Summer Solstice

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Summer Solstice
8
Wed, 06-21-2006 - 12:44pm

Today is Litha, Summer Solstice, Midsummer. This is a Sabbat for me, as a Wiccan.

LITHA/MIDSUMMER (Summer Solstice, June20-23)

The powers of Nature reach their highest point. The earth is fertile. Bonfires and leaping over them were symbols of the Sun and the time of longest daylight hours, yet the beginnings of the decline into dark. The Lord of Light, the God, begins to move toward his death, dying to Himself. A symbol that to grow we must accept the passing of the sun. A classic time for strong magic.

There is more information on my web site (through my profile), if anyone is interested. ;)) http://gypsywolfwoman.tripod.com/id17.html

There's a beautiful little ritual that I read about and have done before, and will likely do again today. I write down on slips of paper my troubles, problems, pains, sorrows and illnesses and some herbs, and burn them as a symbol of cleansing and purifying myself to move forward. I will renew protection spells surrounding our property and our home. This is also a time, while my Circle is cast, to weave any special magic that I wish to work, as this is a powerful time, when the Light is the strongest, in the longest day of the year, before the waning begins toward winter, and the days shorten.

Mostly it's also a time to feel the fullness and ripeness of my life, as Nature is showing me in this season, and the power within me, through the Goddess and God, to make changes and move forward in my life.

It's a very positive and powerful Sabbat and time.

"O Gracious Goddess, O Gracious God,
on this night of Midsummer magic
I pray that you charge my life with
wonder and joy. Help me in attuning with
the energies adrift on the enchanted night air.
I give thanks."

Happy Summer, everyone! :D

Gypsy




Edited 6/21/2006 3:45 pm ET by gypsywolfwoman


Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 1:37am

Thanks for sharing that Gypsy!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2006
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 12:32pm

Hi, Gypsy~

I tried to respond to this yesterday, but my computer was acting *weird* and wouldn't let me post! Sooooo Happy Summer (a day in)! Thank you for sharing this info, it's very interesting.

Your BOS is great, and your Mika Dog is absolutely beautiful! Looks like you two have some beautiful places to go walk, too!! We (my girls 'n I) have a dog that we got from the pound two years ago next month (Peaches) she's an awesome friend!! (I saved her life ~ physically ~ and she has saved mine ~ emotionally!! We're great buddies!!). Not sure what she's a mix of, but I believe she may have Dingo in her, as she can jump straight up (all four feet off of the ground) from stand still. She's very intelligent and sooo sweet, we love her dearly!

Many Blessings, "M"

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2006
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 1:07pm

I love the first day of summer, although here it is stormy with lightning.. (not that I mind one little bit!)
Last night I had the most pressing impulse to paint a mural. Creation 101!! I was watching a movie when instantly I just had to pull everything out on the living room floor and out came a window with mountains, trees and a lake and river.... Twisting vines make up the window which is without walls.

Any idea why that particular image came out?? It is unlike what I've been creating...
Thanks.
M

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 5:41pm

My Mika Dog & I are boon companions, also. :D. We adopted her when she was a year old from the local SPCA. I saw her bio in their newsletter. She is deaf and I am half deaf. No one would adopt her because of her deafness. DH & I know all about adjustment in communication. So we thought we could give Mika a good home.

She is a mix, also. Aussie Shepherd and Border Collie. She is deaf because the gene that produces her fur coloring and her shiny eyes also carries deafness and blindness. :-\ Reputable breeders of course don't breed carriers of this gene. I think backyard breeders who didn't know bred two carriers of the gene together. Mika was then dumped in a no kill shelter and eventually ended up at the SPCA, where they trained her to obedience and leash. Usually breeders euthanize deaf or blind pups. Mika was lucky in that regard. I figure we rescued each other. ;))

I can't imagine life without her, now.

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Thu, 06-22-2006 - 5:49pm

Sounds beautiful!!! Why mountains, etc.? I don't know. Are you drawn to wilderness areas? I call the Sierras out here my spiritual home. I don't get up there much any more, but with my Mika Dog, we search out beautiful places to walk everyday. ;))

Perhaps you are called to spend more time in Nature's beauty? ;)) Is your art sometimes prophetic at all? Maybe you're going to the mountains soon? :=O

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2006
Fri, 06-23-2006 - 11:35am

No, the art has never been prophetic, but lately it is more subconscious. I really don't think too much of the end result, it just evolves. I went through a painful breakup and this has come about.

Just yesterday some friends were looking at my art and the general consensus is that it's sexual in content, which surprised me to no end. Hmmmm. I've been wondering if my going through peri is affecting my intuition, mind,etc and now I believe it's coming through my art. Must figure this one out. Obviously (to me) I have some creation issues (haven't given birth,not sure if I want children) and the art does reflect creation.

Anyway, the mountain scene with the window, don't know what it means. But after the other stuff and from the delirium it came from, I think it DOES mean something.... Does anyone else have feelings on this?????

On a side note and not to snag a thread here: I'm at a crossroads financially and careerwise and really, really, really need help........
Merci...
and gypsy, thanks for your observations..
M

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Sat, 06-24-2006 - 4:27pm

I had a "spirit" painting and impromptu piano creation done last year, and your creation reminds me of it.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2006
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 10:26am

Well, I am without a digital camera at present. I can send via the phone, but that's about it....
Hmmmm, how to properly describe it? Not sure, I've searched online for images that might be relevant but haven't found anything. I get the impression that the lake has to do with the spirit and rebirth, for the rest? Hmm

Anyway, yours is beautiful. I get the impression that the large rock in the forground really isn't part of the others, that it is more closely attached to the small pond. And it reminds me of a mixture of both the star and temperance cards from tarot.

I like the line of energy coming from the into the tree and the dripping branches. What do you take for the pool of orange underneath? I can't remember what orange signifies.

It's a great image. and thanks for your take on mine. I always like a good mystery!
M