power of the solstice

Happy Summer Solstice to all! Here at metamoon, I celebrated the changing of the seasons by sharing a virtual & in-person yoga flow to tap into the essence of this powerful transition into summer. Solstice is the longest day of the year meaning we are at peak sun duration. Here in North Dakota, we have over 17 hours of daylight in comparison to only 9 hours on winter solstice, allowing us to have almost double the potential in each day!

In yoga, the sun is highly regarded as the source of all life. Sun salutations are traditionally paired with a mantra or saying for each pose to give gratitude & appreciation to the solar energy that sustains all beings on our planet. Practices such as sun salutations bring our intention & focus back to a simple, pure level. How often do we truly connect & give gratitude to nature? To our earth that supports us, our water that quenches us, our sun that gives us life? It is easy to take these essentials for granted in our modern society but without them, we are nothing.

I was reminded of the true raw power of nature during this summer solstice. It can give life as easily as it can take it away. I experienced my first true Midwestern summer storm, including tornadoes that caused extensive damage & fatalities in the surrounding rural towns. 

storm clouds rolling in

The whole day prior & leading up to the storms, I had this volatile, hot, agitated energy boiling inside. I was irrationally angry for no real reason. As the storm got closer & the skies darker, I began to get lightheaded, dizzy & felt an intense pressure pounding in my head. The night sky lit up like daytime from the constant lightning, the birds began to take cover, as we secured our house wondering how big of a storm we were in for. 

Once the terrifyingly eerie emergency sirens went off around 11:00 PM we headed for the basement to try & settle in for the storm. As it got closer & closer I could feel the pressure building in my head, like a vise grip tightening at the base of my skull. When sheltered in my basement with my family, as the solstice was at its peak, it felt like time stopped & it all became simple again.

All that mattered was the safety of my community, anything else could be replaced. With the wind whipping, trees falling & rain pouring down, I found that moment of ease & appreciation for the power of the solstice & Mother nature. I envisioned myself & my loved ones surrounded by a glowing, white protective light, surrendering to the storm & allowing it to pass. 

vivid beauty after the storm

As the sun began to rise the next day, it felt like waking up in the Wizard of Oz. Everything was more vivid, colorful, beautiful & bursting with vitality. The pressure & agitation that had been building the day before was gone & replaced with a sense of deep calm & gratitude. I truly felt as if I moved through a portal during this solstice, into my new reality. With my heart full of gratitude, I step into the next phase of the year, welcoming in change & abundance each day that I rise with the sun. 

solstice card pull: set your intentions, trust & release, nourish the inner child through play

I encourage you to connect with the power of the sun through the poses below that were part of my solstice yoga flow. These poses activate the solar plexus chakra, which holds our true potential, willpower & self-confidence, glowing bright yellow like the summer sun. Before trying these poses, pause & take a moment to thank the sun & nature for giving you life!

Welcome to summer!

kerry + metamoon