The Summer Solstice (in Northern Hemisphere, Winter Solstice in Southern Hemisphere) occurs at 7:30am EDT on Monday June 21, 2010. 

 

 
The word "solstice" means "sun standing still" or Sun-Stop. 
 
This impacts us because our sense of time is driven by the sky, with its daily, monthly and yearly cycles. The summer and winter solstices are key reference points in our calendar, marking the yearly extremes of the Sun's changing height in the sky at noon. Whether we realize it or not, our civilization is ordered around the happenings in the sky. We are swimming in these energy patterns, just not consciously most of the time.
 
Why does Summer Solstice Happen? The seasons of the year are caused by the 23.5º tilt of the earth's axis. Because the earth is rotating like a top or gyroscope, the North Pole points in a fixed direction continuously - towards a point in space near the North Star. But the earth is also revolving around the sun. During half of the year, the southern hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than is the northern hemisphere. During the rest of the year, the reverse is true. 

 
Unlike the Equinoxes (which are all about perfect balance) the Solstices are a Tipping Point - toward or away from The Light.
 
You might want to Stop And Look Up. (Close your eyes.) You could consciously absorb the photonic energy generated by the nuclear engine of our central star. Photons are tiny capsules of intelligence from the Mind of God, as translated through the Sun. They are all around you, especially now.

 

   To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light. - Emerson
 
At our current point in the long cycles of earthtime, the Summer Solstice aligns with THE GALACTIC EDGE. This is the edge of our known world. When we look toward the stars of Orion (and others in that area) we are looking out into deep space, also known as the Galactic Edge. This area of the heavens is also known to many cultures as the point where Souls enter the Milky Way Galaxy to incarnate on earth. It has been called THE SILVER GATE.
 
And when we look toward the center of our Galaxy (the huge black hole that spins our world into existence) we see many stars. We call this The Milky Way. And, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, when we look in the other direction, toward the EDGE of our Galaxy, we are looking out into deep space, the great unknown, there are very few stars here; it is a place where energies profoundly beyond the grasp of human egoic consciousness spring forth.
 
The Summer Solstice, then, is that time when we can download information 'from a galaxy far, far away'. This place, the Galactic Edge - when we align with it - is the source of new ideas for changing the game on earth. The Summer Solstice Sun pauses here to open a door to this expanded consciousness.
 
From Barbara Hand Clow: "If you can take a moment at the Solstice, close your eyes and face the sun, and tune into the geometric patterns the sunlight creates on your closed eyelids as you tune into these opposing spiraling energies in our solar system. Your role as grateful creative interpreter for the Sun's communication to Earth will be activated. It's a new re-patterning of our collective "earth mind" that the Sun is setting up by your conscious participation. And for those who cannot be in a place to view the sun directly, momentarily close your eyelids as well and perhaps you'll receive the beamed transmission passing through from those that are facing the sun, giving birth to a new membrane of conscious alignment. http://www.handclow2012.com/astroflash.htm
 
The Solstice Doorway of Light will stand open for 3 days - the day before, the day of, and the day after - so it's good to do your ceremony, meditation, etc at any time during that window of time.

 

Please also note that on June 19th the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers held a Summer Solstice Virtual Council with global outreach. Please check the website for information on listening to a recording of the call (http://www.theshiftcouncil.com/)

 

If you haven't heard of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers you can go to their website for more information http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/. The Grandmothers came together from all over the world in fulfillment of a Prophecy that such a council would form during a time of great stress for humanity and earth. Their presence as a healing force on this planet at this critical juncture is a sign of peace and hope, a rainbow, a dove from the Divine. They bring tidings of comfort and joy. This is a beautiful way to bask in the sun, with the wisdom of the elders flowing around you

 

 

 

On Saturday July 26, 2010 we will have a Full Moon Partial Lunar Eclipse, which will occur at 5 degrees of Capricorn/Cancer at 7:30am EDT. (I think it's interesting that this is the exact same time of the Summer Solstice five days prior.) The Sun will only partially cover the moon.

 

Astronomically, this eclipse will be most visible in the Hawaiian Islands, western Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and eastern portions of Malaysia and Asia. These locations will see the upper half of the moon darkened by the earth's shadow. Those in the western halves of North and South America will see the eclipse before moonset as dawn approaches on the 26th. Those in Australia and eastern Asia will see it in the evening after moonrise. 

 

Across parts of the central and eastern Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic states, the eclipse may become evident as the lighter penumbral shadow casts a 'smudge' on the Moon's left edge just before moonset. - Fred Espanek

 

Astrologically, this eclipse falls across the Cancer/Capricorn axis (these two signs are across from each other on the astrological mandala). Insecurity may plague us more than usual. We may crave a return to simpler times, but that just isn't going to happen. We've passed several major 'points of no return' over the past year and are now navigating through waters that are quite uncomfortable. Adjustment will take time. Meanwhile, fears rear their heads.  

The doorway to this eclipse is darkened. This eclipse is almost exactly conjunct the semi-planet Pluto, which holds the energy of letting go, endings, dealing with the dark side of our nature. This energy will carry through the summer, adding a tension, a desire to go deep.

 

 

This is a 54% Lunar Eclipse, slightly more than half of the moon will be eclipsed. I like the odds of that. Maybe a Tipping Point in more ways than the Tipping Point of the Solstice? A wee bit more than 50% might be just what we need.

 

And yet, only a smudge will be seen over the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic U.S. - not far from the scene of a recent environmental crime. Only a smudge of progress will be seen by the naked eye.  

 

This eclipse - in combination with the pouring sunlight of the Solstice - opens a portal into a realm ripe with transformation. As we enter this eclipse threshold and cross into the Summer of Change, think back to last July when we had a Total Solar Eclipse in Cancer. Themes may recurr. Check to see if you have made any progress. Even if you haven't, take note of the sensitive spots and offer yourself some TLC. That is the best remedy for both insecurity and fear. Seek comfort in beloveds as well.

 

In keeping with the Solstice, the Sun is a mother who provides all food, all energy, all Life for this planet. She shines inside you as well.

 

 
This Lunar Eclipse is the 'partner' of a Total Solar Eclipse which will occur on July 11, 2010 - two weeks later. (Eclipses always occur in pairs.) As you may know, Total eclipses are much more potent in their psycho-spiritual effects than partial eclipses. 

 

The upcoming TSE in July will sweep across the South Pacific, with hardly any of its path falling onto land. I.e. it is an OCEAN eclipse. The Moon's shadow will be upon the waters for 2½ hours. That is an incredibly long duration of totality. The ocean is receiving a searing glance as the Sun and Moon come together and the Great Light is put out, casting a shadow on the waters. More on this eclipse to come.

 

 

 

The energies of this summer are a perfect breeding ground for growth, change, new beginnings and radical aliveness. My previous newsletter described some wild energies shifting into place this summer (Uranus and Jupiter conjunct at the Aries point) Click here to refresh your memory on the sizzling: http://conta.cc/d2VbWV  

 

This wildness, combined with eclipses (one of them Total), and a Crucible ... Well, this is a really good time to have a consult. It helps to know how the sizzling points are 'hitting' your chart and how to ease into the energies while also using them to make spectacular new beginnings - and how not to burn out on them.

 

The current special is still in effect. This is the best price I've ever offered and it will be changing, but I am going to keep it available for you this summer.