Summer Solstice 2008

* INTRO *
what is solstice / some notes on Cancer

* TIMING *
gathering times and time zone info

INTRO

Sol-stice = sun-stationary,
because the sun rises and sets in the same spot for a few days.
This is the longest day and shortest night of the year,
here in the northern hemisphere.
(The southern hemisphere is celebrating
Winter Solstice at the same moment.)
From this day on, the days will get shorter.

This phenomenon is a direct result of the Earth-Sun relationship.
At solstice, Sun and Earth align in such a way
that brings all living things on Earth to fruition,
helping them to mature, ripen, blossom.
All things, including us! arrive at their fullness in this season.

This is why all cultures on this planet, since long ago,
have celebrated this moment of culmination in one way or another.
To honor this period of abondance, plenitude, growth, light and sharing.
To celebrate the joie de vivre here, on beautiful Earth, and
to honor the power of our day star, the Sun.

Astrologically, this marks the entry of the Sun into Cancer,
a water sign governed by the moon.

Cancer symbolizes the moving waters
of our inner life, our moods & cycles, our instincts, intuition and fluids.
It is the force and power of our imagination, our emotions, our roots.
A reflective, passive, cyclic force, this sign marks
interiority and intimate, personal & family bonds,
as well as our larger collective family,
with an accent on the tribe, the clan, and a sense of belonging.
It concerns the mother-child relation,
and represents fertility, maternity, birth and all processes of gestation.
Cancer is an energy of nourishment, care, protection.
Here is the force & intensity of our feelings,
our past and our inner personal universe.

In Cancer, we built a firm, secure, well-nourished inner foundation
based on our relation to Spirit.

INTENTION & RITUAL

What follows is a ritual to participate in,
in whatever way is best for you.

* you can read this directly and follow inwardly this ritual,
or print it and follow it outside in nature somewhere.

Do this ritual near Solstice,
at a propitious moment (sunrise, sunset, noon, midnight),
depending on your Earth location (see timing below),
and depending on your possibilities.

We are gathered together here
to mark this moment of the year, Solstice,
with awareness, in a spirit of joy & gratitude.

The intention of this page & our gathering is the following:

* to form a Cyber-Circle to mark Summer Solstice,
the first day of summer,with awareness, recognition & honoring.

* to align ourselves with current Sun-Earth resonance

* to celebrate & share with cyber-friends, circles & fellow-seekers.

This special moment reminds us
of the miracle and wonder of our place in the universe,
and calls us to recognize & honor
the universal forces which make us One
with the spirit of Divine, Cosmic, Earth-Nature, and all Living Beings.

Feel the energy which links us
and which creates a miraculous Whole
circling the entire globe.
This inter-connecting psychic energy
creates a clear, luminous circle of trust and love,
and permits us to have an intentional contact
with the energies of Solstice and with all other circles participating.

Thru this ceremony, we wed our daily lives
to the more vast eternal cycles.
Our world here is thus illuminated
by the larger world of the cosmos and seasons.

Take a moment to realize fully the miracle of our existence
here on this planet, in a delicate and remarkable balance,
to realize fully our interdependence
between Sun, Earth, ourselves, this infinite web of Universal energy.

Let us Call:

Our first call goes out to Sky and Sun.
Sun, source of heat, light, inspiration,
symbol of divine light since the beginning of time.
We are grateful for its constancy and eternal promise of life.
Feel fully the vitality and power of Sun.
Feel fully also, our own inner light, our vitality & power, sharing in that of Sun.

Another call goes out to Earth,
our planet & home in this solar system.
We honor here its richness and enormous capacity
to hold, sustain and feed us, year after year.
Feel fully the strength and depth of Earth.
Feel its odors, fertility, stability.
Feel fully also our own bodies and the roots of our feet on Earth.
Take a moment to recognize and give thanks
to all the nature spirits which inhabit the physical space
where each of us lives.
Clearly envision Earth as a vital, healthy sphere,
constantly regenerating, and vibrant with life-force & love.

A last call goes forth to all the other Circles
participating in this global network celebrating Summer Solstice 2008.
As well as to all other sentient beings living on this planet.
That each one finds their place, their light & peace,
their earthly and spiritual nourishment.
Visualize clearly a circle of light which englobes our entire planet.
Send our support, love, gratitude and light thru this circle.

May our circle here in cyber-space thus form a consecrated space.
May each of us become aware of and enter into resonance
with the sacred beneficial energies of our universe.
May we resonate with & distribute these energies always,
by cultivating mindfulness and love
in all our thoughts, feelings, words and deeds.

So Be It.

(Feel free to invent and add on any other celebratory acts or rituals that you feel inspired to do,
such as prayer flags, prayer sticks, fire-tending, music & dance, etc.!)

TIMING

The best time to carry out the Solstice ritual and celebration
is Sunday or Monday.
You can time it for Solstice itself (see below)
or for Sunrise, Sunset, Noon, Midnight,
whatever feels right or is most conveniant for you.
Bring friends together or celebrate alone.

Your participation, time & awareness are very much appreciated.

**************************

Solstice = June 21, 2010 (Monday)
11:30 am Universal Time (UT/GMT)

Differences from Universal Time are as follows,
and are in Daylight Saving Time where applicable:
example: Solstice =
in Honolulu it's at 11:30 am - 10 hours => 1:30 am June 20
in Chicago it's at 11:30 am - 5 hours => 6:30 am June 20
in Brisbane Australia, it's at 11:30 am + 10 hours => 9:30 pm June 21

Honolulu = -10 hours / Los Angeles = -7 hours / Denver & San Salvador = -6 hours
Mexico City, Houston & Chicago = -5 hours / New York, Toronto, Montreal, Asuncion & Santiago = -4 hours
Rio de Janeiro & Montevideo = -3 hours / Reykjavik & Casablanca = 0 hours
London, Algiers & Lagos = +1 hour / Geneva, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Johannesburg & Madrid = +2 hours
Athens, Helsinki, Jerusalem, Nairobi & Istanbul = +3 hours / Moscow & Baghdad = +4 hours
Tehran = +4 and a half hours / Islamabad = +5 hours / Calcutta & New Delhi = +5 and a half hours
Dhaka = +6 hours / Rangoon = +6 and a half hours / Hanoi, Bangkok & Jakarta = +7 hours
Hong Kong, Perth, Beijing & Kuala Lumpur = + 8 hours / Seoul & Tokyo = +9 hours
Brisbane, Canberra & Melbourne = +10 hours / Wellington = +12 hours

Happy and Mindful Solstice 2010!!