For ancient astrologers there is rich symbolism in the Sun’s yearly journey. Oriented to the Northern Hemisphere, the beginning of each of the four seasons were understood as four “turning points”, each marking a change in life focus. The two solstice points reflect the Sun’s directional change as it rides higher (spring) or lower (autumn) in the sky.
The Sun’s directional change is also key to ancient divinatory symbolism. The symbolic storyline shows the Sun rising from the beginning of Spring, reaching toward the Pole Star. According to Nasa: “Polaris, known as the North Star, sits more or less directly above Earth’s north pole along our planet’s rotational axis”.
To the ancients, the Pole or North Star was seen as a power greater than the Sun – a fixed ideal or guiding light. Moving out of darkness into light is historically celebrated as victory. As the days lengthen and the Sun moves the closest possible to the Pole Star, there is an opportunity for each of us to stand back and reflect on the first half of the cycle. What themes began around the Winter Solstice time? What victories, lessons, accomplishments, failures and developments are maturing? How can they be integrated into changes, transitions or wisdom as the light within the coming waning cycle?
The word “solstice” is a combination of the Latin word sol (Sun) and sister (to stand still). The Sun literally appears to pause for about three days once it is as close to the Pole Star as possible. The time of the Summer Solstice is reflective of a porthole of renewal through rebirth. Take some time, even if things have been difficult, to rest a moment at this summit. Pause long enough to celebrate how far you have come.