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Summer Solstice Tarot Meditation - part one
Summer Solstice; the sun rises at it’s earliest time of the year and sets at the latest, giving us the longest day and shortest night of the year. Traditionally this day would mark the beginning of the Harvest Season. The season for planting has officially passed, and now we begin to reap the benefits of what we have planted in the spring. The Sun takes his place of power, while the Mother Moon takes her time of rest… her time will come again at Yule, the Winter Solstice.
The solstices are all about balance, and we are reminded that for everything there is a time and season. The Wheel of the Year helps us understand they cycles of life through the simple understanding of the seasons of the Sun, the Moon, Planting and Harvesting. Summer Solstice is a time we should rejoice in the strength of the Sun, whose light promotes the growth of all life on Earth. It is a time to recognize that the choices we have made (I.e. the seeds we have planted) have begun to come to life and we must harvest and utilize the rewards of our work. Summer Solstice is a time to recognize that if things aren’t going our way, there is usually a reason behind it. Did we take steps to work toward our goals? Once we planted the seeds, did we water them, nurture them, and keep away the weeds and the bugs? If so, our harvest is better. If not, our harvest is small. The saying “You reap what you sow.” is perfect for the solstice, as we recognize that the power of the Sun (God) alone isn’t going to bring our dreams to fruition, but our hard work combined with our faith and the turning of The Wheel is what brings about our plentiful harvests.
Summer Solstice; the sun rises at it’s earliest time of the year and sets at the latest, giving us the longest day and shortest night of the year. Traditionally this day would mark the beginning of the Harvest Season. The season for planting has officially passed, and now we begin to reap the benefits of what we have planted in the spring. The Sun takes his place of power, while the Mother Moon takes her time of rest… her time will come again at Yule, the Winter Solstice.
The solstices are all about balance, and we are reminded that for everything there is a time and season. The Wheel of the Year helps us understand they cycles of life through the simple understanding of the seasons of the Sun, the Moon, Planting and Harvesting. Summer Solstice is a time we should rejoice in the strength of the Sun, whose light promotes the growth of all life on Earth. It is a time to recognize that the choices we have made (I.e. the seeds we have planted) have begun to come to life and we must harvest and utilize the rewards of our work. Summer Solstice is a time to recognize that if things aren’t going our way, there is usually a reason behind it. Did we take steps to work toward our goals? Once we planted the seeds, did we water them, nurture them, and keep away the weeds and the bugs? If so, our harvest is better. If not, our harvest is small. The saying “You reap what you sow.” is perfect for the solstice, as we recognize that the power of the Sun (God) alone isn’t going to bring our dreams to fruition, but our hard work combined with our faith and the turning of The Wheel is what brings about our plentiful harvests.
There is more work ahead! Once the crops ripen, we will have to take the steps to reap them. What preparations need to be made, what steps need to be followed? These are questions we can ask ourselves during the Summer Solstice. Are we just being carried along by life, or are we going to utilize the energy of the sun, the longer hours of daylight, to keep working towards our goals and aspirations? Perhaps somewhere along the way, we forgot about our goals. We forgot to water those crops and now the field has gone to waste. (I’m not talking about Farmville here, though I know you just remembered to log on to Facebook so you can check your crops!) Well, if that’s the case and you have fallen from your path (remember that determination you had at New Year’s?) - it’s not too late. Summer Solstice is also about renewal, rebirth. You can pick up the pieces, find gratitude for what you have, and start again with a fresh new attitude.
Astrologically, the Summer Solstice falls on the cusp of Gemini and Cancer. We can bring this time into perspective by simply studying the energies associated with these signs. Gemini is all about Choices and synthesis. In tarot, the Lovers card is related to Gemini, and this card teaches us to work together in partnerships, but to never lose our sense of self. We must sometimes work with others in our lives; in our relationships, families, and at work. Gemini energy is all about cooperation, but in the end Gemini energy teaches us to stand strong and make our own choices. Sometimes we have to stand alone and choose what is best for us, what is moral, what is right. As we move through the Gemini cycle we have had to ask ourselves, what do my relationships tell me about myself? When is it right to go with the crowd, and when is it necessary to stand apart? How do the choices I make effect not only me, but those around me? Gemini energy teaches us to balance - sometimes another person might bring new perspective, new talents, new ideas to the table, and if we can synthesize another’s gifts with our own.. Well that’s what partnership is all about. But in the end it still comes down to the choices we make… and the people in our life are all part of those choices as well.
Next we come across Cancer energy. Cancer is the nurturing, affectionate, emotional force of the Zodiac. Through Cancer energy we learn about intuition, loyalty, sympathy, and imagination. Cancer nature is also dualistic and sometimes contradictory, much like Gemini energy which is always changing based on who they are around… Cancer energy transforms within itself. On one side it wants to be nurturing and helpful, but on the other side it is self-centered and brooding. It longs for adventure yet craves security. The tarot card related to Cancer is The Chariot, and you can see the opposing forces present on this card. But the one thing about Cancer energy is that it is tenacious. Once a crab grabs hold of something, it won’t let go. The Chariot teaches us that once our choices have been made, a commitment is made. For now, no matter what, whatever choices you made have set the wheels in motion and you have started down this path. The Chariot and Cancer teach us about responsibility, about having strength of resolve. We might not know exactly what lies on the path ahead of us, or how many turns onto new paths we might take. But once we take hold of the reigns and make the choice, the journey has begun! Don’t let go of the reins, don’t loosen your grip, keep your head up and accept responsibility for whatever choices you have made. Once you accept responsibility, you will find that you can channel your emotions more clearly, use your intuition to your advantage, and you will find yourself seeing creative answers to whatever problems and roadblocks you may face.
Meditation
Lay these two cards in front of you. The Lovers and The Chariot. Breathe deeply and evenly and just look at the images on the cards. Don’t force yourself to focus on any one thing, but allow your eyes and mind to wander across the images. Pay attention to how these cards make you feel, but don’t judge those feelings, just let them come and go. Remember to breathe deeply and evenly. Next, spend some time thinking about their meanings individually. Think about how they relate to the Summer Solstice. With The Lovers it is the choices we have made, the people we have surrounded ourselves with, the work we have done. With The Chariot it is the promise of new adventure, the unknown road ahead of us, the acceptance that the harvest we get is a reflection of the past choices we have made; this gives us the strength and resolve to take what we have and hold on tight as we head forward. Spend some time just looking at these two cards, listening to what they have to tell you. Look at them separately, and then look at them together. In what ways do they strengthen each other? What do they tell you, if you visualize them as one picture, or as part of one story rather than separate cards? Breathe in the essence of the cards. You can end your meditation with a prayer, asking for the understanding, guidance and acceptance of The Lovers and The Chariot through this Summer Solstice, or you can simply repeat this affirmation a couple of times;
“I choose to be free from inhibitions, guilt, and bondages in all my relationships. By harnessing all my forces toward my purpose and controlling my fears, I victoriously meet my challenges.”*
Once your meditation is complete, you might want to journal about your discoveries. You may find yourself motivated to make a list of preparations that need to be made or tasks that need to be completed as you enter your time of harvest. You may have new insights about the tarot cards that you want to write down in your tarot journal. Whatever you do, let it be in celebration. Don’t punish yourself for things you didn’t do or mistakes that you made. Instead, allow yourself to be thankful for the things you have learned and the ways you have grown, armor yourself with these new insights and allow yourself to set forth on your journey once again, with confidence. You may find that you have certain relationships that you know are no longer serving you or your goals, let these relationships go and set yourself free. Repeat the above affirmation to yourself whenever you feel you need it, to remind you of the lessons of the Gemini-Cancer cusp, and the renewal and promise of Summer Solstice. Go out and have some fun! Be merry, celebrate life! Go outside and greet the rising sun in the morning, in all it’s glory, and be energized and comforted!
Namaste!
Namaste!
~ Lady Josephine
* affirmations taken from the book, "Tarot For Yourself" by Mary K. Greer
There may be a part two to this blog coming, if I can find the time to write down and work out all the thoughts swirling through my head!!
