There are many symbols and representations of our sun that have been made by us throughout time, the most basic being a circle with a dot in it. The variations of imagery and the fact we want to depict it shows we have a long held reverence and interest in our life-giver. with the way the weather has been lately you may indeed feel the need to draw the sun to remind you what it looks like as its appearances have been scant this spring and summer.
But regardless of the sun’s shyness this year we are indeed at the solstice, where we have the most daylight hours before we begin to journey towards the shorter days of winter. However the inclement and cold weather we have been experiencing over the British Isles, that has made us all turn to heating being on and blankets, would be for some countries a dream as they battle with the sun at its full strength and the realisation that time out in it must be limited and protected for fear of life loss. It is easy to forget in our mainly temperate isles the power it has. Although our ancestors certainly show us the reverence they had to it through our amazing ancient monuments aligned to its rising and setting.
Without our sun we would not have the amazing Northern Lights/Aurora/Mirrie Dancers that we witnessed in May here in many places in the UK. This level of activity that we can see in our night skies is an indicator of increased activity in our sun as we enter a particularly active period of time in its life-cycle. We were absolutely amazed by the showing of the Aurora and felt we were having a wonderful shared experience with others in that moment and over time where our ancestors and future people will too be in awe.
And too the amazing full solar eclipse we were lucky enough to see in Canada earlier this year. A beautiful collaboration of sun and moon.
Folklore tends to concentrate on Midsummer in a few days time on the 22nd June this year, rather than the Solstice. We are told that it is unlucky to hear the cuckoo on or after midsummer’s day. Also that fern seeds picked on this day had the power to make the carrier invisible. Rolling burning cartwheels down hills was one tradition for Midsummer, symbolising the declining sun from this point until we come to the Winter Solstice. Bonfires were and are, in some areas, still lit to mark Midsummer.
So today or over the next few days celebrate our sun, be in awe of its power and give thanks for its life giving energy. If we don’t see too much of it this year perhaps be thankful of that too but also hope the rain stays away for just a time so we can dry out a little ! St John’s wort is the plant of the moment and together with summer roses and birch twigs make a lovely swag to decorate your threshold in a tradition once followed by many.
Have a beautiful summer, whatever it turns out to be.
This photo was taken by my daughter in London - dramatic sunset sky - a perfect reminder of the beauty and power of Nature.
Thanks Richard and Anne Marie. A lovely posting - I always look forward to them. I celebrated by playing my guitar down by the stream, wearing my Sun Wheel tee shirt (which, incidentally, always gets admiring comments) although it was a rather midgey evening! However, I shouldn't complain about midges at a time when our insect population is in such decline. Happy Midsummer to you both.
Thankyou for writing such an interesting and calming passage. I love to read your writings . I can’t believe the solstice is upon us let’s hope for more sunshine for us all during the we next couple of months
Lovely interesting information.
My new 7 month oriental kitten - Misty Moon has been trying to escape outside to enjoy the sun.
She has come into season twice with a week in-between - the vet said this is because it is summer. The hot water bottle helps to keep her calm.
Thankfully she gets spayed tomorrow.
Once healed she will be able to put on a harness and explore the garden and feel the seasons.