Soulstice Musings
Photo by Susan Izard
Dear Soul Friends,
Happy Summer Solstice! Or, as I like to call it, Soulstice!
The first day of summer is a perfect moment to pause and give thanks for the gift of life. The long, cold days of winter and the windy, rainy days of spring have passed, and the luscious gifts and blessings of summer have exploded around us. Clumps of purple catnip are now blooming in my new garden along with white and yellow Shasta daisies. As soon as I unpack my garden shears and a vase, I’ll begin to decorate my new home with summer glory.
To my delight, I already have found some mint tucked in behind an overgrown rose bush. Putting mint in flower arrangements has long been a passion of mine. The tall, straight stalks provide filler and support for floppy flower stems, and best of all, fresh mint makes delicious nighttime tea. For years, it has been a ritual of mine to pick some stalks and steep the leaves in boiling water. The aroma of fresh-brewed mint tea soothes my soul.
The other night as I sat sipping my tea and looking up into the night sky, I recalled the story my mother loved to share about her own summer evening ritual. When my mother was a child on the eve of World War II, she lived in an old farmhouse at the top of a hill on Staten Island. As the oldest, she chose for own the tiny bedroom on the third floor just big enough for a bed and bureau. A small hidden door opened to a widow’s walk, allowing her to step out into the magnificent expanse of New York Harbor beyond and below. Ocean liners and troop ships chugged back and forth, blasting in the distance as the lights of New York City welcomed the newcomers. At nighttime, when the harbor was quiet, she would step out and gaze in wonder at the stars. As she grew older, she would often recall this nighttime ritual and say, “The heavens always reminded me that I was never alone. They have been a source of comfort for my entire life.”
What are your summer memories or rituals that soothe your soul? Were there camping trips, hikes to a lake, bonfires on a beach or long talks with friends as you lay on the grass watching the clouds pass overhead? Take a few minutes today for soul time. Set aside your “to-do” list and wander a bit with your memories or on a path through a garden. Soak in the wonder and glory of the Soulstice. May this Celtic prayer bless you along your way.
Bless to us, O God,
The earth beneath our feet,
Bless to us, O God,
The path whereon we go,
Bless to us, O God,
The people whom we meet.
Peter W. Millar, based on an old prayer from the Outer Hebrides
Deep peace to you,
Susan
