“Several years ago while in Peru, I had the opportunity to attend the Winter Solstice celebration of Inti Raymi, or Festival of Sun in Quechua language . Every June, people here and in other Andean villages of Peru, Bolivia, Argentia and Ecuador, gather to honour Inty, the Sun God, giving recognition to the fact that the sun’s light and energy raised and sustains all things on earth. The people show gratitude for the natural bounty of the earth through a variety of colorful traditional rituals.
This year, on the opposite hemisphere, I celebrated the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge and Avebury in the UK. The word solstice derives from sol (Sun) + sistere (standing still). Every year between June 20 and 21, the Earth tilts is at its closest to the Sun, marking the first day of summer and the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere
Ancient civilizations recognized the importance of this moment. In Egypt, the solstice sun sets between two pyramids and forms a halo around the head of the Sphinx, thought to symbolize consciousness delivered by the higher Being. In Mayan cities of Guatemala, archeologists have found several buildings that align with the sun during Solstice. And in Stonehenge, as I was witness to, the sunrise aligns perfectly with a circle carved in stone, a site which has long been a destination for sun-worship rituals.
It is on this day where we experience the greatest presence of the sun- our true source of light and life. Thus, for many, the Summer Solstice is a signal and reminder to appreciate the fullness of life and all that comes with it.
“All living creatures and all plants derive their life from the sun. If it were not for the sun, there would be darkness and nothing would grow – the earth would be without life.”
In recent decades, we have become more and more distanced from nature and it’s life-giving benefits. Urbanization, the invention of the television and video games, and philosophies of human’s domination over nature are all part of the explanation. This disconnect is a cause for concern as many studies show that people who are more connected with nature are happier, feel more vital, and have more meaning in their lives.
Showing gratitude to the sun and all the natural bounty which it helps manifest is just one way we can begin to re-kindle the precious connection. So during this summer, I encourage you to begin a new practice, one of focusing on gratitude: for nature, for the sun, and for beauty bursting out everywhere.