Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and one of the eight holidays that I celebrate throughout the year. This day marks the ‘official’ transition into summer and a shift from days that become longer and longer through the spring into days from here on out will grow shorter and shorter for the next six months.
This holiday is often called Midsummer or Litha, although I usually just refer to it as the Summer Solstice. On my path, it celebrates the turning point of summer, where the build-up of creative energy from the spring crests into a time of abundance as we travel into the depths of summer in much the same way that the growing energies of the full moon crest before beginning to wane each month.
Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months on each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of the First Harvest (aka, Lughnasadh, Lammas, Lughnasa, Lugh) on August 1st.
Theme of the Season – Midsummer, Spiral Moon, Owl – Midsummer offers the opportunity to alter one’s course, tipping one’s balance in order to alter reality to deepen one’s connection with their chosen path.
Honeysuckle resides on the center card and speaks of love, while the Spiral Moon reminds us that this is a time of deepening connection to the self. A connection that is found through peeling back one’s inner layers to reveal the softer bits within. Through that process, you reveal vulnerable bits.
The presence of the Owl reminds us to be certain to stay on course and focused on what you want. It can be easy to get lost in the weeds of uncertainty and old habits, especially when feeling vulnerable. Don’t allow distractions to hinder your path or turn you away from where you want to go.
The combination of these three center cards speak of a time of growth and deepening connection with the self. There will be vulnerability and it may be hard to stay on task with the changes you want to manifest through the season, but stay on task with your self care and your desire to deepen that connection, and you will travel through this time of growth and adjustment with grace.
Earth – Ten of Cups – Even though the upcoming weeks are a slow time for the business, this time will also allow you a sense of emotional fulfillment concerning where you are and how things are going. Enjoy this time, and take time to appreciate the sense of ease you feel concerning your work and home life. It won’t last forever and should be cherished.
Air – Ace of Cups and Six of Cups – There’s always a bit of messiness involved when you mix emotions with intellect. With all these new feelings and emotional growth going on, make sure that you’re not smothering the carefully unfurling lotus within you. Hold the flowering growth with care and foster it’s development rather than allowing your logical mind and inner critic to have free reign. In other words? Give yourself the room you need to grow emotionally by shutting up negative thoughts and recriminations.
Water – Queen of Wands – Be open to the joy that comes from those things that inspire you. Making space doesn’t mean you have to be bored or sedate, it means that you allow pleasure and the spark of fun into those places that are usually dry and feeling a bit boring. By allowing this spark to flourish and joy to bloom, your growth will continue and not be half so stressful as your intellect keeps trying to make.
Fire – Page of Swords and King of Swords – Strategizing is the name of the game for the next few months. This is not surprising, as this is usually what happens during this time of year. The summer is often a time of preparation for the busy season to come late in the fall. Start now and take your time. If you start early then there’s no need to rush, and you can feel more stable over all in as you work towards being in a place of preparation for the future.
Waning – Panther Spirit – Set your relentless aggression aside. Now is not the time to push and shove towards some illusive promise of perfection. Let go of the need to prod yourself constantly forward.
Waxing – Lion Spirit – Take pride in your abilities and foster your own self-confidence over the next few weeks. You are worth far more than the business you run and the money you make. What you offer to the world reaches beyond these trivial things. You shine as an inspiration to others… allow yourself to acknowledge and be grateful for those qualities you like in yourself as well as the opportunities you are given to help others using your unique gifts.
Take Away – The next handful of weeks need to be a time of rest and recovery. Stop pushing and prodding at yourself. Stop the recriminations. Instead, it’s time to focus on fostering your inner spark and spirit, and giving yourself room to grow within your current emotional journey. Although there’s some prep you can do for the business during this time, there is no need to rush. Instead, a better use of your time during this time is to focus upon those things that kindle that spark of curiosity and creativity within you and allow that spark to manifest some guilt-free pleasure and joy.
What is your ideal reading atmosphere?
Twisting the Leaf 