Stellar Insights.

Happy Solstice!
xxStephanie

*Ever wonder why this Solstice accords with the holiday called Midsummer, given that it marks the beginning of this season rather than a moment in its midst? The reason being is that from an agricultural perspective, it was a moment thought to be at the pinnacle of heat, right in the center of planting and the harvest.

Astrological Highlights

June 20: Mercury/Jupiter Sextile
June 21: Venus/Pluto Trine, Sun enters Cancer
June 22: Venus enters Gemini

All days reflect Eastern Daylight Time (-4 hours GMT)

Stellar Insights: June 20 - 26, 2022