Litha and Summer Solstice – Be Like the Sun

Summer’s almost here in the Northern Hemisphere, but with the national racism crisis in the US and the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, it doesn’t feel like a time to celebrate and say “yay, summer!” It’s awkward even writing and talking about “normal” things in the face of life and death realities. We’re deeply hurting, and we’ve hurt each other, and our planet. So, this year, I want to talk about the Sun and how drawing from and embodying solar energy can help us heal. Summer Solstice, also known as Litha, is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The day-force is at its strongest now, radiating mega-doses of vitality and most especially, of love. The Sun, seen from an esoteric level, is all about love and wisdom. It’s the primary ray of energy from which everything else is created. It’s the Heart of creation. And the Sun never fails to shine, always “rises” to meet us, and sustains life on Earth. This is what inspired me to title this blog: Litha and Summer Solstice – Be Like the Sun!

This year, Litha falls on June 20, a time when those of us who practice magic speak of drawing down the Sun. This really just means connecting with prana or life force, within and without. To draw down or bring out the Sun is letting yourself shine and be seen. It’s affirming that you’re strong, alive with energy, loving, warm, and filled with light. Litha is the Sun’s day and the Sun is the center of our solar system. It brings us all back to center, to our hearts, and to the creative source in everything. The Sun rules the passionate, creative, and proud sign Leo. Leo is motivated to share and lead from the heart and become the brightest, fullest version of itself. With the Sun at its maximum power, Litha’s the perfect time to recognize all the things, small and large, that you’ve created and shared with others. It’s also time to honor who you’ve become and how you continue to express more of your truest self.

At Summer Solstice a doorway in time opens, one which our ancestors viewed as sacred and holy. It’s not just that the season is changing. At Summer Solstice, all of nature surrenders to the fire of light. Litha symbolizes a grand portal of energy, space, and opportunity – a chance to let go of fears, doubts, and insecurities. After the Sun reaches its maximum power, it begins to decline. Slowly, the night-force will grow stronger until its peak at the Winter Solstice. Litha is the last chance in our calendar year to activate sacred intentions before we move into autumn and winter, the natural seasons of harvest and rest. It’s a time to step out in faith and imagine what’s fully possible for yourself. Dream an expansive vision for your life that will sustain you as the darkness slowly returns with the fall.

5 Ways to Be Like the Sun

1. Be the light

The Sun is a star, and its job is to shine! So is yours, in your own unique ways. No matter what happens around you, you always have a choice to see, be, and share the light. What I really mean by light is love. Whatever you’re doing and wherever you are, choose that love and give it away freely. There’s no prescription for how this looks, so get creative and just do you – in the truest, sincere, most authentic way you know how.

2. Take the lead

Solar energy is motivating and naturally attracts attention. Use that power for good and be the best example you can. You may not own a business or directly work with large groups, but people look to you. Notice who they are and think about what they see. Every time your inner sun comes into someone else’s field, it makes an impact. It radiates its energy and infuses people, spaces, and places. Be a leader with your energy and set an example worthy of following.

3. Co-create

The Sun is the principle of co-creation and animates the entire zodiac. It doesn’t exist alone and wouldn’t mean anything without the rest of the solar system to interact with. In the tarot, The Sun card is about working with others in ways that inspire you and the world. To be like the Sun is to find people who share your passions and bring all that energy together to make something purposeful. Creatives need each other to stay creative. We’re not meant to do this alone. Find a way to connect and make something exciting happen.

4. Act with integrity

What do I mean by integrity? I mean acting from wholeness by integrating body, mind, heart, and spirit. Most simply, you act with integrity when you’re true to yourself. It’s so easy to think or feel a certain way but act another, which causes a division within you. Some animals, like horses, are particularly sensitive to this incongruity. They can feel the conflict and won’t trust someone who’s acting out of alignment with their emotional energy – like pretending to be tough when truly afraid. Integrity takes personal work, practice, and honesty. To act with integrity, you have to be honest about where you’re at and what you’re doing. When you know your ego is reacting, own it. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not or commit to doing something you’re not ready for. Be honest about your feelings, even if it’s a little uncomfortable.

In astrology, the Sun is the planet of integration. Your Sun Sign is the energy through which you’re integrating yourself. If you’re a Libra, it all comes together through relationships, balancing extremes, and cooperation. If you’re a Sagittarius, it all comes together through searching to find more meaning and following your true path. We’re all in the process of integrating our higher and lower selves. With awareness and practice, you can align your thoughts and actions with your heart and higher mind. 

5. Balance your Solar Plexus Chakra

The Solar Plexus Chakra or Manipura color is bright yellow, like the Sun. This energy center is located just above your belly button and is the powerhouse of your energy system. Balancing this chakra helps you confidently stand and act in your personal power. If your Solar Plexus Chakra is underactive, you might feel powerless or uncertain. If it’s overactive, you might become overpowering and arrogant. Humility is part of this chakra’s medicine. True strength is humble. This chakra is also where you manifest all the things you create. You can think of your Solar Plexus Chakra as the Sun, radiating warmth and light into life. Activate this energy center to rest assured in your capabilities and to make things happen for yourself. Below are some great Solar Plexus herbs, oils, stones, deities, and mantras you can work with.

Solar Plexus Herbs/Oils: Calendula, cumin, helichrysum, lemon, neroli, turmeric   

Solar Plexus Stones: Citrine, golden healer quartz, pyrite, tiger’s eye, yellow aventurine

Solar Plexus Deities: Agni, Athena, Ma’at, Pele, Ra, Sekhmet, Xiuhtecuhtli  

Solar Plexus Mantras: 

“I am strong, capable, and powerful.” 

“I stand in my power.” 

“I am the leader of my life.”   

In Closing

However you choose to welcome summer, and long past it, I hope you’ll find ways to grow and feed the light, for the benefit of us all. May you feel on the deepest level how powerful you are – how your energy and the way you run it makes an impact. May you use your light to inspire and empower others. May we all choose the wisdom of love. From my heart to yours, happy Litha.

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