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Equinox and Solstice

The Equinox and Solstice are nature’s invitation to us: (1) to pause and reflect; (2) to plan our future – our next days/weeks/months/quarters/years; (3) to celebrate our victories and learn from our defeats. It is a cyclical process for us following the sun and the seasons. The importance of this cyclical and yes, admittedly repetitive process, was illustrated on our 4WW Roadmap so beautifully. We practice the practice! And then we keep practicing. Because. It is meaningful. And, it is transformative.

Cultures world over, have shared their Equinox and Solstice practices too. They date back centuries. You can explore here: https://www.almanac.com/content/ancient-sites-aligned-solstice-and-equinox.  For Equinox and Solstice dates for your area:

https://greenwichmeantime.com/longest-day/equinox-solstice-2021-2030/

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"The equinoxes and solstices are opportune times to acknowledge that the seasons are changing and the wheel is constantly turning. Tune in to these four key points of the year when the Sun and Earth are at a different balance point. They offer the opportunity to learn.

Vernal (Spring) Equinox: awakening, beginning - a time of activation and growth, as nature springs forth and the day and night are of equal length. Initiate, motivate, and energize your goals and aspirations with excitement, hope, and enthusiasm.

Summer Solstice: bloom, achieve, victory - a time when sunlight lingers in the northern hemisphere - this is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Nourish your creativity by acknowledging your ability to accomplish what you set out to do during this period of active growth.

Autumnal Equinox: abundance/bounty - a time of harvesting, when again the day and night are of equal length nearly all over the planet. Share your abundance with others as you appreciate all that you have and to be thankful for.

Winter Solstice: hope, reflection, plan, prepare - a time when we pull in, honouring the time of the longest night and shortest day in the northern hemisphere. As you reflect on this annual cycle, feel the power of knowing that there is really no beginning and no ending. Become illuminated by your inner strength, faith, and trust."

-Cheryl Thiele - The Sacred Journey: Daily Journal For Your Soul

We 4WW follow two practices each Equinox and Solstice:

First, we REFLECT and record 13 Quarterly Gratitudes

Paging through our daily/weekly/monthly entries, notes, images, gratitudes we’ve captured in our journals, and recalling events/moments/a-ha’s/victories/defeats, we each record 13 Gratitudes. These 13 are usually jotted down on a page at the end of each quarter though you can designate another page at the back of your journal.

For some of us, this gratitude gathering is a private exercise, without a record of a gratitude on the page, just a lovely reflective moment. Others like to write and share. Still others, may choose not to do this at all or only sometimes. As with all things 4WW, we do it our way, we make it our own, we change/adapt/respond to and respect one another’s choices, voices, and journey. We’re sharing this journalling journey with you and inviting you to make it authentically yours just as we do.

 

Second, we draw a 7-card Oracle Card spread

On each equinox and solstice, pull cards in a spiral spread to offer you an overview of your strengths, blessings, challenges, lessons, and potential insights during the season that follows the equinox and solstice. Most often we 4WW have used Jamie Sams’ Sacred Path Cards.

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​To use the Spiral Spread shown above...

  1. In a gathering of journal mates or on your own, sit in a quiet, cleansed space and follow the steps for drawing cards. (Refer to Jan. 10th Oracle blog post).

  2. Read the meaning of the card aloud. Start with "ESSENCE: This is the foundation and core lesson you are currently working with.  It is the theme that threads and unifies the spiral weaving throughout the spread.  Look to the Essence as a key to assist you with grounding and manifesting during the coming season."

  3. Draw a card that represents ESSENCE and read the words that accompany this card in whatever Oracle/Tarot cards you choose to use. 

  4. Record the card on your Spiral Spread layout as well as your insights, observations, plans, a-ha’s, and lessons learned.

  5. If you are working with others, each person in the circle should repeat steps 2-4 for ESSENCE.

  6. Move on to Past, then Present, etc. following this same process.

 

1) ESSENCE: This is the foundation and core lesson you are currently working with.  It is the theme that threads and unifies the spiral weaving throughout the spread.  Look to the Essence as a key to assist you with grounding and manifesting during the coming season.

2) PAST: The Past may be gone, yet it often affects the choices we make in time present.  Take a moment to review your accomplishments from the past season.  Ask yourself if you carry the strengths you’ve gained, or if the “should haves” and “if onlys” are limiting the decisions you make today.  Make peace, gather your victories, and move forward.

3) PRESENT: The Present is a gift that brings you the courage to make each moment matter.  This card represents what is occurring in your life now.  Dig in with conviction and heart as you take steps toward your goals and dreams.  Trust your instincts and intuition as you make choices now.  In full circle, bring your gifts to the world in the Present.

4) FUTURE: The Future is filled with a blending of certainty and the unexpected.  Look to this card to find direction for the choices you’ll be making in the months to come.  Remember that each decision you make in the present affects your Future.

5) POSSIBILITY: Imagine tossing a pebble out toward the horizon.  The pebble represents your goals and dreams; the horizon is the field of unlimited potential.  What good fortune!  You have a string attached to the pebble, which leads you to the place of realizing those goals and dreams.  Here you find the power of Possibility.

6) BLESSINGS: Look to this card for the Blessings from your allies and ancestors.  When you are still, the wisdom that comes from within brings a new dimension to understanding the ways of life.  This card helps you to recognize those gifts.

7) SYNTHESIS: The culmination of the teachings, lessons, and guidance of the spiral are found here.  This is the Synthesis, bringing you the integration of the wisdom offered during the season and the benefits of consciously choosing to do the work.  The spiral truly has no beginning and no end, like life itself.  Allow your field of wisdom to expand with each step along your Sacred Journey.

-Cheryl Thiele - The Sacred Journey: Daily Journal For Your Soul

 

And that’s all there is to it. You’ve completed your first Equinox/Solstice spread!

Only one thing left: Celebrate! Together or on your own: savour your favourite food, sip wine/tea/water, dance like no one’s watching, sing your heart out, and cry and laugh! Celebrate every single tiny yet glorious victory, and every agonizing yet transformative, defeat. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, they are life-changing and meaningful, important and essential learning on your journey.

Celebrate them. Celebrate you.

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