Exactly 6 months ago, I made a candle by hand, melting the beeswax, infusing herbs, flowers and intentions to accompany me during my impending birth. I positioned that candle at the bindu- centre of my altar and saved it to ignite when labour kicked off.
Having a candle that carries us from one cycle to the next, is a favourite ritual of mine. Typically I’d start a new candle at the new year juncture and have that same candle lit on all the significant and simple moments through the year, a living representation of the concentration and continuation of my intentions for that cycle.
Karma Collab | Solstice bundle
The Surya + Soma dharma bangle duo, our signature gold and silver bangles, available this week only as a bundle. Use SOLSTICE at checkout > karmacollab.org
As it turns out, this ‘birth candle’ was lit on the Solstice eve when my waters released and has carried me through the big tears, the nurturing baths, the monthly milestones, balinese ceremony days and middle of the night feedings for the last half year cycle.
The auspiciousness of this Solstice feels big for me, it’s all about the rebirth of the sun-son, as we transition now from the darkest point of the cosmological year and return to the Light. And this year, more than ever, I feel a tangible connection to the global ancestors, all of whom had some mythology and sacred stories to celebrate this time, which would have been all the more pronounced, living in only natural Light. The sun, the moon and the fire.
So it’s at this half-birthday of my son-sun that I am grateful for nature’s reminder to pause, not to miss these moments. As we enter the second half of 2024, the Solstice my half birth-ing-day that I am taking great Solace in this powerful still-point, as I slough off my cocoon and remember what is true, the Light that I’m tending to each time I strike my match, the joy, passion, pleasure and peace that is my essence, our essence.
The invitation
You may like to pour or purchase a new candle for this ritual Solstice time, one to carry you and your intentions to the next Solstice at the end of the year. At any new cycle we are invited to reflect, but most powerfully so at the sacred junction of the peak of Light/Dark that we have now.
I’ve recorded a guided ritual to accompany you in your practice of ceremony with specific reflections for this extraordinary new cycle that will support us in moving into the rest of the year with the clarity and potency that is available at this moment.
Sacred items to gather
local flowers or seasonal fruit, or a beloved stone
fresh water + an empty vessel
your candle
incense/ sage/ frankincense (item to represent smoke/air element)
pen and paper
Prepare these items at your home alter, could be in your practice space or outside where you bask in the sun and full moon light.
Enjoy this recording at a time when you will no be interrupted sometime between 20th-22nd, when this Solstice energy is most prominent.
Share this post