The Awakening Shift

I have found that ceremonies are an effective way to attune to the eclipse and summer solstice energies. See New Earth: Calendars & Seasonal Cycles to learn more about the summer solstice.  To read about a very usual summer solstice celebration in Seattle see New Earth Summer Solstice Celebration Ceremonies are a way to return the sacred to our lives. They bring cleansing, celebration, and realignment as we move through life transitions. They open us to the rhythms of nature, to our intuition and center us in the now. They satisfy an inner longing for ritual and connection to each other and the Earth.

Everyone can perform their own ceremony. It does not require a spiritual leader or special talents. It simply involves opening your heart and mind to what is present.

Altars

For my ceremonies, I always set up at altar to focus the energy. Altars can hold energy and definitely do have “extra powerful energies.” Here is a story that dramatically demonstrates that. During my Feng Shui training with Denise Linn, I set up an altar and lead a ceremony for our group. On the altar, I placed 4 hibiscus flowers in each of the four directions. I did not put them in water as it was a fairly short ceremony and I knew they would last. This was in the morning.

We decided to leave the altar in place for the evening session and go into Monterey for the day. When we returned that evening and looked at the altar (about 8 hours later), to our astonishment, the hibiscus flowers had not wilted! We could not believe our eyes. Hibiscus flowers are delicate and usually fade in a short time. The very powerful chi energy of the altar held the life force in the flowers. This experience taught me the power of altars for holding and focusing energy.

Setting Up An Altar

Here are basic directions for setting up an altar. It can be as simple as placing a beautiful scarf or cloth napkin on your coffee table or outside in a beautiful natural setting , then placing meaningful objects on it. Put a candle, crystal, or sacred symbol such as a spiritual figurine or a Goddess in the center. Place other items on the altar that uplift you. Often I place a candle or crystal in each of the four directions.

Intention

Every ceremony should have an intention or focus. To prepare for your ceremonies this month, you’ll want to select an intention if you have not already. You may want to look again at my post on the eclipses to review their meanings. The theme of the whole series of eclipses is to let go of old beliefs and embrace new ones . Ask yourself what is calling to you now or what do you need to see with new eyes in order to be more aligned with the life you want to create. Allow your intuition to lead you.

Sacred Intention Object

Now find a special object that represents your new intention. You’ll use that object throughout the month in your ceremonies and later to keep you on track.

For example, a rose quartz would be good if your intention involves love. A green stone, special coins or even your wallet (yes you wallet is sacred!) would be good if you are dealing with finances. If your intention involves a healthy body, a picture of the new body you are trying to create would be good. Be creative. Let your intuition tell you what to use.

You’ve made the first step toward performing your ritual. Begin now to plan time for a ceremony on all or one of these June 15, June 21 or July 1. In my next post I will give instructions for the June 15 eclipse ceremony.

Tags: Astrology, Awakening, Consciousness Shift, Earth Cycles, Eclipse, New Consciousness, New Earth, Seasonal Cycles, Summer Solstice