Spiritual Solstice

The Summer Solstice is approaching, offering a time for our fire to burn bright and embracing the necessary occurrences that facilitate change. 

What is the Summer Solstice? Glad you asked! It takes place on June 20th, and is when the Earth's North Pole has its maximum axial tilt towards the Sun at 23.44 degrees. It makes the longest day of light and the shortest night of the year. This yearly event marks the beginning of the Summer season in the Northern Hemisphere and, along with the other Solstices and Equinoxes, is essential to the seasons that we experience. 

We learn about how the Moon Cycles impact us all the time. A New Moon is an ideal time to start something new, like a routine or ritual. The Full Moon brings the cycle full circle and is ideal for releasing and preparing to apply takeaways for the next lunar rhythm. Did you know the Solstice also grants us a period of inflection, growth, and change? Keep reading to better understand how and what you can do to maximize your power during the next few months. 

The Summer Solstice marks a unique time for our Auric and Energetic fields as well. We can receive the beginning of Summer as a time to ignite the fire within us. Chinese Medicine tells us that the element of fire represents the heart (Yin), the small intestine (Yang), tongue, and the bodily fluid, sweat. The heart controls blood flow and circulation, and physically manifests in the form of or face/eye color and medically (i.e overheating, exertion, exhaustion etc). The small intestine, a necessary aid in digestion and nutrient absorption meaning it governs purity in our bodies. Purity assists us in having clarity in our decision-making and ability to allow our intuition to guide us. 

Did you know the tongue is connected to multiple organs in the body? The heart is nicely placed at toward something the tip of the tongue. Which is almost romantic in a sense because have you ever had a sweet nothing you wanted to share that was on the tip of your tongue, but struggled to let it escape your lips? Could it be because you're shy or worried about rejection about something you are passionate about? Are you resisting speaking from the heart? The tongue is also an important organ of consideration for acupuncture diagnosis. It gives key insight to underlying diseases and the level of progression. 

And then there is sweat. I don't know about you, but I've had a complicated relationship with sweating. Mainly because it tends to appear during inopportune moments.. is it hot in here or is it just me? Whether or not it is me or the temperature, sweat is a helpful regulation system that we have to keep us balanced internally and externally. Sweat is crucial to our overall wellness and has the power to prevent illness and diseases, regulate homeostasis, and an important diagnostic of Chinese Medicine. And at Balanced Enlightment, we LOVE regulation! Speaking of, how does this information best benefit you during this Solstice of Fire?

Hopefully you are already in awareness of what energetic and chakra blockages are like. If not, these can appear as medical issues, stagnation between "blessings", loss of stability, mental/behavioral health issues, and any other cosmic interruptions or barriers that may arise. Elemental Medicine is no different. When you think of summer, what are some limitations that come to mind?

As a summer baby, I love this season. However, as a young mom, I experienced discomfort with my body, so bikini? A non-existent part of my summer wardrobe for almost two decades. It would make me dread pool season. Then as I've gotten older, I've been working during the summer rather than being at home with my kiddos, which sucks. I recall the feelings of guilt or shame being introduced into my body because I wasn't present or was causing them to have a limited childhood experience. The last obstacle of acceptance is the ingraining of Summer being a time for rest and relaxation versus structure and routine. Even as a college student, I've been conditioned for this season to be lighter on my schedule, work ethic, and workload. Phew! Have I been misaligned!

While Summer and the element of Fire present unique blockages to the body, psyche, and temperatures, it births a beautiful beginning of action, passion, fire, and drive. Presenting as both Masculine and Feminine, fire is able to ravage and destroy, as well as, illuminate, purify, and protect. It's duality is one that is rooted in temperance and intention, not hasty or unplanned decisions. Fire isn't an element to activate without preparedness and with purpose- similar to how intentional and strategic we are encouraged to be during this time. Okay, so how we do we tap into the Yin and Yang of Flame?

A safe place to begin is figuring whether your Fire is out of balance. How have you been feeling lately? Are you invigorated? Are you excited about life with things to look forward to? Have you been nurturing your health and wellness? If most of these are yes, you may be in a pretty balanced state; leaning into the Yin energy of a tamed and controlled flame. If you answered "no" to majority of those, it is likely your fire is out of balance. Here are some practical ways you can align the fire within you:

• Stay Hydrated- a popular knowing for this time of year, but really be intentional. Set water goals for yourself daily; not only water, but coconut water, watermelon, cucumbers, teas with herbs so that you re microdosing cure, popscicles, all that! Take advantage of the heat and enjoy in treats like ice cream, snowcones (I like mine with kool-aid fruits and tajin), and keep it diverse! Lemon juice in water goes a long way for our bodies wen it comes to hydration and digestion, table side lemonade anyone?
• Be Active and Safe- water sports, long days and nights at the park or nearby court are so enticing. As is sitting in front of a/c vents and fans. Heat related illness is a thing, so we must be vigilant in balancing activity and rest. Perspiration and hydration, and even with our intake of Vitamin D while protecting ourselves from the Sun's potentially harsh effects are relevant to be cognizant of. This is also a great time to practice heart opening poses in yoga. Those warm Summer Risings are ideal for an Sun Salutation in the yard. 
• Emotionally Regulate- Balanced Enlight'ment is about emotional and self-management so of course this is a recommendation. Why? Because an overactive fire is out of control, anxious, irritable, restless, over and/or underwhelmed, and so many other extremities. Regulate how you feel by limiting altering substances like alcohol, cigarettes and other tobacco products. 
• Purify Your Spaces- Deep clean. De-clutter. Replenish your wardrobe. Let your scalp breathe with a good wash and protective style. Consider what type of digestive cleanses are safe for you and do one of those. Honor your small intestine within and with out through refining your life in as many ways as you can. 

May this Summer Solstice greet you with passion, excitement, opportunity, and comfort. I am claiming you find new ways to truly balance your thoughts and how you feel. When you feel uncertain of how you are feeling, take time to examine yourself. Speak to your thoughts aloud so that you can truly discover if they resonate with you or even hold validity. When you don't know where to put those feelings, lean into interventions like Elemental Medicine, Chakra processes, Sound Healing Frequencies, physical movement like dance, hiking, walking, or yoga. You are so capable, able, and worthy of having yourself and your life under control. Now Claim it for yourself!!

Peace.

Resources
https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/what-are-the-five-elements#the-science
https://www.thaimassage.gr/blog/summer-the-season-of-the-fire-element/
https://balancecharleston.com/blog/2019/7/24/spirit-of-the-small-intestine-the-official-of-separation-transformation
https://bocaratonacupuncture.com/tongue-diagnosis
https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/sweat-what-it-means-from-a-traditional-chinese-medicine-perspective/
https://mendacupuncture.com/the-fire-element/