Co-Creative Mentoring LLC Sheryl Harrell, MAA.B.S., EFT Cert.
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Happy Summer Solstice: Shining Light on Our Shadows

6/20/2020

 
There's a crack, a crack in everything--
that's how the light gets in.
                                                      Leonard Cohen

The Summer Solstice invites you to shine your brightest right

now. To stand your tallest. Everything in nature is stretching &

growing & preparing to bear fruit.  And so are you! How can you

use this incredible influx of energy? Where do you want to direct

this extra fire? How can you connect with this powerful time to

expand & co-create transformation in your life?  How can you

use this energy to bring more light to the world? This is a really

important, meaningful time. And the most important thing you

can do is to trust you're being guided. Trust in the forces that

encourage ALL living things to grow & blossom & bear fruit. The

natural forces that are pushing the plants in the garden to

produce their vegetables and flowers are pushing you, too –

encouraging you to blossom, directing you toward living your

purpose.


There are ancient beliefs that say the Summer Solstice opens

the portal between this world and the spiritual realm. Is that

true? Over the past few months, there have been times when

it's been hard to see an opening that lets the light in. We’ve

been on a roller coaster ride this year, and try as we might,

there have been times when it hasn’t all been fun, or peaceful,

or comforting.


With the Solstice opening the portal into the spiritual realm, we

can find our way back to balance, joy, gratitude, and yes, fun by

letting go and accepting what was, what is, and what will be.

The present moment is the only thing in our control, the only

thing that is certain. Surrendering isn't giving up; acceptance

isn't resignation. Being in the present is like laying in a field,

looking up at the blue summer sky and watching the clouds go

by. There's no resistance to the moment to moment

experience, there's no judgment about the clouds, there's only

observation, surrendering to what is, and accepting that

change happens. 


For the next few days, the cosmic "weather" will be electrifying!

So, what cosmic energies are at play now and how will they

create a shift? The day after the Solstice, June 21st, there will

be a strong solar eclipse--signifying change, PLUS the Cancer

New Moon--signifying new growth. Imagine for a moment that

with the Summer Solstice and these cosmic occurrences you

will actually find balance, joy, and new growth in your life.



Is this possible?


If so, what shifts are you likely to see, feel and experience in

your life?

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It has been an intense 6

months, individually and

collectively. We've faced a

global pandemic – and

everything that has come

up around that. We've lived

life in quarantine. We've

experienced the entire

world shutting down around

us.


Perhaps you've faced illness, the death of someone close to

you, job and/or housing insecurity.


We are continuing to live through uncertainty, and a time that

calls for deep surrender  to the present. When we surrender, we

are "relinquishing our demand that the present be something

other than it actually is. We are fostering a willingness to be

present with what is". Surrendering to the present entails

surrendering to our current limitations, both internal and

external. I'm not saying this is easy. It takes practice.
 

And, we're also living through the dismantling of structures,

systems, and the unconscious biases that perpetuate a culture

of racism.

 
This is a HUGELY transformative time! No one can predict what

the future will look like. We may be afraid of the unknown. We

may feel hopeful and excited about new possibilities--

possibilities we have yet to imagine.



Even though the Summer Solstice and all the energetic

upheaval we're experiencing tugs at us to take action, to be co-

creative, to go out and play--this is also a powerful time for

going inward and connecting with yourself at a deeper level.

Reflecting on the inner and outer changes brings you into closer

connection with your own vulnerabilities and enables you to

view things from multiple perspectives, helping you on your path

toward well-being, remembering your wholeness and living a

purposeful life. The more I look inside my own being, the more I

notice the many ways my outer world is reflected within me. All

the conflicts, pain, and suffering--the shadows--in the world

today exist within. This realization can be uncomfortable; it can

be empowering.



One key to moving forward with confidence and grace is

gathering the tools and the aid you need to get the most out of

your journey. What’s giving you guidance in THIS

moment?  I've noticed that each time I respond to a call in my

life, things start to happen — things that help me, things that

stand in my way, often a mix of both, show up.


In this article, Positive Psychology coach Homaira Kabir offers

three simple ways
to connect with the present moment--when

we're longing for the "good old days" when the world felt

"normal".



It's the longest day of the year. Right now the Sun is at the

height of its power. And so are you. The Summer Solstice is the

perfect time to shine your brightest .


We're only half way through the Great Round & it's already been

a full, intense, wild ride. The Summer Solstice is a powerful time

to PAUSE. 
 

Pause for a moment & acknowledge how you've already grown

& evolved this year. Pause for a moment & allow yourself to feel

proud of yourself.
 

Feel proud of all you've accomplished so far this year. Even if it

feels like all you've accomplished is simply surviving.
 

Surviving is absolutely worth celebrating!


I really encourage you to set some time aside this weekend &

touch in with this powerful seasonal time. (You'll find a

mediation/journaling exercise below.) The most important thing

you can do is to go outside. Breathe in the new energy of

Summer.Take a walk. Watch the clouds drift by. Play in your

garden or someone else's garden. Gardens are filled with hope,

healing, learning and inspiration. They are a place to connect

with the beauty of nature – all things we need now more than

ever.



This Co-Creative Mandala, "De-Light-Filled" was co-created

from a photograph of marigold and a painted lady butterfly.

Marigold is also called "herb of the sun" and symbolizes new

beginnings, passion and creativity. The butterfly symbolizes

massive transformation.


Picture
The sun is at its peak.

Let the Summer Solstice

inspire you to

shine your brightest

be your boldest

and

radiate and expand

your inner light.


De-Light-Filled Exercise:


In this simple, yet powerful exercise, I invite you to celebrate the

Summer Solstice  and  connect with the power of light that

nurtures you.


Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions to dive deeply

into this exercise. Meditate, journal, create and bless your

sacred space.


Make this exercise your own. Invest your time and attention.


Don’t rush.


As you sit quietly in your space, light a candle that welcomes

“De-Light-Filled”.


Close your eyes. Bring your awareness to your breath; just be

with your breath. Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take

another deep breath in. Breathe out. Notice the sensations as

you exhale—without judgement.  Feel the body breathing. Bring

your body into stillness.


Open your eyes and bring your attention to the mandala; allow

the mandala energy to fill your heart; be with whatever is there.

Invest a few minutes toward allowing the “De-Light-Filled” 

energy to flow to and through your body.  Imagine that energy

bursting through your crown chakra & extending far into the

heavens.


Imagine the “De-Light-Filled” energy flowing through you

and down deep into the earth. Imagine it radiating from your

heart and extending out in front of you and behind you. Imagine

the “De-Light-Filled” energy is a radiant ball that encircles

you.


Now, sit with this energy for a few minutes.


What about the mandala captures your attention?


Notice and Wonder--Something in me is feeling...


I wonder what it wants me to know?


Relax into your body and its quietness. Be with the energy, be

present, listen.


By asking ourselves questions related to what’s happening

seasonally, we can connect with the powerful & unique energy

present in that season and infuse our lives with insight,

inspiration, sacred strength and wisdom.



Now, ask yourself:


  1. What's changed in my life since the Winter Solstice?
  2. What challenges have I faced? What did I learn by going through them?
  3. What do I feel really proud of from the past 6 months? What accomplishments do I want to celebrate?

Do you spend time beating yourself up for the things you don’t

get done?. Take a moment to acknowledge how much you do

accomplish. It’s a lot. You work hard. Pause here and give

yourself a genuine pat on the back. Life is hard. And you do

your best. Which is spectacular. Be nice to yourself. Say thanks.




There’s a lot happening in the world right now that deserves our

attention, but in moments like this, it’s even more important to

reserve some time for slowing down, unwinding, and caring for

yourself.



Peace and joy to your seeking heart,                  

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    Author

    Sheryl Harrell, Gardener
    of the Soil and of the
    Soul & Co-Creator of
    Mandalas. Happy you
    found my Blog!

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