Shine the Light, Live the Light, Be the Light

Androngitra, Madagascar

Happy Solstice Star Seeds,

In the Northern hemisphere, June 21st heralds the longest day of the year. We can harness the potent energy of the moment to align with our internal fires and bring forth the gifts of our own brilliance and radiance into the world. What fuels your energy? Muse over what needs illumination. Where can we shine brighter? Where do we need more energy and vitality and what actions are we willing to commit to in order to bring these gifts to the foreground? Simultaneously, we welcome the sign of moon-governed Cancer, who holds the energies of nurturance, the realm of feeling, intuition, the mother, the ebbs and flows of the ocean and our moon cycles.

Can we unite these Sun and Moon energies in our lives and not be afraid to shine and remember to nurture ourselves, take care of our inner child and pay attention to our natural rhythms? Know when to stop and rest and know when the energy is ripe for action, and follow through. Cancer rules the chest. Take deep breaths, invite long and deep inhales and exhales which can fill you with life force and curb anxiety. Repattern your breath and allow the natural rhythms to calm the sympathetic nervous system and transform the fight or flight response. Release what is holding you back from full creative expression that is heartfelt and meaningful to you. Are there ways that you scuttle sideways in avoidance or stay safe in your shell like the Cancerian symbol of the crab? Or are there places you feel too exposed? Can you love and bring nourishment to all of your parts? Honor the Cancerian time of the year by honing your intuition and listening to your emotional body. Where do you need to open up to giving and receiving? I consider these two qualities the yin and yang of the Cancer symbol which keeps us balanced and in reciprocity with others and nature.

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Recently I  returned from a transformative trip to Madagascar and was touched by learning about the myriad of medicinal plants that our guides had extensive knowledge about, and had personally used for healing. The Malagasy people are made up of 18 distinct tribes throughout the country, each with its own customs, marriage rituals, manners of dress, and housing structures. The unique homes are constructed with the entryway facing West so that they can take advantage of the most sunlight the day has to offer, providing light and warmth in places where there is no electricity and people’s livelihoods and survival depend on connection with the seasons. The abundance of love and joy that emanated from everyone we met was contagious,  and not at all related to how much monetary wealth they had, nor their age or gender. In fact it seemed to me that the most poverty stricken villages had the happiest people I have ever encountered. They were rich in community. 

Another aspect that I found striking was how as an animist people, who perceive the aliveness in all things, they have not lost the essence of connection to the natural world. One guide who was particularly knowledgeable about the Medicine/ Magic Man/Woman, or the village Shaman, spoke about the destruction of the rainforest and deforestation. He said “the forest Spirits are leaving. This means the Magic Man is also losing powers because his power depends on the health of the rainforest.” Word. We need to collectively wake up and understand that we are part of the natural world. A world not in balance reflects our own imbalances and vise versa. We can help heal the environment, the Earth and her ecosystems by healing our own spirits and balancing our own elemental nature. The mind has taken presedence over the heart for far too long. The ego has ruled our world and caused us tremendous disconnection from Source. As above so below. As within, so without. 

​This solstice make an offering to nature, thank the Earth for her nurturing and support, and joyfully allow yourself to receive her blessings. We are not separate. We have just forgotten, and we can remember. 

May the longtime sun shine upon you,
All love surround you,
And the pure light within you,
Guide your way on...
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​With infinite love and gratitude, Claudia