Summer Solstice Blessings 
 

We are now at the mid-point of the (Gregorian calendar) year, meeting the longest day and the shortest night. This can be a time to reflect back on the first half of the year, as well as looking forward to the second.

For me this reflection point brings up such a mix of feelings looking backwards. On a personal level there has been immense joy and challenge, and on a collective level there is so much grief and rage, as well as some hope and pride in the ways that communities have come together and fought back. 

Looking forward, I have mentioned my feeling that there is so much importance in community, solidarity and also in making space for the grief of all that is happening. I have written a blessing inspired by the Summer Solstice this year. 
 

This Summer Solstice may you find clarity in the lightest day
May you see the ways you have grown and are growing 
May you see the ways in which our lives are interwoven
May you see the ways in which we can connect and fight for a better world
May you allow yourself to feel the grief and love of the world
May you keep your heart open and soft
May you feel the ways in which you are loved and you are needed 

If you want to connect to mark Summer Solstice this year, there are currently three spaces still available for our online Celtic Wheel event. 
 

Is to take a moment to pause at this mid-point. To allow yourself to look back and look forward. Below are some prompts for you to use for reflection/ journaling / in whatever way if they resonate with you.

🌻 The season that has been - Reflecting on your year so far. 

A moment of joy/nourishment this season was...
I offer myself compassion for...
This season taught/ showed me...

🌻 The season that is to come - Looking ahead to the rest of the year

My hopes for the season to come are...
Looking forward I feel a sense of…
I am entering this season with the intention...

I will be sharing my own reflections on these prompts in the next Podcast episode that will be coming out later this month, where you can also share your own reflections too. You can catch up on previous episodes here!

 

We attended a Palestine rally at the beginning of this month. As per usual life was more complicated trying to leave the house with a little one, but we made it there (if a bit late) and it was great to be in community and to see others feeling deeply the outrage and grief that we are feeling. 

Our little one turned 9 months (do you turn months? or is that just years?) and I shared some reflections on this on instagram as I found myself walking a path that I had walked to the hospital for my antenatal appointments for many months before.

*****
Image ID: Image on left shows a large but spaced out gathering of people on a green in front of the large Bristol Council Building. In the crowd people are sat in groups and there are lots of large Palestinian flags in the air.
Image on the Right shows a pram with the top down covering the babies head is in front of a tarmac path that follows along a fence on one side and greenery on the other. The greenery arched over the top of the path to create a green archway over the path.

 

🌱 It's an honour to journey together as we cross from season to season 🌱