Rituals for Solstice & Equinox

– W.H.Auden

The four great quadrants of the year, announce seasonal beginnings.  The timing is set for the Sun’s arrives at 00 Cardinal degree of Aires for spring, Cancer for summer, Libra for fall, and Capricorn for winter.  This makes the dates vary a little from year to year.

The ancients believed these times to be sacred, filled with mystery and magic, and took a time-out to celebrate and honor the earth through ritual and prayer.  Because the veil is thin at these turning points, they are power -points in which to center ourselves, release the old, and turn toward the new.  It is more important now than ever to consciously bless the earth, and gather the community in ritual, even if it’s a Zoom tribe. Despite this ‘viral time’, find ways and means to create a sacred ritual to nourish you, those you love, and the earth. 

I have been doing Solstice and Equinox ritual for years, and offer a few ideas to support you in creating your own.  Whether you do something alone, or can celebrate with a small group, the most important idea is to release old energy and invite incoming possibility.  Here is an ancient and oft used structure to do so.

“May all that is unforgiven in you, be released. May your fears yield their deepest tranquilities. May all that is unlived in your blossom into a future graced with love.”

– John O’Donohue

The Seven Day Cycle of Solstice

1^ST Day: Releasing Old Patterns
2^nd Day:  Releasing Old Emotions
3^rd Day: Releasing Old Problems
Day of Solstice/Equinox: New Energy, Ideas, Directions for current or new projects
5^th Day: State or re-state Personal and Global Dreams
6^th Day: Dreams and Expectations for the next 3 months
7^th Day: On-going processes of Self-Realization

During the first phase write out 2-3 items to release for each day and tear up the papers upon completion of the intention process.

Write out 2-4 items for the manifestation of the Solstice and for each of the following three days. 

Meditate on what you Desire to Manifest.  Keep these papers in a sacred place for the next 3 months until the cycle begins again

THE GREAT INVOCATION

FROM THE POINT OF LIGHT WITHIN THE MIND OF GOD,
LET LIGHT STREAM FORTH INTO THE MINDS OF ALL.
LET LIGHT DESCEND ON EARTH.
FROM THE POINT OF LOVE WITHIN THE HEART OF GOD
LET LOVE STREAM FORTH INTO THE HEARTS OF ALL
MAY GOD RETURN TO EARTH.
FROM THE CENTER WHERE THE WILL OF GOD IS KNOWN
LET PURPOSE GUIDE THE LITTLE WILLS OF ALL
THE PURPOSE WHICH THE MASTERS KNOW AND SERVE.
FROM THE CENTER WHICH WE CALL THE RACE OF MANKIND
LET THE PLAN OF LOVE AND LIGHT WORK OUT.
AND MAY IT SEAL THE DOOR WHEN EVIL DWELLS.
LET LIGHT AND LOVE AND POWER RESTORE THE PLAN ON EARTH.

When doing ritual, it is important to create and bless the space before beginning.  This includes your body for inner ritual, as well as holding sacred space for those who wish to join.  Consider walking the perimeter of your space, as you chant, or in silence, consider carrying a candle to light the path.  Ask yourself, what you need to empower seeds of change. Call forth the divine teacher within.   

Once aligned with your soul teacher, ask the gift of each direction, either through Surya Namaskar/Sun Salutations, or simply standing and turning to each direction as you recite aloud.

Ideas for creating your own ritual

Mantra: om mani padme hum

This mantra is seen as a condensed form of all Buddhist teachings.  The six syllables, om mani padme hum, are the practice of a path, seen as an indivisible union of method and wisdom.  Chanting ‘the Great Mani’ transforms impurities of body, speech, and mind into the exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.  As you chant, feel its vibration connect you to your highest good, the greatest compassion, the fullest Soul-Self

The first word Aum/Om is a sacred syllable found throughout Indian religions. It’s vibration connects us to Source.   The word Mani means “jewel” or “bead”, Padme –the lotus flower. (The Buddhist sacred flower), Hum represents the spirit’s enlightenment.   It is the Bodhisatva of compassion

Light Circle

Begin seated in a circle, with arms open to side, palm up on the left hand, down on the right.  With palms connected, pass a light field of energy in a left to right circle.  Put all spirits who are in need of healing and wisdom into the circle.  Let the light pass through you, accepting what you need and offering what you have.  Feel into the generosity of light as it removes every obstacle and honors ever effort.

A Prayer

As we have done for thousands of years, we call the Ancients forward, we embody the higher self, and invite Angelic Devas to heed our visions and hear our dreams. We honor the ancients, offering reverence; we bow in gratitude to the earth, and her generous gifts.

Welcome to one of the great moments of earthly magic.  A time when the evil is thin and dreams grow real, when intentions have greater power to move us forward.

We have surrendered old problems, unburdened the body of unwanted habits, and offered old hurts for healing, Today, we set out on the new path.  This moment supports our hopes, not only for self, but for the world, and mother-earth.  Let us stand as warriors, not only in compassion, wisdom, and joy but in defense of earth’s bounty; to be a light-worker for her very survival. Magic is required. Mystery is here. 

A Navaho Blessing

I ask all blessings, 
I ask them with reverence of my mother the earth,
Of the sky, Moon, and Sun, my father.
I am old age: the essence of life.
I am the source of all happiness.
All is peaceful, all in beauty.
All in harmony, all in joy.

A Sanskrit Blessing  

A CHANT FOR PEACE, “SHANTI” in answer and response, from one side of the circle to the other

A Wiccan Blessing:  

As the sun spirals its long & exquisite dance let us all say “Bless us.” As nature shows bounty & fertility, let us say “Thank you.”  Let all things live with loving intent, and let all fulfill their true destiny. “So be it. So ay we al