The Summer Solstice may be the longest day of the year marking the beginning of the Summer. But for me, it always conjures one of the most memorable events in my life.
Many years ago, when I lived in England and when my now husband was merely my lover, we embarked on a pilgrimage to Stonehenge. Not knowing the way, we followed the droves of people making their way to the ancient site to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
We simply trusted the journey and had no expectation of what it may bring us.
On any other day, visitors must admire the ancient monument from a distance and from behind an extensive fence. It is only this one day every year the fence has no influence.
The Summer Solstice is an important occasion for druids and pagans who have been gathering at Stonehenge for thousands of years to perform rituals.
This day, it was not only druids and pagans who gathered but many contemporary social groups to perform rituals in their own way. Some chose their beverage of choice, some ingested a variety of stimulants and others purely of stamina. But all were gathered to collectively celebrate the raising of the Sun.
Many instruments were brought to create various rhythms which metamorphosed as you made your way around these impressively huge stones.
Regardless of each other's nationalities, social ranks or religious beliefs we were all in the same collective frequency. We all danced to the various beats which somehow created a cohesive rhythm. Some danced on the enormous stones whilst others stomped their feet on Mother Earth.
In those moments, we were all one collective performing the most primitive ritual of them all, dancing.
As the Sun broke the darkness, we all felt such gratitude.
Many have witnessed the Sun rise. But on the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge the Sun rises directly in the center of these huge pillars. As it rises, so does the crowd’s vibration as everyone cheers with excitement.
The Sun represents the cycle of our lives and perhaps unconsciously we were all reflecting and celebrating our own existence.
In the phase of our menstrual cycle, Summer represents ovulation. This is when an egg is released and if fertilized, can create life.
Anything is possible during Summer.
As we celebrate the Summer Solstice, the energy of expansion and new beginnings, let's also remind ourselves to have gratitude for the simple things such as the rising of the Sun.
Happy Summer Solstice!