Solstice

Last reading of the Year. Solstice is Here! And Gifts!

Happy Magickal, Mystical, Marvellous, Magnificent, Majestic, Merry, Manic, Manifesting Monday!

Hello delicious lovely! How are you? I am sooooo looking forward to Solstice and I have three Solstice gifts for you! (Which you will discover as you read.)

I want to wish you an amazing holiday season – however you celebrate, and to say thank you. Thank you for being here, thank you for all your lovely emails and messages. Thank you for being you and sharing with me.

Solstice arrives on Thursday the 21st and I am thrilled, as not only is it Solstice, it’s my youngest’s birthday!

But what does the energy of Solstice bring to you?

At the Winter Solstice, when the world appears to stand still, it can serve as a moment out of time, an opportunity to reconnect with our own souls once again.

There’s a very special stillness about the season we are entering. Even though everything appears dead & frozen in the outside world, a new cycle is beginning. You can sense there is magic brewing deep down in the dark.

Winter is like being in the chrysalis stage in the evolution of the butterfly. It’s the time when the caterpillar is wrapped up quietly, in the dark of her cocoon. To the outside world it doesn’t look like anything is happening. (And this is one of the most challenging things about embracing rest: to the outside world it doesn’t look like anything is happening. Our brains scream at us, telling us “you’re not doing anything. You’re wasting your time.”)

But actually, deep in the dark, a quiet transformation is happening: the caterpillar is evolving into a magnificent butterfly.

This is the same transformation your spirit, and all of nature, is undergoing this season. To the outside world life is still & quiet, there’s no movement. You don’t see anything meaningful happening.

But in the darkness, hidden deep inside, a powerful transformation is occurring. You are evolving into a whole new place in your life.

It’s a time of dreaming.

Dreaming up the dreams of everything that will grow in your life this year.

Dreaming up new plans, new ideas, new ways of being that will blossom & grow, and become bountiful harvests in the year ahead.

The dreams of everything to come this year are being sparked in your winter’s rest.

Winter is the season when things are revealed by turning deep within yourself.

Embracing the quiet & the darkness – recognizing that you don’t need to do anything for the magic to unfold.

This is the season of receiving.

Are you willing to receive?

The first gift I have for you is the delightful story of the Yuletide Faeries, a wonderful story to read as an adult, share with children or grandchildren.

The second gift I have for you is a 20 minute guided visualisation called Winter Solstice – Heart Weaving. This lovely guided visualisation walks you into the warm dark, and you are going to meet some amazing guides and allies. Come dance with archetypes, myth, healing and shamanic transformation. And weave something new.

The third gift I have for you is the lovely process of The Omen Days!

And for those who have asked how long “Opening the Doors on 2024 Reading” will be available, it will be available until December 26th, as will The Book of Winter Solstice.

Let’s crack on with the reading. When I went to the cards and asked who wanted to share this week I thought to myself – perfect! These glorious guides have only come out once in public, so this is quite delicious, and I love how they decided there were going to be 4 to choose from!

So my darling one, just settle. Breathe in the stillness and allow your heart to open and expand and be willing to receive. Then when you are ready, pick the card or cards that tug on your soul strings.

Did you remember to pick?

Shall we go look?

SISTERHOOD OF RECIPROCITY

Tend to your partnerships.

This could be a time to review or negotiate business, renew romance or friendship, or nurture the very partnership you have with your own soul.

Much of our world suffers from a lack of understanding what our ancestors knew so well: all life is dependent on the generosity of our planet. There is no thriving without her good graces for food, water, shelter and beauty, and we’d do well to remember it with reciprocity.

Is it time to share? Celebrate her bounty? Give back to her resources? To your relationships or communities?

Long ago we honoured the lack of resources in the winter season with hopeful light-giving ceremonies. We celebrated the harvest with offerings and gratitude. We marked each season, each birth, death and love affair by honouring our Earth Mother as benefactress.

Carry this practice forward, know that all parts of your life are interdependent with the elements, creatures and plants of the earth, the same way that your healthy psyche relies on all parts working together.

Balance your genius with your shadow. Reconcile love with fear. Strike a balance between logic and emotion.

All parts of your life that you are proud of must dance with those monstrous parts you fear in order to experience a bountiful, creative life.

Take stock of where you are entwined in a healthy partnership, and where you are not.

This is a time for tending the dance of reciprocity.

W.I.T.C.H (Women in Total Control of Herself)

Control.

No woman alive today needs a dictionary to know what control means within a toxic patriarchy.

She’s experienced it a thousand different ways before she’s hit puberty.

It’s alive in the curves of her psyche, in the expanse of her hips, in the marrow of her bones.

It is domination and restraint.

But in a balanced psyche and in a blanched culture, control can mean something else entirely.

A W.I.T.C.H experiences control through cooperation rather than competition.

She’s engaged with all the parts of her psyche in an attempt to coordinate rather than dominate.

You are being asked, right now, to embrace all the inhabitants of your inner realm, because each deserves respect and a place at the table. Even the unruly, the inconvenient, the ugly.

Making a space for all under the banner of wild inclusion and giving voice to the shame, malice and anger, as well as every other outlawed part of the psyche, is the way we create integrity, ensuring that no part of our inner realm is involved with factions, divisions, or rebellions.

When your intent is to create rather than compete, you don’t have to dominate. Your influence is enough.

This is power-with rather than power-over.

Invite whatever is bothering you today into the realm of inclusion and assert your authority.

THE TRAIL BLAZER

This is a pioneering moment.

In order to chart where you’re going and empower the path making, you must know your place.

Only when you know your deservedness and embody your inherent value can you move with the confidence and radiance required to create your own path.

It’s time to shift your allegiance from pleasing to pleasure, from subservient to subversive, though the very act of claiming your inner knowing as the highest authority.

You will then be willing to abandon everyone else’s expectation and approval before you will abandon yourself.

Stop fearing your path and start blazing it, loyal to the visions in your head and the longing of your heart. Trust your intuition to guide you to the next right thing for you, even when you can’t see the entire path or explain it to a mind of logic.

Stop looking for the footprints of those who have gone before you.

Don’t settle for how it’s been for others.

Blaze your own trail.

SIREN OF SURRENDER

This is a time to let go.

Although underappreciated, there is power in surrender.

A wise sage once advised, “What we resist persists.”

While you may not yet see a new way to go, the old way is closed. Stop banging your head and hands on the door that refuses to open. If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door.

This is a moment to acknowledge what isn’t working, and what alternatives are not yet clear, and surrender to that wide open field of unknowing.

Understand that there will be times when further action is wasted.

Exerting more effort is futile, as it’s only bringing frustration and discouragement.

Know that while society would encourage you to keep pushing, applauding you as you battle and bruise your way through this path, this is a patriarchal paradigm whose time has ended.

Instead, embrace the flow, trust when it leads you to a dead end that there is another way, and it will open when it’s ready.

The days of white-knuckle resilience are over.

Everything is happening for you, not to you, so let go of your original expectation and let yourself experience the generosity of flow.

Ahhh, my heart is filled with joy as I see the cards my guides picked. Wishing you an amazing holiday season. Please help yourself to the free gifts and pick an Opening the Doors on 2024. I am going to spend time being like a caterpillar in a cocoon and relax, rest, read and play. See you in January. Big hugs and big love. Thank you.

May you be blessed,

May you be happy,

May you be peaceful,

May you be healthy,

May you be safe,

May you awaken to the light of your true nature.

Summer Solstice – Ignite Your Inner Flame – Your Internal Sun!

Jenny Heston · 3:33 pm ·

Happy Magickal, Manifesting, Merry, Magnificent Monday!

Solstice is here in 2 days!!!! And for all of those who have asked – YES! There are a few spots open for the Solstice Reading Special (which ends on June 22nd), and YES! The Solstice guides will be available until June 23rd.

We have literally just had the Gemini New Moon -with Gemini ruling over communication, the New Moon in this sign emphasizes the importance of effective self-expression.

So with all that swirling around – Let me ask – how are you feeling?

Right now the Sun is at the height of its power. And so are you.

This month, with the sun at its height–its peak–your own corresponding, internal flame has the potential to also reach its peak.

Your own inner flame–your internal sun–represents your confidence, you drive, your ability to create & take action in the outer world. All these things are being affected by the outer sun; and all these things have the potential to reach new heights this month. (Melded with your ability to express yourself and communicate.)

Think about it, in our Northern Hemisphere Summer Solstice is the longest day and the start of the heat of the summer. The Sun, seen from an esoteric level, is all about love and wisdom. It’s the primary ray of energy from which everything else is created.

It’s the Heart of creation.

This energy invites you to lead from your heart, find your voice, to guide, to shine and share your heart, words, work and all sorts. (Are you ready?) If you need some ideas on how to be like the sun on Solstice, I have 5 of them for you.

At the summer solstice, a doorway in time opens, which our ancestors viewed as sacred and holy.

Litha (Summer Solstice) is a grand portal of energy, space, and opportunity – a chance to let go of fears, doubts, and insecurities, a chance to dance with the Fae. After the Sun reaches its maximum power, it begins to decline. Slowly, the night force will grow stronger until its peak at the winter solstice.

Litha is the last chance in our calendar year to activate sacred intentions before moving into autumn and winter, the natural seasons of harvest and rest.

It’s a time to step out in faith and imagine what’s entirely possible for yourself.

Dream an expansive vision for your life that will sustain you as the darkness slowly returns with the Fall.

If you want to really tap into this potent energy, grab SASS (Stupendously Awesome Summer Solstice guide).

OKay enough chuntering, let’s crack on with the reading. When I went to ask which guides wanted to share Solstice with you, these glorious ones came to play, which made me grin. Now, if these are new to you – please let me introduce them.

These glorious guides give you needed glimpses into your everyday life and help you see where changes can be made to enhance your life here on Earth. There is so much more to our world than we often perceive.

There exist many dimensions and numerous beings that reside in these realms. All of these elemental beings are interconnected with us. We do not live independent of one another but are interdependent. These wonderful beings are here to help.

They not only take care of the Earth, but they work hard to take care of us. We are familiar with many of these beings, such as angels, faeries, and elves. There are many more we are not conscious of, but they, nevertheless, contribute to the workings of our planet. Remember as you go through your day, to ask for help from the elemental world whenever you need it. The need is never too small to call on their help. It is through helping us that they advance in their spiritual development. We are their work. We in turn can spiritually evolve through allowing them to help us. To all these amazing beings we say Thank You.

Perfect!

Okay glorious one, take a breath. Breathe in long and deep and just any shit go. Breathe into the energy of the sun, the fiery, rich energy. See the light of the sun filling you from the tips of your toes to the ends of your hair. Allow it to warm you, fill you, nourish you and help you find your voice and passion.

If you need a wee bit more support, I have a lovely guided visualisation where we go for a wee meander and play.

Then when you are ready, pick the card or cards that ignite your inner flame.

Did you remember to pick?

Let’s go have a look shall we?

ACORNS INVITATION

You are being invited to touch the world, to enter into a somatic relationship with the world around and within you. To experience the vitality of the life force that exists in everything, including you, and including your body, with which you may have a conflicted relationship.

The faeries know that your body is a beautiful sacred expression of the spirit and an essential part of the self.

They teach that when we reach out and touch, not only do we connect with another, but we are touched in return. Thus through the act of physical communion we are touched, held and nurtured.

It cannot be otherwise.

The impact of touch is so underestimated, but this faery man reminds you that without touch, you can become sad, depressed, unwell and your immune system weakens.

While you are alive in your current form, this faery wants you to know that you must touch and be touched to be whole. Physicality is your friend.

Hug, hold hands, rub a back, get or give a massage, rub feet and connect.

Allow a butterfly to alight on your finger. Pat a dog. Stroke a cat. Look into someone’s eyes while you sit with knees touching. For this touching is healing, and touch has the ability to uplift us, comfort us, soothe us, cure us, and make us vibrate with bliss.

THE SECRET PATH

Faeries love country paths and wooded ways that twist and bend and take shape, but that are mysterious and very bright and dark, spooky and sweet all at the same time.

Likewise, your own path must have both light and shade, and it is never straight!

Faeries walk their paths to revive the land, and they take rests at special trees and wells, as do you, in your own way, create magick when you are true to your path.

You are being drawn down a path that has the potential to lead you to a rich source of wisdom – one danced and sang and dreamt down by these faeries you now see. These faeries would have been spoken of in the old ways as “trooping” but here we would say they are following their path: swiftly, joyfully, singing and dancing their way to a destination that will be full of riches and joy, profound learnings and deep initiations.

You are being beckoned again to rejoin your path, and perhaps your first steps will be to wander a little, to travel, and see where the lines of magick within the earth herself take you.

Paint your body with a little of the earth, and let the earth on you sing to the earth beneath your feet, and soon the song will be alive in your blood again.

You are also reminded by the faeries that you can walk your path, be dragged along your path, meander from your path, slow down on your path or dance and be joyful on your path.

How you walk it is empowered by your unique self’s intent, and as you already know, intent is the heart of many a matter.

Take steps again to be on your path.

Reconnect with the song of the land that sings in your blood, and you too, like these beautiful beings, will be called home.

STAR DUST

This beautiful faery seems somewhat unsettled. She is listening, waiting, reaching out to the galactic web to try and put together pieces of the information she is receiving.

For she has experienced a premonition, but as these things go for us all, we are never entirely certain of what will happen, and when. Only that something will happen, and soon.

And so she reaches out to what we humans have called the heavens. She looks to the cycles beyond those of this earth and wonders if we are all in the process of major change, a change so profound we have not yet found the words to describe it.

She understands that the premonition she has is about cycles that reflect those on each, but she is unsure what to make of what she is feeling and sensing.

So she looks to the night skies, at a time when there is peace, stillness, and quiet, and gazes up above at the lifeforms and planets and the stars and their galaxies, and knows she has lived beyond this dimension, and that what might be reaching her is significant far beyond her life, magickal as it is.

As she gazes up, there are baby stars and dying stars. There is stardust, which is sent out by the dying stars, and breathed in by the nebulae and used to form their new star-selves.

This is a true premonition. It is not an empathic moment, where she feels the strange feelings and sensations of another. She has had a postcard from the future, and from a place far beyond her home. And so she waits and knows that while her premonition is as ephemeral as light as stardust, she knows too that it is powerful, and will create ripples throughout all time, and all places.

It’s time for you to return to source and rewrite the soul contract so that you can change and move into a new stage of life, a new incarnation.

In order to make sense of these feelings, you may need to be alone and in the dark, dancing with the night sky to work something out.

Seek connection in the night sky – when you can see other constellations and galaxies – and understand your own stardust self and origins.

Allow the clues and messages to come, don’t worry about the clarity right now.

Yummers! May you light your inner flame gorgeous one and use your voice, heart and soul to express your unique glorious self. May the sun remind you of how strong you are and have a glorious Solstice! Sunbeam kisses and big hugs.

Solstice, Celebration and Super Full Moon in Capricorn!

Jenny Heston · 11:00 pm ·

Happy Magnetic, Magickal, Miraculous, Marvellous, Manifesting Monday!

How are you? Did you manage to take time to celebrate the Solstice? Here in North America Solstice arrived on Sunday (so if you are in Europe it will be today – Monday!)

I will say my Solstice was amazing! Getting up at 4am to head to the ocean to watch the sun slowly rise up over the horizon and then bask the ocean in liquid gold. Gathering (and pilfering) flowers to make a delicious flower mandala to offer as a blessing to the portal that was created!

Yes, I did say Portal, lol. (You can’t make this shit up!)

In the fairy garden there is a delicious wee portal woven out of ivy. So the other day I was sitting looking at it and thought “Wouldn’t it be cool to have a life sized portal?” (That’s where my mind goes sometimes). So last weekend driftwood galore was gathered in the early hours from the beaches, then a circle was drawn on the lawn and the building began and wow! Wow!

She is stupendous!!! all the pieces of driftwood wended together to create a 6ft Portal that then got set into the bank at the back of the garden where I have carved a trail through the brush up to an amazing little rocky park.

I wove ivy around her (keeping the roots in the ground) and then put tiny fairy lights onto her, and built an incredible rock stairway for her approach. The thing that is amazing is she looks like she grew there. I am chuffed to bits. I wanted her to be ready for Solstice, so a flower mandala was made on her threshold and then a cleansing and blessing spell was set with a very clear intention as to the energy she would hold. Last but not least 2 quartz points, a rose quartz and an amethyst were woven into her “horns”.

The perfect activity for Solstice followed by an outdoor Solstice gathering in the garden filled with great people, great food and ridonculous games (think water gun fights, light up frisbee and Yahtzee!)

The perfect way to mark such an intense Fire Celebration (and I will say I can certainly feel the Yang energy swirling).

Thank you to all the comments and feedback about the Book of Summer Solstice, I’m tickled to hear which rituals you are working with, how you liked the abundance spell and how so many of you have listened over and over to the guided visualisation. That makes my heart soar! And to answer your question – yes you can use this for the week following Solstice as well.

Oh yes, and with regards to the Summer Solstice Reading Special. Yes, I have 10 spots open and available from today until next Monday (June 28th)!

On the heels of the Solstice energy, Thursday we welcome the Super Full Moon in Capricorn.

As Forever shares: “There is a duality to the energies we feel on this June Full Moon. We may not know if we are coming or going or exactly what to feel, or how to progress. That is the nature of this Full Moon. It brings wildcard energy, stirring things until we are unable to see clearly ahead. It does not do this to annoy, but rather to get us to slow down and see things from a different vantage point.

When the dust finally settles and the room stops spinning, we can see where we have landed. We can also see what has been broken during our spin and what has stood the test of time.

Capricorn energy supports us in creating a life with a strong and solid foundation. Capricorn energy naturally nurtures things that are designed to stand the test of time, so we may find ourselves naturally drawn to focus on these aspects of our lives.”

Isn’t this great?

June has the energy of Shake Up, we have the Solstice energy of Lighting Our Inner Fire, and the Super Full Moon asks us to work with all of those and create a life with a strong and solid foundation! I so love how this all weaves together.

Okay, enough chuntering, let’s crack on with the reading. When I went to the guides and cards to ask who was willing to support and guide this week – there was no choice whatsoever. Isis Oracle were adamant and if you think about it – that’s no surprise.

Now if you don’t know these amazing guides, please let me introduce you. Have you ever asked who Isis is? Goddess of the Skies, Magick and Wisdom are just a few of the titles she is given. Let me take a moment to introduce you to this lovely deck – “You are a powerful Soul and you are awakening. Your thoughts, feelings and inner world is changing, and so too is your outer world. When a Soul is growing in power and strength, it can benefit from guidance to help make the path into a new way of being in the world that much easier. Isis offers Her wisdom and guidance to you to assist you at this time of spiritual growth and transition. She loves you, and wants you to shine and be your radiant self, filled with power and wisdom.”

Yes!!!!!!! “Shine and be your radiant self, filled with power and wisdom.”

Okay delicious lovely, let’s just settle for a moment shall we? Just breathe yourself back into your body, calling back any pieces that you have left lying around during the day or the week. Breathe long and deep and allow in your mind’s eye the energy of the sun to fill you, to pour liquid gold energy through you – soothing, nourishing and cleansing.

When you feel relaxed and ready, pick the card or cards that whisper to your wise self, your radiant self, your powerful self.

Did you remember to pick?

Come take a look.

DIVINE GUARDIAN

Protection of the Winged Mother

You are venturing through a time of significant spiritual growth and healing. There are many changes occurring internally and they will be reflected in your external world soon also. You are protected during these times by the love and strength of the Winged Mother, Lady Isis. You can relax and allow your transformation to happen. Let your Divine Guardian protect you now, as you learn to let go and trust in your own unfoldent for the greatest good.

Big spiritual growth can bring difficult challenges. Through such challenges, an Initiate can gain wisdom, power and awareness, and leave behind fears that once held them captive, free from past restrictions, free to live a life that is truly extraordinary and inspirational. Yet the challenges can feel deeply confronting. The Initiate may be tested to stay true to their own beliefs even if their loved ones do not understand or support them. Or they may be required to let go of what they have known to embrace something completely unfamiliar and this may be uncomfortable for them, and they may fear losing support, safety or friendship as they venture into a new life.

You have been receiving impressions and inner nudges that are from your higher guidance, which has been helping you with situations that are currently unfolding in your life and will continue to do so. You are, spiritually speaking, on the right track. Life does not have to be fixed or even clear at all times in order for you to be safe. Isis is with you. All is well.

DIVINE SISTERHOOD

Community of the Spiritual Sisters and Brothers of the Light

In community that is based in equality, respect, healthy boundaries and personal freedom, with a mutual desire for spiritual growth and honouring of innate wisdom, great miracles occur. You are part of this community of light. At one time it existed only in the spiritual worlds, yet now it is being born on the Earth. It is part of your destiny to help create and nurture a conscious community that empowers all of its members and is based in truth.

Letting the Divine Feminine nourish you now into new relationships, collaborations, community and friendships is very wise. There are many souls with whom you have spiritual contracts decided upon before you were born who wish to help you, and whom you can help too, as you grow together in peace and light and wisdom. Your light has value on its own of course but it is also of deep service when it is visible to others, lighting the way.

Mother Isis says that there is so much light awakening within our planet, and so much spiritual light gifted to Earth from celestial beings at this time, that it makes sense to build a large enough container to receive it. If you had enough electricity to power a city, you wouldn’t try to fit it in one house. Likewise, with all this spiritual electricity becoming available on the EArth, groups are needed to help it to circulate and flow.

If you accept all of this but still cannot find your spiritual home here, and have been wondering where your community is, you are not alone! They are looking for you too! Say ‘yes’ to opportunities to meet like-minded people and let Isis guide you through circumstances, opportunities and spontaneous moments as you and your beloved sisters and brothers find each other together for group benefit. If you have found that you have guidance to build community yourself, and are feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought, stay calm and stay in your heart.

SPIRIT OF ISIS

Triumph of the Goddess

Beloved Initiate, there are times to surrender and let go, but there are never times to give up! Persist with your bold faith and inspired action until the impossible happens. Isis has the spirit of triumph and will never fail in Her quest no matter how bold or impossible it seems. Believe.

It is helpful on the inner path to let go and detach over and over again and yet we need to stay true to our heart and not give up on what we feel we are here to do. Whether it is reaching for enlightenment, for inner peace, for a creative breakthrough or personal healing, the triumph of the Goddess is with you now urging you not to give up, no matter how far away or impossible success may seem to be. Don’t quit! Persist until the impossible happens!

You are being reminded that you can surrender, let go of attachment as to how everything will happen or what it will look like, even if it is frustrating to surrender the vision into the Divine Fires yet again, waiting until you feel it naturally coming together according to Divine Timing.

The Spirit of Isis is willing to wait until Divine Forces collide and the miracle occurs. Remember, beloved Initiate, that the forces of growth, love and divinity are in your corner. There is nothing more powerful than these. Allow them to have their way and you will have yours. Your win is assured.

Those are some deliciously powerful messages! How did the card you picked resonate for you? Have a stupendous week, delicious lovely. Allow the energy of the sun to ignite your inner fire, use the energy of the Super Full Moon to ground you and most of all have fun! (Life is so much better when we remember to play!) Don’t forget the Solstice reading special runs for a week and the Book of Summer Solstice is still available to you. Big hugs and squeezes and flowers galore!

Yule time is here and welcome to B.O.W.S!

Jenny Heston · 1:01 am ·

Has it occurred to you that this is the last Yule time (Northern Hemisphere) or Litha time (Southern Hemisphere) of this decade!! Wowzers! Let alone the fact that we are entering Eclipse time, but that’s for another day.

I love Winter Solstice and I can feel the energy of it for a few weeks before it even arrives. It’s dark far earlier, much colder outside and there is a desire to cocoon, wear warmer clothes and eat soup (at least for me). There is a sensation of reflection, going inwards and questioning that arrives naturally from this energy. To me this is a time where I notice those “meh” moments more and really examine my life and ask the question “Am I showing up and embodying what I am called to do?” That’s why, to me, I feel it vital to take some time out to honour this energy and work with it which in turn allows me to feel aligned. In fact I feel more balanced, connected and inspired after I have taken some time.

As a kid I used to be scared of the dark, I felt it held things that were terrifying and uncomfortable. As an adult I have learned that’s not true and have become willing to walk into the darkness and allow myself to get comfortably uncomfortable and dig deep, explore the mysteries and embrace all aspects of being human. Light and dark. You can’t have one without the other! Winter Solstice invites us with a safe open hand to step into the place of mystery, the warm comforting dark that wraps around us like a cosy blankie. Whispering in our ear – rest, be, embrace, release, create, imagine, grow ……….

So what is Winter Solstice and why celebrate it? Why take the time to honour it? The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. Winter Solstice takes place on the day where the night is the longest and the hours of sun or daylight are the shortest. In fact “Solstice” comes from two Latin words: sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still” because it appeared as though the sun and moon had stopped moving across the sky. This longest night of the year, followed by a renewal of the sun, demonstrates the cyclical order of the cosmos. In this way, celebrating the solstice can be a beautiful remembrance that our lives are part of a larger order, always changing, always renewing. It’s a gorgeous invitation to not be afraid of the dark or the shadow, as it is in that place is where we shift, grow and recharge.

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in various forms and for thousands of years across a myriad of cultures, all who are willing to step into the darkness and wait to welcome back the light. (And if you lived in medieval times that’s pretty ballsy!) So as I promised gorgeous one, my gift to you for this Yule time is B.O.W.S

I have been so thrilled to create this wonderful package, packed with information, rituals, intentions, magick and a glorious guided visualisation, just for you. You would have received the password for it in your email.

For my glorious ones in the South, I haven’t forgotten, let me introduce you to B.O.S.S. (Your Book of Summer Solstice). Again, packed with rituals, intentions, magick and a glorious guided visualisation.

Whether you are North or South wishing you a Blessed Solstice. So Be It.

Summer Solstice. How to Embody and Celebrate it!

Jenny Heston · 1:01 am ·

What is Summer Solstice you ask and why the heck should I give it any attention?

Mighty fine questions, so let’s go for a little explore. Solstice comes from the Latin words sol, meaning Sun and sistere, meaning to come to a stop or stand still. On the day of the June Solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. At that moment, its zenith does not move north or south as during most other days of the year, but it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again. The opposite happens during the December solstice. Then, the Sun reaches its southernmost position in the sky – Tropic of Capricorn – stands still, and then reverses its direction towards the north.

On a purely factual basis Summer Solstice (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) marks the longest day of the year and the shortest night, it’s the start of the lazy hazy days of summer. Kids are normally on summer break, families scramble to go on a holiday or camp, and a lot of time is spent soaking up the sun whilst hanging at the beach, playing in the water or hosting a summer bar-b-que. Summer Solstice both ushers in the warmest season and also a gentle reminder that the days are going to get a bit shorter. Even though the days feel longer, more languid and relaxed there is an underlying freneticism of getting outside, celebrating the sun as much as possible, as it will soon be gone.

This year Summer Solstice occurs on Friday June 21st.

Okay, so we have the facts, but what does it all mean? Summer Solstice (also known as Litha) is all about abundance, growth, expansion. It’s the celebration of the Sun! Think about it, the farmer plants the seeds in the cool of the Spring in the wet ground and as the Summer Solstice approaches things have sprouted and are reaching up as if they are doing a glorious sun salutation. It’s a time to watch the ripening and fruiting of the plants around us and our ideas.

This is a delicious inner fire/power celebration that acknowledges the abundance that grows from tiny seeds.

At Stonehenge, (which was built over 5,000 years ago) the heelstone marks the midsummer sunrise as seen from the centre of the stone circle. In ancient times, the Summer Solstice was a fire-festival of great importance when the burning of balefires ritually strengthened the sun. It was often marked with torchlight processions, by flaming tar barrels or by wheels bound with straw, which were set alight and rolled down steep hillsides. The Norse especially loved lengthy processions and would gather together their animals, families and lighted torches and parade through the countryside to the celebration site.

The use of fire, as well as providing magical aid to the sun, were also used to drive out evil and to bring fertility and prosperity to men, crops and herds. Blazing gorse or furze was carried around cattle to prevent disease and misfortune; while people would dance around the balefires or leap through the flames as a purifying or strengthening rite. The Celts would light balefires all over their lands from sunset the night before Midsummer until sunset the next day. Around these flames the festivities would take place.

In Cornwall up to the mid 18th century the number and appearance of fires seen from any given point was used as a form of divination and used to read the future. So as we can see, this celebration has been around for years upon years and has an intensity and a deliciousness about it.

So now we have facts, the meaning – how does one celebrate it? There is no right or wrong way by any stretch. However, here are a few simple ideas that aren’t overly complex.

Move your body. Welcome the sun on this longest day with a couple of sun salutations. This is a simple Yoga flow that requires you to be present and go as far as your body will allow you to go. If you are unclear as to what it looks like there are some great beginner versions on line and this will give you a glorious full body stretch (in a gentle way).

Make an altar. Pop some seashells, flowers, fruit and dried herbs on it and voila, you have created an altar. It doesn’t have to be big, or front and centre in your living room if that makes people around you uncomfie. Your altar could be those cool rocks you picked up over the last year all gorgeously stacked on your kitchen counter.

For more ideas, herbs, energy, rituals, guided visualisation and spells thus a deeper dive into Summer Solstice there is a glorious downloadable pdf for my most amazing community.

I call it your Summer Solstice B.O.S.S Enjoy!